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Check out this video with won of the top strength and conditioning coaches, Jonathan Chaimberg. Jonathan trains a number of top UFC fighters and in this video he shows a MMA Fitness workout with Rashad Evans and fitness model Amanda Carrier. Remember Amanda showing off her guns here?
ESPN’s MMA fitness video:
Let us know if you try any of this workout and how it goes.
The inaugural NPC Bikini contest caused some controversy in Columbus earlier this year when Kristal Marshall took home second place. Many felt Kristal (myself included) should have won the short class and battled for the overall title. That’s all water under the bridge now. I caught up with the former WWE diva and Price is Right girl to see what she’s been up to and what we can expect to see in Las Vegas. Kristal will be competing at the NPC USA contest this weekend and from my vantage point has all the makings to be a top contender.
What will we see different from the Arnold stage?
Well, when I competed at the Arnold, inn March, it was the first NPC Bikini contest, so nobody really knew what to expect, or what the judges were looking for. I felt like I went into it a bit blind. I sat back and let a few contests go by so that I could see which bodies were awarded and to train accordingly. I am so excited for the USAs! I feel no stress and have no expectations. This time is different in so many ways for me: I have my entire family coming to support, I got an awesome off the rack suit, My body is toned, strong and feminine… I feel so sexy.
Where did you get your suit?
I actually bought my suit at Victoria’s secret for $13! Then I took it to Christine Marsh and had her pucker the booty.
How’s baby Myles Doing?
My son is awesome! He keeps us on our toes. He just turned one and he is non-stop!! He’s my little good luck charm. He was there when I won Bikini America and hopefully he can give mommy some luck at USAs.
You’ve been keeping busy – what are some of the things you’ve been doing besides preparing for this competition?
Wow…busy is an understatement. I have been running our online supplement site Lashleynutrition.com, Training (of course), Starting Cosmetology school, renovating a rental home, being mommy and working on our new baby American Top Team Altitude. ATT is a high level MMA Professional fight gym which has trained some of the best MMA fighters around: Thiago Alves, Thiago Silva, Jeff Monson, Mike Brown, JZ, and of course the undefeated Bobby Lashley who happens to be my favorite 
. Bobby came up with the idea to open up an ATT in Denver to take advantage of the high altitude…hence ATT Altitude. We are very proud to say that the gym will be up and running early fall of 2009. So come check it out if you are in the Denver Area.
Favorite supplements?
The cool thing about owning our own supplement store is that I can try all the new fun stuff. I really love optimum nutrition’s casein protein, mixed with oats pre-bedtime. I am a big fan of Forever Fit’s whey isolate in cran-razz (yum). Most recently I have feel in love with Recovery X’s Liquid MD. It’s a blue green algae solution, which helps with everything from arthritis to sore muscles.
What advice do you have for mommas out there who are struggling to stay fit much less compete?
With kids it is really tough and you are definitely going to have to make some lifestyle changes. Prioritize: Kids first, your health next. Working out is only 10% of the solution; diet and hydration are the other 90%. As mother we want to put the best foods possible into our kiddos’ tummies right? So put it into yours too! Make little changes to start like: Eat when you first wake up (this spikes your metabolism) and will give you energy. You want to break-the-fast so the speak, Switch to whole grains (pastas, breads, cereals), Switch from traditional salt to ancient volcanic salt (a natural brown organic unbleached salt), Cut out most white colored foods (think about it there are not a lot of natural things that organically are white), sleep when baby sleeps (I had to get that in there). Don’t be so hard on yourself; your baby has to crawl before he walks, so approach your fitness goals the same way. Most importantly stay hydrated.
Thanks Kristal and Good luck in Vegas!
Proof that MMA is gaining further mainstream appeal. What does this have to do with anything related to women? Well, first most women are drawn to UFC fighter Georges St. Pierre’s looks. He was voted the most popular athlete in all of Canada last year. When Gatorade features you in an ad, you’ve officially arrived. As the mainstream media features the world of MMA more, the people in and around it benefit. There are many supplement companies who are marketing to the MMA industry. Most if not all MMA fighters weight train in some fashion. As more MMA fans are converted into supplement taking, gym going people… The fitness industry benefits.
GSP – women want him and guys want to look like him. Hard to dislike the guy.
Forty beautiful women took the UFC FAN EXPO stage on July 11, 2009 in hopes of becoming the new UFC Octagon Ring Girl. One lucky woman walked away with a year-long UFC contact and a photo shoot with Maxim Magazine. At the end of three rounds it was 24 year old, Natasha Wicks coming out on top of the judges scorecards. The Las Vegas resident will break up the trio of brunettes currently serving as UFC Octagon Ring girls by sporting her blondish, brown curly hair.
The judging started with the forty women in Maxim tank tops and their own shorts. The four judges…two men from Maxim Mag, UFC Fighter Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and the chief marketing officer for the UFC, Bryan Johnston narrowed the field to twenty.
The chosen twenty were in bikinis and asked what super-hero power would they choose if they could pick one. Most responses were fairly weak. More than one woman responded with, “Invisible”. You’re competing based on your looks and you want to be invisible? Come on ladies, come up with something a bit more memorable. A couple appeared to be UFC groupies wanting to be around the fighters, also not a good response. I doubt the answers had much to do with the final five but I could be wrong. It was pretty clear that the judges wanted a different look from the current group of Octagon girls. The final five were selected and they were all blondes. There were a few women I would have chosen over three of the five but overall it wasn’t bad. I liked #27 for the win but her large back tattoo may have hurt her for the win. She had a nice physique and one of the cutest faces in the competition. She ultimatelyfinished in the runner-up position.
Natasha Wicks is a Los Vegas native, and a former cross-country runner for NAU. She got her modeling start in Hawaii shortly after graduatin college, and has recent signed on as the UFC’s newest “Octagon Girl”. She beat out 39 other girls for the contract with the UFC, and is speculated to become the most popular “Octagon Girls” yet. She is 100% all-natural, and has never had any plastic surgery!
Natasha also shares, “I was a Bunny at the playboy club in Las Vegas where I worked with and met some of the most famous people in the world. Good times for sure! No, I did not pose for playboy and though I have nothing against it.. I am looking to turn my modeling in a different direction. I have GOGO danced all over Vegas and love it… I am a wicked, crazy dancer! I get along with everybody unless you’re a hater and then there is nothing I can do about that.”
This weekend is the first ever UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas. A number of supplement companies are making an appearance hoping to tap into the MMA market. Will it pay off to target the fastest-growing sport? Time will tell.
My only concern with companies looking to make a little coin off the MMA market is in their marketing strategies. If they try to apply the same marketing techniques they use in the fitness industry, they will crash and burn. Sure some fans already workout and eat healthy but for the most part, fans don’t have a clue about supplementation. In order to be successful companies need to educate the consumers before getting them to open their wallets.
Magazines are no different when it comes to marketing to this market. The current issue of Muscle & Fitness features MMA fighter, Nate Marquardt on the cover. Other fitness magazines have also put fighters on the covers. Does it work in selling more magazines? Certainly. Just like the fuss over putting Kim Kardashian on the cover of Muscle & Fitness Hers, putting a fighter on your cover is tapping into a new audience.
I’m all for it as I think it will only help in bringing in more fans to the world of bodybuilding and fitness. The women’s side of things are still lagging behind the men in the world of MMA but it’s gaining steam.
Look to Canada’s best fitness magazine, Inside Fitness with it’s current issue. They have the most popular Canadian athlete, UFC Welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre, on the cover this month. The August/September ’09 issue features a block of training coverage, featuring his strength and conditioning training program and an in-depth interview with MMA training guru Greg Jackson.
This is the right way to market to a new audience. Don’t just slap a popular figure on the cover but feature their training. Much like Muscle & Fitness’ issue, you get a look at how these fighters train and gain a newfound respect for what they accomplish.
Think it isn’t big business? Sports Illustrated recently reported that the UFC will begin charging companies $100,000 for six months for the right to put their logo on a fighter. That’s 200k a year just for the right to put their logo on the fighter.
If you’re one of the companies or as an individual if you’re getting into the MMA world, think about how you can make yourself relevant. If you’re an MMA fan, expect to see more companies getting in the mix of MMA.
A little some’n some’n different this weekend for the lense of LIFT. I will take a little break from the fitness, figure and bikini women to photograph a few fight’n females. This Friday night in Las Vegas Tuff-N-Uff will put on the first all-female MMA event “Tuff Girls”. This event is held on the eve of the biggest MMA event to date – UFC 100. Many supplement companies and fans from the bodybuilding world will be in Las Vegas for the action. Stay tuned throughout the weekend as we cover it all with the help of our friends at bodybuilding.com.
Date: July 10 (Friday)
Time: 8 p.m. (first fight)
Place: Orleans Arena
Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 at the door
More Information at: http://tuffnuff.net
Maxim magazine and the UFC have teamed up for next weekend’s UFC 100 FAN EXPO to crown the first-ever Maxim UFC® Octagon Girl™. If you’re in Las Vegas next weekend or have aspirations of becoming the next UFC Octagon girl, this is your chance. Let’s see a hardbody hottie join the mix!
Props: UFC.com
Las Vegas, NV – It’s the Ultimate gig in the world of sports modeling, and when The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) decided to search for potential new Octagon Girls™, it reached out to the only magazine devoted to discovering new beauty around the world: Maxim, the largest young men’s lifestyle magazine in America. The result? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for attendees of the UFC® Fan Expo™ to be on hand when the winner of the first-ever Maxim UFC® Octagon Girl™ Search is chosen at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 11th, just hours before the lights go down for the biggest event in mixed martial arts history, UFC 100.
During the two-day Fan Expo, the Octagon Girl Search will culminate with a live voting phase at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, on the main stage of Bayside Hall B. The event will feature UFC fighters and Maxim editors selecting the winner in a runway-style pageant during the UFC Fan Expo. The winning model will receive a UFC Octagon Girl contract and will be featured throughout the Maxim properties, including Maxim magazine and on Maxim.com.
Girls interested in entering the Maxim UFC® Octagon Girl™ Search will need to pre-register at Maxim.com or at one of Maxim’s upcoming casting events. Details on the casting events will be listed at Maxim.com. Participants must be 18 years of age.
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NPC News Chief Photographer, J.M. Manion went Behind The Scenes of the new MMA movie, Warrior. Filming is currently taking place in Pittsburgh. J.M. caught up with one of the film’s actors Kurt Angle as well as ring girl and NPC competitor/fitness model Monique Minton. J.M. shared a couple photos from the weekend where he and his Tyler gained access to the movie’s filming.
Monique Minton was set to take the stage at the NPC JR USA last weekend. She sent in her entry fee and was all set for the first ever National NPC bikini contest. Ms. Minton was mysteriously missing, so where in the world is she? Monique has been cast as one of three ring girls for the movie “Warrior” which stars Nick Nolte. Filming is taking place now and is set to hit theatres next summer.
Nolte plays an ex-Vietnam vet boxer-turned-steel mill worker whose family was torn apart by his alcoholism; the now-sober and remorseful dad welcomes back his youngest son (Hardy) and trains him to compete in a mixed martial arts tournament. He and his older brother, played by Edgerton, are on a collision course in the ring. – cagepotato.com
Monique tells me she still plans to compete in bikini and will do so in Texas sometime next month. She’ll need to qualify for a national level bikini show since missing the Jr USA event. She currently has her sights set on the NPC USAs held in Las Vegas this July. Props to Monique for the mainstream gig and for letting us know where the heck she’s been hiding lately.
Supplement companies could take a page out of this marketing initiative on how to utilize their athletes beyond cutting bars and standing at a booth. Gina Carano is the highest profile female in MMA. She was an American Gladiator and Maxim Hot 100 Finalist. Looking to capatilize on her high profile status, Pontiac has teamed up with Maxim and Gina Carano for an interactive “Street Brawl”. This is a failry engaging way to get their demographic interested in their new car and potentially win a date with Gina along the way. Check out the contest here.
The site also shows some behind-the-scenes photos, videos and downloads. There are some pretty amusing lines in the teaser. One of the funnier parts of the “test” is when Gina asks people to take a look at “these guns”. She’s definitely packing some heat behind those guns.
I have a feeling you’ll be seeing more supplement companies looking to tap into the success of the MMA world. Champion Nutrition takes a bold step by teaming up with TapouT, one which no other supplement line has done to date.
Good move? Only time will tell but if you were going to partner with a successful brand in MMA, TapouT is a logical choice. You’re sure to see a TapouT shirt or hat at any bodybuilding/fitness event and go to a MMA event you can’t blink without seeing the logo.
GRAND TERRACE, Calif., Apr 28, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — TapouT, the premier mixed-martial arts apparel, gear and lifestyle brand, announced today a licensing agreement with Champion Nutrition to offer sports enthusiasts TapouT Sports Nutrition products. Under this relationship, Champion Nutrition will design, distribute and market the Tapout Sports Nutrition brand to all retailers in the United States and abroad. TapouT Sports Nutrition products will be available in mass-market retailers beginning this summer.
Female MMA Fighters are few and far between. When the women do get their chance to shine in the MMA scene, all eyes are on them. Lately, it has become a reoccurring theme with the women missing weight. Yes, the men miss weight and an issue with them as well. My two cents, professional fighters need to be exactly that, professionals and make weight. It’s disrespectful to the opponent and the fans.
That said, one thing struck me as odd in this latest failed weight match-up. professional and make the weight. Take a look at this photo and guess which woman missed weight by 6 lbs?
The woman on the right, “Cyborg” is the one who missed the weight and as you can see it’s not from being out of shape. She’s ripped and has veins going through her abs. Clearly she is taller and carrying some muscle. I’ll keep an eye on the interviews to hear what she did or didn’t do to prepare diet/nutrition wise for this fight. Certainly can’t criticize the way her physique looks. Props for the photo and see more on MMAjunkie.com. The two women are set to square off tomorrow night on SHOWTIME.
Charles “Mask” Lewis was one of the founders of the popular MMA clothing line, TapouT. The video below is the last interview he did before passing away. Charles died yesterday morning in a car crash. I’m posting this video here because he shares some very inspiring words about chasing your vision and dream. One sentence really stands out to me is, “I like being a team player to the sport and to the fighters.” Think about that…Are you a team player to the fitness industry or have you fallen into the “me-me-me” mentality?
He’s a perfect example of despite being a colorful character and a little wacky at times, when you peel all of that away he was just following his dream. RIP Charles.
San Diego’s Ali Sonoma is a perfect example of what the new bikini division brings to the table. Striking good looks, toned physique but not overly muscular. She works out, eats right and has aspirations of making a difference in the world of fitness. I had a chance to chat with Ali as she heads into her first competition. What made this former UFC ring girl enter the Arnold Bikini competition? Find out the answers to this as well as what it’s like dating one of the top UFC fighters below.
You currently live in Cali but where did you grow up?
St. Louis, MO
How many NPC competitions have you competed in?
The Arnold Classic next week will be my very first one! I’m very excited!
What made you decide to compete in the Arnold Bikini Competition?
I was at Mr. Olympia last year and was really amazed at how the competitors looked. I saw the figure women on stage and was just in awe. I said to myself, I would love to do that someday, it would be such a rewarding self challenge to get your body at it’s best. So I went for it. I found a great trainer, (Kim Oddo), and he told me about the new bikini division. I started training immediately.
What are your competitions goals this year?
I would love to get my pro card, become a spokemodel for a few supplement /nutrition companies and continue to look and feel my best.
You mentioned you enlisted the help of Kim Oddo with your diet/nutrition, how has that experience so far?
I couldn’t have done it without Kim! I wouldn’t have a clue where to begin without a professional, especially one of the best in the business. He laid out everything-my diet, supplements, times I should eat, portion control, lifting schedule, etc.
I read somewhere that you like to fish and shoot guns, is that true?
Ha ha, sure is! I’m from Missouri so I’m naturally a country girl at heart and I’m not afraid to get a little dirty.
Some people may not know but you were a ring girl for the UFC. What was that experience like?
It was a great experience for me. I was with them for a year and traveled to many places. I am still a huge fan of the fights and always will be.
Do you get nervous thinking about the competition or is it a walk in the park for you now?
I might be a little nervous considering it’s my first one, but I think I’ll be more excited than anything.
Do you weight train?
Yes.
What a bikini competitor that works out? Get out. What type of training do you follow?
I weight train just about everyday. I alternate upper and lower body. I do light-med weight, high reps, at high intensity. I love lifting, so much more than cardio! 
Do you work out solo or with a training partner?
I work out solo and I take it very seriously. I go to the gym to train, sweat, and work hard. I don’t like any distractions.
How is it dating a UFC fighter (Ali is dating UFC Fighter Diego Sanchez)… Does he help motivate you in the gym or can be a distraction while preparing for your own show?
Diego Sanchez is not just a UFC fighter, he’s so much more. He’s my very best friend and I have learned so much from him since being with him. He’s very knowledgeable in nutrition, training, diet, meditation, recovery, supplements, I could go on and on. I started eating all organic food because of him, and started taking up better habits like cutting aspartame, anything artificial, anything processed, etc. It’s a plus being with him because he helps to train and motivate me-yesterday we did sprints until our legs were about to fall off. ha ha! He believes in me and I in him. I am always the loudest, craziest one at his fights and he’ll be right there watching me on stage as my number 1 fan.
A number of women have taken up MMA classes are you one of them or leave that to Diego?
I love kickboxing and would love to someday take up Muy Thai and Jui-Jitzsu. I love to feel strong.
What do you plan on eating after the competition – birthday cake? (Ali’s Birthday falls on the Arnold Classic Weekend)
Ha ha, YES! Chocolate and some red wine! It’s been so long!
What advice do you have for women out there thinking of doing their first competition?
Get a great trainer! You get what you pay for.
If people want to find out more info about you where should they go?
My myspace page is the best way to contact me www.myspace.com/alisonoma
Any one you want to thank or give a shout out to?
First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me in so many ways-all the glory goes to him, the Creator. I would also like to thank Kim Oddo, my family, fans and the love of my life Diego.
Thanks Ali and best of luck in Columbus.
Thank you.
The Arnold Bikini competition will take place in Columbus, Ohio on Thurday, March 6th. Competition starts at 7pm.
Top NPC competitor and rising fitness model star, Monique “MoMo” Minton was spotted on the UFC web site. Ok, so it was a banner ad for the new Girls of BSN calendar but don’t under estimate MoMo’s fighting skills. She’s been taking up MMA training lately and tells me it’s an awesome workout. Monique will be at the Arnold Classic next weekend working the BSN booth. Stop by and say hello but don’t question the toughness behind the pretty face or you may find yourself getting choked out.
Check out the video with MMA bad ass and American Gladiator, Gina Carano. It’s not the newest piece but still worth checking out.
I’m in Las Vegas for UFC 94 and have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t drool over the mere mention of Georges St. Pierre. Gotta give the guy props, he carries himself in a very professional manner and is always in top shape. He could hold his own in a middleweight bodybuilding competition. Here’s a photo for all the GSP fans from yesterday’s weigh-in.
You can see more on Bodybuilding.com. Check out the fights tonight on Pay Per View.
The popularity of mixed martial arts continues to rise and it’s including more and more women. Women are not only watching the fights but also participating in them. I’ve talked to a number of women who are taking some form of MMA training and they love it. The MMA world definitely isn’t for every woman though. No, some women cringe and can’t stand watching MMA, much less participate.
Last Saturday, the lone Ring of Fire female bout was one of the best of the night. The two women fighting were better technical fighters than most of their male counterparts that night. I’m not sure if it was a better fight because the women appeared to have no over inflated egos to over-compensate for or because it isn’t what I’m used to seeing. It’s not every day you see two women beat the hell out of each other. The women I spoke to in attendance had varied opinions on the topic. Some were inspired and others were horrified.
What do you think… Should female mixed martial arts be embraced and promoted? An on-going discussion is whether there should be professional fighting for women. Is it something that has a place?
FOX News weighs in on the topic:
ESPN blogger Steve Cofield also offers up his opinion. The mere mention of it on FOX NEWS and ESPN, in any fashion, tells me that there is something to it.
This is a very special post for me. Why? I am pleased to say it is my first cover. No, it’s not me on the cover, which I’m sure we’re all thankful for, but rather a photo I took. I’ve had many other photos published over the years but to have your photo make the cover is a huge honor. Like many other things, you always remember your first.
It was also an honor to be part of this cover because it showcases UFC heavyweights, Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar. Their November 15th fight is being billed as the “Biggest fight in mixed martial arts history“. Pavell Ythjall photographed Randy and I photographed Brock for the cover as well as their training. It is with that, I’m ecstatic to provide a first look at the December 2008 issue of FLEX Magazine.
Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar square off in Vegas next week!
Those of you wondering what any of this has to do with fitness or figure, don’t fret. This isn’t a post just to toot my horn. FLEX magazine continues to feature the women and in this issue the featured profile is Mary Elizabeth Lado. Pavell Ythjall and FLEX were kind enough to provide “behind the scenes” photos from the shoot.
A look behind the scenes from the shoot.
Make up artist Rachel Hoke lends a hand on the shoot.
Mary Lado takes a break on the shoot.
Props to FLEX magazine for their continued support of the women in the industry. FLEX subscribers may have already received their copy of the magazine. Those looking for it on the newsstand should be able to find it next week.
Jennifer Gates is already in elite company with the title of Ms. Olympia. She’s now part of a handful of females with an endorsement contract. Jennifer with the help of her manager, JM Manion, came to an agreement with Pro Fight Supplements last month. Jennifer will be with the company for the next two years with a deal that includes many perks often left for her male counterparts. Multiple companies expressed an interest in Jennifer but it were the little things that added up to be a big deal for the current champ. Jennifer tells me she is excited to be part of the company and they’ve treated her like a queen. She went on to say, “I’m looking forward to working with them and very thankful for the opportunity. It will definitely with competing from a financial standpoint.”
I caught up with one of the company owners, Abbas Moussaoui, at the Sacramento Pro where he told me a bit more about Pro Fight Supplements. They’ve been around for a number of years, primarily in the fighting world but look for them to have a stronger presence next year in the bodybuilding/fitness/figure community. Abbas tells me they have a number of products in their line and have been taking a steady approach to marketing their products. All too often we see companies come out larger than life and then disappear. The company understands how to treat athletes. His brother Moe El Moussaoui is a top ten Mr. Olympia competitor and the best bodybuilder in New Zealand. Moe and Abbas had a chance to see Jennifer interact with fans at the Meet The Olympians and were impressed with how she conducted herself. Look for them to start using Moe and Jennifer in their ads in 2009.
Jennifer’s first appearance with the company will be at the 2009 IRONMAN. Props to Pro Fights for signing a woman to their team. Congratulations Jenn.
Pauline Nordin has never been accused of being weak, mentally or physically. She’s now putting that mentality to good use in a kick ass new program called Fighter Diet. Her new blog describes the diet philosophy as:
My diet philosophy was not based upon what fighters in general keep in their diets. My philosophy has more to do with the mental outlook of professional fighters, the way they must push, push, push to the limit, face their fierce in the cage, persevere endless grueling workouts. And this while making weight needed for the battle in the ring… Fighters see beyond the moment being in order to persevere and win titles and belts. No instant satisfaction, only loyal and honest dedication will lead them to victory.
She’ll be blogging regularly on her site and will include videos as well. Check out the newest video of her knocking out a set on the incline bench:
Fans have most likely seen the last of the new American Gladiators, at least on TV in the United States. American Gladiator junkies can still get their fix with a new DVD. Now you can follow the workouts of a defunked cast. Doesn’t that sound like fun? The description of “American Gladiators Ultimate Workout” is almost as lame as the remake of the show.
NBC’s smash hit American Gladiators inspires fans with the power of ultimate physical fitness. Now these hard-core American Gladiators challenge you to step into the gauntlet for a full-on fat assault with three muscle-pumping, flab-eliminating workouts designed to transform your body from regular to ripped. Mix up these cutting-edge strength and cardio routines and you’ll never hit a wall. It’s time to get up, get fierce, and get fit!
Muscle Madness Strength 1: Power train with Titan, Phoenix, and Wolf for a super-strong, super-sleek physique using moves that tackle the quads, biceps, back, and abs.
Muscle Makeover Strength 2: Toa, Crush, and Jet prepare you for battle and the beach with muscle-molding moves that hit the triceps, chest, hamstrings, glutes, and abs.
Cardio Crusade: Follow the Gladiators into cardio combat and sideswipe those extra pounds with kickboxing, jacks, and explosive combinations.
Bonus: Enter the arena with Jet, Titan, and Wolf and challenge your body with the bonus Glute Gauntlet, Ab Quake, and Arm Assault routines!
Product Information
Studio: Lionsgate
Production Year: 2008
Release Date: 12/16/2008Length: 89 mins
Rating: NR
It amusing that the folks who put this DVD together chose not to include any of the female competitors/Gladiators from the IFBB. The cover says “Eliminate Fat & Shape Muscle”. Wouldn’t it make sense to include people who know how to do this? Gina Carano aka Crush, while beautiful and a badass, has trouble making weight for her MMA fights. I’d sooner take workout advice from Richard Simmons than “follow the Gladiators into cardio combat”.
IFBB Figure star and fitness model Christine Pomponio-Pate showed up with her lil’ guy at the NPC Colorado State show. Christine was looking better than ever and you’d swear she was getting ready to compete. She tells me she has lost some muscle (it didn’t show) and that she weighs the same now as when she competed. Will she step on stage again? Never say never but she’s happy being a mom to her baby boy.
Thousands of fans will make their way to Broomfield, Colorado tonight to watch The Ring of Fire, a Mixed Martial Arts event. Three NPC Figure competitors will serve as ring girls for this event. Two of the three musketeers showed their purty little faces at the weigh-ins last night. Shawn Wittrock and Liza Kampstra hit poses many figure competitors don’t typically display. Instead of quarter turns, the ladies hit a posed with the fighters. At the end of the event Liza and Shawna got in the mix themselves. Who would win in this throwdown… Liza “aka the queen” or Shawna “dispatch” Wittrock? I’m told 4th place finisher at the NPC JR USA Figure, Jenny Lewis will be joining these two tonight.
Liza Kampstra and Jenny Lewis will be competing next week at the NPC JR Nationals and Shawna competed last weekend at the NPC Mile High Colorado figure show. This is a great example of how working your asses off for NPC/IFBB events can also parlay into something else. I encourage NPC and IFBB women to look for creative ways to do other things outside the industry and in the process it helps educate others. It’s amusing to hear guys ask to see Liza and Shawna’s “guns” and hit them with questions about how they got their abs. It’s intriguing to others when they see buff women and it is a perfect opportunity to educate them.
Despite not making weight for the Elite XC fights, Gina “Conviction” Carano provided one of the most entertaining fights of the night. The fights marked the debut of MMA on network TV. Gina stated after the fight that she didn’t have enough time to prepare for the fights due to her schedule with the American Gladiators. She goes by “Conviction” in the MMA world and “Crush” on American Gladiators but whatever you want to coin her she is a badass who helped elevate women’s MMA on Saturday night. It’s reported that Gina had to weigh between 150-170 for her role on American Gladiators, so it’s understandable that she would have some difficulty getting down to 140 in a short amount of time. She’s only 26 and still learning about herself and how to control her weight. Gina provided an impressive fight against Kaitlin Young, winning at the end of the second round due to doctor’s stoppage.
Props to Gina for giving women a voice in MMA and showing she is much more than a pretty face. Her stint on American Gladiators helped bring attention to women in MMA. The broadcast on CBS mentioned she is featured in Muscle & Fitness magazine. Check out the July issue on stands now for the feature on Gina and more the M&F website. Many of our visitors who are fitness and figure athletes follow the world of MMA. What do you think about women in MMA? Let us know your thought and take our poll below:
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