Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
"Please be advised that starting with the 2010 Houston Pro Figure competition and all Pro Figure competitions after the 2010 Figure Olympia, there will be only one round in IFBB Pro Figure - the two-piece swimsuit.
One of the hottest topics on the contest scene at the moment is the arrival of the new bikini division. Let’s face it, from the moment these girls appeared on the bodybuilding stage feathers have been ruffling and criticisms have been flying.
However, I guess as with most things in life there are two sides to the story and, in the interest in presenting the story from the competitors point of view, I recently sat down with ‘Stephanie Wicked’ who not only competes in this new division but also has very strong feelings when it comes to its right to be included in bodybuilding competitions.
But, before we get into all of that, I have to ask the time honored question…
Mindi Smith has accomplished more at the age of 30 than most people do at twice her age. She lives by the motto “Find your stride” - and has indeed found her stride and stayed with it, producing a list of impressive accomplishments and a heavy-weight resume that will continue to propel her successfully forward for years to come.
Approach any woman trainer in the throes of PMS and casually inform her that she has a natural hormone advantage over her fellow male trainers and I guarantee you the response will not be pretty. The simple fact is that Pre Menstrual Syndrome can seriously mess with your state of mind causing mood swings, irritability and even tearfulness for no apparent reason.
However, what if I was to tell you that you could actually use your hormones to your advantage when it comes to both your diet and your training… Interested?
Then read on….
With the fast rise in popularity of the NPC Bikini Division, there seems to be certain attributes that the top competitors have in common. All of these top women have well conditioned physiques that certainly say "yes I train and I take my training seriously," a poise about them on the stage that screams charisma and beauty and an all around attractive package that you would see on the cover of any national fitness magazine.
All of these three key ingredients can be found in Florida NPC Bikini Athlete Vanessa Campbell. This drop dead gorgeous Puerto Rican athlete and Mother of two grew up in New Jersey. She has only competed in two NPC events and she already has two overall Bikini victories. Vanessa possesses that rare quality of model diversity. She is a wonderful active wear model, a gorgeous portrait subject and can simply turn a light switch on and become a very sexy polished and classy lingerie model. This diversity matches her personality which is always fun, upbeat, motivating and real.
The NPC Bikini Division is becoming more and more fierce as models turned NPC Bikini Athletes have spent the last year in the gyms around the country creating the look that the judges are rewarding. The competition is heating up and all of us who follow the sport are now seeing that the NPC Bikini Division is becoming an audience favorite. It's hard not to like cover girl beauty, fit bodies and charismatic presentation all rolled up into one hot package.
"Visualize yourself hiking up a mountain...you've hiked for 45 mins and you are almost there. Would you stop 5 steps before the top of the mountain? NO!"
I love that quote from this interview with Ms Olympia contender, Zoa Linsey because it sums up what leg training HAS to be all about. It has to be taken beyond the comfort zone and into the pain zone. It HAS to be extreme and no one can accuse Zoa of cruising through a leg workout with a "let's get this done and get out of here" attitude. The legs you see in these pics are a result of hard work and extreme training....how extreme?
Ever since she first stepped on the competition stage way back in 2005 it seems that figure competitor Larissa Reis was destined to become one of the sport's most notable athletes. Running away with first place in that debut performance only served to re affirm the fact that she was ‘going places'.
Her relocation to the USA has led to more triumphs both on and off stage. Having recently signed a sponsorship deal with NUTREX and with more contests and possible movie appearances on the horizon it seems that this girl really does have the Midas touch.
With this year's IFBB New York Pro just days away I thought it was time I finally caught up with one of the sports favorite female bodybuilders, Debbie Bramwell. Currently on view In the Iron Asylum , Debbie has made significant improvements to her physique since the last time we saw her on stage and conventional wisdom says she should place very highly come May 8th. While I will leave the predictions to the more qualified experts, I will dare to say that, in my humble opinion, Debbie will crack the top 5!
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