Featured

LIVE Coverage from the FLEX Pro

February 18, 2012 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

The 2012 FLEX Pro kicks off the IFBB Pro Leauge season today at noon. Twelve IFBB Pro fitness competitor are in Santa Monica, California for a chance at the first ever FLEX PRO Fitness title. This is also the first show where only the winner will qualify for the 2012 Fitness Olympia. If you missed the preview of the show, check it out here.

If you’re on twitter, you can see the live updates via twitter.com/hardbodynews, twitter.com/MusclePhone, twitter.com/BBcomcontests and twitter.com/RonAvidan. Joining in the coverage? Use the hashtag #flexpro for the event in all your tweets. You can see what everyone is tweet’n about with that tag by checking out hashtags.org/flexpro.

There’s also 20 women competing in the FLEXonline Bikini Model Search contest. Stay tuned for more coverage throughout the weekend. Good luck to everyone in the show!

Filed Under: Featured, IFBB Flex Pro

Ready to Fly – A Dream Worth Fighting For

February 11, 2012 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

The documentary film, READY TO FLY, looks like it will be one worth checking out. It’s the true story of ski-jumper Lindsey Van who is considered an outsider in a man’s world. Since a young age, she had a dream of competing at the Olympics but she’s not allowed. Why? It’s not because she’s not good enough. It’s because she’s a woman.

The movie follows Lindsey and her ski jumping family though their 12-year fight to achieve gender equality in the Winter Olympic Games.

THE STORY – from www.readytoflyfilm.com
Since childhood, as a wide-eyed seven-year-old ski jumper with a dream of Olympic flight, Lindsey Van has been an outsider in a man’s world. For the last 18 years she’s been fighting the naysayers, the doubters, and those who would have her believe that it’s her place to accept second-class status.

At 8, her male coaches tell her she isn’t built right, that ski jumpers are skinny and slight, not strong and womanly. Although Lindsey is far from fat, her coaches repeatedly tell her “fat don’t fly.” Damage to her body image notwithstanding, Lindsey Van can fly. And damn well. She’s stronger, has better technique, and can sail farther over snow-covered hills than any woman and most men on the planet. At 24 years old, she proves it by becoming the first Women’s World Ski Jumping Champion.

But the sweetness of victory is fleeting. Even though she out-jumps the world’s best men at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic venue, she’s still denied the chance to perform on the highest stage, in the Olympics. Why? Because she’s a woman.

Though the Olympics were created to allow athletes to compete without the burden of politics, religion, or racism, the International Olympic Committee has decided to forbid women from competing in ski jumping. It is the only Winter Olympic discipline that doesn’t allow women. Thrust into a fight that’s far bigger than her Olympic dreams, larger than ski jumping or even sport, she becomes the reluctant spokesperson for gender equality and women’s rights.

Swarmed by the international press, Lindsey Van breaks down. The tears come. And the press eats it up. No longer is ski jumping enough; now she has to be a crusader, a media darling, the fighter for a cause. But she didn’t sign on for that. She quits ski jumping and returns to the mountains where she can pull her goggles down and ski fast in complete obscurity.

And then, somewhere in the Utah backcountry, somewhere in the quiet of a mountainside, something in her changes. Maybe it’s a realization that she can change things for the young women who will come behind her, maybe it’s the joy of flight that she’s missing, or maybe it’s her fighting nature that won’t allow her to quit. After taking a year off of competition she comes back.

The International Olympic Committee reconsiders whether women might be allowed to jump in 2014, and again the world press turns to Van for reaction. This time, there are no tears. Only resolve.

But then she gets a call that could dash her Olympic dreams. Lindsey is the bone marrow match for a 49-year-old white male who is dying of cancer. She agrees to drop everything — even the World Championships — if she’s needed back home to provide a crucial bone marrow transplant to save the life of a man she’s never met.

Van has to refocus and lead her sport and defend her title in the World Championships in Oslo, Norway in February 2011. Thick fog rolls in and the IOC observer has a heart attack. With everything going wrong, Lindsey Van and her peers perform in a most unexpected way.

We haven’t seen the film yet but as soon as it’s available we will certainly check it out and share a review. Follow the film on Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: Featured

Follow Frenchy To The Arnold Amateur

January 21, 2012 By Hardbody Staff 4 Comments

We told you about NPC Figure competitor Swann Cardot last year as she was making her presence known on the competitive stage. She competed in four shows and won every one of them, the last coming with an overall victory at the NPC Easterns. Since that time, Swann has appeared in FLEX magazine and featured in Muscle & Fitness HERS. Now she’s embarking on a new journey, the road to the Arnold Amateur in Columbus, Ohio. We caught up with Swann as she prepares for her toughest challenge yet.

Isaac Hinds interviews Swann as she begins her road to the Arnold. Swann will be checking in over the next few weeks to provide an update on her Arnold Amateur prep.

Some how I’ve managed to come up with a number of nicknames for you ranging from Chick Norris, Tiny Dancer, Frenchy to Ninja. Which is your preferred nickname or just Swann?
Hahaha, Frenchy!!!

Where are you living these days?
In New York

Do you bike to the gym in the snow?
So far so good! I’m handling the cold and still ride my bike to the gym everyday. Let’s see if I’m tough enough to ride it in the snow when the days come.

You recently hit the slopes. Do ski or snowboard?
I skied and did some intense walking up and down the slopes, music blasting in my headphones. This was the best one all. My glutes were on fire!

Did you do a dance on the top of the mtn?
I actually did lol, I have a picture to prove it.

Swann Cardot doing her happy dance at the top of the mountain.

Are you still dancing or not so much?
Not right now but may start again soon.

You work with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Fakhri Mubarak. How has working with Fahkri helped you improve?
Fakhri Mubarak has been helping me with my diet and contest prep. He has figured out exactly how my body works and was able to bring me learner, fuller and harder on my last two shows. Fakhri is unbelievable at what he does! Not only he has improved my look, but also my health and my mind. Since a very young age, I was always scared of food which always took a tool on me physically and mentally. Through Fakhri I was able to learn a lot about myself, understand the mechanic of the body and become better in this sport. I trully owe a lot to my coach!

You recently received your acceptance letter to compete in Columbus. What made you decide to do the Arnold Amateur?
The Arnold Amateur IFBB International is a very big show, and also the only chance* for me to get my Pro card. After doing my last show The Eastern USA, I wanted to compete again as soon as possible. If you know me, you know how much I love stepping on stage. I feel very lucky to have got the opportunity to participate in the Arnold’s this year and I am ready to bring my best to the stage.

*Swann is not a US Citizen and unable to enter national NPC shows where IFBB pro cards are awarded.

How do you think you compare now to your previous shows – any changes in the physique?
I am currently training, focusing a lot my back and shoulders. I have put on a little more mass since my previous show so hopefully I will accomplish the goals I’ve set for myself by then.

Do you plan to come in any differently?
I would love to come in leaner and a bit harder but this is also where I have to be very careful and make sure I still bring in the look the judges are looking for in a figure competitor.

What’s your training schedule look like?
Monday – Chest
Tuesday – Back
Wednesday – Shoulders
Thursday – Arms
Friday – Legs
Saturday – Back & Shoulders
Sunday – Off

Do you train with TRX?
I rarely train with TRX, I usually stick to weights. But I like to keep my workouts fun so I’ll throw in different techniques here and there.

Swann showing off her ninja TRX skills.

How much cardio do you do a day?
I do an hour of cardio every morning after my workout but do two cardio sessions a day during a contest prep.

How much weight do you change from “offseason” to show time?
I make sure not to put on more then 5-7lbs

I saw you’re a a fan of Muscle Eggs, how did you find out about Muscle Eggs?
I discovered Muscle Egg through my sponsor NATURAL BODY Sport Supplements, Nutrition & Vitamins. It really makes life so much easier! Check em out on www.ifbbsupplements.com

What’s your favorite way to eat them?
I am French and love crepes. Here’s the way I make them. Cook a very thin layer of muscle egg liquid in a pan and use butter spray as topping. For thicker crepes, you can also blend it with protein powder & oat meal. Very yummy, you should try!

I will Try the “Frenchy Muscle Egg Crepe” today. Something tells me I may need some tips on cooking a good crepe though. HA!

Any secret for making chicken taste better?
I cook my chicken with pepper, oregano & fat free spicy brown mustard from Gulden’s.

Ok, I don’t do mustard but for everyone else that might work.

How many meals a day do you eat?
6 meals.

Who will be making your suit?
Saleyla.com Silvia has made all my suits, she is very talented and quick.

You were featured in FLEX and Muscle & Fitness HERS – how was it shooting for a magazine?
It was a unique experience. Shooting for a fitness spread is physically very intense, a lots of reps over and over, it is also hard to stay pump and full for hours. My recommendation is make sure you bring enough food with you!!! I absolutely enjoyed it and looking forward to shoot again this year. Fingers crossed…

How does a ninja relax on the weekends?
On my day off I love to spend time at home, do all my cleaning, watch movies, hang out with friends, go shopping.

What’s something you want to accomplish in the fitness industry that you haven’t yet?
I would love to become a spoke model. I think I need to improve my English, the way I express myself and be more relaxed in front for the camera. I am actually considering taking improv classes for that purpose. Overall lots of work my way!

A Frenchy’s work is never done. Thanks for doing the interview and keep training hard. If people have questions for you as you prep for the Arnold Amateur where can they reach ya?
I’m on twitter @swannCardot and Facebook.

WOO WOOO!
WOO WOO!

Filed Under: Featured, Follow Frenchy

Do you have to be HARDCORE to be HARDBODY?

January 18, 2012 By Hardbody Staff 4 Comments

Welcome our newest Hardbody contributing writer, Kelsey Craun. Kelsey is a self-proclaimed “fitness nerd” who has a sensible approach to her hardbody. She will be sharing her views on a variety of topics in the months ahead and we’re stoked to have her on the Hardbody Team. Check out her first thoughts on being “hardcore”.

Do you have to be HARDCORE to be HARDBODY?
By Kelsey Craun
When it comes to reaching your fitness goals, there’s something to be said for maintaining an intense attitude towards it. You want to step on stage in a figure or bikini competition suit? You need to have drive and determination. There is absolutely no questioning that…. Unless you don’t really care what you look like on stage, in which case I kindly suggest finding a different goal.

But does it need to take over your life? Is it “healthy” to be compulsive about your diet and training year round? No, and no. Is it healthy for a woman to maintain an extremely ripped physique for long periods of time? Again, the answer is no. Health, fitness, and being HARDBODY are about so much more than how ripped your abs are, or how many calories your burn on the treadmill each morning. It’s not that simple, or that shallow.

Are your fitness goals getting in the way of important relationships? Do you still “allow” time for other hobbies you used to enjoy? Do you mentally beat yourself up when you “screw up” your diet? You can be lean and healthy without weighing every ounce of food you eat, and without doing cardio 6 days a week.

It seems like the “HARDCORE” folks lose sight of this too often. Aesthetic goals should not cause you lose sight of the rest of your life outside of fitness. In your quest to be a HARDBODY, you have to remember that more is not always better (I’m talkin’ about you, Overtraining Syndrome and Adrenal Fatigue – Yes, you CAN workout so much that it harms your health). Also remember that being ridiculously “hardcore” outwardly about your dreams of vascularity and striations doesn’t make you any better than the girl who silently kicks your ass in both back squats and life balance. Extremism generally isn’t healthy physically, mentally, or emotionally. If being totally ripped is a major source of happiness in your life, it may be time to re-evaluate your priorities.

Am I suggesting you sit on your couch and eat chips while simultaneously downing cans of soda instead of hitting the gym? Obviously not, but I am suggesting that having good balance in different aspects of your life is more important (and healthier) than being super “shredded” every day of your life.

Fitness models and competitors who are in the public eye need to take a step back and ask themselves if they are encouraging health and fitness, or vanity and extremism.

Do you agree with Kelsey?

About Kelsey Craun:
B.S. – Exercise Physiology
Exercise Science Grad Student
ACSM – Certified Personal Trainer
Blogger
NPC Competitor
Fitness Nerd

Kelsey Craun – Photo by LiftStudios.com

Biography:
Hey! I am a fitness blogger/personal trainer who’s passionate about lifting, coffee, learning, and peanut butter ♥ I have my B.S. in Exercise Physiology, and am currently a full-time graduate student in the process of getting my M.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Nutrition & Exercise.

I want to use my education/experience to give people sound advice (amidst all of the crappy advice and information out there) and to help motivate/inspire people to live a little healthier

In less “serious” news, I recently did my very first NPC Bikini division competition, and won my height class and the overall… Competing again soon! 1st in class A and Overall winner at the 2011 Lenda Murray Championships, then 4th in class B at IFBB North American Championships… and that’s it! Just the 2 shows so far.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KelseyCraun
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/KelseyCraun
Personal blog: http://kelsfit.com

Filed Under: Featured, Kelsey Craun

The Girls Supplement Guide

January 14, 2012 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Bodybuilding.com shares the 15 best supplements that can help you burn fat and get lean muscle. The list, compiled by Jim Stoppani, shares what the supplement is, what it does and how to take it.

Supplements can aid you in many areas when combined with a sound nutrition program and regular exercise. As Bodybuilding.com puts it, “Add these 15 critical elements to your diet, and you’ll supercharge your lean muscle gains, accelerate fat loss and improve your overall health.”

EXAMPLE:

FISH OIL
WHAT IT IS: Two essential omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

WHAT IT DOES: What doesn’t fish oil do? It reduces may help support overall health, and, a biggie, it also has been found to turn on genes that stimulate fat burning.

HOW TO TAKE IT: Take 2g of fish oil three times daily, with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Get the complete list here.

Filed Under: Featured, Supplements

Freestyle Skier Sarah Burke Operation Successful but Remains in Critical Condition

January 12, 2012 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Earlier this week we learned that Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke suffered serious injuries while training in Park City, Utah. The four-time winter X Games champion remains in critical condition after undergoing an operation.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sarah and her family during this tragic time. Thanks to Nicole, Sarah’s manager for keeping us updated. Help share your well-wishes to Sarah with #STAYSTRONGSARAH on Twitter or “Stay Strong Sarah” on facebook.

For Immediate Release:
January 12, 2012 – Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke remains in critical condition at the University of Utah Hospital after sustaining serious injuries during a training run at Park City Mountain Resort on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Burke underwent a successful operation to repair a tear to her vertebral artery which resulted in an intracranial hemorrhage at the time of her fall. William T. Couldwell, M.D. Ph.D., professor and chair of Neurosurgery at University of Utah performed the operation to repair the artery.

“With injuries of this type, we need to observe the course of her brain function before making definitive pronouncements about Sarah’s prognosis for recovery,” said Couldwell. “Our Neuro Critical Care team will be monitoring her condition and response continuously over the coming hours and days.”

Sarah’s family is grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support from around the globe. Fans may continue to use Sarah’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Burke/50553451173 to express their wishes and receive updates.

The family also requests media and the public respect their privacy in order to give them time with Sarah at this critical stage.

Lead photo of Sarah holding her feature in OUTSIDE magazine via shaywill.com.

Filed Under: Featured, Snow

Unfinished Business for Monique Ricardo

January 10, 2012 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Monique Ricardo, formerly Minton, took the fitness modeling world by storm when she starting competing in the NPC. She’s been on the covers of FLEX and Muscle & Fitness HERS and seen inside a number of other fitness magazines. Monique achieved IFBB Pro status in the Figure division but transitioned into the bikini division. Rewind to a year ago, she was preparing for the inaugural Bikini International but had to withdraw. It was mid-way through her prep that Monique found out she was pregnant with her first child. I caught up with Monique as she prepares to take care of some unfinished business.

Do you still go by Momo?
Sometimes

Momo Ricardo then?
Yes Sir.

How about Momma Momo?
Well, I am a momma now! lol

So take us back…you were accepted and invited to the 2011 Bikini International but you found out you were pregnant – right?
Yes! I was a few weeks into my 2011 Arnold training when I found out I was pregnant!

Congratulations! How old is the little guy?
Baby Maxwell is now five months.

Was there lots of kicking and punching during birth?
Yes! He was upside down my whole pregnancy and kicked my ribs the whole time!

As a new mom what’s been the biggest challenge?
I think the biggest challenge of being a new mom in the beginning is trying to find time to workout or really do anything! A newborn needs a lot of attention!

Momma and Maxwell

Did you workout during your pregnancy?
I did some cardio and rolled in my gi until 6 months, after that I had no stomach muscles to sit up and my hips didn’t move correctly. I lifted weights in the beginning but my doctor told me not to lift so heavy to protect the baby. I couldn’t lift light weight. I guess a mental thing. So I stopped after a few months.

How much weight did you gain?
I gained 20 pounds of total pregnancy. Five pounds of actually weight, after baby, fluids, etc.

What tips would you give moms out there about staying healthy and exercising?
Eat healthy!!! It helps so much with total pregnancy and post pregnancy! Being fit and then becoming pregnant makes your birth experience much easier and faster. I was only in labor for 23 minutes!

Wow that’s crazy. I’m sure a number of women wish they were in labor that long. LOL.

What’s one thing you wished someone would have told you or you knew before giving birth?
I got so much advice from many people about giving birth! A lot of women shared negative experiences, which just scared me! I had such a pleasant experience giving birth and was so surprised how easy and enjoyable it was! I wish someone told me to bring more snacks though. HA! hospital food sounds good on paper but doesn’t taste like they describe it! lol

Is it harder to get the bikini body back or no problems?
I worked super hard after having the baby! I had a Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) tourney 3 months later, so I needed to catch up fast! I was in the gym lifting heavy and on the mat rolling hard! I probably should have slowed it down a bit but sometimes you gotta go big or go home! haha

Are you still practicing MMA – what level are you at in your BJJ?
Yes! its part of my life! I am now a brown belt under Eddie Ricardo

All she does is Win! Win! Win!

What did you think of Brock getting knocked out?
I don’t think he was ready to come back to the fight…the guy guy had 12 inches of intestines taken from his belly and then he goes and fights Overeem who punches him in the stomach!

Are you glad he retired?
You can’t be the champion forever.

Can Overeem beat Junior?
No. Junior is more hungry, younger… in my opinion better on the ground, standup and boxing!

What about Chael Sonen – what’s your take on him?
He is very smart intelligent person who trains and works out really hard, he is talking a lot of crap trying to get a fight with the champion, and that’s the only way with his record that he is going to be able to do it. Some girls would take their clothes off to get attention… Chael Sonnen talks for attention.

Will he be able to beat Munos?
Munos is a better fighter but Chael is stronger mentally… which can win fights!

You trained with the Nogueiras – how hard was it to watch Minotauro get broken by Frank Mir?
I realized that night what a warrior he was! He didn’t even make a face or sound. I admire when a man acts like man and not run to his momma and stays home playing video games!

Monotauro and Monique

Did you see The Warrior that you made an appearance in?
Yes!

What did you think of it?
It was very good! had a great storyline and one of the better MMA movies out there!

People may not know but how long were you there filming?
Almost 3 months!

Are you still with Team MuscleTech?
I am Team MuscleTech!

Will you be at their booth during the Arnold?
I will be at there booth!

What’s your favorite product?
They have a new fatburner out called Hydroxystim! It’s awesome. I’m using this product for my Arnold training.

Any issues with taking any supplements and breast feeding?
I didn’t take any supplements while breastfeeding, So it wasn’t an issue for me.

Who is a better model you or your sister?
Well it depends…I have three sisters and they are always competing to see who is gonna sit at the head of the table. haha

Anything else happen while away from the stage?
Not that I can think of. I had a lot of time to enjoy my pregnancy, my family and new baby!

What made you decide to compete again after having a baby?
I have never competed in the Arnold and I have always dreamed of competing there one day! I got the chance and I took it. I love setting goals and competing is fun process, so why not?! I’m also part of Team Bombshell and I appreciate all the help I am getting from them.

Good Luck in Columbus! If you want to keep up with what’s happening with Monique, “Like” her facebook page. Check back as Monique updates us here on Hardbody.com with her Arnold prep.

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Featured, Interviews, MMA

$100,000 Transformation Challenge

January 10, 2012 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Bodybuilding.com, the most-visited bodybuilding and fitness site and largest online retailer of nutritional supplements, and Optimum Nutrition have teamed up once again to bring the nation’s largest free transformation challenge with $100,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. Not only do individuals have a chance to win, but everyone is provided with a free custom nutrition, exercise and motivational guide led by industry experts Kris Gethin and Jamie Eason. Weekly personal emails provide entrants with exclusive deals and words of advice from top athletes. This interactive, revolutionary approach ensures every 2012 transformation can be a long-lasting success.

PRESS RELEASE:
Bodybuilding.com, the most-visited bodybuilding and fitness site and largest online retailer of nutritional supplements, and Optimum Nutrition have teamed up once again to bring the nation’s largest free transformation challenge with $100,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

Not only do individuals have a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes, but everyone is provided with a free custom nutrition, exercise and motivational guide led by industry experts Kris Gethin and Jamie Eason. Weekly personal emails provide entrants with exclusive deals and words of advice from top athletes. This interactive, revolutionary approach ensures every 2012 transformation can be a long-lasting success.

Individuals have until January 31, 2012 to register for the $100,000 Transformation Challenge. Upon registration, their official twelve-week transformation begins. On May 20, 2012 two grand prize winners and ten runners up will be chosen based on the following factors: biggest physical improvement (fat loss or muscle gain) and most inspirational to others.

The $100,000 Transformation Challenge will award each grand prize winner (male and female) $25,000 cash, a $1,200 Bodybuilding.com gift certificate for Optimum Nutrition products, a one year gym membership, an all-expense paid trip to the Bodybuilding.com Fitness Expo, a personal training session with an ON fitness celebrity and a professional photo shoot. Ten runners up will receive $2,500 in cash, a $350 Bodybuilding.com gift certificate for Optimum Nutrition products and a one-year gym membership. In addition, one person will be chosen randomly each week to be the “Contestant of the Week” and will receive $250 worth of supplements and prizes.

“We set out to create the biggest transformation challenge anyone has ever heard of – no strings attached. Not only that, it was our goal to equip everyone with the tools needed to truly be a success. I must say, we have done just that. If this doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will,” – Ryan DeLuca, Bodybuilding.com CEO.

Over 14,000 contestants set out to transform last year, with winners Trelas and Nikia Dyson taking home the prize. They not only won $50,000 as a couple, but they have turned into transformation spokesmodels. Their workouts and transformation stories are seen daily by thousands of people and their transformation images have been used in a nationwide ad campaign. More than that, they personally inspired their friends, family and community to truly transform their lives for the better.

For more information on the $100,000 Transformation Challenge, go to http://www.Bodybuilding.com/Challenge.

Bodybuilding.com offers more than 13,000 health & fitness supplements and accessories to help more than 11 million people every month achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals, as well as over 35,000 pages of free information, including more than 20,000 articles and videos, expert online trainers, and new content added daily.

Lead graphic via Bodybuilding.com

Filed Under: Featured

Hardbody Training: Change Up your Cardio with Amanda’s Triathlon

January 9, 2012 By Hardbody Staff 1 Comment

The holidays are behind us and if you’re like us you may have noticed your pants fitting a bit tighter than usual. Diet and exercise is the key to trimming that booty down. One of the key ingredients to getting the butt you’ve always wanted is hitting the cardio. As you know, cardio can be quite boring especially if you’re doing more than 20 minutes. That’s why we’ve adapted a new routine that IFBB Pro Bikini and cover girl Amanda Latona suggested on her twitter account.

Amanda shared, “Great cardio session today. Bike, ski, and stairs.” Which got us thinking – hey that’s kinda of a cool way to mix things up. So we gave it a try. We chose the stair-climber, rowing machine and elliptical at 20 minutes each. Talk about whoop your butt! When we shared that this was going to be known as the Amanda Latona Hardbody Triathlon she responded, “Yeah buddy! My new thing… enjoying different styles of workouts. Cardio is fun now, not robotic ”

Give it a try and let us know how it went for you in the comments field or on twitter @hardbodynews. Follow Amanda on her twitter account @AmandaLatona and be sure to become a fan on her Facebook Page. Make cardio fun again! If you try it post on Amanda’s Facebook Page and let her know you tried the “Amanda Latona Hardbody Triathlon”.

Photos by Ron Avidan.

Filed Under: Featured, TRAINING

Amanda Latona’s Shoulder Workout & Video

January 5, 2012 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Hardbody Amanda Latona takes you through her shoulder workout and it’s a good one. The cover girl shares her workout, some tips and a boatload of energy in this Bodybuilding.com training video.

AMANDA’S SHOULDER WORKOUT:

Warm-Up: 2-3 minutes with light weight (standing dumbbell shoulder press, lateral raise and front raise)

Rest Period: 30 seconds rest between working sets

Exercise 1 - Dumbbell Shoulder Press
(4 sets of 10-18 reps)

Exercise 2 - Lateral / Front Raise Combo
(4 sets of 15-18 reps)

Exercise 3 - Dumbbell Upright Row
(4 sets of 10-12 reps)

Exercise 4 - Reverse And Forward Hammer Strength Shoulder Press
(4 supersets of 12-15 reps)

Exercise 5 - Reverse Pec Dec Superset With Rear Lateral Raise

Click here to get the complete details and tips on this workout.

Props: Bodybuilding.com for the lead image and content.

Filed Under: Featured, TRAINING, Videos

Video: Lolo Jones 12 Years for 12 Seconds

January 4, 2012 By Hardbody Staff Leave a Comment

USA Track & Field star Lolo Jones is one of our favorite hardbody women to follow on twitter (LoloJones). If you’re not following you her you’re missing out on hilarious interactions with her fans. She may be a bit of a jokester but rest assured she’s all business when it comes to running hurdles.

Via Lolo’s Facebook page:
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Lolo was favored to win the 100 meter hurdles. In the final, she was pulling away from the pack when she clipped the 9th hurdle (of 10) and stumbled, breaking stride to drop her back to a 7th-place finish.

Imagine training for that one race, only to have one mistake keep your from it. In this latest video from her sponsor Asics, Lolo shares how she is battling back from a spinal surgery and determined to win Gold at the Olympics. As she says, she’s trained 12 years for 12 seconds.

“I’ve had time’s where I wasn’t number one and I fought and crawled to become number one.” – Lolo Jones.

Props Asics America.

Filed Under: Featured, Track & Field, Videos

The Fittest on Earth: 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games

January 2, 2012 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

The 2011 CrossFit Games aired on ESPN2 over the weekend and talk about motivating! There were a number of Hardbody women showing tremendous will and strength. CrossFit has been around for years however it’s gaining popularity and a number of our visitors have shared their interest in it. Curious about the 2012 Games? We’ve got ya covered.

Information on the 2012 CrossFit Games:

The CrossFit Games are the world’s premier test to find the Fittest on Earth™. This year, defending champs Rich Froning Jr. from Cookeville, Tenn., and Annie Thorisdottir from Kopavogur, Iceland will seek the first-ever repeat titles at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on July 13-15. They will have incredible competition, as this will be the biggest and best year by far.

The 2012 season starts on February 22 with the five-week, five-workout CrossFit Games Open. Everyone in the world is invited to participate to see how they stack up. Tens of thousands of athletes from every continent will visit affiliates and submit videos in the quest to prove their fitness.

The top 60 men and women from each region will be invited to compete at the Regionals from April 27 to May 27. There are also divisions for Masters and Teams. Then, only the very best from each region qualify for the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games.

Fitness means being ready for the unknown and unknowable, so all the workouts change every year. These changes remain a surprise and are not announced until just before each event starts. Train as hard as you can, get as fit as possible, and be ready for anything!
We’re proud to announce the 2012 version of the Games site will launch soon. It’s been redesigned to handle the new scope of the competition, with better organization of all our coverage, plus dramatically improved competition information and support.

Welcome to the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games!

Visit http://games.crossfit.com for more information on the games and how you can get involved.

Filed Under: Crossfit, Featured

Happy Hardbody New Year

January 1, 2012 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

Happy Hardybody New Year peeps! Thank you all for visiting and continuing to make HARDBODY.com more popular than ever. We’re committed to bringing you the latest news, events, info and more as it relates to Female Sports, Health & Fitness. We have a number of new things in the works for 2012 and we’ll begin to roll them out and announce them over the next few weeks. We hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season. Now that the new year is upon us it’s time to set new goals and not just talk about them but do it.

The best thing you can do it write down your goals. Physically write them down and put them in a place where they are visible. This will help you stay on track and manifest what you want to achieve. Another thing you can do is create a vision board. Cut out photos or sayings from magazines that help inspire and motivate you. Print out images from the web that you find inspiring. Pin them or tape them to a board. It’s about you, so whatever YOU find inspiring post it on your board.

Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/hardbodynews and also become a fan of our facebook page. Let’s make 2012 the best year of our lives! Now log off and go sweat.

Filed Under: Featured

2011 Reebok Crossfit Games – The Fittest On Earth

December 30, 2011 By Isaac Hinds 2 Comments

Crossfit has been around for years however it’s becoming more and more popular every year. One sign it’s gaining more traction in the fitness world is Reebok’s title sponsorship of the Crossfit Games. It’s dubbed, “the premier game to find the fittest man and woman on earth.”

If you’re looking for an extra little motivation this Sunday tune into ESPN’s marathon of the The 2011 Reebok Crossfit Games… 3 days, ten events and $250,000.

Anyone attend or participate in these games?

Filed Under: Crossfit, Featured

2012 Winter X Games – Aspen

December 28, 2011 By Hardbody Staff Leave a Comment

The 2012 Winter X Games are just a few weeks away and here’s your first look at the new campaign. The winter madness goes down in Aspen, Colorado on January 26 – 29, 2012.

IF you can’t make it to the watch some hardbody men and women shred, check out the full schedule of the Winter X Games here. For more info on the event check out www.xgames.com.

If you plan to attend the games give us a shout. Some HARDBODY peeps have mentioned they are looking to make the trip.

Filed Under: Featured

101 Muscle-Shaping Workouts & Strategies for Women

December 28, 2011 By Hardbody Staff 3 Comments

The editors of Muscle & Fitness Hers have published a new edition of 101 Muscle-Shaping Workouts & Strategies for Women. You may recognize the blonde cutie on the cover as she graced Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine earlier this year. Justine Munro is rock’n a hard body on the cover as you can see from the cover. The book is a collection of some of the best workouts and exercises for building lean muscle and building fat.

In a release provided to us by Triumph Books describes the book as, “A comprehensive guide for strong, powerful and fitness-minded women, 101 Muscle-shaping Workouts & Strategies for women is the perfect kick-start to a happy and healthy new year.” The book is loaded with exercises and full color photos. It is a book geared more towards the beginner than a woman who currently makes the gym their second home. The diet, workouts and exercises are well put together and informative. If someone in your family or a friend is in need of some help it makes for a solid blue print.

The only complaint is some of the photos are pretty dated. Those of you who follow the industry and familiar with many of the IFBB pro competitors will notice it. The casual fan or those who don’t follow the industry won’t know any different so don’t let that detract from checking it out.

Canadian IFBB Pro, Justine Munro on the Cover

The book is currently available online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. If you’re attending the Arnold Sports Festival bring your copy and have Justine autograph it for you. She’ll be competing in the Bikini International March 2-3, 2012 in Columbus. If you’ve purchased the book let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Triumph Books; 1 edition (December 1, 2011)
Language: English
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds

Filed Under: Featured

Hardbody Fitness Exclusive with World Famous Model Denise Milani

December 20, 2011 By Hardbody Staff 9 Comments

Denise Milani is considered one of the most popular pin up models in the world. She’s appeared in magazines and on websites like FHM, Maxim and Esquire. While Denise is a hit with men and searched by millions each month, she’s embarking on another path. She’s decided to take her passion for health and fitness to a new level and recently competed in the NPC Bikini division. We caught up with Denise shortly after stepping on stage at Jon Lindsay’s NPC Exalibur, held in Culver City, CA.

Denise was born and raised in the Czech Republic but currently calls California home. Check out what Ms. Milani had to say about her first competition, future plans and more.

How long have you lived in the United States? 14 years

What brought to LA? The Sunshine and opportunity.

You’re the oldest child in your family, what’s the best part of being the oldest? I can be an example and hopefully give good advice/

What’s the worst? Nothing is bad about being the oldest. I love it.

How did you get started in modeling? By accident. I got discovered by sportsbybrooks.com and did some modelling for fun. The rest is history.

Has modeling become full-time job? It’s not a job if it’s what you enjoy! It’s fun, so I do it a lot.

Most annoying question? “Are you Denise Milani?”

Do you feel it’s important for women to have a web site? It’s only important if that is what you enjoy.

Strangest request from a fan? I’m sure there are some strange requests, but I haven’t heard them.

Guessing the beauty of having a manger. LOL.

When did you switch from myspace (which had a huge following) to Facebook (which has over 119,000 followers)? When myspace wasn’t cool anymore!

What advice do you have for women thinking of having their own website? Make sure you surround yourself with people you can trust. Don’t do anything just for the money, make sure it is what will make you happy.

How long have you been into fitness? I have been into fitness since I was about 15. I remember telling my mom when she went grocery shopping not to forget to get me the Muscle & Fitness Magazine (which was the only fitness magazine in Czech at the time). I always admired fitness models and the industry, but didn’t truly love it until I started to understand the science behind it after completing my national certification for personal training.

Who is inspiration? I really admire everyone in the industry, both competitors and trainers, but a person I would really like to meet is Tony Horton. I love the way he connects with people and leads as an example.

Those of you who don’t know, Tony Horton is the creator of P90x.

Why did you decide to compete? I believe to take my fitness knowledge to the next level, there is no better way than to compete. I want to experience being at my peak potential and learn everything I can along the way so I can help others do the same.

Anything you were nervous about in regards to competing? There were a lot of things! Mostly I was hoping everything would come together at the right time and I could be at my best the day of the competition. I really enjoyed the whole journey. The bad and the good.

What was the best part? Meeting all the people in the industry was the best part. The other girls were awesome, and everyone was so friendly. It made me feel at home. I also like knowing that there is always room to improve.

Wierdest part… Let’s guess the tanning? Of course it was. It was an insane experience! The retouching in the cold was the hardest part!

Did you tan before? No, just the day of.

Was it difficult to find a bikini and who made it? Yes, there was a lot of effort put into making the right bikini. The nice girls at Fresh Peaches in Rancho Cucamonga made it.

Did you work with a trainer? The training I did on my own, but I had help with the posing and refining my pre-contest diet.

How much cardio did you do? I did less during the contest prep, but more regularly.

What type of workouts did you follow? I did weightlifting but not too much cardio. Once a week I did plyometrics. Towards the end I did full body workouts.

What did your diet consist of?

PROTEIN:
• Chicken
• Egg whites
• Talapia

CARBS:
• Cream of rice
• Yams
• Lots of vegetables

FATS:
• Avocados
• Nuts
• Olive oil
• Flaxseed oil

The diet was pretty crazy, but I found a lot of good alternatives to things I usually eat. Some of these I will continue to eat instead.

Denise Rock'n The Hardbody!

What’s next? More competitions!

Best place to find out more from you? DeniseLifestyle.com

All the best in your future competitions and we look forward to your new competition journey.

Denise won in unanimous fashion, collecting all first place votes, in her first NPC Bikini show. While she didn’t win the overall title she proved that she is one to watch in the NPC Bikini division. Follow Denise on Twitter @Deniselifestyle and @DMilaniOfficial. Stay tuned for more with Denise in 2012.

Filed Under: Featured, Interviews

Cover Model & Figure Champion: Nicole Wilkins’ Hardbody Q & A

December 20, 2011 By Hardbody Staff 8 Comments

The Champ, Nicole Wilkins checks in and answers your questions. This Q&A is a good one because Nicole shares her input on hot topics like fake boobs, placing low in competitions and tips to getting started with a competition. Check this out because it’s something we’re often asked here at hardbody.com and Nicole does a great job of addressing these frequently asked questions.

From Nicole:

Hey there! I hope everyone is enjoying a little down time over the holidays This month I have been to Tampa, Boise and New Jersey, so the traveling continues, but I will be home for Christmas which will be really nice.

I love November and December because I get to spend time with my family. Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday because I love to eat… and it is usually the last big cheat meal I have before beginning my prep for the Arnold Sports Festival. This year I went shopping with my sister for the first time on Black Friday. She’s not a morning person at all, but she was that day which started with her texting me at 4am just to make sure I was up. LOL! We had a blast and shopped till we dropped at almost 5pm.

The 2012 NPC and IFBB seasons will be here before you know it, so if you have any specific competition questions for me, please email me or post them on my Facebook wall to be added to a future blog. Here are a few I received last month:

1. Do you think breast augmentation is necessary if you weren’t lucky enough to posses them?
That is a tough question to answer, as it really depends on the individual and the reasons why you are thinking about breast augmentation surgery. If you are getting surgery just to place higher remember – you will be stuck with those boobs way longer than you will be walking onstage with the 5” heels. Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons, and not only because you think it is going to help you place higher in contests. Suit designers nowadays make padding look so real that I don’t think it is necessary – plus, it can save you thousand of dollars.

2. I love competing but I haven’t placed well yet. I think I look great but then the judges don’t think the same. How do you get through the bumps and still want to keep competing?
First of all, let me just say that if you think you look great, then that is all that matters. You need to be happy with your body regardless of whether you place well or not.

If I were to give up on everything I failed at the first time, I would never be where I am today. Everything worth it in life has bumps to work through. Competing should be fun and a challenge to build your dream physique. I would always ask for feedback from more than one judge. Because it is subjective, you need to get opinions from more than one of them. Then take an honest look at your physique from top to bottom and figure out what you could have done to do better next time.

FYI, you can only get judges feedback AFTER the finals. They are not allowed to give advice between prejudging and finals. If you don’t get a chance to talk with them on show day, just email them your name, number (on your suit, not phone number) and photos from the event and ask for their comments on how you can improve.

Most of all, remember – this is a journey, and one you have to enjoy in order to be successful. When I was starting out, my goal was to win, of course – but I was ultimately happy if I was getting better with each contest. And that still is my goal today, to be better each time I step onstage. If you can be happy with that and set that as your main goal, then I’m sure you will start seeing better results when you step on stage. Good luck!

3. I just started out with a little fitness after having two kids and am thinking about competing. How long do you think that will take?
It could take 6 months, it could take 3 years. It depends on where you are starting from. If you have a good muscle base to start, not a lot of body fat to lose and good shape to your physique (symmetry wise from top to bottom) it won’t take as long. To do a competition, it isn’t only about how much you workout – 80% of it is what you eat.

If you are just starting out these tips may help:
- Get into a regular workout routine but make sure you are lifting properly. It may help to hire a trainer in the beginning.
- Assess the weak areas and strong areas of your physique – competing is all about shaping your body so that it is symmetrical from top to bottom. You don’t want your butt wider than your shoulders, or your arms bigger than your legs
- Understand the muscles you are working. Focus when lifting – the mind muscle connection is very powerful
- Go to a competition to see what you are getting yourself into
- Eliminate all processed sugars/foods, and begin cooking all of your own foods.
- Bring a cooler with you each day and eat smaller portions every 2-3hrs.

Once you have been doing this for a while and feel you are ready to take it to the next level, then I would definitely recommend hiring a coach to help with posing, suit selection, hair, makeup, tanning etc. There is a lot involved and it will help to have someone there to support you along the journey.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Until next time…

Check out Nicole’s new Met-RX calendar and visit her website for her own inspirational calendar. Follow Nicole on twitter @NicoleMWilkins.

Lead Photo Courtesy of Nicole Wilkins’ Facebook.

Filed Under: Featured, Figure Champion Nicole Wilkins

Build A Hard Body with Short, Intense Workouts

December 20, 2011 By Hardbody Staff Leave a Comment

You don’t have to train for hours every day to build a hardbody. Long training sessions may seem like a good idea but you can achieve the body you want with short, intense workouts. The key here is INTENSE. There’s no time to stand around and chat about what was on tv last night. Get in the gym, haul ass and get out.

You want to burn fat, right? Well, it is going to require a hardbody state of mind and a commitment to change. You will need to get out of your comfort zone and elevate your heart rate while you’re in the gym.

Visit Bodybuilding.com for a solid article that details how you can elevate your game and heart rate. We’ll continue down this path to building a hardbody in the weeks ahead. If you have specific questions, email us at info @ hardbody.com or post them in the comments below. Until then, get in the gym and GET HARDBODY!

Props to Bodybuilding.com for the image and featured article.

Filed Under: Featured, TRAINING

Hardbody Game Plan: Fit Meal Planner & Shopping List

December 20, 2011 By Hardbody Staff Leave a Comment

One key element to a building a hardbody is having a game plan. That includes not only your workouts but also your meal plans. Bodybuilding.com has provided an easy-to-follow weekly meal plan that includes a shopping list and a stress-free cooking plan. If you take the time to plan your meals and cook your food in advance, you’ll never be left hungry and straying from your hardbody goals.

This detailed shopping list simplifies what you will need at the grocery store. Bodybuilding.com made it even easier by having a PDF download, print and take to the store. If you are preparing for a physique competition will likely need more than what’s listed but this will help serve as a solid blue print.

Fit Meal Planner Shopping List:
• 1 lb brown rice or quinoa or buy a bit of both!
• 8 oz container of old-fashioned oats
• 3 lbs of lean ground turkey (try for 85-90% lean)
• 1 flank steak (1lb can be divided into 2 servings; 2lbs makes 4 servings)
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 avocado
• 1 large package fresh spinach salad mix fresh veggies
• 2 bell peppers
• 1 head of broccoli (or 1 package pre-chopped, fresh broccoli)
• 1 bunch asparagus
• 1 pack pre-cut and washed mushrooms (or 1 lb fresh mushrooms-but then you have to cut them yourself)
• 1 pack celery
• 1 package fresh pre-cut stir-fry veggies (or build your own by buying onion, Chinese cabbage, shredded carrots, broccoli, snow peas, and water chestnuts)

Visit Bodybuilding.com to get detailed recipes that explain how to cook five individual-serving-size dinners. You’ll also be able to pack extra food to stay fueled throughout the day. When you create a hardbody game plan you’ll make living a healthy lifestyle easier.

Props Bodybuilding.com for the photo and featured content.

Filed Under: Cooking Tips, Featured

Healthy Eating Simplified: Five Fit Meals Anyone Can Make

December 20, 2011 By Hardbody Staff Leave a Comment

Our friends at Bodybuilding.com have been sharing great content all year and sometimes we all need to go back to the basics. A healthy eating plan doesn’t need to be complicated and this article on Bodybuilding.com breaks down five meals anyone can make to help stay fit.

Key Meal Elements:
• Include protein to keep you feeling satisfied and safeguarded against muscle loss.
• Include moderate dose of carbohydrates to supply slow-burning energy.
• Healthy fats to round-out a meal plan to keep hunger levels under control.

The biggest take away from this article… HAVE A PLAN. Read the complete article here.

Filed Under: Cooking Tips, Featured

Nike Open – Winter Dew Tour Info

December 13, 2011 By Hardbody Staff Leave a Comment

The Winter Dew Tour, in its fourth season, takes place this week in Breckenridge, Colorado. This winter action sports tour consists of three events over three months. Each tour stop includes snowboard superpipe & slopestyle as well as freeski slopestyle & superpipe.

The Dew Tour will bring out some of the biggest names in women’s winter sports. Kelly Clark was a dominate Hardbody on the contest circuit last year and look for her to continue her winning ways again this year. Veterans’ Gretchen Bleiler and Hannah Teter have their sights set on the winners circle and don’t be surprised if they are on the podium once again.

The full schedule of events for the Nike Open is as follows:
Thursday, Dec. 15th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
9:15 AM – 1:15 PM – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Qualifier
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Men’s Freeski Superpipe Qualifier
2:15 PM – 4:00 PM – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Qualifier

Friday, Dec. 16th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Women’s Snowboard Superpipe Semi-Final
9:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Men’s Freeski Slopestyle Semi-Final
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM – Men’s Snowboard Superpipe Semi-Final
1:45 PM – 4:00 PM – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Semi-Final

Saturday, Dec. 17th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Semi-Final
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Men’s Freeski Superpipe Final
2:00 PM – 2:40 PM – Women’s Snowboard Superpipe Final
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Men’s Snowboard Superpipe Final
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM – Nike Chosen One Rail Jam / Yelawolf Concert at the River Walk

Sunday, Dec. 18th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
9:30 AM – 10:10 AM – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Men’s Freeski Slopestyle Final

For additional Winter Dew Tour event information, visit www.Allisports.com. Visit the Dew Tour Facebook page and follow @thedewtour on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information on the latest Winter Dew Tour action.

Complete 2011-12 Winter Dew Tour schedule is as follows:
Nike Open
Dec. 15-18, 2011
Breckenridge Ski Resort – Breckenridge, Colo.
Pantech Invitational
Jan. 19-22, 2012
Killington Resort – Killington, Vt.
Toyota Championships
Feb. 9-12, 2012
Snowbasin Resort – Ogden,Utah

Filed Under: Featured, Snow

Hope Solo has “Too Much Muscle”?

December 5, 2011 By Isaac Hinds 4 Comments

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team goalkeeper Hope Solo is known for being an intense and outspoken athlete. She recently did a stint on Dancing with the Stars and made it into the final rounds of competition. Ultimately, she was voted off and after exiting the show she did an interview with Anderson Cooper. Hope spoke very candidly about being on the hit ABC show and what the judges thought of her.

“I was told I had too much muscle and I was too intense and wasn’t very dainty,” Solo said. As she goes on to mention in the interview… Um ya, she’s a professional female athlete so of course she’s going to have some muscle.

It’s all relative. Many of you reading this will think, what the… she doesn’t have too much muscle. As you can see in the ESPN BODY issue, Hope is obviously muscular but she’s also lean. Is this a look that most of America deems “too muscular”? Likely but most of America is also overweight.

The thing Hope brings to the table that many other athletes lack is her personality. She’s not only a world-class athlete but she’s not afraid to show her personality. Many times she’s unfiltered and it resonates with people. You either love her or despise her and there’s usually little gray area. It’s smart self-promotion on her part because it’s authentic.

ESPN asked Hope, “Have you ever felt self-conscious?”

She said, “I used to be self-conscious mostly about my arms and shoulders — they’re so broad, people assumed I was a swimmer or a volleyball player. It was difficult for me to wear a halter dress or a small tank top; I thought the first things people would see were my arms and shoulders. I remember trying to get out of lifting weights in college because I didn’t want to bulk up. I would do more reps to avoid putting on too much muscle mass. Or I would skip certain power exercises like cleans — I always tried to get out of cleans — and dead lifts. But now, it’s my arms and my shoulders that I’m most proud of. I appreciate my athletic look.”

So the question remains, is muscle marketable to mainstream? We say yes but it will takes a shift in perception and what “too muscular” means.

What do you think, is Hope too muscular?

Hope Solo "too muscular"?

Filed Under: Featured, Soccer

X-Games Medalist Jen Hudak – Unplug to Recharge

December 5, 2011 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Jen Hudak, a 25 year-old skier, has five Winter X-game medals to her credit and her sights on the Olympics. Jen has also been victorious at the US Open, US Nationals, Dew Tour and more. She’s battle through injuries and managed to find an inner peace many people twice her age seek yet never reach. Jen ventured to Japan where she embarked on an “epic adventure” with incredible amounts of snow. In a video recently shared on ESPN.com Jen said something quite profound…

Jen Hudak:
“I’m completely unplugged and that’s the best way to fully recharge.”

How awesome is that? Think about it. That’s a hardbody state of mind.

Check out this video from Jen’s trip to Japan. Pretty sic.

Jen Hudak “Moving Mountains” Episode 3 – Solitude from NEU PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

Find out more about Jen on her website: http://jenhudak.com

Lead image via neuproductions video linked above.

Filed Under: Featured, Snow, Videos

Live Coverage of the 2011 NPC Nationals

November 18, 2011 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Follow all the action from the 2011 NPC Nationals here on Hardbody.com. If you’re on twitter, you can see the live updates via twitter.com/hardbodynews, twitter.com/MusclePhone, twitter.com/BBcomcontests and twitter.com/RonAvidan. Joining in the coverage? Use the hashtag #NPCnationals for the event in all your tweets. You can see what everyone is tweet’n about with that tag by checking out hashtags.org/npcationals.

Get complete photographic coverage on Bodybuilding.com throughout the weekend. If you’re a competitor looking for stage photos download the order form and purchase prints here.

Filed Under: Featured, NPC Nationals

Behind The Hardbody: A Dancer Named Swann

November 6, 2011 By Isaac Hinds 2 Comments

I ran across Swann Cardot on Facebook and her look caught my attention. I checked out her web site and you could see from her photos that this woman had something special. During the Olympia weekend I had the opportunity to photograph Swann and she was stunning. Swann, without question, has one of the most promising physiques I’ve seen in some time. If you doubt me just take one look at her competitive resume and you’ll see the judges agree. Swann has won her height class (and overall) in every show she’s entered. I caught up with Swann to get to know the woman behind the Hardbody.

Name: Swann Cardot

Born in: Paris

When did you move to the USA: About 3 years ago.

Currently live in: New York

Any brothers or sisters? I have 1 sister and 1 brother, both much older then me.

Number of languages you speak: French and English

How old were you when you starting dancing? 4 years old

How many different dance disciplines have you participated in – which ones? Ballet, Jazz, Contempory, Salsa, Theatre Dance and Hip-hop

Favorite one: Jazz

Do you consider yourself an artist: Yes

While dancing how many hours a day did you train? 3 to 6 hours, sometimes more.

Do you watch dancing with the stars? I do sometimes. At the moment, I follow the episodes of Born To Dance.

How old were you when you started weight training? 23

What lead you to working out? I had the feeling I needed to flip my whole life around. I had the desire for a new drive.

Swann at the Olympia.

How did you get started in the competition world? I discovered this world during the 2010 Mr Olympia weekend in Las Vegas. I was completely amazed and fascinated by everything I saw. As a dancer, I already had the inner strength to be disciplined and dedicated. I was used to physically challenging myself. I loved performing on stage so I knew it would be something I would enjoy.

Competition show history:
2011 NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States – NY
2011 NPC Europa Battle of Champions – CT
2011 NPC NJ East Coast Championship – NJ
Coming up: NPC Easterns USA – NY
**Update – Swan won her class and the overall at the 2011 NPC Easterns keeping her undefeated streak alive.

Swann has won every show she entered and continued her winning streak at the 2011 NJ East Coast Championships this weekend where she won her class and overall once again.

So you’ve done pretty damn good in Figure to say the least. What’s been the biggest challenge for figure competitions? Figuring out the best diet plans for myself on my first contest preparations was a very hard and stressful challenge. I did not know much about nutrition at the time and was constantly doubting or wondering if I was doing it right.

What lead you to the NPC? As I was searching for my first competition date, I discovered the National Physique Committee online, I looked further into it and it appeared to be a very well organized community, with high quality events.

Do you think your dance background has helped you with competing now? I believe it has for sure. Aside from training I think my dance background has helped me with my performance on stage, posing, posture and confidence.

What’s your breakfast consist of: Oat meal, egg whites or protein shake.

Do you lift heavy or light and high reps? Heavy, 10-12 reps.

Favorite exercise to train? Shoulder presses (favorite body part to train: shoulders & back)

Your favorite body part? Shoulders and abs

Swann wins the Overall Europa Hartford

What comment do you find you get a lot from people? “Jacked” (blushing) this is the best comment I get, I love it because this is the look I always wanted to get and have worked for.

Favorite competitor: Ava Cowan is the first athlete who caught my eyes, I also admire Dana Linn Bailey.

Supplements you take and would recommend to other women: CLA which I have been taking daily. Protizime peanut butter is my favorite protein shake, I look forward to it every day.

Best advice anyone has given you? “Follow your guts”

What do you do for your job now? I am a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

What’s your long term goal in the fitness world? Turning pro, building a name for myself as a competitor and fitness model.

Favorite place you’ve visited? I don’t think there is any place like New York but I adore this little city called “Namur” in Belgium. The architecture is beautiful, lots of artisanal places to eat and unique boutiques for shopping!

How much does your weight change between shows? 5 pounds most.

Have you carried a gallon of water to the gym before? Yes, I force myself to do so every day.

Where can people find more info about you? Facebook or my website www.swanncardot.com.

Anyone you want to thank? First of all, I would like to thank my two best girl friends who have been best supporters all the way. Thanks to Fakhri Mubarak who helps me today on my prep and diet, he is The Best and I am very grateful to have him and his believe in me. Big shout out to my sponsors “Natural Body Inc” and “Life Health & Fitness” and everyone who have come my way on this new road. I never thought life could be so fulfilling!

Keep your eye out for Swan in the Fitness magazines. You’ll be seeing a lot more of this Hardbody woman in the months ahead. Swann will be competing at the NPC Easterns next weekend where she will look to earn another overall title.

Filed Under: Behind The Hardbody, Featured

Voting Has Begun: 2012 Bodybuilding.com BodySpace Spokesmodel Search

November 1, 2011 By Isaac Hinds 2 Comments

The voting has begun for the 2012 Bodybuilding.com BodySpace Spokesmodel Search. This year’s contest had a record number of entrants with over 500 hardbody men and women entering the online contest. Last year’s winners were Steve Cook and Jen Rankin. They went on to grace not only the cover of IRONMAN magazine but also achieve IFBB Pro League status. Who will it be this year?

WHAT WILL THEY WIN?
Winners will grace the cover of Iron Man Magazine and appear in a feature spread; receive national exposure through Bodybuilding.com, with site placement and ad campaigns; represent the BodySpace community at the 2012 Arnold Expo in Columbus, Ohio and the 2012 Olympia Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada; plus much, much more!

Click here to cast your vote for the next BodySpace Star!

Filed Under: Featured

CNN Presents “Fighter Girls” – Women in MMA airing Oct. 23

October 23, 2011 By Isaac Hinds 1 Comment

Tun into CNN tonight to catch “Fighter Girls”, a story on women in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). The rise of MMA’s popularity is due in large part to the UFC however the industry giant has yet to add a women’s division. It will be interesting to see how CNN’s Amber Lyon tackled this subject. Tune in tonight at 8pm EST to watch the show.

From CNN.com:
Mixed Martial Arts, or M.M.A., is a full contact combat sport that was once banned in much of the United States. Today, it’s one of the fastest growing sports among men… and now women. But why would any woman climb into a cage for all-out combat for what amounts to almost nothing? CNN’s Amber Lyon steps into the Octagon to find out.

“Fighter Girls” is one of four riveting stories airing on CNN Presents hosted by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and Dr. Sanjay Gupta this Sunday, October 23 at 8:00 pm ET, re-airing at 11:00 pm ET and 2:00 am ET.

Filed Under: Featured, MMA

Hardbody PROfile: Narmin “Funsize” Assria – IFBB Pro

October 21, 2011 By Isaac Hinds Leave a Comment

Narmin Assria has finished in the top five of every bikini competition she’s entered. This weekend she’ll look to keep that streak alive in her IFBB Pro debut. This California girl may not be the biggest woman on stage but she brings a ton of sass and can hang with the big dawgs. I caught up with Narmin on the eve of her pro debut. Check it!

Name: Narmin Assria

Born in: Chicago IL

Currently live in: Murrieta, California

Any nicknames: Nar Nar, funsize

Did you play any sports growing up? Yes I danced all four years in high school.

What would your friends say you are like – the wild one, quiet, etc? My friends would without doubt describe me as the one that has a good time, not too wild but definitely not the quiet one.

Is that how you’d describe yourself? Yes

Dog or cat lady: Both, I grew up with a cat my whole life she was my baby, but now I am definitely a dog lover. I want a yorkie soo bad, there so cute and little!!

Contest history:
- 2010 NPC California Championships, Bikini Class A, 2nd place
- 2010 NPC USA Championships, Bikini Class A, 4th place
- 2011 West Coast Classic, June 25th 2011 Bikini Class A, 1st place
- USA Championships, Bikini Class A. July 29- 30 2011 1st place, earned IFBB PRO status

How did you get into competing? I have always been a gym rat, saw a show and knew I can do it. I love competing whether it was in any sport, so it was perfect for me

Best part of a competition: I get to meet such amazing people that inspire me even more every day. Doing what I love. Being center stage and showing off all my hard work, and always going home a winner because I know I worked hard and have been blessed threw out my journey as a fitness competitor.

Not so great part: Le’ts see… the diet, I love food!!!! But I absolutely put all the junk food to the side when I’m prepping and stay focused.

What’s a your breakfast consist of: 4 egg whites and a cup of oatmeal

Any favorite supplements: Gotta love Evogen, EVP, pre-workout solution!! It gets me going in the gym

How much cardio do you do? About 20-30 min, 5 days a week

Stupidest thing a guy has said to you in the gym: haha hmm I can’t even think of anything I try not to talk to them when I’m there.

Sandals on a guy – ok or gross? Sandals are okay for the beach otherwise cover up those toes guys haha

If I guy takes longer than you to get ready… unattractive

What expectations/goals do you have for your pro debut? My goal is to come into my Pro debut with a bang, and qualify for the Olympia!! I’m going to go out there and have fun, rock that stage like it was any other show I have done!! To come out on top but if not that’s okay because there is always room for improvement, and more shows I will be competing in

What music do you listen to while working out? Rocking that house music!!

Are you a booty short and bra top girl or sweats and a hat when working out? Definitely a booty short girl, rocking a hat

What are you going to be for Halloween? A Sexy firefighter

All the best in your pro bikini competitions. See more of Narmin’s competition photos here.

Filed Under: Featured, Interviews

Hardbody Moms: Interview with Siliana “Freakishly Strong” Gaspard

October 14, 2011 By Isaac Hinds 7 Comments

Siliana “Sil” Gaspard has only been competing in the NPC bikini ranks for a few months but she’s already a top national contender. I caught up with the Hardbody momma, no seriously she has a 17 month old son, on the heels of her next competition. Sil will be competing this weekend at the NPC Texas State and don’t be surprised if she’s contending for the overall crown. Find out how she trains, what was up with her husband getting arrested in Columbus, the video ending up on TMZ .com and more.

Name: Siliana Gaspard

  Any nicknames? “Sil” and “Abs”… pretty basic.

Currently Reside in: Houston, TX

  Born in: Sofia, Bulgaria

What age did you come to the United States? We moved around a lot. I have lived in Bulgaria, France, Switzerland, Montreal, London, Ontario, and finally the States. We moved here in 1998.

Are women fit and active in Bulgaria or not so much? I would say not so much. Its divided, really. We have a lot of great tennis players, and gymnasts, but then a lot of the women smoke cigarettes and don’t really exercise. I mean, they are almost all thin, and some of the most beautiful women I have seen are in Bulgaria. Seriously, I think they have the most beautiful women per capita then any other place I have been to. They all make an effort to look good.

Sounds like I need to visit Bulgaria.

  Occupation: Blessed to be self-employed with my husband.

 Play any sports or activities growing up? I played tennis almost all of my childhood. We went to tennis tournaments just about every weekend. My dad had my brother, sister, and I on the tennis courts everyday after school, hitting tennis balls, doing running drills. We ran about 5 miles 3 times a week at a local park. I remember people being so amazed because I ran alongside my dad, at his pace, the entire time. It was all worth it, my siblings and I were all ranked Juniors players in Ontario, Canada, and in Florida.

Do you still play tennis? I am no where near as good as I used to be. Tennis is a lot of fun, and I would like to get back on the court. But, no, I don’t play as often as I used to. I was actually teaching tennis earlier this year to 3-4 year olds, and 10-15 year olds, I loved it!

Any hidden talents people may not be aware of? I wouldn’t consider them talents, but I am fluent in three languages (English, French, and Bulgarian.) Being multi-lingual is such a blessing. And, I am freakishly strong for my size; right now my heaviest weight on squats is 315lbs-the same as my husband’s!

  Number of years competing: You mean months? =) Been at it since July 2011.

Competition History: My first show ever was the Branch Warren Classic July 16, 2011: 2nd place Bikini B. My second competition was the Dallas Europa Super Show August 12-13, 2011, 1st place Bikini B, and the Overall Bikini Title. My first National attempt was at the IFBB North Americans in Cleveland, OH where I got 3rd place in Bikini C.

How did you get started in competing? I lost all of my baby weight, but I was still “skinny fat.” I wanted to get in shape and start modeling again. Fitness modeling was mentioned to me by several people, and the topic of competing came up. I decided to do my first show for my own sense of accomplishment and hard work after having a baby. But after that first show, I was hooked and wanted to compete again, and again.

How did you get started in weight training? My husband hired me a personal trainer after the birth of our son to have someone help motivate me to get back to where I wanted to be. The trainer’s wife is a body builder, so naturally he had me lifting weights. After a few weeks, I really liked the results I saw from weight training, and not just cardio and 5lbs dumb bells like I had been doing before.

Most people won’t believe it but you have little one when they see your bikini body. How old is your lil guy? My little boy is 17 months now! He is such a sweet kid, I love watching him discover new things.

What advice do you have for other moms on staying fit after a pregnancy? Watch what you eat, foremost. Secondly, you don’t have to get crazy with the exercise right after birth, but rather, do small things like, take the baby on daily walks, get started with programs like Baby Boot Camp etc. Just start out slowly, and incorporate your baby in the exercise so you are still bonding and having fun together. I took my son on daily walks around the neighborhood, or a park, because we both enjoyed it. He got to take nice naps out in the fresh air, and it kept me moving and burning calories. The thing that bothered me the most was the fact that I didn’t want to leave him to go focus on myself and be “selfish.” So I found a gym where I could bring him on the floor with me (in his car seat) and for my cardio, I bought an awesome Jeep jogging stroller, and the baby and I went running during his afternoon nap time.

Did you workout throughout your pregnancy? I did at first, but then became very nauseated during the end of the 1st trimester, and I stopped going as much. I would go about 1-2 a week with my husband, but I started listening to all of the myths about how if you exercise too much you could hurt the baby. So I stopped going, but I was still very diligent in watching what I ate. Next time around, I am definitely going to continue working out the entire pregnancy, I think its better for the mom and the baby.

Any supplements you’d recommend to moms? Gaspari Myfusion (Banana flavor protein) tastes great, and its healthy and an easy meal replacement for busy moms. I know in my house, I feed everyone else first before I get to eat, so it holds me over until I can eat a meal.

  What type of diet do you follow… high protein / low carbs? Exactly. High protein, low carbs. I don’t follow a diet religiously, I make conscious choices. If I am hungry, I eat. But I eat healthy and clean, and I don’t over indulge. If I am prepping for competition, then obviously I stay away from sugars, high fats, and carbs. But, by no means do I look at the clock and say, “Oh time to eat again.” I don’t have all of my meals packed and with me at all times, and to be honest, I had Chik Fil A last week, twice.

How much water do you drink a day? Right now since I am prepping for Texas State Saturday, I am drinking about 1 gallon and 1/2 daily. But usually I would say about 8 full glasses.

What’s your favorite body part to train? Legs and Abs. I love doing legs because I love adding more and more weight to the rack for my squats. I love the way people, mostly men, look at the weight like “there is no way she can get that”, then I hit it (my goal is always at least 5 times) and it makes me feel like such a badass, its such a rush of adrenaline and endorphins. I also like training Abs because, well, I never get to train them! So when I am finally given the green light to train them, it feels good. I think a lot of people see my photos and assume that I train them all of the time, but I’ve honestly only worked on them a total of 20 mins in the past 4week.

  Give readers an idea of what a workout would consist of.
Well… my last workout before competition was Wednesday and it was an overall body workout, so I can run that one by you…
I started off with 6 minutes of rowing.
Then went to cleans and presses with a 45lb bar. 10 up clean, 10 up press.
Then down to 10 push ups real quick.
Add 5lbs to bar, 8up clean and press, drop down 10 push ups.
Add 10lbs to 45lb bar, 6up clean and press, drop down 10 push ups.
Then curls and rows with the bar, again alternating with push ups. (Oh, did I mention no breaks?)

I’m exhausted reading this.

Then straight to tricep pull downs, burn outs.
From there, squats. 10 up squats with 225lbs, drop down push ups 5 times with 7.5lbs dumb bells.
Alternate push ups and squats for 5 sets. (No breaks)
Then we did kettle bell squats, dumb bell squats, and finally finished with 2 full circle push ups. =)

How much cardio do you do a day? I think people will hate me for this one but, none. I train very hard during my work out that I do not need it. If I did cardio, I would start losing muscle mass.

What type of cardio do you enjoy best? When I do get to do cardio, I enjoy running. Either sprints or long distance. I get such a high after a good run; it lasts all day, and keeps me feeling great.

  Do you work with a trainer? My husband Shad implements a plan that Charles Glass put together for me. Shad and Charles are good friends, and we know him from Gold’s Gym Venice. When I told Charles I wanted to start competing, he put together a plan for me, and Shad enforces it. When we go to L.A., I train with Charles, and he gets to kick my butt.

Best song to work out to right now: Well one my favorites for now is “girl you be killing em, you be killing em, girl you be killing em.” Because in the nicest way possible: I WANT TO KILL THESE GIRLS. =) In friendly competition, of course! I also like the Wale/J. Cole song “Bad Girls Club” because it has a good beat, and it gets me pumped for squats because it goes “drop it low…how far can you go…” and in my head I think “oh I can drop it low.” Yes, I am a dork.

  Last good movie you saw: Bridesmaids was HILARIOUS! And Thor. I didn’t expect to like it, but it was awesome!

Your husband was in the WWE – how did you two meet? I was living in Tampa at the time, and he came down to Tampa to hang out with his friends. We were both at the same club. (Yes we met at a bar, so tacky.) I was there with a friend, waiting for the guy who I was dating at the time to show up; he never did. So, needless to say, got a glimpse of Shad, thought he was attractive, (had no clue who he was) but he wouldn’t look twice at me! Obviously that really aggravated me. I got snobby about it and dissed him, but my friend chased him down, he asked me to dance to the Grease theme song LOL. I still wasn’t into him, so my friends literally took his phone, put my number in it, did all of the talking for me, meanwhile Shad’s friend was hitting on me…it was a big mess. But he sent me a message like a couple days later on MySpace, and we just started talking and getting to know each other.

HA, Are you still on MYSPACE? Haha, NO! That was in like late 2008, early 2009 when MYSPACE was still cool. That account has been long gone!

photo from tmz.com

What was the deal with him being on TMZ during the Arnold weekend or if you told us you’d have to kill us? LOL. No, lucky for Shad I hired him a very good lawyer ASAP, and we had that taken care of. Basically, it was just one bad cop that was over zealous and abusing his authority. In the video online that Josh Barnett took, you can see Shad on the ground, not resisting, with like 3 officers on him at all times. And the charge? Jay walking…in the sidewalk. Yes, you read that right. Jay walking in the sidewalk. Was it necessary? Of course not. Shad had done nothing wrong, and our lawyer had all of the charges dropped. It’s unfortunate that many good police officers reputations are tarnished by a few bad ones. But in the end, we were happy to just have the charges dropped and move on from it.

  Any project you and he are working on to watch out for? Shad just wrapped up filming for a prime time TV show, it airs in January. He also has a graphic novel coming out called “Assassin and Son” He is also waiting to hear back from two major movie roles he auditioned for. I am prepping for Nationals in Miami, and just started working with a PR agent to help put me out there better.

Goals for competing? I would like to get my PRO card. I am going to try and go for it again at Nationals in Miami later this year. I would really like to show women, especially moms, that it is possible to have kids and be healthy, and look good. I just want to help inspire people be the best that they can be, whatever field they choose.

  How can people find out more info about ya? Friend me on facebook and ask me!=) or follow me on Twitter @SilianaGaspard.

Thanks Siliana and all the best! Check out her bikini competition photos on Bodybuilding.com.

Filed Under: Featured, Interviews