This weekend in Gothenburg: The Swedish Fitness Festival!

Scandinavia’s No 1 meeting point for the Scandinavian market!

• Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
• Date: December 8-9

The Fitness Festival was first held in its original form in 1986. The festival has grown to become Scandinavia’s natural meeting point for the fitness and wellbeing trends of today and tomorrow. In 2007 the festival is set to be the best ever. Hopefully both where marketing and the number of visitors are concerned. visitor statistics show an ever rising number of visitors and we reckon on welcoming at least 10.000 high quality visitors this year.

The Fitness Festival represents an opportunity for club owners, personal trainers and active people from all over Scandinavia to meet under one roof. And over the course of the festival there will be activities going on all the time to attract visitors from the growing Scandinavian fitness market.

Show Profile

Sports nutrition, fitness and training equipment, wellbeing and beauty, health, care and rehabilitation, consultancy for the fitness & wellbeing sector, aerobics, music and fashion.

The amateur competitors marching in and disrobing for Luciapokalen Bodybuilding:
The World’s Biggest Beginner Bodybuilding Competition!

The Olympia Weekend webcast schedule is now online

In an earlier post I asked “Will this years webcast from Olympia Weekend suck?“. Now Hard Body Entertainment, the company contracted to produce the television pay-per-view, post-event DVD:s, and live webcast, has released more information about the webcast:

The webcast will be able to be viewed at www.hardbodyentertainment.TV:

$24.95 will buy you an entire weekend (14 hours) of Olympia experience via the webcast. Things are certainly looking better…

Figure competitors and the 20% percent rule

Nina Luchka, IFBB Figure Professional, writes about the differences in national physiques being awarded pro cards, vs. the physiques that are doing well on the professional circuit:

“2006 Canadian Nationals has come and gone. Canada, again, has awarded Pro cards (figure) to a more Muscular, Hard and BIGGER look. A look that will NOT fair well on the Pro level. With the new 20% less muscle rule, Canada definitely did not inforce that rule.

For the competitors that brought in the ideal figure package, it was sad to see them overlooked against the more “bodybuilder” type body on stage. Quite a few of these overlooked competitors will be heading down to North Americans in September, where they will not be overlooked.”

Garry Bartlett of SeriousAboutMuscle.com also comments on the judging at Canadian Nationals:

“Something went wrong – what should have been a fun, rewarding and fulfilling experience, turned into a disappointing exercise in frustration for many. So what happened?

In my opinion, it was the standard that the winners displayed in terms of condition and muscle development, which was unattainable for the majority of the other competitors.”

In a memo dated December 6, 2004, IFBB Chairman Jim Manion introduced the so-called ‘20% percent rule’, addressing all IFBB Professional Female Athletes in requesting “that female athletes in Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure decrease the amount of muscularity by a factor of 20%”. The memo stated that the request “applies to those female athletes whose physiques require the decrease”, and that “all professional judges have been advised of the proper criteria for assessing female physiques”.

Cathy LeFrancois Classic: New NPC Show for 2007

Cathy LeFrancois, lightweight division winner at 2003 Ms. International at Arnold Classic, posted big news in her blog on Thursday:

“I want to announce that I have been awarded the opportunity to put on an NPC show! Fresno Classic, promoted by P3Production and Cathy LeFrancois, will be held on March 10, 2007, in Fresno, California.

The show will have all the disciplines the NPC affords. Men’s and women’s bodybuilding, figure and fitness. Come one, come all – it will be a good time for all that attend. All are welcome, from the experienced to the first time competitor. More information will be posted in the days coming.”

Cathy abandoned bodybuilding for figure competitions. In her latest last figure show on May 27th, 2006 California State Pro Figure Championships, Cathy placed 12th out of 31 competitors. But now she is back to bodybuilding:

“I was at the Collegiate Show of Lonnie Teper. I told him that some judges were telling me I should consider maybe going back to bodybuilding because I am in the middle, too big for figure and too small for bb. After we talked we decided that I should do a surprise guest pose! ME? I haven’t trained for the last 2 years at all!

But it didn’t turn out like I thought it would, people did enjoy the impromptu guest posing. Afterwards Lonnie asked the audience what I should do: stay in figure or go back to bodybuilding? By my surprise I had the bodybuilding vote! So thanks to them for bringing me back where I belong and giving me this wonderful motivation to go back to my profession “Pro Bodybuilder”…”

HardFitness Online Magazine Issue #19 is now online

Editor Juan Carlos Lopez has just finished the 19th issue of HardFitness Online Magazine. Cover model is new IFBB Pro Jamie Senuk:

“We have a new section that should be running monthly: “Ask Misty Green”. Some noteworthy articles are “How to Stay Relaxed” by Kaisa Piippo, 3 different stories about Canadian Nationals and a review with photos of the Tara Scotti party. Reviews of the USA’s and Team Universe shows are also included.”

FitSights.com is busting Juan Carlos chops a bit in the Eye of FitSights blog:

“JC Lopez does a great job of capturing multiple images of just about every competitor, which is helpful to athletes and fans alike. I have to bust his chops, however, on the amount of bandwidth he must have used on thesaurus.com to come up with some of the outlandish terminology sprinkled throughout his NPC USA report.

Come again? Quotidian task? An omen or augury? Betide? What the.. am I reading a report from a bodybuilding show, or a Tolstoy novel?”

From 2007 Arnold Sports Festival includes amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure championships

For Immediate Release: August 4, 2006:

“The Arnold Sports Festival 2007 will premiere the two-day Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3 in Columbus, Ohio. This exciting and inspirational two-day event will showcase the aspiring talents of top male and female competitors from across the United States vying for top amateur status in men’s and women’s bodybuilding, and women’s fitness and figure.

The Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships is expected to attract high caliber athletes from across the United States who have already placed in the top five or won at national qualifiers. The event will be judged by top judges from the NPC (the National Physique Committee). The total number of athletes accepted to compete will be limited. The first 15 athletes who register and meet the qualifying requirements to enter the men’s and women’s bodybuilding divisions will be accepted. The first 20 Fitness athletes and Figure athletes that register and meet the eligibility requirements will be accepted into the competition. The registration deadline is January 15, 2007.

Sponsorship inquiries are welcome for the Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships by telephoning Bob Lorimer at 614/430-5962 or Mike Davies at 614/521-3510 or visit www.arnoldclassicamateurbodybuilding.com.

For more information please visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.”

There is also a blog to answer any questions you may have concerning the Arnold Classic Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships.

There is now a discussion tread on the subject over at Muscle Mayhem, everyone seems optimistic about this development.

NPC USAs Photos and Results

Omar Deckard wins USA Overall; Mike Ergas takes second pro card. Heather Policky takes the female pro bodybuilding card, and Simone Douglas the pro figure card.

FLEXOnline.com reports that Omar Deckard wins the 2006 NPC USA overall (scroll down to bottom of report for FLEX traditional full prejudging galleries).

Photographer Bill Comstock, Graphic Muscle, has posted photos from USA Bodybuilding & Figure Championships. He writes that this year saw the toughest competitions yet:

“I’m back from Vegas and what a great show it was at the USA this year. In the lightheavyweight and heavyweight classes alone, there were roughly 30 competitors in each class. This was absolutely the most competitive and toughest classes at this level I have ever shot. I’ve posted complete coverage of the “elimination rounds” for each of these classes during prejudging which then cut the classes down to the top 15. You will get to see every competitor in these classes pose during these rounds.”

Iron Man Magazines Lonnie Teper and Ruth Silverman has video and audio reports online from 2006 USA Bodybuilding & Figure Championships.

Hard Fitness Online Magazine now has over 1000 photos from 2006 NPC USA’s Figure and Female Bodybuilding Championships!

GeneX Online Magazine reports that Heather Policky (her blog) joins the pro bodybuilding ranks. Heather indicated that her first pro show would be IFBB Europa Pro Super Show, 25-26 August, Dallas, Texas. Simone Douglas in joins the pro figure circuit. Results and pictures from GeneX, and HardFitness USA’s Figure and Women’s Bodybuilding Photos and Results are posted on Muscle Mayhem. FitSights promises to update his blog posting from the USAs regularly.

You know you are a Figure Competitor when…

Via several forums and blogs:

1. For a few days each year your toilet seat is brown and this time it aint the husbands fault.
2. You can honestly say you have spent more on a bathing suit than your wedding dress.
3. Six inch clear hooker heels is your footwear of choice in your own home (and not just in the bedroom).
4. Someone asks about the man in your life and you tell that Gym is fine!
5. You have two sections in your wardrobe. Contest and Offseason. And they arent mix and match. (Rae’s note: not with my coach it isn’t… there is no off-season… LOL!!)
6. Your top three priorities on any given day:
   A. Workout.
   B. Eat. Clean.
   C. Check the fitness forum board.
   Not necessarily in that order.
7. You can name any pro figure competitor by seeing her butt alone.
8. When someone wants to take your picture, you immediately spread your lats, tighten every muscle in your body, point your fingers and SMILE!
9. You take more pills daily than your 80 year old grandmother.
10. Your idea of dressing up is taking your hair out of the pony tail its been in for a week.
11. If you have had someone close to you, hide food from you in your own house.
12. An easy day is lifting and only 1 cardio session.
13. Instead of carrying a Gucci pursue you accessorize with a Coleman cooler.
14. Waking up so sore you can barely move puts a smile on your face.
15. You cant do any work because you are to busy counting down the seconds until your next meal!!!!!!!!!
16. The faint smell of Pro Tan gets your heart pumping faster than your man’s cologne.
17. You leave a little trail of Splenda packets, tupperware, and empty water bottles everywhere you go.
18. Your hubby makes you pee in the guest bathroom because every meal includes asparagus.
19. You consider Beano an essential part of your supplement regimen.
20. Your jaws are sore because you can’t stop chewing sugar free gum!
21. You spend at least 5 minutes grilling your server at arestaurant, and another five minutes re-writing the menu until you’ve got a meal that meets your diet’s specifications…and then you devour it in less than 60 seconds flat!!
22. You consider a day when you only have to make ONE trip to the gym a luxury!
23. You think about having “relaxed hands” and sticking your butt out while standing in line at the grocery store. (Hey, a girl’s gotta practice her posing!!!)
24. You consider condiments and diet coke taboo!!!
25. And…your neighbors start gossiping that you’ve had lipo cause there is no way a girl could get that fit in 12 weeks!

DVD: Learn how to pose like a Fitness & Figure Pro

IFBB Fitness Professional Julie Lohre’s DVD ‘Ultimate Posing Guide for Fitness & Figure‘ has recently been released. The DVD is region free, and in it you can take part of Julie’s advice from her personal experience competing in 13 shows. Also, for posing advice in person, check out Julie’s blog, which lists dates for her Posing Clinics.

“Great posing can make the difference between winning the show and missing out on a top five placing. To be competitive, you MUST have great posing technique. In this video, you will learn:

• What the Judges are looking for
• Step by step instruction for the mandatory poses
• Multiple options for the relaxed pose
• Tips to make your presentation unique & perfect for YOUR body
• Actual contest footage, along with tons of photos of IFBB Pros & National Level NPC competitors, including quarter turns & presentation
• Posing practice sessions along with me”

Comparison shots from LA Figure Championships

Bill Comstock, Staff Contest photographer for Ironman Magazine, has posted comparison shots from LA Figure Championships on Graphic Muscle, the premier bodybuilding contest site. Graphic Muscle also have complete results and overview from LA Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships, July 22, Culver City, CA

Also, FitSights managed to work around the clock to capture the figure competitors in peak condition for photoshoots in a less formal setting. Have a look at some of the results in Eye of FitSights Blog.

Joe Weider’s 2006 Olympia Weekend

A July 19th press release has information about the 42nd rendition of the Olympia Weekend. The biggest news are:

• An increase in Mr. Olympia prize money, $66,000 more than last year. $546,000 this year, with $155,000 going to to the first place competitor (Ronnie Coleman – wanna bet?)
• New format for Mr. Olympia (prejudging is held in conjunction with the finals for Fitness Olympia and Ms Olympia on Friday night)
• Women’s contests prejudging (Fitness, Figure and Ms. Olympia) will be held at the Olympia Expo friday afternoon, with the finals for Figure Olympia held Saturday night in conjunction with Mr. Olympia finals.
• As always, the Expo promises to be bigger than the year before, including “World’s Fittest Model Search”, and SMA Tournament (Sports Martial Arts).

Olympia Ticket Info: To order call the Orleans Arena Box Office at (702) 284-7777 or toll-free at (888) 234 2334. You can also order tickets online at www.orleansarena.com.

Radio: New episodes of Hard Body Radio and Muscle Radio avaliable

Wednesdays episodes of the On-Demand Replay and the Podcast of Hard Body Radio and Muscle Radio (weekly one-hour internet radio programs) has been posted:

“IFBB Pro Figure superstar, Jenny Lynn, winner of nine pro figure titles including three Ms. International Figure championships, came by for a visit and addressed a host of issues. Jenny talked about why she didn’t make it to the stage at the 2006 International, her feelings about her second place finish at the 2006 Colorado Pro, her onstage battles with Ms. Figure Olympia (and former Hardbody Radio guest) Davana Medina and her current preparation for the upcoming Olympia. Jenny also talked about her role as the IFBB Athlete’s Rep for Figure, how she trains her legs for a show and her upcoming DVD release.”

Muscle Radio had two pro bodybuilders as guests, one coming back from kidney failure, and the always outspoken Vince Taylor:

“The current episode of Muscle Radio started with an in depth session with IFBB Pro Don Long. As many of you know, Don is planning to compete in the Atlantic City Pro Show in September but needs to get approval from the IFBB to do so in light of the kidney failure he suffered in 1999. Don took advantage of his appearance on the show to tell the WHOLE story, including a new form of dialysis he is on called “nocturnal dialysis”, his current health status, whether he intends to use diuretics and the real reasons that competing in this one event is very important to him.

Next up, bodybuilding’s most controversial competitor at the moment, Vince Taylor, came on the air and talked about the exact details of the reasons he recently decided not to compete in the PDI and to stay with the IFBB and compete in this year’s Olympia. […] If you want to know exactly why Vince made the choices he made, straight from the man himself, Muscle Radio is the place to get it!”

Hard Body Radio and Muscle Radio airs live back-to-back every Wednesday at 3:05 PM PST and 4:05 PM PST respectively.