So far, it looks like it will be Julie Ann Kulla vs Cheryl Brown at the Kentucky Pro prejudging, with Teresa Anthony, Patricia Mello and Terri Turner rounding out the top 5. But as we all know, anything can change.
IFBB Kentucky Muscle Pro Figure Championships
November 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The last IFBB show of the year takes place today at the International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Twenty IFBB Figure Pros will put on their high heels and blinged out suits in hopes of qualifying for the 2010 Figure Olympia. Stay tuned throughout the day as we cover the action and keep you posted here on HARDBODY.com.
The pros are slated to take the stage around 11:00 am for their prejudging.
A Big Day in the NPC
November 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
There are a number of shows taking place throughout the United States today. The NPC Kentucky is held in conjunction with the IFBB pro figure contest and will be underway this morning. The NPC North Star is taking place in St. Paul, MN. TheNPC All South Championships is goes down in St Augustine, Florida . The 2009 Eastern USA is another big NPC event with over 200 competitors said to be entered. It’s a big day in the NPC and the last qualifying shows before next week’s NPC Nationals.
Last night in Denver, Colorado 142 NPC competitors checked in for the 2009 NPC Rocky. This ties the record for competitors at this event. It’s the NPC show of the year in Colorado and always ends with a bang. I look for a few National contenders to come out of this contest. The Open Figure A class has 19 competitors and the women are definitely dominating the numbers in this event. Which is fairly consistent with what has been seen across the country in NPC shows. Figure and Bikini seem to be dwarfing the Fitness and Bodybuilding entries.
On hand last night was top IFBB Figure Pro, Heather Mae French. You’d never know when Heather is in “off-season” as she’s always in shape. Fitness veteran Carol Semple was also in attendance with some of her team members of Infinite Sports USA. Carol was also looking in tip top shape. IFBB Figure Pro, Chaundra Tanji has made the move back to Colorado and will be lending a hand with make up duties for some ladies at this event.
Sacramento Pro winner Toney Freeman will be guest posing this evening due to an injured Melvin Anthony being out. Visit http://www.jefftaylor.com for more info and tickets to today’s events. Come check out some of the HARDBODY peeps in Colorado.
Pedigo No Mo
November 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
You might remember seeing Keisha Pedigo posing with her long lost smiley twin, Alisha Harris. If not check out the photo and post here. I recently caught up with the NPC figure competitor and she shared some exciting news. After the Jr. Nationals, she took the summer and fall off from competing. When asked how it went she delightfully replied, “It has been a great (and well fed) off season.” While taking time to enjoy some not so healthy foods is exciting and all she had much bigger news to share. As of September Keisha is no longer Keisha Pedigo. When you see the 2010 competitor line-ups, it will read Keisha Smith. Keisha married Johnny Smith Jr in what looked to be a gorgeous setting. Congratulations and all the best in your years ahead.
The happy couple John and Keisha Smith.
Look for Keisha to be back on stage at the Arnold Amateur figure competition.
Hardbody Photo of The Day: Teri Turner
November 14, 2009 By 2 Comments
Teri Turner will take the stage today in her second IFBB Figure career. I had a chance to shoot with the Louisiana lady earlier this year in Las Vegas. Here’s a glimpse at the type of images we captured. Good luck Teri.
Thats How Strong My Love Is
November 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
One of my favorite bands of all time is Seven Mary Three. They had a couple decent hits in the mid-90s but haven’t done much since. They have a new CD available on their web site. I rarely buy full CDs any more but I bought this one and it’s great. This is a live version of of “That’s How Strong My Love is” off the CD. Good stuff.
Revised 2010 IFBB Schedule
November 13, 2009 By 2 Comments
The 2010 IFBB Pro League schedule is out and there are a few changes. The biggest change doesn’t apply to the women’s side of the industry but it is a disappointing loss to the Pro League schedule. The IRONMAN Pro has been canceled and is no longer on the schedule. This was always one of my favorite shows and always had the best lighting of any show. There are a number of IFBB Bikini shows on the schedule and there will be a Bikini Olympia.
Current number of IFBB Pro League women’s shows:
Women’s Bodybuilding – 6
Fitness – 7
Figure – 16
Bikini – 13
Note this is always subject to change.
It’s Snuggie Time
November 13, 2009 By 2 Comments
The readers have spoken and despite 20% of you thinking I’m a dork and could careless, sixty percent of you thought I should rock a Snuggie. Thanks to Jeremy DeLuca and Dean Donlon over at Bodybuilding.com, I am the proud owner of a new Bodybuilding.com logoed Snuggie. I’ll put it to the test next weekend when I fly to the NPC Nationals. It looks a bit like a sleeved blanket with a kangaroo pouch in the front. By the way, I’m well aware of my dork status and thanks for the reminder to those of you who voted as such.
Hardbody Photo of the Day: The Boot
November 13, 2009 By 4 Comments
Any guesses on which NPC competitor this is? She’ll be competing at next week’s NPC Nationals where she’s looking to kick a string of “close but no cigar” placings.
Get a leg up.
Former Playboy Model & Pro Wrestler April Hunter Enters NPC Kentucky Figure Show
November 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A preview of what former playboy model and former pro wrestler, April Hunter is looking likeas she heads into tomorrow’s NPC Kentucky Figure show. Think she’s HARDBODY enough to hold her own in the show?
Photo via April Hunter’s twitter.
Friday Funnies: Face Workout
November 13, 2009 By 1 Comment
Thanks to IFBB Pro Christine Wan for passing this one along. Christine claims she doesn’t participate in this workout but I don’t know how you couldn’t. I mean the outfit, the hair and the music. HILARIOUS!
Bodybuilding.com has some face relaxation videos here. Not quite as over the top as this but still amusing.
Tik Tok
November 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Ke$ha’s Tik Tok sounds like a number of other songs coming out today but it’s one of the tops on iTunes.
Billings Looks to Break out in Pro Debut
November 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Stephanie Billings will be making her IFBB Pro debut this weekend at the Kentucky Muscle Pro. Her hometown paper, The Pioneer News, recently wrote about her debut and the path she took to get there. Congrats on the coverage Stephanie and all the best in your debut.
“My grandparents came to my first show as an amateur, and now they will be able to come to my first show as a pro,” she said. “It’s nice for the family that cannot travel, it gives them the ability to see me compete.”
Look at them girls with the daisy dukes on…
November 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A rather amusing song from the 69 Boyz for your Thursday…
Yo please some fries with that shake
See many terms are used to relate
I love the girls with the big ol’ booties
But where i’m from they call ‘em dukies
Who Will Win the Last Figure Show of 2009?
November 11, 2009 By 1 Comment
The final list is in and there will be twenty IFBB Figure Pros looking to land in the top three spots. The top three ladies will qualify for the 2010 Figure Olympia. Currently, Cheryl Brown is the only ’10 qualified competitor. Should she land in the top two then only two will take Olympia qualifying spots. Cast your vote for who you think will win the show.
n
Who will win the Kentucky Figure Pro
FMG Adds Another Bikini Pro to the Family
November 11, 2009 By 2 Comments
You’ve seen Dianna “the babysitter” Dahlgren on here a time or two. She was last spotted doing a bang up job (we’ll forgive the one broken trophy leg) as a trophy presenter in Sacramento. Fitness Management Group (FMG) has announced they’ve added Dianna to their roster.
From Fitness Management Group:
Signs youngest IFBB Bikini Pro Dianna Dahlgren. This 19 year old won the 2009 NPC Team Universe Bikini Class E Championships to qualify for the IFBB Professional League. Dianna is an accomplished model both in the fitness industry & in the mainstream media. She will be making her IFBB Pro Bikini debut right in her backyard, ironically in the IFBB’s first Pro Bikini competition – the 2010 IFBB Max Muscle Pro Bikini in Culver City, CA. We look forward to working with her for many years.
Keep your eye on her, she has tremendous potential.
IFBB Figure Pro Alicia Harris Signs with Optimum/ABB
November 11, 2009 By 3 Comments
IFBB Figure Pro Alicia Harris had a break out rookie year. She was competitive in every show she competed in this year and at the end, graced the prestigious Figure Olympia stage. Alicia also notched a cover for Muscle & Fitness Hers along the way. In the final chapter of 2009, she added yet another accolade to her already impressive young career… an endorsement contract with Optimum / ABB.
The head of athlete management for Optimum/ABB, Bob Corbett shared, “We’re VERY excited to announce that IFBB Figure Pro, Alicia Harris has joined Team ON/ABB. Alicia brings a fresh look and enthusiasm to our team and she’s an up and comer in the world of figure. We look forward to supporting her and know she will bring a great deal of insight and expertise to the team. Alicia will join fellow IFBB Pros, Jessica Paxson-Putnam, Hazal Nelson, Charles Dixon and George Farah to our team.”
When I congratulated Alicia on the signing she enthuastically told me, “It’s a blessing to get any kind of help inthis industry and I’m grateful that ON has given me the opportunity to represent them. I’m very grateful!”
Alicia’s first stop for ON/ABB will be at their booth for next week’s NPC Nationals. Congratulations Alicia on a kick ass year.
2010 Arnold Sports Festival set for March 4-7, 2010
November 11, 2009 By 1 Comment
It will be here before we know it. The 2010 Arnold Classic and Arnold Sports Festival. The added synchronized skating to the weekend but still no IFBB Bikini. 
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Arnold Sports Festival, co-produced by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the largest multi-sport festival in the nation. The event features 18,000 athletes competing in more than 40 sports and events, including 12 Olympic sports. The three-day Arnold Fitness EXPO at the Greater Columbus Convention Center features more than 700 exhibit booths offering the latest in fitness apparel, equipment, training tools, and nutrition.
New in 2010 are skateboarding, amateur strongman, CrossFit, art and photography and figure & synchronized skating.
Arnold Sports Festival
Dates: March 4-7, 2010 Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center (400 N. High St.), Veterans Memorial (300 W. Broad St.), Nationwide Arena and Dispatch Ice Haus (200 W. Nationwide Blvd.) and The LC Pavilion (405 Neil Ave.).
Hours:
Thursday 7-10 p.m.;
Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.;
Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
EXPO hours:
Friday 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission:
A $10 EXPO ticket provides admission to most events and the EXPO
Phone:
614-431-2600
Web:
www.arnoldsportsfestival.com
Tickets:
www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000
Peanut Butter Freaks Check out Justin’s Nut Butter
November 11, 2009 By 1 Comment
If you’re a competitor you’ve probably had to hide a jar of peanut butter from yourself more than once. I know the feeling. I’m a fan of the nutty goodness. I ran across a handy little product that may help you from over indulging with the peanut butter. Justin’s Nut Butter, a Boulder, Colorado company, has a variety of almond and peanut butter flavors in little squeeze packets. It’s an organic product too! I snatched up one of each flavor and this morning enjoyed the almond butter packet on my protein pancakes. MMMM mmm GOOD! I’ll put a couple to the test next week to see if they make it through airport security. They should since they are under 3oz. Definitely a HARDBODY approved product. Check em out and tell them HARDBODY sent ya.
One young lady is such a super fan that she created her own little song for the brand.
NPC Sacramento Figure Champ Mindi Smith Wallpaper
November 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Bodybuilding.com is featuring NPC Sacramento Figure overall champion Mindi Smith as their Wallpaper of the Week. Mindi will be competing in next week’s NPC Nationals.
Gold’s Gym Costa Rica Ads
November 11, 2009 By 1 Comment
I ran across these ads on the web site copyranter.com. These ads for a Gold’s Gym in Costa Rica are not your typical gym ad. Click to view the full size versions.
Salute to All Veterans
November 11, 2009 By 1 Comment
Hardbody salutes our military veterans as America celebrates Veterans Day. As someone who served in the military (I was in the Army National Guard for 8 years) I have a great appreciation for the military of the United States. Remember those who are currently serving and those we’ve lost along the way today. Today is a state and federal holiday in all states.
Bodybuilding.com has a special Veterans Day feature.
Real Big
November 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Probably not one you want to crank real loud at the office but Mannie Fresh’s REAL BIG is a tune that will get ya mooooooooove’n. I’d like to thank everything big.
NPC National Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships Come Back to South Florida on November 20-21
November 10, 2009 By 4 Comments
Press release regarding next week’s NPC Nationals. We’ll see ya there!
HOLLYWOOD, Fla.– (BUSINESS WIRE) –The big guns are loaded and the bombshells will be out in full force! The NPC Nationals returns to South Florida – this time at one of the classiest resorts in Florida – the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood! With more than 500 of the ultimate bodybuilding, figure and bikini athletes from 50 states competing, it looks like the 2009 Nationals will be the biggest one ever!
This pro qualifier – each class winner qualifies for the professional Grand Prix tour – will be held right in the host hotel in the Westin’s Great Hall and is billed as the “BATTLE AT THE BEACH 2009” – where the best of the nation’s NPC athletes vie for their pro status, at the one event that sets the standard – the event that features the best from across America…and is the road to the Olympia! The sanctioning body, the National Physique Committee of the USA (NPC), the NCAA of competitive amateur bodybuilding, sanctions more than 1,000 events around the country, which lead up to this – its “crown jewel” and premier championship event.
Show hours are:
Men’s Bodybuilding and Women’s Bikini Preliminaries – Friday, November 20, 4:30 p.m. (Tickets $50 – General Admission)
Women’s Bodybuilding and Women’s Figure Preliminaries – Saturday, November 21, 8:30 a.m. (Tickets $35 – General Admission)
Finals for all Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini – Saturday, November 21, 6:30 p.m. (Tickets $125 & $75 – All Seats Reserved)
Tickets are available at www.nationalbodybuilding.com or at the door.
And the Expo – More than 60 of the country’s most popular sports related companies will exhibit their products right there in the Great Hall where the competition takes place. Many of the current IFBB pro bodybuilders, fitness and figure athletes, along with many other sports celebrities will be in attendance.
Curry’s Conga Lines
November 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
One of the top NPC Bikini competitors, April Curry is featured in FLEX magazine’s “Ws” section, the WHO and WHAT in the world of bodybuilding. April is quite the comedian in her answers with Deputy Editor Dave Lee. Pick up the newest issue of FLEX with Jay Cutler (and Nicole Wilkins-Lee) on the cover to read April’s feature. The image was shot earlier this year when April and I found a cool grungy spot in Charleston.
NPC Bikini competitor, April Curry in the newest FLEX magazine.
Behind-The-Scenes at the Sacramento Pro
November 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Check out the behind-the-scenes action from the Sacramento Pro. Ron Avidan and I covered the action for bodybuilding.com. Some pretty amusing pics beyond the stage.
The top five at the Sacramento Pro Figure.
Dianna was too strong for her own good & snapped the leg off a trophy.
Ozomatli O Le Le
November 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Get your groove on with Ozomatli’s O Le Le. I dig these guys.
Denver Post: Stuffed to Sleek
November 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Check out the front page of the Denver Post’s Health & Fitness section. It features a Colorado couple who shed some significant weight and are healthier because of it. It’s great to see this kind of story and painted in a positive light.
As Troy Raper’s weight ballooned to 260 pounds, his wife metamorphosed from tubby to toned, dropping 60 pounds. At 40, she was in the best shape of her life. She entered a bodybuilding competition, and Troy Raper gawped in awe when his buff, tanned wife flexed her muscles on stage.
“Suddenly, I realized that there was more to life than just getting your stuff done, and thinking ahead more than five minutes,” said Troy Raper, who teaches orchestra at Palisade High School and is the principal bassist with the Grand Junction symphony.
Stay Classy Sacramento
November 9, 2009 By 6 Comments
A bit of unsolicited advice to those of you who are competitors.
You work hard and we all know it’s not easy to compete. You’ve dedicated weeks of prep and sacrafice to get on stage. It’s only natural that you want to win, it is a competition after all. When the placings are announced it’s not out of the ordinary for a competitor to be a poor sport. It’s happened more times than I can count. The audience may boo and your family/friends will tell you that you got screwed. It’s not a classy move and one that is pretty obvious that you should avoid. It happens on all levels of competiton but unexecusable.
Over the weekend at the NPC Sacramento show, I saw the opposite of a sore loser. I saw an obnoxious, unclassy winner. Yes, it’s only natural to be happy when you win. You may jump up and down with glee, hug the nearest person or point to the air thanking someone up above. Cool, congratulations on being rewarded. What is over the line and idiotic, is doing the before mentioned and dropping (at the top of your lung) a few F-bombs. A female bodybuilder won her class and swore more than a drunk sailor. It had a few people scratching their heads in the press pit and judge’s table.
Do everyone a favor and keep the joyous F-bombs locked up until you leave the stage.
Get on your Snuggie
November 9, 2009 By 18 Comments
This has the be the most ridiculously funny product of the year. THE SNUGGIE! Every time I hear “snuggie” I laugh. It sounds like a modified version of a wedgie. When I see the commercials for the snuggie it’s even more amusing. Times are tough in today’s economy and what better way to save a few pennies then by turning down your heat. No need to worry about being cold. Nooooo. You can look like a gospel singer AND stay warm with a snuggie.
I’d really like to see someone wearing one of these at a show. It might ruin a competitors tan though. I may ask for one of these lovely garments from Santa just so I can wear it in the airport and see how many comments I get. Whaddya think?
n
Should Isaac get a Snuggie?
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