HARDBODY Fit Female News & Events

The first IFBB Pro Bikini contest in the United States is quickly approaching. We’ll be there covering the action and reporting on the event. The competitor list continues to grow and it’s shaping up to be a great lineup. If you’re not on the list and plan on competing, send in your contract NOW. The sooner we know who is in the event the better we can do at profiling competitors and generating more interest in this event.

Event Details:
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium
Culver City, CA

Prejudging: 11am
Finals: 6:30pm

More info visit: www.musclecontest.com

IFBB Pro Bikini Competitor List:
Dianna Dahlgren
Jennifer Dietrick
Sonia Gonzales
Carol King
Leigh Lingham
Christie Marquez
Natalie Pennington
Zhanna Rotar

Check out the Phoenix Pro Fitness individual shots as well as some of the high flying routine images on IFBBpro.com. Thanks to Tony Blinn and the IFBB Pro League for featuring the women and kindly using my images to help the cause.

The New Zealand Pro Figure and Pro Bikini will take place on March 20, 2010. I’ve heard from a few women who will be making the trip down under for this event however no official list is out as of yet. This will be the first official pro bikini event, although I’d hold off on any speculation on the direction of IFBB Pro Bikini until after the MuscleContest pro bikini show.

Can Adela take home her third Fitness International crown or will someone else prevent her from a three-peat? Tanji Johnson will look to avenge her loss to Adela at the 2009 Fitness Olympia while Julie Palmer will look to notch back to back wins. Can one of new-comers knock off the seasoned vets and upset the big three? We’ll find out next week as 15 fitness pros take to the Arnold stage.

Congratulations to Ava Cowan for her IRONMAN magazine cover. Ava turned pro at the 2009 NPC Nationals in the figure division. She’ll make her pro debut later this year but you can see her at the Gaspari Nutrition booth during the Arnold Expo. The April issue of IRONMAN has an interview with Ava by Ruth Silverman.

Ava Cowan on the April issue of IRONMAN

There were some high flying routines last night. Here’s a snapshot of the top 5 from last night. All the routine photos will be posted on bodybuilding.com by tomorrow morning. 
 

Julie Palmer – 1st
 

Tanji Johnson – 2nd

Camala Rodriquez – 3rd

Oksana Grishina – 4th

Bridgette Murray – 5th

Terry Goodlad from Bodysport.com and I chatted this morning about the Phoenix Pro show and our hardbody experiment using UStream. A HUGE thanks to Terry for the interview and helping us get the word out.

Visit BODYSPORT.com the complete story and while you’re there check out their new site and all the fresh content.

The 2009 Team Universe overall champ, Monica Mark was set to make her pro debut last year but was plaqued by a nasty virus and the swine flu. She was unable to prepare adequeatly then but she’s recovered and ready to take the Phoenix Pro figure stage. She’ll compete this weekend and then head to the Figure International in two weeks. I caught up with Monica on the eve of her IFBB pro debut.

HB: You’ll be heading into the Arnold… Have you done two shows back to back before?
I am planning on going to the Arnold, where I hope to peak. The last time I did two shows back to back was in 2007 when I did the Team Universe and followed it with the USA about 2 weeks later. It wasn’t easy, but if you put our mind to it is achievable.

HB: Has your prep been any different knowing you will compete again in two weeks?
Not really, but I am pulling out all stops for the Arnold as I want to peak for that show.

HB: Have you been training differently since turning pro – if so how, if not why?
Turning pro means I can train more like I used to train: hard. In 2009, I had to cut back the intensity and volume of my weight training in the gym to get the physique I brought to the 2009 Team Universe. Now that I am a pro I need a little more muscularity to be competitive so I have been able to hit the weights relatively harder.

HB: What’s food helps get you through the day that you’d eat even if not preparing for a show?
I love my oatmeal. Even in the off season it is one of my favorite treats.

HB: What separates you from your competitors?
I am still trying to figure that out. I just know I like to train hard and stay strict on my diet, but I don’t think that is too different from other figure pros.

HB: Any supplements you like and would recommend for other women?
I love Isoflex Whey Protein Isolate, Evogegen (pre-workout), and the Cortisol Complex by Body by O.

Hardbody Hot Seat:

I think a glass of wine is__
Relaxing

Tiger Woods is___
A liar, but I hope he has learned his lesson.

I’m craving____
Pizza…ummmm….pizza, but not till after the Arnold.

Some of today’s top pros weren’t always the top of the amateur ranks. No, they weren’t always polished and poised like you see them on the pro stage. Felicia Romero was kind enough to hare these photos along as a reminder of this. It’s fun to look back and see how far competitors have come in their competitive careers. Check out these photos of Lynn Widdowson (Cimmino) and Felicia on stage in 2005. The two competed against each other at the NPC Max Muscle Western Regional and they haven’t competed against each other since.

The two friends will reunite on stage this weekend at the Phoenix Pro. Felicia joked that Lynn reminded her of “look how far we’ve come”. The two have certainly come along way since these photos.

Kathleen Tesori competed in her first figure show last year and took home top honors. She went on to compete in the 2009 NPC Nationals and left with her pro card. A pretty impressive, albiet short, competitive career. This weekend Kathleen will compete in the Phoenix Pro show where she’ll not only go against a number of other rookies but also her mentor and friend, Felicia Romero. I caught up with Kathleen on the heels of her first show and she was kind enough to share a bit more about herself.

HB: You were debating between figure and bikini last year. What made you choose figure?
One of my prizes for winning the 2008 FLEX model search was a chance to participate in the FLEX swimsuit shoot. After seeing the physiques of the figure girls in person, I was hooked. Felicia, Jessica, Erin, Monique, Nicole and Jen are very beautiful and have been a huge inspiration.

Since 2006, I have maintained a healthy athletic look for both bikini and spokes-modeling opportunities. For the most part, I maintained what I thought was a clean diet. After seeing them.. their physiques were on another level. In my mind, these girls were ROCKING THE PHYSIQUE I had wanted to achieve.

HB: Obviously the decision paid off. What’s your favorite part of prepping for a show?
I enjoy living a healthy fit lifestyle and preparing for a show only requires a little additional effort. I enjoy having events to look forward to and the people I have met in the industry have been great.

Another favorite part: After a good off season of building I enjoy leaning down. It is like unwrapping a present…it is always a nice surprise to see what changes have been made.

HB: What’s your least favorite part?
The Non-Fat days…having to go without Peanut Butter and Cashews. No after work cocktails in the bathtub. I also miss being able to do Yoga, aerobic classes or cross-fit on days I do not want to lift or do cardio.

HB: How did you hook up with Felicia to start training with her?
I met Felicia at the FLEX Swimsuit shoot in 2009 and was hooked. She is so smart and very positive. After hanging with the Pro Figure girls for the weekend and seeing their physiques in person I knew I wanted to compete. I contacted her after the shoot and she was so positive about the experience and made me feel so comfortable with my decision to compete.

HB: Is it going to be weird or cool to compete against your trainer?
I say COOL – Felicia and I are friends and the show is something we both have in common. Damian, her fiancé, takes care of my training and diet which allows Felicia and I to focus on other fun things plus we will have each other backstage which will make things fun.

HB: Why the Phoenix Pro show for your debut?
It was a financial decision. My athlete sponsorship fell through and the Orlando show which I originally intended doing is just not going to be possible because of money. I am able to stay with Felicia and the place tickets from Salt Lake City were inexpensive. The more I think about my decision the more reasons I think it was a good idea. The weather is going to be just right and I might as well kick off my Rookie season as soon as possible. Also, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and Felicia has a great spot picked out for us on Sunday morning.

HB: You’ll be at the Bodybuilding.com booth for the Arnold. Are yous ponsored by anyone or looking for sponsorship?
I am NOT sponsored by anyone at this time. I am currently looking for a company to build a long term relationship with – I want to build my face with a brand.

HB: Favorite supplement you’d recommend for other women?
Fiberlyze powered by Species

HB: Favorite part to train?
Legs – once I get past the squats or deadlifts everything else feels good. I always feel accomplished after a great leg day and it is one of the areas I am determined to control.

HB: Least favorite part to train?
I do not have a least favorite body part to train but I DO NOT enjoy long sessions of slow cardio… I like HIT type cardio and sprinting up hills.

HB: Any goals for the 2010 competitive season?
I want to have an active and successful rookie year. I would love to make it to the Olympia, place in the top ten at the Olympia and maybe be in the running for the Weider’s” Rookie of the year award.” I think it would be so neat to accomplish all this after winning the FLEX model search and being inspired by the Pro Figure Physiques.

HB: When you’re not eating or training what do you like to do?
I enjoy shopping, traveling, hiking, camping, being involved in the community and spending time with family.

HB: Any pets?
No I wish…. No fenced yard.

HB: How do you stay balanced in your every day life when preparing for a show?
Time Management, Preparation and Prioritization skills are key to my survival. I make the most of every hour, accomplish what NEEDS to get done first and fit anything else I WANT to get done after. Separating what needs to get done from what we want to get done can be a challenge for many women. There are certain things in life that are nice to get done but that do not need to get done. I really try to prioritize everything based on deadlines and importance. If I don’t get something accomplished I push it to another day of the week.

HB:You have a “day job” – able to share a bit of what you do and how you got into it?
I work full time with the US Air Force as a civilian and manage the logistic functions for a portion of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). I am involved with a variety of activities that help keep this weapon system on alert 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. Keeping this weapon system on alert provides deterrence and safety for the United States and our allies. I was recruited out of college using the career service center at Weber State University.

HB: What brought you and keeps you in Utah?
My dad was in the military and at the age of 5 we moved from Germany to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. My parents have since then moved to Tennessee to retire but because of work and my husband I remain in Utah. I am looking to move to California but it will take time to line up a job with the Federal government.

HB: How did you overcome being sick and stay the course for this show?
All of sudden on a Thursday Afternoon toward the end of January my throat started to feel like razor blades and I was feeling achy. I immediately gargled with Warm Salt water and went to the store to get Zinc and Vitamin C. The next day when I work up I felt pain in my ear and nasal area so I made a Dr. Appointment right away. My Dr. said I had an infection and I got on antibiotics that day (Friday). I am the type of person who hates the hospital and self medicates by eating right, drinking lots of water, making sure to blow my nose and relax as much as possible. Because of my commitment to the show I wanted to exercise all options and get better ASAP.

It was hard to stay focused. I felt my sugar levels go low while on the cardio machine and just did not feel like myself. I felt like I did not have an option to slow down and take a break. When there are girls determined to do well who are training hard you do not have an option to slow down if it is still possible for you to get around. So I took it day by day and just told myself I was going to get a good workout in and ended up feeling accomplished after each workout.

Hardbody Hotseat:

I prefer a shot of
tequila

Pink! Is
not my favorite color

Someone who owns 3 or more cats
is a nurturing person

Celery
great for dipping

Orange Roughy
have some in my freezer but have not tried yet

I’m craving
my homemade carrot cake

I can’t live without
friends and family

Favorite actress
Julia Roberts

TV show I’d like to be on if given the chance
any show on HGTV

Thanks Kathleen! Good luck in your pro debut.

Anyone you’d like to thank?
B-training for keeping the gym fun while pushing me to my limits. Arizona figure DIVAS for helping me achieve my health and wellness goals. Master D for checking in on me and making sure I was doing the right things at the right time. Sylvia Tremblay for sponsoring my suits this year.

It’s often challenging for competitors outside of the United States to get the same amount of publicity as those living in the states. This is largely because the NPC competitions offer competitors an opportunity to compete and get noticed before achieving IFBB Pro status. One event that offers competitors from all over the world a chance to compete on U.S. soil is the Arnold Amateur. One competitor who participated in 2008 Arnold will be making her IFBB Pro debut this weekend in Phoenix. Swedens’ Linda Fodor won the A class that year and before that notched a second place finish at the World Championships.

One year ago this time Linda was pregnant and in March of 2009 she gave birth to a beautiful little girl. She’s since received her IFBB Pro card and will be making the trek across the globe for her pro debut. She’s shed 67 pounds since the birth of her baby and built an impressive physique in the process.

Today Linda will travel 16 hours to compete in the figure competition. Every competitor wants to win and I’m certain Linda is no different. She’s certainly won the respect and admiration of many by what she’s already accomplished. Losing the amount of weight she has, preparing for a show with a child less than a year old AND traveling across the globe… WOW! Congratulations Linda, you’re already a winner for this amazing accomplishment. You can read more about Linda on siouxcountry.com. Safe travels and good luck in your first pro show.

We’re just two days away from the Phoenix Pro show, which will kick off the IFBB Pro season. Twenty-three women will take to the stage in the figure division, nearly half of those women will be doing for for the first time as pros. Ten rookies will make their pro debuts at this event.

This is a very competitive group. Listy Allen won the overall at the 2009 NPC USAs, Monica Mark took top honors at the 2009 Team Universe and Mindi Smith was the overall winner at the 2009 Nationals. Add those three to the seven other pro card winners and you’ve got a battle.

The IFBB Pro League’s competitive season kicks off this Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona. While the final lists are yet to be published, I received word from J.M. Manion that three more pros have sent in their contracts.

Here’s the list to date but keep in mind it’s President’s Day in the U.S., we may not have a final list until tomorrow. Those of you who are IFBB Pros, please note that you can also fax or email your contract into the IFBB Pro League office. If you know you’re going to compete, please send it in ASAP so the media can help get build some interest in the event. That said check out the current line-up for this weekend’s Phoenix Pro Fitness show.

IFBB PHOENIX PRO WOMEN’S FITNESS
1 – Oksana Grishina
2 – Tanji Johnson
3 – Julie Palmer
4 – Yenny Polanco
5 – Bridgette Murray
6 – Nita Marquez
7 – Camala Rodriguez

Okay, NOW I’m stoked. This is a VERY competitive field despite only 7 competitors. Don’t forget things are different for pro fitness competitors this year. There are no 45-second routines and the one-piece swimsuit has been dropped. The scores are 50-50 and someone with a great routine but lackluster physique will falter and visa-versa.

When you look at the history of the women competing in this show they all have good routines. The only one unknown is Camala because it’s her IFBB Pro debut. She held her own in Chicago by winning the overall at the 2009 NPC Jr. Nationals so you know she’s not someone to overlook. We haven’t seen Oksana in some time but she made a name for herself with her routines. Tanji Johnson was the runner-up at the 2009 Fitness Olympia so you know if she’s on she’ll be tough to beat. She’ll face another top veteran with Julie Palmer throwing her name into the mix. Julie should be 1 or 2 in the physique round if history repeats itself. She could leave with another title but she’ll need to throw a great routine. Yenny Polanco wasted no time competing as a pro and is already qualified for the 2010 Fitness Olympia. She debuted and placed third at the 2009 Ft. Lauderdale Cup. Bridgette Murray has impressive strength and gymnastic skills in her routine and was last seen competing at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup. If she’s been able to dial in her physique and brings a more conditioned she’ll be in the mix. Nita Marquez has more energy than the Energizer Bunny. I get tired just watching her routine but she has some crazy strength skills and is fun to watch. This is Nita’s home turf and look for her to have a quite the cheering crowd in attendance.

Tanji, Julie and Yenny are all qualified for the 2010 Fitness Olympia. If they take the top three spots the fourth place finisher would qualify for the big dance in Vegas. This will definitely be an entertaining event as there’s no clear-cut winner for this show.

The first IFBB show of the year is quickly approaching and a number of women will be making their debuts at the Arizona Pro. This week we’ll be catching up with a few of these women.

Our first profile is with Texas beauty, Jodie Minear.

HB: Why did you decide to make the Phoenix Pro your debut?
JM: I decided on the Arizona show because it was the first one of the year and honestly I’m dying to get out there and give it all I got.

HB: Have you been training differently since turning pro?
JM: My training has been way more intense and I have really been working on my legs and butt.

HB: Why the legs and butt?
JM: In my opinion there is always something to work on. I just sometimes need to pick one thing at a time or I will drive myself crazy.

HB: What’s your favorite diet meal on the menu today?
JM: Chicken with a side of chicken seasoned with some chicken.

HB: What’s the key to balancing work and working out for you?
JM: I get through it with energy pills… Many of them.

HB: Any supplements you like and would recommend for other women?
JM: I’m a big fan of Arginine, but even bigger fan of RM 10 which does amazing things for your immune system.

HB: Favorite quote from Family Guy?
JM: “O lois its so hard to find funny women these days, but your hilarious!” Stewie…

Hardbody Hot Seat Questions:
HB: Last movie you watched
JM: Couples retreat… Vince Vaughn

HB: Favorite song to work out to
JM: Yelling, or something like that

HB: I’m craving____
JM: Sugar… Bitches love sugar

HB: Lady Gaga_____
JM: ooh la la…. love her.

Good luck Jodie. We’ll be there covering the action from the Arizona Pro show here on HARDBODY.com and photos will be posted on Bodybuilding.com.

I just booked my flight to the IFBB MuscleContest Pro Bikini Championships… have you?

The first (technically there is one slated for New Zealand before it) IFBB Bikini Pro show will take place on March 27, 2010 in Culver City, California. I know a number of women have said they are planning to compete in this contest but only two have sent in their contracts thus far. Sure, it’s more than a month away but PLEASE ladies if you know you’re doing the show… Send in your contract. If you want to see the industry and fans support the new Pro Bikini division we need you to commit and participate. Jon Lindsay does a tremendous job with his events and glad he added this to his show.

Purchase your tickets to the show and get more information about the event by visiting musclecontest.com.

IFBB MuscleContest 2010 Pro Bikini Championship
March 27, 2010 Culver City, California

Event Hotel:
Radisson Westside
6161 West Centinela Avenue
Culver City CA 90230-6306 Reservations: 310-649-1776
Mention www.musclecontest.com For Discount

TICKETS:
Saturday, March 27th at 11:00am – Prejudging $30 open seating
Saturday, March 27th at 6:30pm  – Finals $30/$40 all seats reserved

Discounted ticket prices for Children, Seniors and ACTIVE Military. (Must show military ID at box office.)
Children that will NOT occupy a seat are free.
Available for purchase at box office only.

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

A new feature to Hardbody.com… Hardbody Investigates. There are a number of things that leave people scratching their head wondering what the…?! We’re going to tackle some of these topics with a little help from a few Hardbody investigators. Do you have a topic you’d like us to investigate? Email me and we’ll see what we can do.

Have you ever wondered how decaffeinated coffee is created and what is meant when a label reads “Naturally Decaffeinated”? We have…

As many of you might know, caffeine is the most consumed drug in the world and coffee is the main supplier of this substance. Caffeine is naturally abundant in more than 60 plants.

Caffeinated coffee usually comes from a bean called Arabica, while most decaffeinated coffee comes from a bean called Robusta.  A Robusta bean is used to create decaffeinated coffee because it has a more robust flavor and helps keep the final product tasting great after the extraction process.

There are a few different extraction techniques used but each contains the basic following steps:

1.      Soaking the coffee beans in water to dissolve the caffeine
2.      The water substance is then drained from the beans and the caffeine is strained from the water using solvents
3.      After extracting the caffeine from the water the decaffeinated water is introduced to the batch of beans again to re-absorb the flavors.

The solvents typically used are methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. The most widely used solvent is ethyl acetate, a substance found in many fruits. When a label reads “naturally decaffeinated” it is referring to the solvent, ethyl acetate, being used. Since ethyl acetate can be found in nature companies can call it Naturally Decaffeinated even if the process or substance is not natural.

In the past, Methylene chloride received a great deal of attention after it was found to be an animal carcinogen when inhaled.  When animals ingested the substance through drinking water there were no adverse effects so the government allowed companies to continue its use.

An interesting fact:
Caffeine removed from products such as soda or coffees are used in the manufacturing process of medicines and sodas.

“less than 5 percent of the caffeine found in cola drinks comes from the kola nut, and many of the popular “high caffeine” soft drinks do not contain kola nut extracts at all. The caffeine content of soft drinks is primarily if not completely from the addition of caffeine extracted from decaffeination processes.” – http://recipes.howstuffworks.com

Moderation is key when it comes to anything processed from its natural state.

IFBB Bikini Pro Shelsea Montes will be making her pro debut at the 2010 Orlando Pro this April. Ron Avidan caught up with the energetic Montes at the Fit Expo last weekend.

IFBB Figure Pro Rosa-Maria Romero posted on her Facebook wall, “It’s official… NEW ZEALAND PRO FIGURE March 20th!!!!! Contact Moe Moussawi for more information. $10,000 prize money & top 3 qualify for Olympia.” This would put the show two weeks after the 2010 Arnold. I believe this contest will also have a pro bikini competition.** Once I have more details from Moe and the IFBB Pro League office I will share them with you all. If anyone would like to sponsor HARDBODY to cover this show, we’re totally willing to accept.

Also note worthy related to Rosa… she recently signed with Nutrigenics, joining Ms. Figure Olympia Nicole Wilkins-Lee, rising star Mindi Smith and Raechelle Chase.

** Rosa reports, “Pro Bikini has just been added with a total prize money of $3,500.”

Thanks to Ms. Fitness Olympia Adela Garcia for bringing this to my attention.

From: IFBB Professional League
To: All Fitness Athletes
Date: January 14, 2010

SUBJECT: PROPS

IFBB Pro Rule 21.7.5 allows the use of props during the Fitness Routine round.

All competitors using props must notify the Head Judge at the Official Athlete’s Meeting.

Props that leave material onstage that presents a safety hazard and/or requires the stage to be cleaned or repaired before further use are prohibited.

Any item discarded during the routine must be removed by the competitor before exiting the stage without causing any delay in the competition.

A competitor must enter and exit the stage and perform the routine without the assistance or involvement of any other person or persons.

Jim Manion
Chairman
IFBB Professional League

The 2010 Arnold is around the corner and we’ve seen a few names dropped from the invited lists. This time around it’s a different story. The Arnold Committee has added a competitor to the Figure International. Typically, names are not added after the invitations are made public. There’s been the occasional addition over the years but it is rare. One woman who is happy about the addition is Italy’s Cristiana Casoni. I caught up with the Italian beauty after she heard the news.

HB: For those who don’t know where are you from?
CC: I live in Trieste North East Italy.

HB: How did you find out you’ve been added to the line-up?
CC: I’ve been told by a friend to check the Internet. I thought for a moment it was a joke!!! Beacause I didn’t believe!!!

HB: What are your thoughts on being added?
CC: To be accepted to take part in this lineup is such a honor. I cannot believe it. It’s exhilirating. I’m over the moon. This is my dream in my life!!!

HB: If people learn more about you, where can they go?
CC: My web site is www.cristianacasoni.it.

Thanks Cristiana and we’ll see you in March. Good luck!

There’s been talk in the Senate of imposing a tax on elective surgeries. It appears that’s been cut and the focus has shifted to indoor tanning. The Senate’s health care bill is calling for a 10 percent tax on tanning services. A recent New York Times article shared…
 

Dr. David M. Pariser, the president of the American Academy of Dermatology, said his association proposed that an indoor-tanning tax be considered in place of the cosmetic tax, and that it contacted the offices of senators. “We made the case this will reduce health care costs by hopefully reducing skin cancer in the future — that’s the point — and also raise a little revenue now,” Dr. Pariser said.
 

The tax is set to take effect in July, 2010.

The NY Times article went on to say, “any provider of indoor tanning, presumably including gyms that have only a bed or two, must add the 10 percent tax to their services.” It will be interesting to see how this hits small business owners of tanning salons as well as gym owners with tanning services. Another interesting piece in the article…

Taxing tanning-bed services makes sense to Dr. Darrell S. Rigel, a melanoma researcher and a past president of the American Academy of Dermatology. “The rates of melanoma are rising among young women, who are the biggest users of tanning beds,” he said. “We are seeing melanomas on these women where the sun doesn’t normally shine but where tanning beds shine,” namely on breasts and pubic areas.
 

Thanks to Shannon Gill for the heads up on the Tanning Tax. 

Congratulations to all the women chosen for the 2010 Arnold Classic. This will be a great competition for each division. I’m happy to see some new names join some of the veterans on the Arnold stage. There are a total of 14 women in the Ms. International, 16 in Fitness and 20 in Figure. Visit arnoldsportsfestival.com for more information on the event.

Ms. International
Heather Armbrust
Lisa Aukland
Dayana Cadeau
Iris Kyle
Debi Laszewski
Zoa Linsey
Mah-Ann Mendoza
Yaxeni Oriquen Garcia
Jeannie Paparone
Betty Pariso
Alina Popa
Brenda Raganot
Elena Shportun-Willemer
Dena Westerfield

Fitness International
Myriam Capes
Regiane Da Silva
Nicole Duncan
Tina Durkin
Allison Ethier
Adela Garcia
Tracey Greenwood
Oksana Grishina
Jennifer Hendershott
Tanji Johnson
Julie Palmer
Kayde Puckett
Camala Rodriguez
Sylvia Tremblay
Kizzy Vaines
Trish Warren

Figure International
Monica Brant
Krissy Chin
Alicia Harris
Candice Houston
Heather Mae French
Monica Mark-Escalante
Angela Mraz
Jessica Putnam
Larissa Reis
Kristal Richardson - withdrew her name due to hernia surgery
Felicia Romero
Rosa-Maria Romero
Sherlyn Roy
Mindi Smith
Erin Stern
Kristina Tauti
Kim Tilden
Andrea Watson
Latisha Wilder
Nicole Wilkins Lee

Those of you who are interested in the Arnold Classic – The men’s event, this is the list for the men that were selected.

Arnold Classic
Melvin Anthony
Tarek Elsetouhi
Toney Freeman
Kai Greene
Phil Heath
Dexter Jackson
Johnnie Jackson
Robert Piotrkowicz
Ronny Rockel
Silvio Samuel
Sergey Shelestov
Branch Warren
Roelly Winklaar
Hidetada Yamagishi

The first IFBB pro show of the year will be here before you know it. Visit StrykerX.com for complete details on the February 20th event set to take place in Phoenix, Arizona. A number of women will be making their pro debuts at this contest.

There’s been some confusion around a story posted on the Arnold Classic web site regarding the Ms. Figure International. Despite what was posted (which will soon be changed) there will NOT be three rounds to the figure. Everything will be as it was last year for the Figure competition. There are still two rounds – a one and two piece. Again, nothing has changed.

If you’re a fan inquiring about the IFBB Pro League rules and competitions or an IFBB Pro League member, the source for accurate and current information is always IFBBpro.com. There are different rules for the amateur division in the IFBB. Amateur competitors in the United States don’t need to worry about that as the NPC is the amateur division of the IFBB. Any rule changes or additions to the IFBB Pro League will be posted on IFBBpro.com. 

Thanks to J.M. Manion for confirming and clearing up the confusion.

I ran across this update regarding 2010 Arnold. There’s a little added incentive for the winners this year. Sounds like a cool idea and will be sweet to see the finished product.

Winners of the IFBB professional events at the 2010 Arnold Sports Festival will receive unique body sculptures courtesy of Eaglewood Sculpts of Imlay City, MI. Eaglewood and owner Clay Williams will award Custom Body Sculptures to the winners of the Arnold Classic, Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International.

The sculptures, valued at a minimum $2,200.00 each, are created using a process called “Cold Cast Metal” and the sculptures awarded to the Arnold winners will be made using Cold Cast Bronze.

“We are proud to partner with the Arnold Sports Festival for the first time and look forward to making sculptures of some of the best-defined bodies in the world,” Williams said. “Our sculpts will capture the winning competitors’ bodies in peak condition and provide a lifelong keepsake of their victory at the Arnold.”

The winning athletes will have an actual mold taken of their bodies in peak physical shape using skin safe materials. Williams will create the custom sculpt that will be suitable for hanging on a wall.

The winning athletes will have their choice of poses and parts of their physique that they want to capture.

Williams and Eaglewood Sculpts will also have a booth at the 2010 Fitness EXPO. For more information, visit www.eaglewoodsculpts.com or contact Williams at 810-358-0209.

I told you about Jessica Anderson in April and said she would be one to watch. I suggest that she be one of Lonnie Teper’s Rising Stars for IRONMAN and he agreed. She’s featured in the December 2009 issue of IRONMAN. I first met Jessica at the Arnold Classic when she was working Dexter Jackson’s Expo booth. She has striking good looks and a smile that will light up a room. Last weekend she became the first NPC Nationals Bikini Champion in Hollywood, Florida.

Lonnie and I with champion Jessica Anderson.

Lonnie and I met up with the champ for a photo after the show. Thanks for Dazzle’n Dave Liberman for snapping the photo. The camera literally started smoking after he snapped the pic.

We’re poolside shooting. Stay tuned for updates, news and a ton of info from this weekend.

Check out photos from yesterday’s Kentucky Muscle Pro on IFBBpro.com. The one-piece and the two-piece rounds are posted. That brings the IFBB competitive season to a close. The action picks up again in February at the Phoenix Pro.

Congratulations to Cheryl Brown for notching her first pro win. Last year this time she was preparing for her first National NPC show and now she’s victorious as an IFBB Pro. Julie Ann Kulla finished business left from last week, by placing second and qualifying for the Olympia. Teresa Anthony showed her best physique to date and will make a trip back to the Olympia by placing third.

IFBB Kentucky Pro Figure Results:
1) Cheryl Brown*
2) Julie Ann Kulla*
3) Teresa Anthony*
4) Patricia Mello
5) Terri Turner
6) Sherlyn Roy
7) Ann Titone
Rosa Marie Romero
9) Cristiana Casoni
10) Valerie Haines
11) Stephanie Billings
12) Tivisay Briceno
13) Natalie Calland
14) Stephanie Togrul
15) Rachel Cammon
16) Jessica Clay
16) Amy Lee Martin
16) Liane Siewald
16) Laura Sutter
16) Jennifer Toth

*Qualifies for 2010 Figure Olympia