Markus Ruhl is huge, and coming off a surprising comeback last year, in which he proved once again he is still a top IFBB pro bodybuilder, was at the Ultimate Nutritrion booth at the 2010 Fit Expo here in Los Angeles on January 23-24th. Here is Bob Cicherillo, of Bodybuilding.com, asking Markus some questions.

Moe El Moussawi, top 10 IFBB Olympia athlete, flew into Los Angeles on Friday from New Zealand. He was at the Nutrigenix booth, along with Mindi Smith and Rosa Maria Romero (you can see their video on Hardbody.com, and they are both competing in the 2010 Arnold Classic Figure). Here are some question about what Moe is up to.

Each year in Columbus, Ohio, right after the Arnold Classic Pro Bodybuilding event, parties are usually held around town. One of them is the official Arnold Classic After Party, with Arnold himself attending the event, and another is the Jason Dhir Mega-Party Charity After Bash. Both are great parties, and I have a great time at both of them. Here is the information on the parties.

The Arnold Party With The Pros will once again be the place to be as the world’s top professionals in bodybuilding, fitness, figure, strongman and others celebrate deep into the night at the Official After-Party for the Arnold Classic.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will also make an appearance at the can’t-miss event of the weekend.

The Arnold Party With The Pros will be held from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, March 6 – immediately following the Arnold Classic — at the LC Pavilion and neighboring A&R Music Bar and The Basement on Neil Avenue in the Arena District.

The Party With The Pros will be a long night of fun, with drinks, dancing, music, star-gazing and world-class entertainment. Top celebrities who annually attend the Arnold Sports Festival will join the leading professional athletes at the party.

The theme of this year’s Party With the Pros will be “Cirque-Us,” with a stunning lineup of live performers, including acrobats, amazing dancers, fire eaters and live musicians. Acts include The Amazing Christopher, Jesse De La Pena (Chicago’s premier DJ), DJ James ‘Big Daddy’ Moore, Highjinks and many more.

Free shuttle buses will take those attending the Arnold Classic directly to the LC Pavilion, 405 Neil Ave. across from Nationwide Arena.

Arnold Party with the Pros tickets are $25 each for general admission and are included with VIP Tickets which cost $350.

Those of you in Columbus on March 6, 2010 will want to check out this Charity After-Bash. It’s without question the fitness industry’s baddest party just as the flyer claims. The master promoter, Jason Dhir is once again holding the biggest after-party in the biz. I’ve attended this party every year since its inception and it gets bigger and better every year. Jason always brings in the top fitness stars and also “mainstream” celebrities.

This year the party will be held at BoMA Niteclub 583, E. Broad St., Downtown Columbus. Doors open at 10pm. To pre-purchase tickets or for more info visit groovetickets.com or jasondhir.com. Check back for a schedule of events.

Hardbody.com and Getbig.com is a proud sponsor and will be there covering all the action.

Here is a look at the Los Angeles Fit Expo commercial that is running here on various cable and tv channels.

This Saturday and Sunday, January 23rd and 24th, the Los Angeles Fit Expo is going to be the place to be, with many NPC, IFBB and other MMA competitors at various booths and checking out the action at the L.A. Convention Center. One of the highlights that I am looking forward to is the current IFBB Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, who is going to take the main performance stage on Sunday at 2pm for a Q&A Seminar. This event is a great way to see what Jay has been up to, and how he won back the Mr. Olympia title when very few people thought he would. See you there.

Check out this clip from the Jerry Spring Show where pro bodybuilder King Kamali makes an appearance. The show’s topic was “I had sex with your Mama”.

King Kamali does his best Richard Nixon impersonation.

Two weeks to go to California’s largest Bodybuilding and Fitness Event: The Bodybuilding.com Los Angeles Fitness Expo presented by Gaspari Nutrition and Pro Fight Supplements coming to The Los Angeles Convention Center on January 23-24, 2010. For bodybuilding fans we’ll have over 250 exhibits of interest filled with the latest in supplements, nutrition, exercise equipment, fitness wear, life extension, and more! For the 7th year of our Expo we are going all out with a roster of special bodybuilding/fitness celebrities for attendees to meet and learn from. Set to appear during the weekend are:

3 Time Mr. Olympia JAY CUTLER (courtesy of Weider Publications)
8 Time Ms. Olympia LENDA MURRAY (courtesy of PRO PTA)
The Incredible Hulk, actor/legendary bodybuilder LOU FERRIGNO
IFBB Pro BOB CICHERILLO (courtesy of Bodybuilding.com)
IFBB Pro DENNIS JAMES (courtesy of PRO PTA)
IFBB Pro, “The German Beast” MARKUS RUHL (courtesy of Ultimate Nutrition)
Mr. Olympia SAMIR BANNOUT (courtesy of PRO PTA)
IFBB Pro MELVIN ANTHONY (courtesy of PRO PTA)
IFBB Pro BEN WHITE (courtesy Nutrabolics)
IFBB Pro HIDETADA YAMAGISCHI (courtesy Gaspari Nutritiion)
2009 IFBB New York Women’s Pro 1st Place Winner CATHEY LeFRANCOIS (courtesy of Gaspari Nutrition)
2009 IFBB Atlantic City Pro -202 & Under 1st Place Winner FLEX LEWIS (courtesy of Gaspari Nutrition)
2009 NPC Eastern USA Figure Overall Champion AVA COWAN (courtesy of Gaspari Nutrition)
4 Time Mr. Natural Universe & American Gladiator Star MICHAEL O’HEARN (courtesy of Bodybuilding.com)
IFBB Figure Pro KRISSY CHIN (courtesy of Gaspari Nutrition)
NPC Bikini Competitor JANAEE ADAMS (courtesy of Optimum Nutrition)
New IFBB Pro MARK ALVISI (courtesy of Gaspari Nutrition)
Champion Bodybuilder of Pumping Iron fame ED CORNEY (courtesy of PRO PTA)
IFBB Pro BRANDON “The Prodigy” CURRY (courtesy BSN)
2008 Los Angeles Fittest Couple Winner DENA ANNE WEINER (courtesy of PRO PTA in association with FIT GIRL WEAR)
IFBB Bikini Pro MICHELE D’ANGONA (courtesy of PRO PTA in association with FIT GIRL WEAR)
NPC Bikini Competitor STACEY NAITO (courtesy of PRO PTA in association with FIT GIRL WEAR)
NPC Figure Competitor ALI HARRIS (courtesy of PRO PTA in association with FIT GIRL WEAR)
NPC Figure Competitor REYHANEH TAMAYO (courtesy of PRO PTA)
IFBB Figure Pro SONIA GONZALES (courtesy of PRO PTA)
IFBB Figure Pro ALICIA HARRIS (courtesy of Optimum Nutrition)
Fitness Pro BRENDA KELLY
Fitness Champion/Model/Media Personality ALICIA MARIE (courtesy BSN)
NPC Top 5 National Level Figure Competitor PRUDENCE MOE (courtesy Optimum Nutrition)
2 Time Miss Fitness America Champion SHERLYN ROY (courtesy Bodybuilding.com)
2008 FLEX Bikini Model Winner KATHLEEN TESORI (courtesy of Champion Nutrition)
Actor Model ADAM TRAHAN (courtesy Optimum Nutrition)
NPC Bodybuilder/Model TOBIAS YOUNG (courtesy of Optimum Nutrition)
IFBB Pro PETER PUTNAM (courtesy Champion Nutrition)
and many more!

CLICK ON THROUGH TO SEE ALL THE OTHER GUESTS, 11 MAJOR COMPETITIONS, AND ATTRACTIONS AT THIS ONCE A YEAR EVENT! It isn’t the same without you! Make your plans to see it all for only $15 a day ($5 discount coupons available at participating Subway Restaurants and GNC Nutrition Shops) A great entertainment bargain, fun for the whole family!

The 2010 NPC USA’s on July 30-31st in Las Vegas is going to be the biggest ever. And this year, they will be awarding FOUR IFBB Pro cards for the Men’s division, for the top 4 overall out of 7 divisions (last year, it was only 3). Add to that 6 IFBB Pro cards for the bikini division, 6 IFBB Pro cards for the figure division, and 2 IFBB Pro cards for the Women’s bodybuilding division. For more info, please go to www.musclecontest.com on all of Jon Lindsay’s contests.

Team BSN® is very proud to introduce its latest marquee addition: 31-year-old IFBB star Dennis Wolf has officially joined the roster! The man often referred to as the “German Giant” has drawn plenty of attention in the bodybuilding world over the last few years, and already finds himself among the sports elite. With his massive frame and obvious genetic gifts, Dennis already possesses the kind of physique bodybuilders the world over aspire to achieve, yet his pursuit of greatness has only just begun. With two top-five Olympia finishes already under his belt, Dennis and his limitless potential represent the new guard of athletes poised to take the future of bodybuilding by the reins.

Born in the former USSR before his family eventually settled in Germany, Dennis began his competitive bodybuilding career in 1999 after what started as a hobby became a full-fledged passion. After dominating the German bodybuilding circuit and making a name for himself on the international stage, Dennis made his way to Texas for his professional debut at the 2006 Europa Supershow. Since then he has skyrocketed up the pro ranks to become one of the sports true stars and a perennial Olympia contender.

Realizing his enormous potential, Weider Publications signed Dennis to an exclusive publishing contract this past November. This, along with his alliance with BSN, will undeniably springboard Dennis’ well-founded fame and success in the world of bodybuilding to new heights in 2010 and beyond.

FLEXonline.com reports that Silvio will skip the 2010 Arnold Classic for the first time in four years. He tells FLEX…

“I will take a break to put on the size I need to put on,” Samuel said. “I wanted to do the Arnold Classic, but after more thought I do not believe that competing so soon after the Olympia is in my best interest. In order to make the impact I want to make, I want to make some improvements this year.”

“The Olympia was not the result I would have liked,” he said. “It’s painful when you do not place where you hope. I do not blame anybody, but I was not happy with where I finished. I will take the time to improve and make sure I am better the next time I compete at the Olympia.”

— Read the full article here.

Here we go again, more compounds are being added to the long list of prohormones being relabled as steroids. For your information,

Effective January 4, 2010, boldione, desoxymethyltestosterone, and
19-nor-4,9(10)-androstadienedione are subject to CSA regulatory
controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable
to the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, importation, and
exportation of a schedule III controlled substance

Thanks to Hardbody.com for the list…

2010 Entries – Arnold Classic

1. Melvin Anthony
2. Tarek Elsetouhi
3. Toney Freeman
4. Kai Greene
5. Phil Heath
6. Dexter Jackson
7. Johnnie Jackson
8. Robert Piotrkowicz
9. Ronny Rockel
10. Silvio Samuel
11. Sergey Shelestov
12. Branch Warren
13. Roelly Winklaar
14. Hidetada Yamagishi

2010 Entries – Figure International

1. Monica Brant
2. Krissy Chin
3. Alicia Harris
4. Candice Houston
5. Heather Mae French
6. Monica Mark-Escalante
7. Angela Mraz
8. Jessica Putnam
9. Larissa Reis
10. Kristal Richardson
11. Felicia Romero
12. Rosa-Maria Romero
13. Sherlyn Roy
14. Mindi Smith
15. Erin Stern
16. Kristina Tauti
17. Kim Tilden
18. Andrea Watson
19. Latisha Wilder
20. Nicole Wilkins Lee

2010 Entries – Fitness International

1. Myriam Capes
2. Regiane Da Silva
3. Nicole Duncan
4. Tina Durkin
5. Allison Ethier
6. Adela Garcia
7. Tracey Greenwood
8. Oksana Grishina
9. Jennifer Hendershott
10. Tanji Johnson
11. Julie Palmer
12. Kayde Puckett
13. Camala Rodriguez
14. Sylvia Tremblay
15. Kizzy Vaines
16. Trish Warren

2010 Entries – Ms. International

1. Heather Armbrust
2. Lisa Aukland
3. Dayana Cadeau
4. Iris Kyle
5. Debi Laszewski
6. Zoa Linsey
7. Mah-Ann Mendoza
8. Yaxeni Oriquen Garcia
9. Jeannie Paparone
10. Betty Pariso
11. Alina Popa
12. Brenda Raganot
13. Elena Shportun-Willemer
14. Dena Westerfield

With no more IFBB Pro Contests for the year, the 2009 IFBB Pro Rankings are complete, including IFBB Bikini (although there has not been a contest yet). Congratulations to those who made the top 10 in the current rankings. Here are the lists.

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of Muscle Beach, two time capsules were placed into the ground on the stage. John Balik, owner of Ironman Magazine and his daughter Lilly, did the honors.

Bill Rosendahl presented a special Certificate of Recognition to Joe Weider (accepted by Charlotte Parker) for his ongoing vision and support for the sport of bodybuilding and his philosophy for health and fitness

Other Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame Inductees included Samir Bannout, Sara Hirsch Clark, Bill Howard, Bill Grant, Chet Yortin, Gene Mozee, and Bernie Ernst

Thanks to a group of young individuals for accepting the pledge to be the “guardians” of the Muscle Beach Time Capsules. Justin and Lilly Balik, John Balik’s children, Henry Fleischman, son of Eric The Trainer, Taylor Wheatley, Joe Wheatley’s niece, Boston Loyd, winner of the Teen Category Labor Day 2009 and Taylor Hansen, winner of the 2009, Labor Day Novice Overall Figure.

For the pictures from this event, please click below

Joe Wheatley Productions is pleased to present the 3rd Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive. Presented by Bodybuilding.com and Iron Man Magazine and Hosted by the LAPD Pacific Division and L.A. City Recreation and Parks. The event will take place on December 12 & 13, 2009.

Please bring a new unwrapped toy between the hours of 10 am – 4 pm to the Venice Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA, 90291. The toys will be distributed by the LAPD Pacific Division to needy children in the area.

Santa will be arriving on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm. Bring the kids to greet and talk with Santa and his famous sled.

In addition to the Toy Drive and in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Muscle Beach an historic time capsule will be buried on December 13, 2009 at 1 pm. The time capsule will include memorabilia, pictures, DVD’s and books that acknowledge the work and dedication of many individuals to health and fitness.

On hand to participate in the ceremony Councilmen, 11th District, Bill Rosendahl, the world famous Joe Weider founder of the IFBB and Mr. Olympia competition, Franco Columbu, Mr. Olympia, the oldest Muscle Beach Athlete, Hall of Fame Inductee Relna McRae Brewer and Bill Grant Former Mr. America/Mr. Universe and many others.

Today on ESPN.com a comparison was made between Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and Chicago Bears Quarterback Jay Cutler.

What’s in a name? Well, if you’re named Jay Cutler, a lot.

Everyone’s familiar with the Chicago Bears quarterback. You know — 6-foot-3, 233 pounds, threw five interceptions last week, fined $20K for abusive conduct toward a game official. If this were VH1, we might just say he had the worst week ever and leave it at that. But, alas, it gets worse.

Despite being the starting quarterback on football’s grandest stage, it’s debatable whether or not Jay Cutler is even the most successful Jay Cutler in the sporting world. Confused yet? Here’s the breakdown:

Bodybuilding’s version: International Federation of Bodybuilders champion and reigning Mr. Olympia.
NFL’s version: INT leader (and that doesn’t stand for international).

Bodybuilding’s version: Born to pump iron.
NFL’s version: Born in Santa Claus, Indiana. I was trying to brainstorm some creative quip, but you can’t make that stuff up. And I don’t want coal for Christmas.

Bodybuilding’s version: 19.5 (inches around his neck).
NFL’s version: 17 (number of interceptions thrown this year).

Bodybuilding’s version: Competes for titles against the likes of Dexter “The Blade” Jackson and eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman.
NFL’s version: Competes for his job against the slightly-less-intimidating Caleb Hanie.

Bodybuilding’s version: Endorses MuscleTech supplements.
NFL’s version: Endorses press conference pouting.

Bodybuilding’s version: Appears in several bodybuilding DVDs, including “Ripped To Shreds” and “From Jay to Z.”
NFL’s version: Gets prophetic perspective from Stan in an episode of “South Park.”

From the PR Newswire, by Weider Global Nutrition

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ — GLG-Weider Sweet Naturals (“Sweet Naturals”) is a joint venture between GLG Life Tech Corporation (“GLG”) and Weider Global Nutrition (“Weider”), combining GLG’s knowledge of stevia and Weider’s expertise in marketing, sales and distribution of health and nutritional products. In their Shareholders’ Agreement, GLG and Weider stated their intention was to maximize stevia-based product sales through Sweet Naturals throughout the world. On October 14, 2009, however, GLG announced that it formed its own sales team for stevia-based products. On November 4, 2009, Weider filed a Statement of Claim against GLG with the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Canada, stating claims for breach of the Shareholders’ Agreement, misrepresentations by GLG and its Chairman/CEO, and for breach of fiduciary duties. The Statement of Claim is a public court record.

Weider remains committed to supporting Sweet Naturals, which continues to market stevia-based products, and GLG has represented that it will continue to supply Sweet Naturals. Although Weider is hopeful it can resolve its dispute with GLG — and improve Sweet Naturals’ service to its customers — Weider intends to maintain the lawsuit to protect and enforce its interests.

Kraft Foods has agreed to sell its Balance Bar business to Brynwood Partners of Greenwich, Connecticut. The transaction is expected to close on November 21, 2009. The new company plans to operate as Balance Bar Company.

Kraft Foods will continue to distribute, provide HQ/retail coverage and manage the Balance Bar business for an extended period of time post-closing through a transition services agreement with Brynwood Partners. Kraft Foods will provide these services using either the Kraft Foods sales organization or Acosta Marketing and Sales, as we currently do, to ensure no interruption to the business.

Moe El Moussawi was up in Sacramento, as Pro Fight, the company in which he partially owns was the title sponsor for the contests. Speaking to Moe, he said that he will be ready for the 2010 Ironman, and he is also going to win it! Last year, Moe placed second over Silvio Samuel in a battle in which each competitor blasted each other on who will be better prepared. Silvio did win, but Moe bested Silvio at the 2009 Olympia by two places. Will this battle continue? Sources have said that Silvio is not going to defend his title at the Ironman? We will see.

Moe with J.M. Manion and John Tuman in Sacramento