2010 September

North American Bodybuilding Results: Monique Jones & Claire O’Connell New IFBB Pros

September 4, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 6 Comments

Monique Jones took top honors in the Women’s Bodybuilding at the 2010 IFBB North American Championships. She beat out a tough heavyweight class en route to her overall win. The second pro card went to lightweight open and overall Master’s Champion, Claire O’Connell. Claire has been battling in the NPC ranks for a few years and was able to put it together in Cleveland. Congrats ladies!

Photos via: FLEXonline.com

2010 IFBB North American Championships Bodybuilding Results

Earned Pro Card
Monique Jones
Claire O’Connell

Overall Open Winner
Monique Jones

Heavyweight
1 Monique Jones
2 Heather Parsons
3 Jennifer Gutierrez
4 Bonnie Pappas
5 Angela Rayburn
6 Victoria Dominguez
7 Yamile Marrero
8 Lauren Laplante
9 Maria Holt
10 Olivia Terry
11 Kathy Connors
12 Tischa Thomas
13 Marilyn Lajoie

Light Heavyweight
1 Michelle Brent
2 Janeen Lankowski
3 Emily Holder
4 Natalie Ariel
5 Maria Mikola
6 Kate Cooper
7 JoLynn Shane
8 LaDawn McDay
9 Sharon Mould
10 Roxanne Edwards
11 Justine Dohring
12 Myra Adams

Middleweight
1 Sherri Gray
2 Heather King
3 Terri Vona

Lightweight
1 Claire O’Connell
2 Barbara Stannard

Masters Overall
Claire O’Connell

Masters 35+ Heavyweight
1 Jennifer Gutierrez
2 Bonnie Pappas
3 Juanita Blaino
4 Angela Rayburn
5 Robin Hillis
6 Lauren Laplante
7 Maria Holt
8 Yamile Marrero
9 Julie Peavey
10 Olivia Terry
11 Tischa Thomas
12 Kathy Connors
13 Marilyn Lajoie

Masters 35+ Light Heavyweight
1 Michelle Brent
2 Janeen Lankowski
3 Emily Holder
4 Maria Mikola
5 JoLynn Shane
6 Kate Cooper
7 Sharon Mould
8 LaDawn McDay
9 Justine Dohring
10 Roxanne Edwards
11 Sylvia Chavez

Masters 35+ Middleweight
1 Sherri Gray
2 Ellen Woodley
3 Heather King
4 Terri Vona
5 Lynn Davis

Masters 35+ Lightweight
1 Claire O’Connell
2 Barbara Stannard

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB North Americans

Tiffany Procopio, Kaylen McKenzie & Meredith Berthelson New IFBB Pros

September 4, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 2 Comments

Congratulations to Kaylen McKenzie for winning the Overall Open Figure Title at the 2010 IFBB North American Championships tonight. She’s now eligible for IFBB Pro Status. The 1st runner-up also received an IFBB Pro card and that went to Meredith Berthelson.

Tiffany Procopio was the Overall Master’s Figure winner. The win earned her IFBB Pro status as well.

Congrats ladies!

Photos via: FLEXonline.com

Filed Under: IFBB North Americans

Calorie Counting Goes Beyond Restaurants & Food Labels

September 4, 2010 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

It looks like displaying calorie counts will go beyond restaurants. Earlier this year, President Obama signed a law that will require all chain restaurants with 20 or more stores to post a calorie count. Soon consumers will see grocery stores, airlines, convenience stores and movie theaters displaying calorie counts.

The Wall Street Journal recently published a story regarding the changes. The changes are getting praise and criticisms.

The expansion stems from provisions in the health-care overhaul enacted in March. The government wants calorie listings posted to make it easier for consumers to select healthier options, and the restaurant industry backed the move so it could avoid a patchwork of local ordinances that are developing.

So far, the expansion of the calorie counts beyond restaurants has drawn praise from nutrition advocates but push-back from industries that say the original legislation was never intended to hit them.

“People don’t go to movie theaters for the primary purpose of eating,” said Gary Klein, a vice president for a group representing theater owners. “Why aren’t ballparks covered? You think the food served at ballparks is healthy?”

- Check out the full story here.

Are you happy to see calorie counts in more places?

Filed Under: Misc, NEWS, Polls

2010 IFBB North American Championships – Prejudging Photos

September 4, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

Last night the Fitness & Bikini competitors took the stage in Cleveland, Ohio at the North American Championships. The Fitness routines kicked off the prejudging and the bikini brought the night to a close. A record 403 competitors are in attendance and this is BEFORE cross-overs. The Bodybuilding and Figure women will hit the stage this morning for their prejudging. This is one of the few shows where competitors from Canada and Mexico get to compete against those in the USA. Last year Alison Either won the Fitness division and later received an invite to the Fitness International. Will a fellow Canadian leave with a coveted pro card tonight?

northamericans

The bikini division is competitive in each division with some familiar faces and few new ones to the stage. Visit FLEXonline.com for complete photographic coverage of this weekend’s event.

Filed Under: IFBB & NPC, IFBB North Americans

Hot Tottie

September 4, 2010 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Kick your weekend off with Usher Featuring Jay-Z “Hot Tottie”.

Filed Under: Recommended Music

G’s Tip of the Week: Quench Your Thirst

September 3, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

IFBB Figure Pro Gina Aliotti has a helpful tip to keep in mind. I’ve heard a few people put cucumber in their water. Any Hardbody peeps like that?

gtip

We so often confuse thirst with hunger. Rather than turning to food, if it is not your meal time, opt for water and see if dehydration was the issue. Give yourself at least 15 minutes, after you hydrate, and if you are still hungry, then go for one of your clean healthy snack options. If you need a little extra flavor in your water, simply drop a few slices of cucumber, apple, lemon or even a handful of frozen berries to your water, for that little bit of extra flavor! Dehydration could be what is making you hungry. Drink before you eat and see how you feel.

Gina Aliotti-Silva
Nutrition, Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant
www.ginaaliotti.com
www.gfitactivewear.com

Filed Under: Competition Nutrition, Gina Aliotti's G's tip of the week

2011 Arnold Sports Festival Set for March 3-6

September 3, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 2 Comments

The 2011 Arnold Sports Festival is set for March 3-6, 2010. New to the 2011 event will be the IFBB Bikini International. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Arnold Sports Festival set for March 3-6
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Arnold Sports Festival, co-produced by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer, is the largest multi-sport festival in the nation. The March 3-6 event will attract an estimated 175,000 attendees to see nearly 18,000 athletes competing in 45 sports and events, including 12 Olympic sports.

The Arnold Fitness EXPO, a highlight of the festival, takes place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. It features more than 700 exhibit booths offering the latest in fitness apparel, equipment, training tools, nutrition and entertainment.

New to the festival in 2011 are an IFBB sanctioned Bikini International competition, the Arnold Sports Film Festival, the Arnold Track and Field Championships, the Arnold Hockey Challenge, and the Ultimate Teen Challenge, a weightlifting event. Plus, more features are added to the VIP ticket package.

Arnold Sports Festival
Dates: March 3-6, 2011 Locations: 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 Web: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000.

Filed Under: Arnold Classic

Ms. Olympia Contender & Hardbody Poll

September 3, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 7 Comments

The Ms. Olympia is just three weeks away. Three of last year’s top six women will not be competing this year. Lisa Aukland and Betty Pariso have both retired and Heather Armbrust is sitting this one out. Iris Kyle has dominated the Ms. Olympia the last four years. Will anyone be able to topple her this year?

olympia-hardbody

Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia won this show back in 2005 but since then it’s been all Iris. Many felt Heather Armbrust had the potential to beat Iris but we won’t see that battle in Vegas. Instead, Yaxeni and new-comer Brigita Brezovac have the best chance at beating Iris. What do you think… Will Iris win her 6th Olympia title or will someone else take the top spot in three weeks?

Filed Under: IFBB & NPC, Olympia, Polls

Men AND Women Featured in Latest Under Armour Spot

September 3, 2010 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

The latest ad from Under Armour features not male athletes but also their female counterparts as well. Props to Under Armour for another well executed spot.

Filed Under: Ad Watch, Misc

2010 NPC JR USA Photos

September 2, 2010 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Check out the photographic coverage from the NPC JR USA on Bodybuilding.com. Those of you looking to purchase photos will find those available next week. Congrats to all the winners and those of you who accomplished your goals.

Filed Under: IFBB & NPC, NPC Jr USA

Not My Cover Letter. Not My Resume.

September 2, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

The CU’ Independent, an online student newspaper in Boulder, Colorado, is taking a creative approach to fund-raising. The Colorado University newspaper enlisted the help of local ad agency TDA Advertising & Design to create anti-prejudice t-shirts. The t-shirts are sold for $15 each on campus and at local retailers.

not-resume
Simple but effective.

Filed Under: Ad Watch, Misc

Raechelle Chase Tries Raw Food Diet for Next Competition

September 2, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 5 Comments

IFBB Pro Raechelle Chase was recently featured on a Kiwi news station and the focus was about her diet. The news station spends 5 minutes on her diet, which doesn’t happen often. It’s an interesting approach and we’ll see how it goes for her next competition in the States. Check out the video here.

IFBB Pro – Raechelle Chase.

Filed Under: Misc

Smells Like Rockin’ Robin

September 2, 2010 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

A little something different with this mashup. It’s and odd combo of Nirvana and The Jackson Five but I dig it.

Filed Under: Recommended Music

The Bachelor’s Vienna Girardi Holds Off on Bikini Competition

September 1, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

Earlier in the year, The Bachelor winner Vienna Giradi had tweeted she was considering doing a NPC bikini competition. When I asked via twitter if she was still planning to do a show, surprisingly the reality star responded.

We’ll have to wait until 2011 to see if Vienna accomplishes her goal. In the mean time you can follow her on twitter.com/ViennaGirardi and see kinda drama is being stirred up between her and The Bachelor Jake.

Filed Under: Misc

2010 Olympia Countdown

September 1, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 4 Comments

The 2010 Olympia will be here in just a over three weeks. We’ll be there covering the action and looking forward to another great Olympia weekend. If you plan to attend or are working a booth let us know in the comments below.

Get more information and tickets to the show at mrolympia.com.

Filed Under: Olympia

Erin Stern’s Road to The Figure Olympia Part II

September 1, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 9 Comments

IFBB Figure Pro Erin Stern is headed to her second Olympia in less than four weeks. Check out what the Sternster is up to…

sternroad

There may be hundreds of ways to prep for a show – I have always relied on progress pictures and yes, the dreaded scale. Weekly pictures don’t lie, and the scale is fine for me. I now know right about where I need to be as the days get closer to show time. Many girls rely on body fat testing. I haven’t been pinched, submerged, or electrically impeded (if that’s even a word) since my college days. Yet, each day in the gym I walk past the “Bod Pod,” a machine that boasts a 99% accuracy rate in measuring body fat. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I make an appointment. As I sit in the pod, I’m pretty stoked that I’m not being pinched or having to hold my breath. After a few minutes the test is complete. I’m guessing I’m somewhere in the 12% range…no…the monitor reads “15.8%!” I’m silently panicking as the guy performing the test is telling me about the mathematical formulas involved in calculating the results. Then he blurts out, “your boobs are throwing the results off. They take up space, and the Bod Pod assumes they’re made up of fat, and it could throw the results off by 3%.” He assures me that the machine is still 99% accurate though.

The pre-contest brain is funny – little issues become a huge deal and elementary concepts can take a while to register. A little later in the morning, I realized that how I will look on stage will not be based upon a computer’s mathematical formula. Whatever method you use for prep, it’s probably a good idea to stay with it through show time… especially if it has worked for you in the past! I can’t wait to set up the self-timer on my camera on Friday!! Maybe I’ll hop back in the pod after the show.

Check out more on ErinStern.com.

Filed Under: Erin Stern's Sprint Show

Hardbody Style’n with the Sports Stylist® – Shoes too small? Don’t sweat it.

September 1, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

Cindy Whitehead aka the Sports Stylist® has another great tip this week. Check it out.

sportsstylist

If you ever get to a shoot and the shoes are a bit too small, simply ask if you can remove the insole that comes with them. This will give you a half size to a full size larger and room for your foot! If they are too large, you can always carry inexpensive insoles in your set bag to take up the slack.

Cindy is currently in Boise, Idaho. Check out her blog to see what’s she up to out there.

Filed Under: Cindy Whitehead - Sports Stylist®, Hardbody Styling

Under Armour Women – I Will

September 1, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 10 Comments

Check out the new women’s spot from Under Armour. THIS is bad ass and empowering to women.

Under Armour announced their new women’s “Protect This House. I Will.” campaign today. They are creating a multi-channel campaign and a new Facebook page aimed at their female consumers.

Check out the new Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/UnderArmourWomen. I’ve created a TEAM HARDBODY section on the site. You can check it out here.

See more Under Armour spots on their YouTube channel, youtube.com/underarmour.

The New York Times has an interesting story on the new launch. This stood out to me…

“Women said they did not want to be treated separately. They said, ‘We want to see ourselves up against men.’ ” Such women, he said, “don’t look at themselves as a female athlete but as an athlete.”

Filed Under: Ad Watch, Misc

2010 IFBB North American Championships – Bodybuilding, Figure, Fitness & Bikini

September 1, 2010 By Isaac Hinds 3 Comments

The 2010 IFBB North American Championships will be held this weekend in Cleveland, Ohio. This will be one of the last opportunities of the year to achieve IFBB Pro status. IFBB Pro cards will be awarded to the top two placers in the Open Men, Open Figure and Open Bikini overall comparisons. Pro cards will also be awarded to the overall winners of the Over 40 Men, Over 50 Men, Open Women’s Bodybuilding and Over 35 Women Bodybuilding, Open Fitness, Over 35 Figure and Over 35 Bikini.

The event is open to USA, Canadian and Mexican competitors.

Promoter, Dr. Gary Udit always puts on a first class event. For more information on the show and how you can purchase tickets to attend, visit garyudit.com.

Filed Under: IFBB North Americans

WWE NXT: Ziville aka Aksana Featured on Season Three

September 1, 2010 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Many of you know her as the 2009 Figure International Champ but others will soon know her as a WWE Diva, if she makes the cut. Ziville Raudoniene is one the divas featured on season three of WWE NXT. The next season will feature three new Rookie Divas. Aksana is paired with GOLDUST who is mildly disturbing especially when you see the video. Check out the intro video here.

Aksana and Goldust in WWE NXT.