HARDBODY News & Updates

POWERHOUSE DETROIT PRO IFBB FIGURE is canceled with no plans to reschedule this year.  The new promoter is looking to bring the show back in 2009.

Congrats to Amy Fry on her victory, she looked great. Second was the beautiful Nicole Wilkins and in third, in her pro debut, Teresa Anthony. All three are now qualified for the Olympia. Rounding out the top five was Heather Mae French in fourth and Shannon Meteraud in fifth. The judges stood by the new mandate as did the competitors. This show set the tone for the year in figure and it’s a good move.

Results first provided first by MUSCLE PHONE. Sign up to receive text results first.
RESULTS
1. Amy Fry
2. Nicole Wilkins
3. Teresa Anthony
4. Heather Mae French
5. Shannon Meteraud
6. Heather Green
7. Catherine Andersen
8. Huong Arcinas
9. Bernadette Galvan
10. Allison Williams
11. Hazal Nelson
12. Tivisay Briceno
13. Melissa Pearo
14. Rosa Maria Romero
15. Nicole Pitcher-Scott
16. Melissa Montanaro-Griffin
17. Brenda Marie Smith
18. Tammy Strome
18. Laura Sutter

The prejudging has ended and the top three will be Amy Fry, Nicole Wilkins and Teresa Anthony. It most likely be in that order. They are all three great but I am most impressed with the pro debut of Ms. Anthony. She will most likely qualify for the Olympia her first time out. Very impressive showing. Nicole and Amy are both beautiful. The tall girls ruled this morning. The remaining top five are a toss up but it looks like Shannon Meteraud and Heather Mae French will get the nod. Huong Arcinas looked great despite being the shortest competitor on stage. Heather Green should place in the top ten as well as Catherine Andersen. I’ll report more later when back to the hotel. The ladies all came in softer and definitely listened to the mandate. Check out the photos on flexonline.com later.

Those who are competing at the JR. USA and JR. Nationals figure may breathe a sigh of relief but watch out USAs. Top NPC competitor, Erin “the cat trapper” Heath has informed me that she’s put her competition plans on hold until this year’s USAs in Las Vegas. Erin was narrowly missed her pro card in 2007 and will be a threat for one this year. Fans will have to wait until July to see her on stage but if you’re attending the Emerald Cup you can catch up with her at the Muscle Milk Booth, where she will be working.

She’s unquestionably the hottest figure competitor on the IFBB circuit today. I’m figuratively speaking (no pun intended) although many would say she fits the bill as one of the most attractive competitors as well. Gina’s been on a hot streak, winning two of her last three pro shows. Early this month California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, award Gina the Figure International title in Columbus, Ohio. She finished second only to 2x Ms. Figure Olympia, Jenny Lynn, at the 2007 Figure Olympia.

Gina awarded the title by Arnold earlier this month.

When Gina debuted at the 2006 Colorado Pro/Am she finished out of the top 6. I felt she should have placed higher and shared my thoughts with a few “industry insiders”. One individual told me, “she’s too muscular and her physique is a little blocky”. Ummm, errkay sure. An individual with their own column shared, “she finished in the top 10 pro debut what’s the problem?” While some people weren’t hopping on the Aliotti train just yet it was obvious to me at least she had the “it factor”. We’ve all seen “it”. When a woman is confident, sexy and it all comes with such ease and poise.Fortunately, there is a supplement company that saw the potential in Gina and is smart enough to continue their relationship with her. The folks at Bio-Test Supplements decided to retain Gina to a multi-year sponsorship after renegotiating her contract through her management company, Fitness Management Group (FMG). Below is a statement from FMG regarding Gina’s sponsorship.

FMG is happy to announce that we have renegotiated Gina Aliotti’s endorsement contract with Bio-Test Supplements, makers or Hot Rox & Spike Shooter. It was an almost 2 month negotiation period that was on the verge of falling apart until owner Tim Patterson personally stepped in.  Speaking to Tim was a breath of fresh air. In the span of 10 minutes of speaking with Tim we had all the details worked out & a revised copy of the contract e-mailed to us within half an hour. Tim really showed how much he cared & valued Gina as an athlete & a person & made sure that she was happy with the contract & Bio-Test in general. So we want to send a big THANK YOU out to Tim Patterson for his involvement.

What did Gina get in return?
A multi-year contract with an option to renew for another year that includes an annual raise of the endorsement payments plus bonuses for placing in the Figure Olympia, Figure International & any other IFBB Pro Figure contest that Gina would win, plus her own supply of Bio-Test supplements.  Knowing the current climate of the industry, this contract puts Gina on par as one of the 2 highest paying contracts in the industry right now for fitness & figure athletes.

As Tim Patterson stated, “With Gina only being 23 years old, we look at her as the future of figure & look to have a long lasting relationship with her.”  So you now know where you will be able to find Gina the next few years.

As for her next contest, Gina will be her defending her IFBB Tournament Of Champions Pro Figure title the week before she competes in the IFBB Figure Olympia.

For more information on booking Gina Aliotti, contact FMG at fitnessdivasproductions@verizon.net

Congratulations on your continued success Gina!

Gina the day after her win in West Palm Beach.

Fitness fans will get a special treat in the Big Apple, April 12th. The breakout IFBB Fitness Pro of 2007 will be competing in the New York Pro Fitness with hopes of returning to the Olympia stage. Oksana was clearly not at her best when she competed at the Fitness International but look for her to come back strong and “wow” the always excitable New York crowd.

Oksana Grishina looks to the 2008 New York Fitness.

I confirmed with Jenny Lynn’s manager, JM Manion, that she is not with VPX and he had this to say…

A few days before the 2008 Arnold Fitness Expo, word was leaked that Jenny Lynn had signed a multi-year contract with supplement company VPX. The only problem was, we did not release the info & neither did VPX because although a contract was in the works for Jenny Lynn & VPX, the reality of the situation was that we had not received a fully executed copy of a contract from VPX. So nothing was officially official.  Yes, Jenny Lynn did work the VPX booth the entire Arnold Fitness weekend, which was at the request of VPX.  By the Wednesday after the Arnold Fitness weekend, VPX stated it had reviewed the contract offer for Jenny Lynn & at this time the two would not make a good fit. It was not because of Jenny Lynn at all they assured us, it was due to the fact that VPX did not have a product to market Jenny Lynn around. So instead of her being signed to a supplement company that would not use her in any immediate advertisements & only having her make a few booth appearances at contests per year, VPX felt that an athlete of Jenny Lynn’s stature deserved to be with a supplement company that would fully utilize the 2-time IFBB Figure Olympia, 3-time IFBB Figure International champion & feature her as the great champion that she is. We couldn’t agree more. So yes, Jenny Lynn IS available to be signed by any viable supplement company that is interested.

Please contact:
JMP Management
c/o J.M. Manion & Debra Amelio-Manion
(412) 257-4555
E-mail: jmmnpc@aol.com

Sandy is the top female official in the women’s sport of bodybuilding, fitness and figure. She’s the women’s rep for the NPC and was the head IFBB judge at last week’s Arnold Classic for the women’s competitions. Monday, Larry Pepe talks with Sandy about the shows and this will be one Pep Talk episode not to miss. They discuss some of the controversy surrounding around last week’s placings.

Another topic that will come from the show is a letter going out to all IFBB Pro Figure competitors from the IFBB. The letter will inform all figure competitors that they need to tone down the hardness they bring to the stage. The letter is going out to all IFBB Figure pros within the next week.

You can catch the show live on BODYBUILDINGRADIO.com Monday.

Sandra and Ross have shared with us some of the photos from their recent wedding in LasVegas….

Thanks for sharing them with us and an official HardBody Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Rumor has it the couple was registered at BodyBuilding.com

A big shout out to Dina on her birthday. Dina tells me she is chill’n in Vegas for her special day. I tried to convince her to come to Columbus for the Arnold Classic, but after she saw the weather report no chance of that happening. Will we see Dina on the figure stage again? Perhaps but on this day the only thing on her meal plan is a piece of chocolate cake.

Happy Birthday Dina and many more to come!

A recent photo of Dina from IRONMAN Magazine.

LIFT Studios Launches HARDBODY NEWS Text Messaging Service
Female bodybuilding, fitness and figure news, gossip and NPC & IFBB Pro contest results delivered directly to your phone, within seconds of them happening.

DENVER, Colorado, February 27, 2008 – LIFT Studios (www.liftstudios.com) announced today that it has launched HARDBODY NEWS (www.hardbodynews.com), a new text messaging service for female bodybuilding, fitness and figure fans. HARDBODY News, like Muscle Phone (www.musclephone.com) for the men’s side of things, alerts subscribers of the latest industry news, gossip and NPC & IFBB contest results.

“Muscle Phone broke new ground for bodybuilding fans and it was time to provide a version for the women’s side of things. Those who sign up for the service will receive the 2008 Ms. International as well as the Fitness & Figure International results via text message immediately after they are announced,” said Isaac Hinds, Owner of LIFT Studios and Creator of Muscle Phone. “Fans of the female side of the industry no longer have to be glued to their computers or rely on friends for the latest NPC & IFBB contest results or industry news and gossip. Strategic partnerships have been formed with the IFBB Professional League, Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, Sprayflex, Getbig.com, Hardbody.com with more to come,” Hinds goes on to say.

Fans can access HARDBODY News, by texting the word HARDBODY to 64274 or visit www.hardbodynews.com, standard text messaging rates may apply. There is no charge for subscribing however standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your text message plan.Currently the subscription is not available outside of the United States but plans are being made to expand globally.

About LIFT Studios LIFT Studios provides branding, consulting, design, interactive, marketing, mobile content, photography and video services. Founded by Isaac Hinds, LIFT is located in Denver, Colorado, with an emphasis on Sports, Fitness & Health-related clients. LIFT currently works with the top competitors in the bodybuilding, fitness and figure world. Adela Garcia, Monica Brant, Oksana Grishina, Dina Al-Sabah and Phil Heath to name a few. Isaac’s photographs have appeared in IRONMAN, FLEX, Planet Muscle, NPC NEWS, Oxygen and many other publications.

Media Contact:
Isaac Hinds
Ph: 303.908.3998
Isaac@liftstudios.com or Info@hardbodynews.com
www.liftstudios.com www.hardbodynews.com

Hardbody.com spoke with a BSN representative today who confirmed that Monica Brant is no longer with the company. Monica and BSN were unable to come to terms with a contract renewal.

The BSN representative tells us, “We wish her the best. She was a great spokesperson for BSN but we couldn’t come to terms.”

We’ll fill you in with more on this story from Columbus.

Earlier this week I launched Muscle Phone, the only mobile provider for bodybuilding news, gossip and NPC/IFBB contest results. I’ve received a few inquiries asking, “What about the women?” Rest your little heads ladies. Hardbody.com is now part of The Muscle Phone Network and early next week you will be able to subscribe to the same service but for the women’s side of things.

If you have an unlimited text messaging plan on your phone, there is no additional cost to subscribe. If you have a text messaging plan that isn’t unlimited, standard text messaging rates apply. Stay tuned for more exciting info on how you will get industry news, gossip, contest results and more delivered directly to your mobile phone!

Take a trip over to the Arnold Classic web site and you will see Valerie Waugaman’s name is no longer on the Figure International list. It’s been confirmed that Valerie Waugaman is in fact out of this year’s show. The details behind her withdrawal from the show have not been confirmed as of yet. Once we have a chance to confirm with Val on her condition and reasons for withdrawing, we’ll report back.

Many considered Valerie a favorite for the Figure National title and most definitely a lock for a top 6 spot.

Stay tuned.

IFBB Pro Carla Sanchez is the leading lady behind the Performance Ready Team. Coach Carla recently had her first child and as mentioned, Christine Pomponio-Pate is about to hers as well. Today, I learned that IFBB fitness & figure pro, Jesse Booth had her first child earlier this month. Wait, wait three PR ladies having children isn’t enough, there’s another!

Who? NPC competitor and sensational fitness model Rachel Gallegos is expected her second child in June. I tell ya, there must be something in that PR water. Only kidding! Carla does a great job of mentoring many women and congratulations to all of them on their pregnancies. Check out more of Rachel Gallegos on Terry Goodlad’s Bodysport website.

One of Terry’s awesome shots of Rachel.

I caught up with one of the industry’s top fitness models and IFBB figure sensation, Christine Pomponio-Pate five days out from her due date. If you haven’t heard, the date I’m referring to is the delivery of her first child. Christine shared that she has gained 17lbs over the course of her pregnancy. Anyone who is close to Christine knows she could usually pack on a good twenty pounds in a few week after a contest. This is a testament to Christine’s dedication to being healthy throughout her pregnancy. Our full conversation related to her pregnancy training and nutrition will be highlighted on a bodybuilding.com feature. Also spotted at the gym during my visit was top national figure competitor, Jacqui Skibba, who is featured in the newest Muscle & Fitness Hers magazine.

Christine and I managed to get a photo shoot at The Point Athletic Club in, despite my main camera malfunctioning. SON OF A! Here’s a peek at Christine just five days out from delivery.

The Colorado winter weather coperated with us to capture Christine
a few days out from delivery. She looked great!

Christine worked out during her pregnancy and
it contributed to her staying in top shape!

What do you think readers? Will Christine have a boy or a girl and will she deliver on Dec. 25, 2007 as scheduled? How much will the lil’ one weight? Place your bets in the comments field or email me at isaac @ hardbody.com. The person who guesses closet to the weight, deliver day and sex of the child will win a prize from hardbody.com. Christine is alo donating a prize to the winner.

This morning tragedy hit Arvada, Colorado in the form of another shooting. A gunman opened fire on a missionary training campus shooting four people. One woman and one man have died and two others were injured. I live in Denver and caught the news on the local stations. Early this morning I received an email from IFBB Fitness Star, Jen Hendershott related to this tragedy. Jen’s youngest brother is the head of the school and her niece attends the school. They are both safe and out of harms way. Please keep Jen, her family and the victims in your thoughts and prayers.

No. I’ve confirmed this evening that the rumors being circulated that Kim was leaving NBC’s “Biggest Loser” for the remake of American Gladiators are false. I’m told they were interested in her becoming a Gladiator but decided against. That’s Hollywood for you.
The new season of the “Biggest Loser” begins in January; will she be back for another season? We’ll have to wait and see. I’m told she is currently negotiating her contract.

Today Hardbody.com’s Ron Avidan was on the set of American Gladiators. The filming started today in Los Angles, California. He wasn’t allowed to take any photos and much of the happenings are still under-wraps. The official press day isn’t until December 12th, where more details will be revealed. We can tell you the names of the Gladiators, but who is who will have to wait until the official announcement from NBC.

New American Gladiator names:
• Fury
• Helga
• Siren
• Venom
• Wolf
• Justice
• Toa
• Titan
• Stealth
• Mayhem
• Militia
• Blast

TMZ.com has video of the Hulkster driving into the taping.

Ever year at the NPC Nationals, NPC officials meet to discuss future shows, show dates, rules and scheduling. I had a chance to speak with many of the NPC promoters, judges and Jim Manion (the president of the NPC) about the 2008 season. I learned of a few changes that would be taking place next year in NPC Fitness & Figure. I gained further insight when sharing a shuttle with long-time photographer/man-in-the-know J.M. Manion (not to be mistaken for his dad the president) and industry man Kenny Kassel. We chatted about a number of things but most importantly were the changes in NPC fitness and figure for 2008. The list below are official changes to the NPC starting in 2008. A big thanks to JM for helping me sort through all the changes and additions.

OFFICIAL CHANGES FOR NPC FITNESS & FIGURE BEGINNING IN 2008

NPC Junior USA Championships:
• NPC Junior USA Fitness Championships - Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card (3 Height Classes)
• NPC Junior USA Figure Championships - Top 2 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NPC Junior National Championships:
• NPC Junior National Fitness Championships - Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (3 Height Classes)
• NPC Junior National Figure Championships - Top 4 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NPC Masters National Figure Championships:
• Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card

NPC USA Championships:
• NPC USA Figure Championships - Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

IFBB North American Championships:
• IFBB North American Open Figure Championships - Top 2 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
• IFBB North American Masters Figure Championships - Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card

NPC Team Universe Championships & National Fitness Championships:
• NPC Team Universe Figure Championships - Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
• NPC National Fitness Championships - Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn IFBB Pro cards (3 Height Classes)

NPC National Championships:
• NPC National Figure Championships - Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NEW HEIGHT CLASSES FOR WOMEN’S FIGURE NATIONALS AND CONTESTS WITH SIX HEIGHT CLASSES:
• Up to 5’1”
• Over 5’1” and up to and including 5’2-1/2”
• Over 5’2-1/2” and up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’5-1/2”
• Over 5’5-1/2” and up to and including 5’7”
• Over 5’7”

All other classes remain the same:
For all contests with two (2) classes:
• Up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4”

For all contests with three (3) classes:
• Up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
• Over 5’6”

For all contests with four (4) classes:
• Up to and including 5’2”
• Over 5’2” and up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
• Over 5’6”

For all national qualifying figure events – the top five (5) are eligible for the JUNIOR USA, TEEN COLLEGIATE MASTERS NATIONALS and TEAM UNIVERSE FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS and the top three (3) are eligible for the JUNIOR NATIONAL, USA and NATIONAL FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Eligibility is good for two (2) years. Promoters can elect number of classes for their figure contests. ONLY THOSE FIGURE CONTESTS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NATIONAL QUALIFYING BODYBUILDING CONTEST WILL BE NATIONAL QUALIFIERS.

The Front Split will no longer be a mandatory move in the fitness routines.

As you can see there are a number of changes in fitness and figure. I’m happy to see the height classes modified, typically the shortest and tallest classes had more competitors than others. This will even the classes out and make the judging a bit more manageable.

Fitness competitors should be stoked, the overall winner will now turn pro at Junior USAs as well as the class winners (3) turning pro at Junior Nationals. Also note that the National Fitness Championships will be held with Team Universe in New York. There was “Team Universe Fitness Championships” where the top two turned pro until now. Confusing? No more fitness at the end of the year with NPC Nationals - it is moving to Team U. Essentially nothing has changed with Team Universe except it is being called something else.

Figure competitors take note that there is now a “Team Universe Figure Championships” as well as “National Figure Championships”. That means the there will be figure added to NPC Nationals in Atlanta next year, where six women will turn pro (each class winner). There will still be figure with Team Universe where the top two will turn pro in each class. A pro card will be awarded to the Masters Overall Figure winner. This is worth noting because the first IFBB Figure Masters show is slated for the Atlantic City contest in ‘08. Please note that some of the above pro cards were awarded in ‘07 the NPC office thought it should be included with the changes otherwise people would think that pro card was no longer available.

If you have questions, comments or any thoughts on these changes feel free to post them or you can email me… isaac @ hardbody.com