San Delivers Results

Follow Kayde Puckett at the IFBB Women’s World Championship


Kayde Puckett took home top honors at the NPC Fitness Nationals last month and with her overall win she will be representing the United States at the IFBB Women’s World Championship this weekend. I interviewed Kayde after her win and she shared a bit more about her background and competition history.

Check out more video interviews on bodybuilding.com.

Those of you interested in Kayde’s journey to Italy can follow along on Siouxcountry.com where she is sharing her travel stories and logging her journey. Good luck Kayde and to all the women competing in this event.



IFBB Advisory Notice


The annual IFBB Advisory meeting is held during the Olympia weekend. The following notice was issued this week regarding a few rule changes for IFBB Pros. Notice provided by IFBBpro.com.

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Click for full view.



NPC Ft. Lauderdale Photos & Results


Along with the IFBB Pro fitness and figure, the Ft. Lauderdale show held an all women’s NPC event. There were some future stars on this stage and a couple you can count on seeing more of in the future.

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Check out all the NPC competition photos here.



Ft. Lauderdale Fashion Show


One addition to the Ft. Lauderdale show that you don’t see in many other shows was a fashion show. It was a pretty cool idea and gave some of the women in the show a chance to be fashion models for a minute. It also provided the vendors the opportunity to show off their clothing. The clothing that caught my attention was a new line by Ana Tigre. Ana’s new line should be out by the end of the year. Here’s a couple examples of her new tops.

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Kira rock’n a very cool top from Ana Tigre’s new line.

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Kat Holmes was also showing off one of Ana’s tops.

There were  number of other lines on display during the fashion show. Check out all the photos on bodybuilding.com from this event. You’ll see some of your favorite competitors in a variety of clothing samples.



One More Day


Derek James has a groovy little tune in ‘One More Day’. The video isn’t the best but I dig the song.



Caption This Greek Week Photo


Last week, Bodybuilding.com hit the University of Southern California’s campus for Greek Week. New IFBB Bikini Pro, Dianna Dahlgren was on hand to helping with the event. Here’s a rather comical photo of Dianna giving a guy some encouragement while his buddy was sneaks a peak.

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Dianna Dahlgren and a couple of geeks Greeks.

Check out more photos from this event on bodybuilding.com. Post your caption in the comments below.



The Ultimate Body Reality Show


I’ve been asked by a number people what is up with “The Ultimate Body” reality show. The newest fitness reality show is holding auditions this Saturday, October 17th in Orlando. There are a number of industry personalities that will be appearing in the show from the looks of the flyer. I wish them the best and I hope it is more successful than the other reality shows attempting to highlight the fitness/bodybuilding industry in the past. I voiced my skepticism on Siouxcountry.com and the producer of this show, David Lyons wrote the following…

HELLO EVERYONE,

LET ME ADDRESS SOME OF YOUR REPLIES.

FIRST THIS IS NOT A MAYBE BY A BODYBUILDING PRODUCTION COMPANY. IT IS A PRODUCTION BY LYONS ENTERTAINMENT, A COMPANY THAT CURRENTLY HAS A SHOW ON AIR CALLED HOG HEAVEN IN IT’S 4TH SEASON. THE NEW SHOW, THE ULTIMATE BODY, WILL BE PRODUCED, DIRECTED AND AIRED BY MAJOR NETWORK EXECUTIVES WHO HAVE PRODUCED SHOWS SUCH AS NANNY 911, THE OSBOURNES, THE AVERAGE JOE, ETC.

THIS SHOW IS NOT THE BIGGEST LOSER AND WILL NOT FEATURE OUT OF SHAPE PEOPLE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT. WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE ORDINARY PERSON THAT WORKS OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS, HAS NOT WON A MAJOR CONTEST AND IS LOOKING TO TAKE HIS/HER BODY TO THE NEXT LEVEL. SO 10 WEEKS OF TRAINING FOR PEOPLE IN THAT CONDITION WILL BE ENOUGH, WITH TRAINERS GUIDING THEM AND GASPARI NUTRITION TO HELP THEM ALONG, TO GET CUT AND IN THE BEST SHAPE OF THEIR LIVES.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN OR BRING THEM TO THE AUDITION ON OCT 17TH. GO TO www.theultimatebodytvshow.com FOR DETAILS. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, CALL ME AT 407-346-1241 AND I WILL BE GALD TO ANSWER THEM. AND THANKS FOR ALL THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK.

DAVID LYONS
PRODUCER

The Figure Reality show was with Warner Bros, Hand Picked Films and Destiny Productions and has yet to see the light of day. It’s the nature of show biz that some things make it to TV and most don’t. I would like nothing more than mainstream media get a taste for more of what is involved in the fitness/bodybuilding industry however I don’t think a trailer like this will do the trick. No offense to those involved and I hope I’m proven wrong.

Those interested in the casting can visit here for more details.



New Addition for Arnold Amateur


Great news for those of you looking to compete in the Arnold Amateur event this year.

NEW FOR 2010 ARNOLD AMATEUR BODYBUILDING, FITNESS, FIGURE & BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
We are excited to announce the addition of a MASTERS division for figure at this years Arnold AMATEUR Event. The competition will take place at the Veterans Memorial on Thursday March 4, 2010.  Prejudging and awards for all masters division will take place at this time.  Cost is $100.00 for registration and you will be able to cross over into the Open divisions for an additional $100.00.  For detailed information look us up at arnoldclassicamateurbodybuilding.com.

The Arnold weekend is always a top notch event and I’d encourage anyone considering competing to do this show.



Guerilla Radio


Here’s one to add to your gym playlist. Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Guerilla Radio’ is awesome for getting pumped up in the gym.



Nicole Wilkins-Lee Signs with Weider


Congratulations to the 2009 Ms. Figure Olympia Champ, Nicole Wilkins-Lee! Nicole signed an exclusive contract with Weider on Wednesday. FLEXonline.com has the complete story here.

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“I’m honored to be a part of such an amazing team,” Wilkins-Lee said.
“I’m really excited to help bring more knowledge about figure to a wider audience and be a good representative for the sport.”

Nicole becomes one of the few females with a Weider contract. Look for great things to come through this signing for not only Nicole but also women in the industry.



Ft. Lauderdale Fitness Routine Photos


As a photographer there are days you are “on” and there are days you are “off” when it comes to timing your shots. The most exciting part of any competition for me are the fitness routines. It’s a challenge to capture the image at the right moment in time and one that isn’t easy. Many times you’re too close or too far away from the stage. The lighting of the stage can either help or hurt your chances of snapping a good image. The best images come when competitors stay in the middle of the stage and towards the front but not too far to the front. There is an “X” marked for individual quarter turns. That is is there because it’s the best lighting and the center of the stage (usually this is the case).

Anyone doing a fitness routine, think about that when you choreograph your routines. If you’re doing all your moves off to the side of the stage it is 1)tough for the judges to see you and 2)nearly impossible for a photographer to capture the move. Those competing in the Ft. Lauderdale show did a great job with their routines and the photos reflect it. I was stoked after sorting through the images as I was “on” with my timing at this event. Here’s a couple examples of the routines. Check out the full gallery on bodybuilding.com.

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Ft. Lauderdale Champ Kizzy Vaines flies high.

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Nicole Duncan rocked the house with her Michael Jackson theme.

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Liza Hughes put on a show in her final fitness performance.

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Bridgette Murray was flying high in her routine.

Check out the full fitness routine gallery on bodybuilding.com.



Photography – Angles and Lighting


While in Florida covering the Ft. Lauderdale event I had the opportunity to do a few beach photo shoots. Shooting on the beach is fun but after awhile it starts to become the same thing. I like to experiment and try new things when I shoot. The one saying I live by when it comes to photography is “lighting and angles”. You can dramatically change the look and feel of an image by those two simple things. Change your angle and change the lighting. This image with IFBB Bikini Pro Amanda Procida is an example of changing the mood by the use of shadows. If you removed the dark shadows from the image you’d get an entirely different feel from this photo.

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Amanda Procida stepping out of the shadows.

I’ll continue to post more “experimental” shots like this. While this image is ok, it will most likely never see the light of day in a magazine. If you’re a photographer in the business try new things and change your angles and your lighting. If you’re a model seek out photographers who don’t just stand straight on and click away. Everyone has their good and bad profiles. Next, I’ll show an example of how someone can look completely different from the angle of their face and the lighting used during the capture.



Break Away from Everybody


Three Days Grace jams with ‘Break’. Pretty good little tune for your hump day.



Smiling Papi & Stern


If you don’t know IFBB Figure Pro Erin Stern, you’re missing out. Erin is one of the funniest hardbody women you’ll ever meet. We were walking to a new location on our Sunday shoot when we spotted “Papi”. Erin hit a pose with the stunned lad and certainly made his day. This was one of several funny images we captured over the weekend and I’ll post more in the coming days.

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Papi didn’t know what to think when we stopped for this candid shot.

No word on if he is any relation to the infamous “muscle papa” that has frequents the fitness boards.



Say NO to Booty Implants


I try not to single out anyone in a contest for their flaws. No one is perfect and we all have areas to improve. I have to make an exception this time and point out what a difference a booty, or in this case fake booty, can make. Some women are blessed with a great butt while others have to work hard at getting or losing one. Then there are others who will get an ass implant. WHAT?! Yes, it’s true. I saw my first booty implant while covering the Ft. Lauderdale competition. One woman was the talk of the crowd for what was clearly not a natural booty. It brought up questions like, where do you get one at…? why do you get one…? how do they insert the implants…? and so on. I don’t know the answers but I do know that the booty implant is not the way to go if you have aspirations of competing and modeling in the fitness industry. This photo does it little justice… it has to be seen in person to fully appreciate what a butt implant looks like.

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A butt implant is not a good way to go for competing

On the other side of the coin…. This is what an Olympia booty looks like. You’ll need good genetics and a better work ethic to get a booty looking like this.

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What a top pro booty should look like.

Update: Apparently this booty was on stage at the Southern States in July. Thanks for one of our faithful readers who sent in further booty evidence.

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One of these booties is not like the other…



Bikini Overall Winner Missy Coles Talks Bikini


I caught up with Missy Coles after her win at the NPC Team Universe event. Missy talks about practicing her bikini posing and how she got her start in competing. Missy won the overall bikini title and is now an IFBB Bikini Pro.

Check out more Team Universe video interviews here.



Jersey Girl Dayna Maleton Talks Bikini


Dayna Maleton won the Bikini B class last month at the NPC Team Universe event. This Jersey girl talks about entering the contest with only three weeks of dieting and turned pro her second time out. Now before you get your thong in a bunch, listen to why it only took her three weeks to do the contest. She lives a healthy lifestyle and doesn’t believe there should be an “off-season” for bikini competitors. This is the first time any bikini competitor has said this but I have to agree with her. Check out this candid interview with Dayna the day after she won.

Check out more Team Universe video interviews here.



Heidi Montag a Hardbody?


Meh, not so much. I guess some in the mainstream media like her look but I’m not a fan. She recently toned up to appeared on the cover of PLAYBOY and enlisted trainer Chad Waterbury to do so. Bodybuilding.com profiles her workout and editor-in-chief Kris Gethin interviews her.

Call me crazy but I’m not impressed with her. What do you think?



Get On Your Boots


What can you say about U2? They simply rock. I’ll be heading to Vegas to see them next Friday and can’t wait. Enjoy ‘Get On Your Boots’ to kick off your day.



Ft. Lauderdale Fitness Photos


This was the first show with no 1-piece and no 45-second routine. The competitors competed in their 2 piece swimsuit for the morning prejudging and performed their 2-minute routines in the evening. There were some amazing routines with Kizzy and Nicole taking home the best routines of the evening. Check out the morning prejudging photos on bodybuilding.com.

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Morning prejudging with the Fitness pros.

Routine photos will be posted shortly. There are some amazing moves in this gallery and will be worth the wait.



Ft. Lauderdale Pro Figure Photos


Check out the photos from the IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Figure competition on bodybuilding.com. This was a competitive line-up that showcased a number of new faces/physiques. Congrats to Kristal Richardson on her first pro victory. Erin Stern and Gennifer Strobo took home Olympia qualifications for the 2010 Ms. Figure Olympia.

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Top four from the back. Reminder… a tight booty helps win shows!



Border States Competitor List Grows


The second qualifying event for the 2010 Figure Olympia will take place this weekend in San Diego, CA. As of today 17 women are slated to take the stage on Saturday. This is shaping up to be a very competitive line-up.

COMPETITOR LIST:
Crystal Chiles
Krissy Chin
Meriza DeGuzman
Jennifer De Joya
Valerie Gangi
Sabrina Gibson
Carin Hawkins
Akane Nigo-Ismeal
Kristin Nunn
Ann Pratt
Maria del Consuelo Rojas
Felicia Romero
April Rountree
Kristi Tauti
Ann Titone
Stephanie Togrul
Christina Vargas

For more information visit: Musclecontest.com



Take a Look at My Life


Dean from bodybuilding.com recommended I check out Grieves and their song ‘Unedible’. I’m digging it!



IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Final Results


Congratulations to Kizzy Vaines and Krystal Richardson for their pro wins in Ft. Lauderdale. Here are the final results from the evening.

IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Fitness Final Results

1. Kizzy Vaines
2. Nicole Duncan
3. Yenny Polanco
4. Kristina Rojas
5. Nita Marquez
6. Tonya Burkhardt
7. Desiree Walker
8. Nizole Balarezo
9. Michele Mayberry
10. Victoria Larvie
11. Liza Hughes
12. Sandi Stuart
13. Bridgette Murray-Ward
14. Sandie Ward
DNF. Leslie Rae Newton
DNF. Susana Cacavieli

IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Figure Final Results

1. Kristal Richardson
2. Erin Stern
3. Gennifer Strobo
4. Candice Keene
5. Cheryl Brown
6. Allison Jones-William
7. Rosa-Maria Romero
8. Marie Ann Newman
9. Tivisay Briceno
10. Rosalind Vanterpool
11. Kristin Nunn
12. Brandie Gardner
13. Chastity Slone
14. Natalie Waples
15. Heather Green
16. Petra Mertl
17. Aleisha Hart
18. Marcy Porter
19. Anna Level
19. Cynthia Sharp
19. Michelle Theison
19. Karen Williams
19. Tessa Wood-Thornes
19. Aliana Hernandez



Freaky Flexibility by Kizzy


This is just one example of the insane flexibility Kizzy displayed en route to her win at the IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup. I’ll be posting more photos on bodybuilding.com in the next day. Congrats Kizzy!

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Kizzy put on a show stopping performance in Florida.



Ft. Lauderdale Finals


Live from Ft. Lauderdale. The red carpet was rolled out for this event, literally. The pros rolled in dressed to the nines and had their pictures taken on the red carpet. Things kick off in about 40 minutes. Right now the fitness pros are warming up and they will start the show off.

The show is getting underway. Here’s a look at the opening scene.

Fitness routines up now. Nicole Duncan frickin rocks. Her routine was bad ass. Victoria showed she can hang with the vets in this round and is a star. Bridgette Murray had some kick ass moves in her routine. Leslie Rae Newton injured herself badly at the opening of her routine. It didn’t look good. We’re on hold as a doctor has look at her.

Kizzy Vaines gets the award for routine of the year. She showed amazing flexibility combined with incredible strength. I’d love to see her on the Arnold stage next March. I look for her to win the routine round and leave with an Olympia qualification. Let’s hope my photos can do her justice.

A look from backstage during the pro fitness evening show:

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Figure pros are back on stage. Kristal and Erin both look better tonight. It’s a tough call on who will win this one. From the positioning I’d say kristal will win this one with Erin second. Candice Keene gets my vote for third.

Here’s a look at what appears to be your top 6:

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Kristal Richardson wins her first pro show by taking first in Figure. Kizzy Vaines wins the fitness with a good physique and amazing routine. Full results coming. Congrats!



Quick Look at Top Florida Pros


Here’s a quick look at what were your top contenders in the IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup prejudging.

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Fitness Prejudging

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Figure Prejudging



Ft. Lauderdale Coverage


We’re live in Ft. Lauderdale. Hit refresh as I’ll be updating the blog live with my thoughts.

The venue is amazing and the promoters are taking great care of the judges & press. The staff is bringing us coffee & bagels. This is awesome considering I woke up late.

The fitness pros are out first. A number of debuts. Some are good and some need a little polish.

IFBB Pro fitness top 6 in 2 piece to be: Tonya Burkhardt, Nicole Duncan, Kizzy Vaines, Yenny Polanco, Kristina Rojas, Desiree Walker. I’d go…

1. Kristina Rojas
2. Tonya Burkhardt
3. Nicole Duncan
4. Kizzy Vaines
5. Yenny Polanco
6. Desiree Walker

Kristina Rojas is much improved from her showing at the Europa with a tad softer & fuller look then she showed there. Nicole Duncan looks improved from the Olympia and with her routine could pull out the win tonight. Tonya is at her best and definitely in the mix for an Olympia qualification. Kizzy Vaines was dehydrated earlier in the week and nearly didn’t compete. She is also in the mix for a top spot. Yenny wasted no time making her pro debut after winning at Figure Nationals last month. Her posing is a little off and needs work. If she improves that it will help her in the placings. Desiree is also making her debut after winning at Jr. Nationals in June. Her physique has improved from there.

IFBB Figure Two Piece I’d go…

1. Erin Stern
2. Kristal Richardson
3. Candice Keene
4. Gennifer Strobo
5. Allison Jones
6. Cheryl Brown

Erin & Kristal both look great here and will be the first pro win for either. I could make a case for either woman for the win here. Candice Keene looks her best ever and is in a battle with rookie Gennifer Strobo for third. Gennifer looks improved from her win at Jr. USA. An impressive debut for Strobo. Cheryl Brown is also making her debut and should land in the top six. Allison Jones is at her best and looks to be in the top six mix. Rosa-Maria is on the bubble and could sneak into the top six.

The NPC event is up now.

Not a bad NPC event and strong numbers considering it’s only women. Watch out for Nathalia in bikini, this 1/2 Brazilian 1/2 Italian woman is a head turner.

IFBB Figure One Piece I’d go…
1. Kristal Richardson
2. Erin Stern
3. Candice Keene
4. Gennifer Strobo
5. Allison Jones
6. Cheryl Brown

It’s a tough call between Kristal and Erin. They both are improved from the Olympia, which is impressive as both were in the top 6 there. Candice Keene has a nice look to her and just a few tweaks to posing and she’ll be a contender for shows to come. Gennifer Strobo added some size to her upper body and she is fuller here than at JR USAs. The added muscle did her good. Allison Jones is at her best and looks to be a contender in the top six. Cheryl Brown is also at her best and holding her own in her pro debut.

Tonight at the 2 minute routines and it could move the placings around a bit in fitness. Flip a coin as to whether Kristal or Erin will win the figure but both are good so have no problem with whichever way the judges call this one. I’ll be covering the event live starting at 6pm EST. Check back



Final lists are in…Predict the Top Six and Win!


The final competitor’s lists are in and this is a solid line-up for the first annual IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup. Sixteen Fitness and twenty-three figure pros will take the stage tomorrow in hopes of qualifying for the 2010 Olympia. Three qualifying spots will be rewarded in each of the competitions. Who do you think will be crowned the winners tomorrow?

Cast your votes for the TOP SIX in fitness AND figure in the comments field below. If you correctly predict the TOP SIX IN EXACT ORDER for both fitness and figure we’ll award you with $150. If someone correctly guesses one category but not the other we’ll award you with $50. The first one to post will win the prize should two people have the same guesses, so cast your predictions early. You’ll have until 8am EST tomorrow to place your predictions. Good luck!

FITNESS

Nicole Balarezo
Tanya Burkhardt
Susana Cacavieli
Nicole Duncan
Liza Hughes
Victoria Larvie
Nita Marquez
Michele Mayberry
Bridgette Murray-Ward
Leslie Rae Newton
Yenny Polanco
Kristina Rojas
Sandi Stuart
Kizzy Vaines
Desiree Walker
Sandie Ward

FIGURE

Tivisay Briceno
Cheryl Brown
Brandie Gardner
Heather Green
Aleisha Hart
Allison Jones – Williams
Candice Keene
Anna Level
Petra Mertl
Marie Ann Newman
Kristin Nunn
Marcy Porter
Rosa Maria Romero
Kristal Richardson
Cynthia Sharp
Chastity Slone
Erin Stern
Gennifer Strobo
Michelle Theison
Rosalind Vanterpool
Natalie Waples
Karen Williams
Tessa Wood-Thomes

There’s still time to get tickets to tomorrow’s main event. Visit ftlauderdalecup.com for more info and if you’re unable to attend follow us on twitter @hardbodynews.



Make Yourself Memorable


I picked up ESPN the magazine‘s BODY issue earlier this week. There’s a great article by Alyssa Roenigk that talks about women using their looks in the world of professional sports.  The piece is titled “FOR SALE BY OWNER” and the sub-head asks, “How much of themselves should female athletes reveal in the name of self-promotion?” The writer talks about female athletes baring all and how there’s a double standard when it comes to men. A number of things in the article could be applied to the fitness industry. A couple of things stuck with me and one was the following quote:

“Most athletes think, ‘if I do this and this, I will win-and if I win this much, I should have earned this much money and fame,” says Tom George, a senior vice president at octagon, the athlete management and marketing firm.

In the world of competitive fitness, figure, bodybuilding and now bikini just because you win doesn’t entitle you to anything. You may get a medal but that doesn’t equate to more opportunities and fame. It certainly can, but it doesn’t guarantee it. There are a number of women who win shows yet you never see them in a magazine. Why is that? Winning a show simply isn’t enough. While the fitness industry is primarily image driven just having pretty looks won’t cut it either. So what’s the answer?

There’s a quote that Alyssa cites near the end of her article from Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard. Amanda says, “to be marketable is to be memorable.” That’s a perfect way to think about getting noticed in the fitness industry. Make yourself memorable.



Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.