Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Female Info Boards => Figure, Bikini and Fitness Info and Discussions => Topic started by: Fitgrl on March 21, 2006, 07:41:48 AM
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New to the board (been lurking for a real long time) and I have a question that I'd love some feedback on.
I'm thinking very seriously about trying to make a career out of the fitness industry. I've done one amateur show and placed fairly high but I didn't win. I think that I can win and eventually turn pro, if I decide to dedicate myself and give it 110%.
Here's the question: Can I make a good living out of this?
I imagine that some of the big names like Jenny Lynn and Monica Brandt do very, very well for themselves. But, face it, the prize money for pro shows is not great and probably doesn't even cover costs. If I become a personal trainer, my income will be directly limited by the number of hours I can work in a day (not much potential there). I have no desire to do a "private" web page because I wouldn't pose naked.
Even turning pro seems kinda dicey to me. The Weiders and Manions run the IFBB and NPC with an iron fist and I get the feeling that if you don't want to play their game, then you're out of luck. Is it just coincidence that the pros who sign with JMP Management win the shows???
What would I need to do to "make my fortune?"
Thanks for your input.
Rachel
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If you're really attractive and have a good body you can do some top level national shows to get attention. Most of the women that make money in this industry don't compete or aren't that good. If you have that "look" you might be able to get a lot of model work. Beth Horn, kim lyons and a few others come to mind. None of them won any shows, but do quite a bit of modeling work.
IMO, the best way to make money from this industry, is to not compete in it. Few and I mean VERY few will make a worthwhile living from it. If you have great connections, then things might change. Given the amount of time put into this sport vs what it gives back, huge imbalance.
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IMO, the best way to make money from this industry, is to not compete in it. Few and I mean VERY few will make a worthwhile living from it. If you have great connections, then things might change. Given the amount of time put into this sport vs what it gives back, huge imbalance.
Really? Why not compete? If competition isn't the key, what is?
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Really? Why not compete? If competition isn't the key, what is?
she said it in the first few wordsof her answer..she ws trying to be nice about it..
simply put
if you r good looking(like a 9 or above)..go for it..if not..forget it...
looks (as with most things in life) willget you what you want...
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Really? Why not compete? If competition isn't the key, what is?
key is...fantastic body, great face, and really good connections. the fitness women that make money are the ones that are doing the mag shoots, paysites, blah blah balh. there are really only a handful of women that compete that do alot of modeling. girls like elaine goodlad do alot of print work because she doesnt have a busted face like a lot of girls in the industry. she is also married to a top photographer too...that helps.
do some photo shoots, submit your prints EVERYWHERE and start bugging the shit out of people. get a website and spam the f**k out of it....if you have the look...theyll find you
email dina.....shell tell you.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/jonathanwong/thumb_thisthreadisworthlesswithoutp.gif)
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Competition dieting will eventually wreck havoc on your facial features, skin and a load of other things.
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Competition dieting will eventually wreck havoc on your facial features, skin and a load of other things.
ya mean excess thyroid gives the skin that dried out prune look ova time...its called accelerated aging :)
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hey fast..sorry i thought you wus a girl
anyhow do you remember the name of the drug dan d once mentioned in MM2k...for tanning..its usually used to skin disorders where some parts of the skin dont produce melanin creating a patchy effect..but can be used for tanning ..esp by people travelling to tropical countries..its injectable...wtf..i'm soo brain farting and its bothering the heck outta me >:(
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I imagine that some of the big names like Jenny Lynn and Monica Brandt do very, very well for themselves.
I'm pretty sure that Jenny Lynn also works as a personal trainer.
I'm not sure if Monica needs to supplement her income (from the industry) or not, but if she doesn't, it seems like she's pretty much the only one or one of the very few.
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If you're really attractive and have a good body you can do some top level national shows to get attention. Most of the women that make money in this industry don't compete or aren't that good. If you have that "look" you might be able to get a lot of model work. Beth Horn, kim lyons and a few others come to mind. None of them won any shows, but do quite a bit of modeling work.
IMO, the best way to make money from this industry, is to not compete in it. Few and I mean VERY few will make a worthwhile living from it. If you have great connections, then things might change. Given the amount of time put into this sport vs what it gives back, huge imbalance.
Excellent post.
Rachel, if you want to make "your fortune" as you said, competition is not the way. Although a few girls have done well, I would venture a guess that statistically speaking the chances are slim. And yeah...like the guys posted have above you need to be quite cute :)
Have you considered 'splitting the difference'? Compete for the love of it, and try and see where opportunity/hard work may lead you...but if you are looking to become wealthy I would look elsewhere ;)
Best of luck
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i ust noticed..my thread about "do bbng girls or fitness girls fart more frequently" got removed >:( >:( >:(
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Here's the question: Can I make a good living out of this?\
In a word: no. You burn more money than you'll ever win back at a show. If you focus on fitness modeling, and not competing, you could potentially make decent money. But it's the same odds in fitness modeling as it is in modeling in general: lots of models, few who are successful. Don't rely on any organization to promote you. You have to promote yourself. Don't wait for someone to eventually bring your name up out of thin air. You have to give out your business cards and comp cards and get your name/physique out there so you become better known. Do it because you have fun doing it, not because you NEED the money. That's what a day job is for....to fuel your habit: fitness and competing.
-Nicole
www.nicoleweeks.com
WNBF Figure Pro
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In a word: no. You burn more money than you'll ever win back at a show. If you focus on fitness modeling, and not competing, you could potentially make decent money. But it's the same odds in fitness modeling as it is in modeling in general: lots of models, few who are successful. Don't rely on any organization to promote you. You have to promote yourself. Don't wait for someone to eventually bring your name up out of thin air. You have to give out your business cards and comp cards and get your name/physique out there so you become better known. Do it because you have fun doing it, not because you NEED the money. That's what a day job is for....to fuel your habit: fitness and competing.
-Nicole
www.nicoleweeks.com
WNBF Figure Pro
Why can't the fitness industry be more mainstream? I just don't understand it. I can understand why bodybuilding isn't (it's to easy to view bodybuilding as freaky), but fitness should be a different story.
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Why can't the fitness industry be more mainstream? I just don't understand it. I can understand why bodybuilding isn't (it's to easy to view bodybuilding as freaky), but fitness should be a different story.
here's your reason...
(http://www.hardfitness.com/competitions/sacramento2005/profitness/juliepalmer/twopiece/images/DSC_0181.jpg)
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Why can't the fitness industry be more mainstream? I just don't understand it. I can understand why bodybuilding isn't (it's to easy to view bodybuilding as freaky), but fitness should be a different story.
men that dont work out are intimidated by women with fitness/ figure bodies. women that dont work out usually hate women with good bodies. if you want to be "mainstream", either be painfully skinny and you can do runway or the sports illustrated swimsuit issue, or be fat like everyone else in america and model for layne bryant.
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men that dont work out are intimidated by women with fitness/ figure bodies. women that dont work out usually hate women with good bodies. if you want to be "mainstream", either be painfully skinny and you can do runway or the sports illustrated swimsuit issue, or be fat like everyone else in america and model for layne bryant.
I don't know about that. The WWE Divas, the Dancing with the Stars girls, the girls I see in the gym (some of them anyway), and a lot of the track/gymnastics/cheerleading girls I went to college with all look a lot more like girls you'd see in Oxygen than the starved models of SI or the overfed models of Layne Bryant. In my circle of friends, we all pretty much think those more athletic girls are sexy. Not that we all agree 100% on everything, but in general we see fit as sexy. Most of my friends don't lift weights. I know, I know... they aren't really friends if they don't lift weights. ;) Seriously though, I think you're underestimating how sexy non-lifters think fit girls are.
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Here's an article about breaking into the industry that we have posted on our site:
http://www.ftvideo.com/genex/articles03/modeling/modeling_1.htm (part 1)
http://www.ftvideo.com/genex/articles03/modeling/modeling_2.htm (part 2)
And Mike is right in his post too and he should know...
gene
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Here's an article about breaking into the industry that we have posted on our site:
http://www.ftvideo.com/genex/articles03/modeling/modeling_1.htm (part 1)
http://www.ftvideo.com/genex/articles03/modeling/modeling_2.htm (part 2)
And Mike is right in his post too and he should know...
gene
Gene -- is modeling it? I was thinking more about building a business ...
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I was just referring you to that one article. There are other options as people have stated whether it's personal training, design services, suits, contest related, etc.
There's more money in the tertiary businesses than competing (e.g. supplements, tanning, suit design, etc.)
gene
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Why can't the fitness industry be more mainstream? I just don't understand it. I can understand why bodybuilding isn't (it's to easy to view bodybuilding as freaky), but fitness should be a different story.
If you can understand why bodybuilding isn't main stream you should be able to understand why fitness isn't. I agree with you that fitness should be a different story but it is not. Think about it, the top fitness competitors don't even make the covers of most bodybuilding/fitness magazines, muchless main stream commercials, etc. The only person in fitness today that I know that has done anything national is Julie Shipley and that was before competing in the IFBB. If she wants to win in the IFBB that means no more national commercials. Sad but true.
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In a word: no. You burn more money than you'll ever win back at a show. If you focus on fitness modeling, and not competing, you could potentially make decent money. But it's the same odds in fitness modeling as it is in modeling in general: lots of models, few who are successful. Don't rely on any organization to promote you. You have to promote yourself. Don't wait for someone to eventually bring your name up out of thin air. You have to give out your business cards and comp cards and get your name/physique out there so you become better known. Do it because you have fun doing it, not because you NEED the money. That's what a day job is for....to fuel your habit: fitness and competing.
-Nicole
www.nicoleweeks.com
WNBF Figure Pro
Very well said.
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you'd make more money doing porn.
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you'd make more money doing porn.
or stripping.
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Really? Why not compete? If competition isn't the key, what is?
Think of it this way:
Anna Kornikova, mediocre tennis player, worth hundreds of millions of dollars modeling and advertising.
Venus and Serena Williams, Best tennis players ever, never modled as far as I have ever seen, very few endorsment contracts compared to Anna, not worth nearly as much money.
Anna has probably made 20 times Venus and Serena will ever make.
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you'd make more money doing porn.
All the porn I've made is in my private collection and never, ever for sale :)
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All the porn I've made is in my private collection and never, ever for sale :)
That's right, sweety. 'Cause it's for OUR viewing pleasure. :P
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All the porn I've made is in my private collection and never, ever for sale :)
ok, "fitgrl", hahaha. ::)
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ok, "fitgrl", hahaha. ::)
;D
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Unless you plan on doing porn or schmoe sites for a living..... stay in school, get a good job and do fitness as a hobby.
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If you're willing to give it up you can get far, otherwise forget it, fitness hoes are dime on a dozen they're everywhere.
what are you so pissed off about?! Having some difficulties with your girl, so trying to vent out?
There might be some who are willing to go with a flow and not give a damn about morals, but don't generalize...
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I wouldn't say they're all hoes, LOL!
I'd guess very few fit-chicks earn a living from fitness alone. Much like only about 10% of poets earn a living solely from poetry.
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They're all prudes, but once you flash a dollar bill, they'll suck a baseball through a garden hose.
For the record, I've never done anything like that, even privately. Except for the proverbial bearskin rug picture I am sure that my mother has of me from many years ago, there are no nekkid pictures or vids of me whatsoever .... Nor will there be, waving a dollar bill in my face or not.
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Who do you think you are fooling, hahahahahahaha, pathetic, I know for a fact that all the top fitness hoes have fucked the judges, hahahahahahahaha, pathetic.
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Absent......standing for absent minded? I can assure you some of the top girls are NOT hooking up with any judges.
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You will all have to excuse Absent. He can be quite humourous at times, but nothing he says is really to be taken seriously.
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LOL! He lives to get a response.
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and people wonder why more women don't post on here ::)
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Absent......standing for absent minded? I can assure you some of the top girls are NOT hooking up with any judges.
So, from your post I take it that some are hooking up with judges. ???
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I don't know. I can only speak about the top pro's I know.
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I should become a judge.
The era of crazy diets and carb depleted, dehydrated chicks with fake smiles would be over, LOL!
There would be lots of sex involved, of course, but I'd be honest and fair about things.
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Let me just tell you how happy I am that I started this thread ....... yeesh.
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dont give up... we just have some members with special needs....
I think it was a great topic, as many girls think they can make it via competitions which is really not the case. This is just a hobby.
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dont give up... we just have some members with special needs....
I think it was a great topic, as many girls think they can make it via competitions which is really not the case. This is just a hobby.
Dina, I really want to be a judge. ;D
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There is no "making it" in the industry. IF you turn pro, the amount of money you win in shows in which you earn a top five or six placing simply reimburses your expenses throughout the years of trying to reach the pro spot. I spend a good $1,000 or more to get to the national shows, and that doesn't even take into account the $700+ I spend on suits per year, nor the $400 to $500 grocery bill per month, nor the expense of a trainer/nutritionist, nor many other weekly and monthly expenses that this industry necessitates.
This truly is a hobby. It's an expensive hobby.
I suggest either capitalizing upon a true business idea you have and finding investors and marketing the business and the talent you provide or moving into the career realm. Utilize your college degree and think long term--beyond your thirties and into your forties, fifties, and sixties. Your stage experience will not take care of your retirement fund; it will not buy you a car, and it most certainly will not take care of the mortgage on your house. But a carefully planned out career with the right strategic moves will.
Create balance in your life.
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There is no "making it" in the industry. IF you turn pro, the amount of money you win in shows in which you earn a top five or six placing simply reimburses your expenses throughout the years of trying to reach the pro spot. I spend a good $1,000 or more to get to the national shows, and that doesn't even take into account the $700+ I spend on suits per year, nor the $400 to $500 grocery bill per month, nor the expense of a trainer/nutritionist, nor many other weekly and monthly expenses that this industry necessitates.
This truly is a hobby. It's an expensive hobby.
I suggest either capitalizing upon a true business idea you have and finding investors and marketing the business and the talent you provide or moving into the career realm. Utilize your college degree and think long term--beyond your thirties and into your forties, fifties, and sixties. Your stage experience will not take care of your retirement fund; it will not buy you a car, and it most certainly will not take care of the mortgage on your house. But a carefully planned out career with the right strategic moves will.
Create balance in your life.
or do some nude pics and porn on your website like Jodi.
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Why can't the fitness industry be more mainstream? I just don't understand it. I can understand why bodybuilding isn't (it's to easy to view bodybuilding as freaky), but fitness should be a different story.
You're confusing 'fitness industry' with 'fitness competitions'.
We use the term fitness industry as a generic catch-all for competitions, modeling, nutritional supplements, apparel, gym equipment, etc. but that's not entirely accurate when questions like yours are raised.
The primary component of the 'industry' involves supplement sales and the diet industry in America is *huge*. So, whatever it takes to sell those supplements is what people will do. Many of the companies have made tremendous inroads into the mainstream (wasn't Hydroxycut the #1-selling fat burner at one time?).
But that will never apply to the competitions themselves, because the model being used for them does not lend itself to entertainment, which is what the beloved mainstream wants.
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IMO, the best way to make money from this industry, is to not compete in it. Few and I mean VERY few will make a worthwhile living from it. If you have great connections, then things might change. Given the amount of time put into this sport vs what it gives back, huge imbalance.
I want you to print the above quote out and tuck it away in a safe place.
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Many of the same things can be said of bodybuilding.
There are more endorsements to go around for men, however.
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There is no "making it" in the industry. IF you turn pro, the amount of money you win in shows in which you earn a top five or six placing simply reimburses your expenses throughout the years of trying to reach the pro spot. I spend a good $1,000 or more to get to the national shows, and that doesn't even take into account the $700+ I spend on suits per year, nor the $400 to $500 grocery bill per month, nor the expense of a trainer/nutritionist, nor many other weekly and monthly expenses that this industry necessitates.
This truly is a hobby. It's an expensive hobby.
I suggest either capitalizing upon a true business idea you have and finding investors and marketing the business and the talent you provide or moving into the career realm. Utilize your college degree and think long term--beyond your thirties and into your forties, fifties, and sixties. Your stage experience will not take care of your retirement fund; it will not buy you a car, and it most certainly will not take care of the mortgage on your house. But a carefully planned out career with the right strategic moves will.
Create balance in your life.
To quote a book title, this post by Jodi is "Talking Dollars, Making Sense". I hope some of you aspiring fitness and figure competitors read and re-read this.
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IMO, the best way to make money from this industry, is to not compete in it.
amen.. and that is why you will most likely not be seeing me on a stage anytime soon.
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There are no Women & only maybe the top 2 men make good money. Even Ronnie & Jay only make good money for a short time.
Compete becasue it is a hobby.
I have devoted 15 years in my Aircraft Company which allows me to compete in this sport I love.
Keep your day job, put all your efforts into moving that forward, and then compete and train for fun a maybe some extra perks and some vacation money.
I love this industry, but I do not expect it to meet any of my financial needs or allow it to define me.
So many Men & Women get chewed up & spit out by this industry...They can't control what they don't own.
Betty Pariso
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Excellent advice, Betty. I especially like the last line about not being able to control what you don't own.
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amen.. and that is why you will most likely not be seeing me on a stage anytime soon.
Good!
Then start thickening that butt up again! :)
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Good!
Then start thickening that butt up again! :)
Nope.. I'm done with that too. I am happy with the way I look which is the same as the latest pics in my blog and the Arnold .. I know you think I am too skinny.. but I like me.. I like seeing my six pack and since I do not need to add any muscle I have no need to bulk... just call me skinnie minnie
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Dina - Emerald Cup next weekend? Or sitting this one out?
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Nope.. I'm done with that too. I am happy with the way I look which is the same as the latest pics in my blog and the Arnold .. I know you think I am too skinny.. but I like me.. I like seeing my six pack and since I do not need to add any muscle I have no need to bulk... just call me skinnie minnie
Girl,
The only six pack we need is Heineken, LOL! :)
All kidding aside, it's good that you're happy.
You can always make a lot of money training idiots hopefuls.
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Dina - Emerald Cup next weekend? Or sitting this one out?
I wish because then you would be giving me the foot massage. I would have gone, but I have been so darn busy that I forgot to mark the weekend. I am sure I will miss the fun..... :'(
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I'm still waffling around on this. I was talking with a lawyer who said it sounded like what the IFBB was doing to the sport was illegal. Has anyone ever tried to take the IFBB to court?
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I'm still waffling around on this. I was talking with a lawyer who said it sounded like what the IFBB was doing to the sport was illegal. Has anyone ever tried to take the IFBB to court?
"doing to the sport is illegal"? ???
Take them to court on what grounds?
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I don't understand all the theories ... but, basically, that the IFBB is a monopoly that abuses its power by how it treats the pros.
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I don't understand all the theories ... but, basically, that the IFBB is a monopoly that abuses its power by how it treats the pros.
what "theories" might those be?
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what "theories" might those be?
I think I explained it -- at least as best as I could -- in the previous post.