2009 Status Fitness Calendar with photography by T.C. Chang Photography.

Status Fitness Magazine has released it’s 2009 Fitness Model Calendar. I had a chance to check the calendar out at the Olympia and it features the photography of T.C. Chang. Congrats to all who are featured in the calendar. There is a web site devoted to the models in the calendar at statusfitnesscalendar.com. It’s a nice looking site but don’t check it out if you’re at work – the sound is loud and there’s no ON/OFF button.

Featured in the Calendar:
Alicia Marie
Francisca Dennis
Marzia Prince
Timea Majorova
Krissy Chin
Macey Boudreau
Kyla McGrath
Jamie Eason
Julie Marsland
Ocean Bloom
Monica Cariveau
Annette Milbers-Fleck
Jennifer Nicole Lee

The top story today on The Selma Enterprise web site reads, “Hard work, training to win ‘figure’ competitions”. It’s not every day a figure competitor (on any level) is featured as a lead news story. The 22 year old, Arian Kasparian does a good job of explaining what she goes through preparing for a contest. The article states she will be making the trip to Sacramento to compete.

This is a great example of how every competitor can utilize their local media to their advantage. Look at these types of opportunities to not only promote yourselves but also educate the general public abotu the industry. Props to Selma Enterprise for feature a figure competitor and best of luck Ariana.

– Read the full story here.

NPC Fitness headed to 50/50 scoring?

There’s chatter about the 1piece round getting nixed in NPC figure competitions, but what about fitness? It would make sense that fitness would follow suit with the figure… or would it? If the fitness 1piece goes away it would change the scoring. There are currently two physique rounds (1 and 2 piece) and one routine round (there isn’t a 45 second round in NPC only IFBB). The routine round currently counts for 50% of the overall score and each physique round is 25%. If the 1piece round goes away in fitness the scoring would go to 50% physique and 50% routine.

We’ll find out what the verdict is at the NPC national meeting next month. What do you think fitness fans?

I ran across this on bodybuilding.com today. Aspiring models will have a chance to be on the a cover of IRONMAN magazine and more…

Iron Man Magazine’s Cover Model Competition, presented by Bodybuilding.com and Bodyspace, is an online contest open to men and women around the world who think they have what it takes to be chosen to appear on a future cover of Iron Man Magazine.

Visitors to the Bodybuilding.com website will vote for their favorite male and female entrants in a series of single elimination rounds. The final round of the Competition will feature the top five (5) male vote getters and the top five (5) female vote getters and will be held on January 24, 2009 at the Los Angeles Fitness Expo in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California and webcast live around the world on Bodybuilding.com (the “Competition”).

It looks like there will be some pretty killer prizes for the winners…

One (1) male winner and one (1) female winner will be selected from the ten (10) Finalists to (a) appear on a future cover of Iron Man Magazine, (b) appear in a feature article about the Competition in Iron Man Magazine, (c) appear in a national advertising campaign for Bodybuilding.com, (d) present an award at the 2009 Iron Man Pro Bodybuilding Contest, and (e) receive airfare and hotel expenses to both the 2009 Arnold Expo in Columbus, Ohio and the 2009 Olympia Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they will appear as spokespersons for Iron Man Magazine and Bodybuilding.com.

– Read the full rules and details of the contest here.

IFBB Figure Pro Jane Awad is one busy woman!

IFBB Figure Pro Jane Awad has a number of irons in the fire. She recently competed at the 2008 Figure Olympia and is busy with the new reality show. As if that’s not enough she’s also licensed her “Train with Jane” training system. Oh and she’s also moving to California next month. I caught up with Jane to get the skinny on her lateste venture.

What does the licensing agreement of “Train with Jane” allow you to do?
Every necessary component will be provided to open your TWJ studio. Continuous assistance and support including pre-designed workouts and personalized nutrition programs are a part of our TWJ System. A strategic advertising and marketing plan is also a part of the TWJ System. The TWJ System is a complete package designed to make entrepreneurialship a turnkey operation for fitness enthusiasts and health-minded professionals.

Are there more than one TWJ studios currently?
Currently, we have one location. We are in talks with interested parties around Canada and the United States. We are accepting applications for parties who may be interested in becoming a TWJ business owner.

When are you moving to Cali?
November 2008

Wow that’s coming up quick. Do you have plans to open up TWJ there?
We are looking to open many TWJ locations in Cali. Anyone interested in our California territory may contact us to submit an application at info@trainwjane.com

When are you going to compete again?
I will be putting my application in for the 2009 Figure International.

Thanks Jane and keep us posted on how the move to the States goes.

Co-Founder of the IFBB, Ben Weider died Friday at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. Mr. Weider was 85 years old. His funeral will be held Monday afternoon at Papermans and Sons funeral home in Montreal. The cause of his death has not been released at this time.

I had the honor and privilege to meet Mr. Weider at the 2008 Olympia. He thanked me for my contributions to the industry and told me he appreciated all the work I do for IFBBpro.com. He leaves behind a legacy that will go unmatched.

– Read more about Mr. Weider here.