Pro Fitness has been talked about more in the last week than the past few months combined. It shows there’s a passion for fitness out there and if everyone works together there can be a revitalization of the division. Any IFBB Fitness Pros that are interested in helping the cause have an open invite from the NPC NEWS to contribute. Here’s a post by J.M. Manion via SiouxCountry regarding the topic.

I also want to throw this out to any & all IFBB Pro Fitness competitors – anybody that wants to contribute an article(s) to the NPC News about NPC and/or IFBB Fitness, please let me know. The door is open. And remember to keep it positive. This is to help promote the sport & bring it back to its former glory.
__________________
J.M. Manion
Chief Photographer/Journalist NPC News

Props to IFBB Figure Pro Karen Mullarkey for getting herself some exposure in the Arizona market. She challenges one of the CBS morning show hosts to a push-up contest as well as educates the viewers with a few fitness tips. I can’t say that I’ve seen the dips done on/with another human…interesting.

A good example of how to market and promote yourself in your area.

There’s a good discussion taking place on the forum, Siouxcountry.com. Props to J.M. Manion for starting the dialogue regarding this topic. The Phoenix Pro show is one week away and there’s only one fitness pro who has sent in her contract to compete. The deadline is Monday and I hope more people are planning on competing in this event. I understand that it’s not always easy to do a show and many competitors need a rest. When every fitness pro has that reason or something similar to not do a show, guess what? You’re going to see fewer IFBB fitness shows. The fitness division is my favorite to watch and photograph, I’d love to see more fitness routines and not less.

Last year the IFBB Pro League removed the 45-second routine and the one-piece suit round for pro fitness. That was one of the reasons competitors gave for not doing more shows… the expense of two routines and two suits. Clearly, at this point it appears those were excuses.

It’s annoying when I hear competitors complain yet they don’t take steps to help themselves. How do you expect the media to promote you and a show when you don’t send in your contract until the last minute? Who knows maybe there will be 15 fitness pros competing next weekend but sadly few will know much about it. I understand the rationale some give… I don’t want to send my contract in if I’m not totally sure I’m doing the show. Ok, gotcha but turns out you don’t just whip together a routine in a week and you’ve probably been dieting for several, or at least I’d hope you would.

Come on IFBB Fitness Pros… get in the game before the game is gone.

**Note as of 02/12/10 there are four competitors in the pro fitness division
1 Grishina, Oksana
2 Johnson, Tanji
3 Marquez, Nita
4 Rodriguez, Camala

Awe it’s one “big hug you can wear” and it’s made from “marshmallow soft fleece”…The Hoodie-Footie.

The Hoodie-Footie reminds me of Ralphie’s gift from his aunt in The Christmas Story.

Thanks to IFBB Pro Teresa Anthony for sending the link to the Hoodie-Footie.

I get asked on a weekly basis if I know any companies looking to sponsor models/competitors. Truth is, yes I do. A number of supplement companies approach me asking for my advice and input on competitors and models in the industry. Every company is looking for something a little different. Who I recommend varies on a number of things but usually I can assure you they have more to offer than a pretty face or rock’n hardbody.

The Arnold Expo is around the corner and more than 30 women have contacted me looking for booth work. Some of you might be great competitors but that doesn’t make you a great booth worker. Others of you may never crack the top ten in a competition but I’d recommend you to a company. Why? The reasons vary but it starts with defining what makes you more than a pretty face or woman with a hardbody. Lost as to where to start? Here’s a few things to consider.

First let me give you a brief background on myself so you know where I am coming from. Over the years, I have built relationships with supplement companies, magazines and industry decision makers to know a little bit about what they are looking for. I worked for one of the biggest ad agency groups in the world at the beginning of my career. I also headed up an interactive department for a small design firm before starting my own business 8 years ago. I’ve worked with multi-million dollar accounts to non-profits with no money. The size of an account doesn’t matter.

Every brand (in this case yourself) starts with asking relevant questions and having a strategy before you begin. Apply this line of thinking if you want to start to make money and be relevant in the fitness industry.

Ask yourself…
• What makes you different from other models/competitors?
• Do you have something unique to offer a company or magazine?
• You work out, compete or model and have a great physique. Ok. Now what? Thousands of men and women do but that doesn’t entitle you to anything. Why are you relevant?
• You want to work a booth… Ok. Why should I hire you?

Branding and marketing yourself is a HUGE topic but don’t be overwhelmed. Start simple… before looking for work in the industry consider the questions I mentioned above and have a clear answer for them. Develop a strategy and plan to make yourself more than just another pretty face or hardbody.

Ladies, Team TighCurves is looking for you. They passed along the following information and if you’re interested visit www.teamtightcurves.com.

- Have an opportunity to publish articles and tips, and also be featured in our new magazine called Look and Feel.
- Learn and share ideas and thoughts with hundreds of fitness professionals from all walks of life.
- Have a place to share your pictures and accomplishments on line.
- Receive great discounts on all sorts of fitness related products from supplements to cosmetics to clothing.
- Be part of an organization that has a mission of bringing awareness to the issue of childhood obesity.
- Best of all, no cost to join!

“Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitable bring about right results.” – James Allen