Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Female Info Boards => Figure, Bikini and Fitness Info and Discussions => Topic started by: Tanji Johnson on May 02, 2006, 01:17:58 AM
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Hi everyone
Just posted on Muscle Mayhem and wanted to include this on GETBIG:
I have done 3 guest posings this year to help promote and generate some excitement for FITNESS! I announced at the Empire Classic in Spokane last weekend that I am officially launching a "Save the Fitness Competitor" campaign. There will be T shirts and all!
In order to regain growth in the number of fitness competitors, girls that are interested (and there are plenty that are interested) need to start training a lot earlier than they would for Figure. I believe that anything worth achieving (like competing in Fitness) takes time, patience and dedication.
There needs to be training, guidance, motivation and encouragement for aspiring Fitness competitors. It can be done, esp if a person takes a year to develop strength and flexibility skills and choreographing a routine.
It is sooooo rewarding to take the road less traveled and do the more challenging. I will be having Fitness training classes in the NW and traveling across the US this year promoting Fitness & Posing clinics. If anyone is interested in trying Fitness, please contact me and I will refer you to professionals in your area for help.
SAVE FITNESS
excellentspirit@hotmail.com
www.tanjijohnson.com
Tanji
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That is wonderful Tanji!
Best of luck
xo
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Hi everyone
Just posted on Muscle Mayhem and wanted to include this on GETBIG:
I have done 3 guest posings this year to help promote and generate some excitement for FITNESS! I announced at the Empire Classic in Spokane last weekend that I am officially launching a "Save the Fitness Competitor" campaign. There will be T shirts and all!
In order to regain growth in the number of fitness competitors, girls that are interested (and there are plenty that are interested) need to start training a lot earlier than they would for Figure. I believe that anything worth achieving (like competing in Fitness) takes time, patience and dedication.
There needs to be training, guidance, motivation and encouragement for aspiring Fitness competitors. It can be done, esp if a person takes a year to develop strength and flexibility skills and choreographing a routine.
It is sooooo rewarding to take the road less traveled and do the more challenging. I will be having Fitness training classes in the NW and traveling across the US this year promoting Fitness & Posing clinics. If anyone is interested in trying Fitness, please contact me and I will refer you to professionals in your area for help.
SAVE FITNESS
excellentspirit@hotmail.com
www.tanjijohnson.com
Tanji
Nice thought Tanji...perhaps you should lobby the federations to ensure that the stages being used are fitness ready....most are not...and many women have sustained injuries due to this....just a thought....
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I would love to see fitness rise from the depths.....
4 fitness girls at the e-cup and about a million in figure is just an example, it is dying on so many levels...
Good luck Tangi and count on me to buy a tee-shirt 8)
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Ill let my new pro pal here in Kansas know about your idea. its great. she is promoting her own show and fitness girls are freaken sparse. if non gymnast girls can be highlighted a bit more it may help.
this is not deterring you gymnasts. i honestly love gymnastic elements however this seems to be the reason girls wont take the challenge. they just need to see more Adela's out there. high energy and no flips
can figure be limited as to who qualifies from now on out to nationals. like maybe only the overall at local shows can qualify. it wont dip out of the npc pocket books. girls will still compete by the thousands but if they made it a little more difficult???? maybe girls will go back to fitness or at least try it.
something needs done. just not sue what. I LOVE FITNESS. its the most entertaining aspect of the sport.
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Ill let my new pro pal here in Kansas know about your idea. its great. she is promoting her own show and fitness girls are freaken sparse. if non gymnast girls can be highlighted a bit more it may help.
this is not deterring you gymnasts. i honestly love gymnastic elements however this seems to be the reason girls wont take the challenge. they just need to see more Adela's out there. high energy and no flips
can figure be limited as to who qualifies from now on out to nationals. like maybe only the overall at local shows can qualify. it wont dip out of the npc pocket books. girls will still compete by the thousands but if they made it a little more difficult???? maybe girls will go back to fitness or at least try it.
something needs done. just not sue what. I LOVE FITNESS. its the most entertaining aspect of the sport.
I completely agree with this. Even though I am a Figure girl I would love to see more attention go to Fitness-I think their prize money should be uped and the number of Pro Card to Figure be diminshed. Not saying that I don't work extrememly hard at what I do but one of my closest friends is a Fitness girl and I have no idea how she juggles everything, pays more to compete-and more for her outfits and is rewarded less.
Good Luck Tanji, you've always been one of my favorites and I love your body.
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Ill let my new pro pal here in Kansas know about your idea. its great. she is promoting her own show and fitness girls are freaken sparse. if non gymnast girls can be highlighted a bit more it may help.
this is not deterring you gymnasts. i honestly love gymnastic elements however this seems to be the reason girls wont take the challenge. they just need to see more Adela's out there. high energy and no flips
can figure be limited as to who qualifies from now on out to nationals. like maybe only the overall at local shows can qualify. it wont dip out of the npc pocket books. girls will still compete by the thousands but if they made it a little more difficult???? maybe girls will go back to fitness or at least try it.
something needs done. just not sue what. I LOVE FITNESS. its the most entertaining aspect of the sport.
I agree.
Fitness, IMO is the most marketable of all the womes's divisions. Figure can get a bit boring watching a zillion girls do quarter turns. Female bb, while I personally am a fan, tends to be too hardcore for many. Fitness appeals to many. I play fitness show DVD's at my gym and most the members are pretty fascinated by it.
Here, they are making moves to keep fitness alive. Fitness girls win larger amounts [amateurs get prize $$ here] than figure. And with all due respect I feel they should on the pro level as well. It is more expensive to prepare for fitness shows for one...routine outfits, music mixing, chereographer fees, dance/gymnastics lessons etc.
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Not to be a downer here...but, I don't think that fitness can be saved until the IFBB decides to judge the routines fairly. Everyone knows that a competitors physique score determines their routine score in the IFBB. Just look at all the girls who have retired recently to their routines being scored in last place due to their physique placing...Lea Waide, Bridgette Newell, Nicole Rollolozo. Sad. Lea Waide is a Vegas showgirl for petes sake, but at her last show she placed dead last in the routine round. All of these girls were awesome performers and consistantly placed in the bottom 5 of the routine rounds to less talented girls who placed higher in the physique rounds. They got their pro cards becuase for some reason the NPC is actually judged fairly. But with the IFBB it's the same thing over and over. Can Tanji save fitness? I doubt it. Only the IFBB can make that change, and with no competition in the marketplace they have no reason to do so.
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Tanji - you know I'll back anything you do, girl. Best of luck with this.
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Just look at all the girls who have retired recently to their routines being scored in last place due to their physique placing...Lea Waide, Bridgette Newell, Nicole Rollolozo. Sad.
These women all retired from fitness competition? Where was this announced???
Sheesh, I really have been out of the loop.
How come none of the fitness magazines or websites ever take the judges to task for their incompetency?
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FitFan:
Thank you for your kind words! I was thinking EXACTLY what you posted!
Tanji...PROPS to you for your effort! Your definitly doing more than the rest of us!
Unfortunately, the problem lies within the judging. I have heard SO MANY FAP girls say the reason they won't switch to NPC is because they don't feel like getting beat in routine by girls doing front rolls because those girls have the best bodies. It really doesn't make much sense...i mean we have figure now so why can't FITNESS place more emphasis on FITNESS routines? If it were really judged at 50/50...that would rock!
I totally understand why girls are discouraged from competing in fitness. You spend a shitload of money and time and just about break your body to bust ass on stage only to get beat by someone who is doing beginner level skills and not dancing on the beat.
It sucks! Bridgette, who is one of my best friends on the planet, always said to me, "look judge me fairly in the physique rounds. Put me dead last. That is fine. But if you are going to judge me fairly in physique then I deserve to be judged fairly in routine." I think Bridgette got 14th in routine in the last show she did.
I cannot speak for Nicole...i did hear that she has retired. Bridgette and I though have definitely NOT retired. I will not speak for her and what her plans are...as far as me...I went to stunt school, I moved to Hollywood, got a new apartment, and new job. My life has completely changed in the last 3 months and has not been stable enough for me to train for a show. My trainer and ex of 6 years, Rick Nelson, passed away last week. I am driving to Montana for his funeral this week and as soon as I return am going into the hospital for some major surgery. I am not sure how long recovery will be.
But I am convinced it will make for a great comeback story!
So don't ya'll go counting me and Bridge out just yet...we've still got a few one arm handstands left in us!
God bless,
Lea
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Best of luck Tanji...would be great to see some more Fitness girls join the ranks!
Chris
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is anyone judged failry? stupid question but im just askin. are non known girls judged fairly? why would these girls be punished. ive seen them all at the amatuer level and they are incredible. has bridget,nicole or lea ever won or placed high in the routine round as a pro? these women do have the physiques or they would not have earned the priveledge, correct? or am i wrong. they must have looked good the day they won. didnt kindra elias win the routine round in dallas last year as a pro AND is not as strong in the physique rounds? she ended up 5th because of it. didnt she? she is quite small i might say. not that it is a bad thing. just standing next to tracy greenwood she is small. so what gives? the best peformers are punsihed for not having the best bodies? the best bodies are given a pass if they cant perfom well? there are not many athletes that can duplicate the skills by bridet and lea but there are a few that do well without the level of difficulty those chics bring. Who out there feels judged fairly?
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the best peformers are punished for not having the best bodies? the best bodies are given a pass if they cant perfom well?
Yes and yes.
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Lea - I'm sorry to hear about your loss, but glad to hear that you're not ruling out future IFBB(?) fitness competitions just yet.
Have a safe trip.
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hell, if that is the case we should have all the figure pros switch over to fitness and do forward rolls on the stage and let the best body win. man what a mess. good luck fitness women. whether you are a routine girls or body girl. . good luck. the reason the sport is so damn hard it because it requires a balance of both . . or it should. do it cause you love it cause apparently it is the best and only reason to be out there.
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Sometimes I really DON'T know why they keep fitness. It's so strange that it changes so much when you get to the IFBB...for instance at the Jr. USA's this weekend, the top body girl got next to last in routine. This is the way it should be...if the girl with the perfect body has a weak routine it should be scored as such. But once you get to the IFBB, this would NEVER happen. It is a known fact among all the girls that your body score determines your routine score. Take a look at past score sheets, it is usually true within a few placings. You will NEVER see a top body in the IFBB get last place in routine, nor will you see a last place body get a high routine score. The girls all know it, but no one says anything due to fear of consequences. It's sad, the sport has lost MANY awesome performers. Why even do a fitness routine?
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"nor will you see a last place body get a high routine score."
What you said is false because Susie Curry got away with having a very average physique for a number of years.
On the topic of trying to save Fitness:
I don't think fitness can be saved based on what has happened in past years going back to the 90's when a number of pro fitness women complained about very inconsistent judging, the lack of adequate prize money, not having good connections to win 1st place or score well at fitness shows, and also the rumors about having to give sexual favors to judges, contest promoters, and sponsors in order to be a top contender year in and year out.
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Suzy was also signed by a certain someone! ;)
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They should pay the fitness girls more. The strength and athleticism that go into a pro routine separate these athletes from the girls who just hang a swimsuit and pose.
The judging is definately in the doldrums and they need to tighten up their act and walk their talk. Inside grumbling doesnt accomplish anything. I keep hoping for a stand alone star that brings heaps of publicity and new fans, and then turning Lee Priest and shining light on all those dark grimy little secrets that preserve a status quo that demeans the efforts of real athletes.
As a fan I am permanently annoyed. As a gym girl I keep wondering if I should crank it up to the next level and compete. The returns just seem so low. But I'm cheering loudly for the ladies that have rolled up their sleeves and gotten down to it.
cheers
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Hi everyone
Just posted on Muscle Mayhem and wanted to include this on GETBIG:
I have done 3 guest posings this year to help promote and generate some excitement for FITNESS! I announced at the Empire Classic in Spokane last weekend that I am officially launching a "Save the Fitness Competitor" campaign. There will be T shirts and all!
In order to regain growth in the number of fitness competitors, girls that are interested (and there are plenty that are interested) need to start training a lot earlier than they would for Figure. I believe that anything worth achieving (like competing in Fitness) takes time, patience and dedication.
There needs to be training, guidance, motivation and encouragement for aspiring Fitness competitors. It can be done, esp if a person takes a year to develop strength and flexibility skills and choreographing a routine.
It is sooooo rewarding to take the road less traveled and do the more challenging. I will be having Fitness training classes in the NW and traveling across the US this year promoting Fitness & Posing clinics. If anyone is interested in trying Fitness, please contact me and I will refer you to professionals in your area for help.
SAVE FITNESS
excellentspirit@hotmail.com
www.tanjijohnson.com
Tanji
There are other things in life, like getting a life and shyte... But sure thing mate. Save fitness!!! ;D
Can I ask you something? Mower been in touch with you yet on this hot topic?
I know he was "on" about "saving fitness" a few years ago.
Cheers mate.
YIP
Zack
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I believe that fitness should Only be judged on the routine. Its more of a gymnastics and show of athleticism. Now the best body will not always win, but dam if the girl has all the dance moves and strength moves I guarentee that she will have a nice body. A body that will apeal to average America but average America will still say "dam girl is in shape"
IFBB have you seen the stats on how many people watch the floor routines for the Olympics? Isnt it the 4th most watched sporting event only behind Superbowl,Figure skating, Worlcup and World Series..?
I might be off on that a little bit it has been some years since I heard the stats.
There are other gymnastic events out there that you could recruit from to make it a dance/gynmastic/strength blend of a show. There is alot of potential out there and I dont have the $ and you dont have the brains to put it together.
Would it hurt to add some business and marketing majors to your group? No. You get some kid out of college with a marketing degree who has some minimal contacts from an internship and they could turn this shit around. Making it something awsome to watch.
More... because you still might be in the dark.
Think of all the pool of talent that can join:
college/ Professional sports chearleaders
gymnist college and even some olympic hopefulls
dancers ( There are tons of good dancers out there doing promotion gigs or gogo stuff or teaching youngens
You know why most of them dont sign up?? Not because they dont have a routine. They have been doing routines for years there is no big deal on putting one together. It is because there is too much judging on the figure of the Fitness athletes.
Hell why does the NFL give the Heisman to the best looking athlete?? IT makes no damb sense.
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marcie999 said: "turning Lee Priest and shining light on all those dark grimy little secrets that preserve a status quo that demeans the efforts of real athletes."
That comment REALLY caught my attention because it vaguely hinted at what goes on behind the scenes in the fitness industry. It is not surprising that the issue concerning having close contact with the higher ups in the industry is as relevant as it is. If judges and others connected to them are able to get what they want from the athletic women of fitness, then they should not adamantly deny that there aren't unwritten rules as to what a fitness performer has to do behind closed doors in order to be a real contender at contest time.
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I can see why woman prefer figure to fitness. You have a longer shelf life. A woman in her thirties is just coming into her prime physiquewise, but, as a gymnast, you're pretty much done.
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I can see why woman prefer figure to fitness. You have a longer shelf life. A woman in her thirties is just coming into her prime physiquewise, but, as a gymnast, you're pretty much done.
Very true about the shelf life, but you can be competitive in fitness without gymnastics.
Adela is the best example of this, but there are others...Tracey Greenwood, Saryn Muldrow won the O way back when without gymnastics....
Practically anyone, with enough work, can build the strength to do many of the moves...straddle/pike holds, various pushups and other assorted strength moves.
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I appreciate everyone's interest in this topic.
I think I have been able to stay motivated and simply ENJOY the sport b/c I do have balance in my life. Great boyfriend, family and friends. Fun and rewarding career (fitness coaching, personal trg, etc), I take a mini vacation every year, and I set goals for myself as an athlete and enjoy improving my physique and routines.
There are always problems in a subjective sport, so I am looking to encourage women who WANT to try Fitness for themselves. I certainly won't be able to SAVE FITNESS alone, but I'm here to promote what I love and I LOVE Fitness. :)
God Bless and stay tuned for www.savefitness.com :)
Tanji
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To Tanji Johnson:
Since you are the one who started this very good topic, I decided to add my two cents.
First of all, I must say that your website is very cool and that bio of yours is very interesting and is indeed a very nice personal story on top of that.
As far as saving fitness is concerned, I don't think it can be done unless the judges and some of the promoters decide to change their attitude as far as why they decide to score contests so inconsistently. One example of a lady who was so obviously a victim of this is former fitness pro Lisa Lowe.
I think you and and someone like Stacy Simons have a great amount of talent and a lot of potential to go far in fitness if the judges gave credit where it is due. I think Stacy has competed professionally since the 1998 Fitness Olympia in France if I am not mistaken. After all these years, she still doesn't consistently place well even after paying her dues so to speak, in the whole fitness industry.
I don't really know what else to add besides saying good luck with your career, family, friends, and your significant other("great boyfriend").
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Hello Everyone,
I think what Tanji is doing is great. We both talked about caring about our sport and don't want to see it die. I do encourage my clients to do fitness as well. I believe anything is possible as long as they have the determination and dedication. Like Tanji said, you have to compete for yourself. We all know that we can't become rich competing but there is other ways to make money in the sport.
I know figure just seems so much easier for someone with no background at all. It just take a little bit more training and they will find out that fitness is so much fun. I did not have any background when I started competing, I just love the sport and continue to work on skill to get better.
Tanji is not along, I do want to see more girls competing in fitness, so i will be doing my part as well.
Best wishes,
www.adelagf.com
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Damn !!!! Maybe Wayne Demillia ( PDI ) should consider having a fitness category. Seems like alot of fans and competitors are fed up with the IFBB fitness comps.
Just a thought ..... hey wayne are you listening ?
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Maybe this situation needs a pro on the verge of retiring anyway, to just go ape on their tight little world. Embarrass them. Talk about the *strange* things they have seen and overheard. Its this doing nothing that has it all seeming to be on the way out. Maybe fear of exposure is the key. I dont expect people to commit career suicide just to make a point, but it seems if they wait until its embarrassing enough on its own, it will be dead in the water. Why dont they have an athletes rep for the ladies? God knows they make enough money off the fitness girls in the mags. Who is there to lobby for the girls interests?
And the judges have some serious work to do. Like that judge that assassinated Kelly Ryans physique in an international mag. Was anything done about it? Do the athletes have any recourse? It was one of the most unprofessional things I have ever seen.
Yeah I am pissed off. Factor in I am a big fan of the BB girls as well and maybe it will make more sense.
As a fan I want the athletes I admire to earn good money for their hard work, and to be looked after by the organisations that sign and make money off them. I want them offered the most up to date information on supplements so they can take absolute care of themselves and enjoy RESPECT for what they do. I dont want to hear they have to compromise themselves just to keep going. As a fan that makes me feel like crap.
Just some thoughts.
cheers.
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My 2 cents worth!
Fitness should be just what it's called "FITNESS", it should be who looks best in the posing suits in the physic rounds and then "FITNESS ROUNDS" not a gymnastics competition. Just because someone can do 5 backflips they shouldn't be considered more fit than someone who hasn't had gymnastics training. If your going to have a gymnastics competition have gymnasts judge it?
There should be rounds for most chrunches,longest on a stair climber,most curls with half body weight "ARMWRESTLING". Actually find out who is fittest! Not who had the best gymnastic training. You gotta promote what people are going to want to watch!!!
The whole thing is too clicky, too much favoritism in the competitions,who endorses who and who is managing who,plays too much into the outcome.
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The whole thing is too cliquey, too much favoritism in the competitions...
Ouch.
There does seem to be favoritism from time-to-time.
Maybe all the competitors should go out for drinks with the judges, and perhaps then everyone would be on equal footing.
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Exactly! Why did Kelly Ryan never win an fitness Olympia? Because she was not managed by J. M. Manion!
She had the best routine and one of the best bodies anywhere.
Look at the past winners of the Fitness Olympia!
2005 Jenny Hendershot
2004 Adela Garcia-Friedmansky ( J.M. Manion)
2003 Susie Curry ( J.M. Manion) Kelly Ryan 2nd
2002 Susie Curry ( J.M. Manion) Kelly Ryan 2nd
2001 Susie Curry ( J.M. Manion) Jennifer Worth 2nd ( J.M. Manion), Kelly Ryan 3rd
2000 Susie Curry ( J.M. Manion) Kelly Ryan 2nd
1999 Mary Yockey (J.M. Manion) Kelly Ryan 2nd
See anything a little fishy?
Just the facts!
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I believe that Susie Curry's four straight victories at the Olympia was a result of her being able to privately get to know the judges and the promoters.
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Tanji...great idea...and as you can see you have a board full of people who have your back...I will say I think the judging is a major issue...the head judge(the one who mentioned that Kelly R could never win if Susie C was on stage)has a pre-set idea on who should win as she mentioned...maybe like in other organizations the rounds should be judged by experts in that round...like the fitness round should be judged by people who know a good routinue,understand flow,transtions,also can see hard moves that the girls have mastered and make look easy also the 1&2 piece rounds could be judged by the figure judges since the goal is balance and a female body...and all rounds are equal...I'm sure there are lots of ways to make it better but lets hope you can be the spear head to get fitness back on course like when girls saw it on ESPN and thought "I want to do that"Good luck and God bless...jas
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Kelly Ryan never had anywhere close to the best physique on the Olympia stage.
Someone said this past week that Curry's physique was weak, but I encourage you to re-visit the photo evidence. Susie's body rocked!!! Her routines may have been a little hurt-ting the last couple of years, but her physique was never anything short of flawless. Was that enough to give her those last two titles? Well, that's up for debate, but you cannot legitimately argue that her physique wasn't one of the top 3 *anytime* she stepped onstage.
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Tanji let us know what we can do to help, you know we love you fitness ladies! :)
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One way to save fitness is by having impartial judges. It would be good to have former fitness pros become judges instead of the usual suspects who are in collusion with the top ranked fitness performers and figure models.
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You got it OneBigMan. The way it is now, it's not even a sport because the judging is not based on talent.
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I don't believe the judges are going to give up the opportunity they have to control who wins contests because they have greatly benefited from forcing people to do certain things when they're not on stage.
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You got it OneBigMan. The way it is now, it's not even a sport because the judging is not based on talent.
Hi Fitfan,
So you are pretty much saying that all of the girls that have been competing for many years don't have any talent? I am sorry, but it comes down to the overall package on stage. that day. I think Fitness is moving in a good direction and is not going to go away. I am willing to start judging amateur shows and also once i retire, if I ever do :D judge pro shows as well. I am in Austin, Texas and I have been training many figure competitors. I do encourage my figure clients to do fitness but I do respect there choice. We just need to be positive about the issue and help by going to the shows and supporting the athletes.
Ciao Bella
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Tanji (and all)...
A fellow getbigger emailed me as to this topic...
The problem here isn't the judging, and it isn't the rise in numbers of Figure girls competing, it isn't the stage, etc, etc.
The problem comes down to one thing...MONEY.
The Fitness girls work harder than ANY of the BB related sports (yes, including the men). The problem is...because it's the hardest discipline, it's very easy for girls to switch to Figure...which is far easier but just as rewarding when it comes to exposure (which is bigger) and more importantly...MONEY.
What we (as a group) have to focus on, is getting a bigger purse to the Fitness shows, and reward the girls for their efforts. It's a tough sell when there is a NET LOSS for the 2nd-5th place finishers...even the winner loses money or at best makes $500-$1,000 after expenses and taxes.
THIS is where the changes need to be made in order to bring the numbers up.
One item I'm working on, is getting the rules changed reguarding the IFBB's stance on making appearances, guest pposings, Expo work, store openings, etc. in NON-SANCTIONED events...I believe this is illegal given the fact that we (as IFBB pro's) are listed as independant contractors, yet, receive no compensation directly from the IFBB, or Pro League. Unless the IFBB is willing to make us "employees", pay us a monthly fee, and 10-99 us at the end of the year...they are impeding our ability to make a living from our chosen profession.
As long as an IFBB athlete is in good standing, and is advertised/ promoted as a IFBB athlete for any of the above mentioned functions...I see no reason why we cannot be representing the IFBB at any other BB related event...IFBB or not.
This would open up many doors, and give more money making opportunities to the many athletes that make the IFBB what it is. It would also serve a dual purpose in allowing us to represent the company and bring up the overall interest to our sport.
Tanji, Adela...I could use all the support from your girls in getting this rule changed...working together, we have the ability to make changes for ourselves, and the next generation to follow us.
Bob Cicherilllo
IFBB Athlletes Rep
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I am DEFINATLEY not saying that the girls have no talent!!!! Nothing could be further from the truth. Rather...the placings where the routine rounds are concerned are more often than not based upon the physique score. There are not many girls who are like you Adela and have a great physique PLUS a great routine. Most of the girls have just one or the other. And...the physique girls are almost always without fail granted higher routine scores than the girls who have FAR superior routines but are lower in the physique rounds...ie, Lea Waide, Bridgette Newell, etc. There is no reason why a Lea Waide who does a flawless routine time and time again places last in a routine round behinds girls who are not even CLOSE in their talent level.
There just needs to be fair judging in BOTH rounds to keep the girls who are incredible at routines in the game, and keep the competition interesting for the fans!!
-FitFan
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Bob,
I'm behind you 100%. I've had to turn down several opportunities to guest pose/appear b.c they were not IFBB/NPC sanctioned events. And yes, it does affect me financially to have to say no.
Let me know what you need me to do.
Fitfan, I am an NPC judge as well and co-promote my own show. Like Adela said, I think we are headed in the right direction as far as having more judges in the future that are former competitors. But it will take time.
Tanj
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Exactly my point...
Perhaps you and Adela could head a campaign to gain as many signatures via a mass email, as possible from all athletes (fitness, figure, BB) I'll take the mens side of course....
I'll set up a email outlining the proposal I intend on submitting to Manion/ IFBB...you get it out there.
I believe the IFBB will meet us halfway...allow us to earn a living, represent the IFBB, make non-sanctioned app, etc....we won't challenge the "competing in non-sanc shows" part....
seems fair to me.
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I am in full support of Tanji's quest! And Chick in right with his point as well! Count me in to Help Tanji!!!
p.s. thanks for compliment on how hard we train Bob!!!!! ;D
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They should pay the fitness girls more. The strength and athleticism that go into a pro routine separate these athletes from the girls who just hang a swimsuit and pose.
The judging is definately in the doldrums and they need to tighten up their act and walk their talk. Inside grumbling doesnt accomplish anything. I keep hoping for a stand alone star that brings heaps of publicity and new fans, and then turning Lee Priest and shining light on all those dark grimy little secrets that preserve a status quo that demeans the efforts of real athletes.
As a fan I am permanently annoyed. As a gym girl I keep wondering if I should crank it up to the next level and compete. The returns just seem so low. But I'm cheering loudly for the ladies that have rolled up their sleeves and gotten down to it.
cheers
[/quote
Ok i will start on my fitness routine and compete.Then i will be your voice i have half of Adela's routine down pat.:)
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My wife and I both compete in the NPC at the national level. My wife is a fitness competitor (www.breeanrobinson.com) and I have also noticed the decline in fitness and the HUGE boom in figure. Fitness needs to be promoted and I also believe the money is a huge issue. Go to any show and listen to the crowd during the figure or bodybuilding vs. the fitness part. Figure and bodybuilding will have a few friends/relatives shouting out "go number 14 or keep it tight stacy..shit like that" other than that people are falling asleep. I love bodybuilding and I work with a lot of figure girls and have much respect for figure competitors as well, but I won't even sit and watch a bb/figure show on tv because it's boring...plain and simple...When the fitness competitors come out and do their routines you actually hear people in the crowd respond....as in they are actually being entertained. We are from Oklahoma and the NPC Oklahoma is in 4 weeks. This year they are including "teen fitness" the teen girls only do routines...no one/two piece rounds. I think this is a great way to promote fitness to a new generation of girls who are looking for something to do after gymnastics/cheerleading. Eileen Luis...our NPC state chairperson has done an excellent job to promote this and my wife is working with a bunch of girls that will be competing. If more of the promoters at the state level tried this I think it would help. Anybody from Oklahoma that is interested in competing in fitness can contact us. We own a personal trainng studio (www.finerphysiques.com) in Tulsa, Ok.
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Lee, you just made my day buddy, The visual from that was awesome. ;D
On a serious note, I feel crap as a fan that I am supporting a system where most of the athletes are hurting to make a living. I'm paying serious money to go to the shows, and picking up the odd mag here and there. Where's it all going?
I think its viable in the BB world that some more of the cash from the mags and advertising from the supplement companies can find its way to the athletes that compete. Some royalties should flow in from photo shoots as well. This situation has foundations in the beginnings of BB, and its time they got pulled up and brought into the real world. I appreciate Bob trying to do it in an orderly fashion, but also appreciate someone getting fed up and calling them out on the glaring problems, like you've been doing. If it ends up being better for the athletes, its worth it.
Still, imagining you competing in womens fitness to fix the mess and tackle them shady judges, makes me curiously optimistic. ;D
cheers.
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Marcie-
I appreciate your passion, but in the grand scheme of things...that approach doesn't get results. Business is business, and it will be addressed in that very manner. Athletes need to start approaching this as a business, and take the emotional side out of the negotiations.
I go in armed (no pun intended), with facts, figures (no pun here, either!) and a logical layout as to WHY these changes are warrented, and serve both the Athletes AND the IFBB's best interests...a win/ win proposition.
So far, that approach has about a 95% approval rate...I'll stick with it.
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The Fitness girls work harder than ANY of the BB related sports (yes, including the men). The problem is...because it's the hardest discipline, it's very easy for girls to switch to Figure...which is far easier but just as rewarding when it comes to exposure (which is bigger) and more importantly...MONEY.
Just bumping this point as I think there appears on some levels to be a perception that figure and fitness contain the same levels of difficulty, or that somehow it is 'politically incorrect' to say that fitness is harder than figure....which it is by far.
As someone already pointed out, fitness is also considerably more entertaining than figure.
Another thing that perterbs me is the lack of fitness shows vs. figure shows which are everywhere. All fitness girls whether amateur, pro, US based or internationally based, simply have less shows to choose from than their figure counterparts.
Nevertheless, I fully support 'saving fitness' on all levels. I am presently working with my federation here to try and do this...
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I agree with the above. I enjoyed watching ESPN when they covered the fitness events.
Fitness is a great sport combining the physique and athletics. There's more to it competitively and visually.
To me its what all this is about. I try to mix BBing and sports (wrestling/kickboxing). I think its important to be muscular and functional.
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Hi,
Don't know if you are aware that IFBB pro Maria Bellando, has gotten the judging criteria changed for fitness at the NPC level. The fitness round is now 50% of the score with both physique rounds 25 and 25. I hope that the IFBB follows suit. This started last year. Maria may not be currently competiting, but she is definately one of the pros pushing for the sport of fitness, her show is one of the largest shows in nation, and she is such a great role model for the sport.
Keep up the good work Maria, we love you down here in Miami.
Dylan
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Hi,
Don't know if you are aware that IFBB pro Maria Bellando, has gotten the judging criteria changed for fitness at the NPC level. The fitness round is now 50% of the score with both physique rounds 25 and 25. I hope that the IFBB follows suit. This started last year. Maria may not be currently competiting, but she is definately one of the pros pushing for the sport of fitness, her show is one of the largest shows in nation, and she is such a great role model for the sport.
Keep up the good work Maria, we love you down here in Miami.
Dylan
Then, that simply means that the girls, that can launch themselves into orbit and do push-ups with their feet sticking out of their ears, will dominate.
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No, that means that the girls that have the better routines will at least have their routine count for 1/2 their score, which could help them in the placings.
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The IFBB does have the scoring at 50% routine and 50% physique. 4 rounds. 2 each. BUT that does not make a difference if they simply like who they like and overlook someone with a less than fantastic routine and great physique or vise versa.
I need not remind people that the org is based on physique in the first place. The NPC in my estimation is the most fair and consistent. Since the new rules it will be even more fair. They have taken the routine score and now doubled it which is weeding out some of the girls that have super strong bodies and weaker routines. (not bad routines, simply weaker than thier body) The NPC is fair and as a whole, the girls who get pro cards all deserve to move to the IFBB. Once they get there. its a new ball game.
My hope is that the Ifbb will score each round as it should be and the best averages simply win.
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Good on you Tanji for trying to do something to bring up fitness numbers. This is a hugely marketable sport and yet it struggles to pull numbers. I think changes need to be made at the amateur level and the emphasis taken off gymnastics. This is NOT a gymnastics competition. I think a lot of girls who are interested in fitness get frightened off by what they perceive as the gymnastics prerequisite. Lets not forget the origins of this sport-bodybuilding. The physique has to account for something. And as for the routines, they should be entertaining and well executed above all else. I love it when Adela, Tracey Greenwood and other non gymnastic girls do well because it opens the door for those who base their routines on strength, dance or whatever without a tumble in site. The judging is definitely where the changes need to be made. Here's hoping!
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Good on you Tanji for trying to do something to bring up fitness numbers. This is a hugely marketable sport and yet it struggles to pull numbers. I think changes need to be made at the amateur level and the emphasis taken off gymnastics. This is NOT a gymnastics competition. I think a lot of girls who are interested in fitness get frightened off by what they perceive as the gymnastics prerequisite. Lets not forget the origins of this sport-bodybuilding. The physique has to account for something. And as for the routines, they should be entertaining and well executed above all else. I love it when Adela, Tracey Greenwood and other non gymnastic girls do well because it opens the door for those who base their routines on strength, dance or whatever without a tumble in site. The judging is definitely where the changes need to be made. Here's hoping!
Wasn't that tried years ago, when George Snyder (I think) came up with the Ms. Galaxy? The obstacle course was supposed to be the level playing field, with an objective measure of fitness. But, from what I remember the results were much the same as the fitness shows where half the score is from the routine.
The legitimate athletic ladies placed well; The T&A girls placed rock-bottom.
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Thanks hardlyhard...finally someone telling it like really is!! The change in judging based on merit rather than some other unspoken factor is glaringly obvious when you go from the NPC to the IFBB. But unfortunately I don't see things changing any time soon...