New Exercise and Fitness Review
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World Class Bodybuilding Forum
New Exercise and Fitness Review
At this year’s Mr. Olympia, history is in the air and the excitement level is a little higher than usual. For one thing, this is the 50th edition of bodybuilding’s biggest show, which means everyone is thinking in terms of the greats of the past and how today’s competitors stack up. For another, there has never been more coverage than there is in 2014. This year’s competition will be broadcast on national television for the first time in 30 years, and the competitors have been pushing their fans into a frenzy on social media and traditional media alike. Fans are excited, the competitors are excited, and everyone involved with the bodybuilding industry is excited.
Now imagine how Mr. Olympia himself feels. Only one man gets to walk into the biggest bodybuilding show of all time as the man, and that’s Phil “The Gift” Heath. The 34-year-old has been busier than ever this year, building his brand, engaging with fans from around the sports world, and working to bring more eyes and hype to this historic contest.
Despite being the busiest bodybuilder in the biz, Heath found the time just six days before the start of the Olympia to sit down with Bodybuilding.com and share what’s on his mind.
“Only one man gets to walk into the biggest bodybuilding show of all time as the man, and that’s Phil ‘The Gift’ Heath.”
Honestly, I’m excited because of this being the 50th, and me going in as the champ is something I feel is an achievement in itself. That’s a huge honor for me. I’m blessed to be competing at this age and with the good health to compete at this level. The fans have been excited, the tickets have been sold out for months, you see the buzz on social media, and it’s on NBC Sports. Man, that’s awesome.
I know that everyone involved has worked on it for a long time, and it’s a total collaborative effort, from the writers to the staff working the events to the athletes. This is a big deal for me.
My contract was up on June 30, and I was informed some time before that it would expire and not be renewed. I was approached by a lot of people in the industry because word gets around when contracts come up. I talked to a few companies, and I think something that I did that helped a lot was utilize social media. When I posted on Facebook that my contract was expiring, there were tags, tags, tags and I saw them all as well as a lot of positive feedback. I gave fans the chance to engage and have a voice. There were friends in the NBA who actually were saying there was buzz over this #HeathDecision. It trended worldwide, so to have that kind of influence was substantial for me.
I gotta tell you, there were some good offers. I’m not going to mention names, but I had a lot to consider before making a final decision. The best opportunity for me, though, was Gifted Nutrition. The guys there had something brewing and hoped I could be a part of it. This was the best one for me, and I’m happy.
What’s cool is that I’m President, and as President, I’m chief visionary. So what I see at the ground level as Mr. O is something that executives may not be able to see. What I have in mind, I can make happen. Imagine we have a conversation and you say, “Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a supplement that did this?” I can say, “Hold that thought,” and place a call to the guys.
As far as the timing, why wait until retirement to do this? We’re approaching the 50th Mr. Olympia, and I’m Mr. Olympia. Make a splash now. Think about the Super Bowl. Notice how Sports Illustrated and other companies have stuff pre-printed beforehand? They’re taking advantage of the market. That’s what we did. Instead of joining another company, I chose to bet on myself.
I would probably lose my mind if I wasn’t busy. There’s only so many video games I can play (laughs).
I like the engagement. That’s my personality; that’s who I am. I genuinely like to engage with people, and know I can do that while prepping. Talking with fans on social media makes the work easier because I’m not trying to put myself in a prison. I’ve actually read that isolation is the enemy, so why do that to myself? Consider this: When the other guys do that, they’re tired the day of the show. When you see me at the show, I’m smiling because I want you to know I can do this all day.
I never understood cutting off people in your life. The whole thought of isolation and “shutting down” sounds negative to me. Friends and family want to join the journey, and you’re cutting them off, but yet you want their help. I’ve hung out with friends at restaurants. I take my own food, but I still interact on a regular basis. It’s my personality and I enjoy the people in my life, so it actually makes the prep better for me.
“I would probably lose my mind if I wasn’t busy. There’s only so many video games I can play (laughs).”
I think it happened more organically. It wasn’t forced. I’m a big sports fan, so I jumped right away when opportunities like SportsNation came up. The Dan LeBetard show was fun. SportsNation was a show that came about for me and I wanted to do that even though it was so close to the Olympia. That happened organically. I jumped on those and made myself available, just like everything with Generation Iron.
As Mr. Olympia, I have to go above and beyond. It’s more than just showing muscle. That’s why I jump on calls and interviews like this. I probably have five more things like this less than a week before the O. It’s what it takes to bring more people into bodybuilding. You can’t just go out there and post muscle. Ninety-nine percent of my posts are about things other than muscle. I talk sports, entertainment, and politics, and that shows people I’m more than a meathead. I feel this makes a difference and shows people who see me as a bodybuilder that I’m more than that.
Every year is different. No prep is the same. We see different weaknesses and body parts to bring up. I change the diet. My trainer and I make adjustments all the time, and we had to change a lot. The cardio that worked last year didn’t work this year. Same with training, so we changed it.
I actually enjoy the prep because I know how to execute, and many guys don’t know how to do that. And I go by fact: I won every Olympia with a perfect score. As with every year, I’m really focused on doing that again.
There’s lots of different motivation this year as well. I have my new company, and my father died earlier this year, so I want to dedicate this year to him. And let’s face it. Every year there is adversity. Instead of crumbling, I want people to know that they should stand tall and work to be their best when faced with adversity. I want fans to see me and I want to spread that message to them, that when life throws them a curve ball, hit that pitch out of the damn park to win the game.
Winning is what I do and what I like, and I’m excited to win number four in a row. Think about the legends who have won four Olympias: Jay, Dorian, Arnold, Ronnie, and Lee. We’re talking legends now. That makes me more excited to chase what’s in front of me instead of behind me. Don’t get me wrong. The other competitors bring out the best in me, but I prepare by thinking about looking forward.
“Think about the legends like Ronnie and Lee. We’re talking legends now. That makes me more excited to chase what’s in front of me instead of behind me.”
The overall goal is to put myself in the best position to succeed. If I’m better this year than last year, I win. So that’s been the focus of the prep, and it’s been good. Even during this last week, I’m not trying to set PR’s, but the training is intense. I can still go and sprint 400 meters, which a lot of guys can’t do at this point before a show.
It’s both. In my dreams, it’s 10 of them, but I have to do so much for that to happen, and these guys I compete with are impressive, and I respect that. I have to be willing and my body has to be willing. Right now, I’m focused on this year, and I’ve never been more excited than this year.
To win three started a dynasty for me. To win a fourth, that’s a clean sweep. Like in the hockey playoffs or NBA playoffs, 4-0 is a sweep. The other guys may not think like that, but I think more in terms of sports because that’s what I follow. In my mind, to win four in a row means they have no more excuses. The guys who are in the top five, their fans would argue why they feel this guy can win, but after me winning four in a row, it becomes a silly argument. So if you’re 4-0 in bodybuilding against them, you own them.
Will it wear down on them? It would wear on me. So if you’ve seen #OperationCleanSweep or #WarFor4 on social media, that’s why.
“To win three started a dynasty for me. To win a fourth, that’s a clean sweep.”
Competing, no. There will be no other shows but the Olympia from here on out. I’m in a position where I can do that now, plus I need to focus on improving business for my companies. The Olympia requires focus.
Once that’s over, I need some type of break. If I get on a plane and fly to Madrid to compete, I can’t interact with fans like I want to. It will be nice to go over and interact like I want to and answer questions about the company and network with other business leaders. I want to be ready for all of that. I can now devote more time to that as president of a company.
I love handshake tours. I enjoy meeting people. That’s part of my personality, and now it will be good to do that from a business perspective. As for appearances, this year, I will be in Spain, Dubai, Prague, I think Turkey, Florida for guest posing, home, then L.A. to guest pose, New York for more business and networking, and then my own show in Wyoming on October 25. I’m a busy man.
I just want to tell the fans that I’m excited for all of them. When I got into the sport, it wasn’t where it is today. Because of them it’s where it is now. For them to care as much as they do and know the show has been sold out for months; for people to go mental on social media and forums, fight online, heckle me onstage where I can hear it; all of that means it’s growing.
I’m thankful for them, whether they root for me to win or the other guys. They care about the sport. Thank you for every ounce of energy they put into me and them. I need their support and energy, for me and for all 18 guys who are trying to live this dream. We need support. That’s why I’m so involved.
I engage as much as I do because I love them—even the ones who troll, heckle, and talk trash—because … they know. It’s like when I was shooting free throws [as a college basketball player]. They tried to distract me but when I made it, they smiled because they knew. The fans know. So whether you’re a Phil Heath fan or not, thank you for being a bodybuilding fan.
The 2014 Olympia will be a contest for the ages. Read who we think will come out on top!
The light heavyweights of the 212 division vie for Olympia immortality! Can Lewis win again? Or will a newcomer steal his thunder?
The Men’s Physique division will be part of the Mr. Olympia festivities for the second time. Find out who will win!
New Exercise and Fitness Review
This evening, the ladies of Bikini lit up the stage at the 2014 Arnold Classic. A new face has been crowned the winner every year since the category’s inception in 2011. This year was no different as Ashley Kaltwasser became the fourth Ms. Bikini International.
The 2013 Olympia Bikini winner proved that she didn’t just get lucky in Vegas. She’s won the last three shows she’s entered and placed no lower than second in her last seven competitions. Tonight she continued her impressive winning streak. She looked stunning in her emerald green bikini and brought a package that was just unbeatable. When asked how she put together such a stellar performance, she credited her hard work, dedication, diet, and consistency.
Ashley Kaltwasser – 1st
Here’s how the top six fell into place:
2013 Olympia runner-up and New York native Yeshaira Robles was a formidable contender. She has a lovely, proportionate physique and a tiny waist. She grabbed second place-the same spot she took at the 2013 Arnold Classic and the 2013 Olympia. There’s no doubt it’s only a matter of time before Robles gets that top spot in a big show.
Yeshaira Robles – 2nd
Coming off of a first-place finish at the 2013 Sacramento Pro, crowd-favorite and Las Vegas beauty Amanda Latona came in third. She looked conditioned and confident on stage. She hasn’t competed in the Arnold Sports Festival since 2011 where she earned sixth. Tonight’s top-three finish is a huge jump for her and will give her adoring fans one more reason to love her.
Nathalia Melo took fourth. Just as she did at the 2013 Olympia, she edged out India for a higher place. In addition to her famous booty, Melo’s tight, toned figure set her apart from much of the lineup. She may have come in slightly too hard to a spot in the top three.
Amanda Latona – 3rd, Nathalia Melo – 4th, Stacey Alexander – 5th
First time Bikini International competitor Stacey Alexander earned fifth place. She looked fantastic. Her bright red bikini complemented her complexion and made her pop on stage. Stacey will definitely be one to watch in upcoming shows.
Last year’s winner India Paulino came in sixth. While she looked great, she came in a little soft, which might have contributed to her slip in the rankings. Undoubtedly, this finish will just fuel India’s drive to get back into the top three.
In a lineup of seasoned IFBB Pros, only one lady could reign supreme. Oksana Grishina stood down last year’s champ to earn the top spot!
Seventeen ladies took the stage for a chance at Arnold glory. Champ Candice Keene reclaimed her crown and proved she’s here to stay.
Nobody has ever won two Bikini International titles in a row. Will India Paulino break the tradition, or will one of the other 15 hopefuls earn the win? Check out what happened at today’s prejudging!
New Exercise and Fitness Review
The IFBB Bikini division is constantly evolving. It seems like the hardest thing to do is repeat as champion in this division. This will be the fourth year of the Bikini International and, if history repeats itself, we’ll see a fourth woman crowned the champ. Nicole Nagrani won the inaugural show and has since put competing on hold to continue her studies. Sonia Gonzalez took top honors at the second contest and has since been away from the stage as a mom. India Paulino is coming back to defend her title but, as we saw by her fifth place finish at the Olympia, she’s not guaranteed the top spot.
The 2014 Bikini International is really any woman’s show, and you’re more likely to get struck by lightning than predict the top 10 in exact order. Even so, I’ll lay out my early predictions after we take a look at the entire field.
Noy might be the “master” of this group, but she proves that age is merely a number for many women. She won her first pro show at the 2013 Sacramento, the introduction of the Masters Bikini division. She finished fifth in the open portion of the contest, proving she can hang with the young bucks. Noy certainly doesn’t look different from her fellow competitors and will more than hold her own on this stage. She was 15th here last year, and I look for her to be in the mix for the top 10 this time around. She’s improved her stage presence and is more confident than ever when she competes.
Stacey had a great 2013 season and will look to continue it once again this year. She finished in the top three in each of the five shows she entered and leaped into the top spots at the Olympia, where she finished in third. She had her first win of her pro career at the 2013 Muscle Contest and seems to have found a look the judges like. This will be her first time competing at the Bikini International. Look for her to be in the hunt for the win. She’ll be in shape and if she wears a red bikini, the color will go great with her dark hair.
Jennifer tends to fare better at smaller shows than big ones like the Arnold and Olympia. She was 15th at the 2013 Olympia and finished in seventh at the Bikini International last year. The seventh place finish was her highest finish in Columbus, and this will be her fourth time competing at this event. She was ninth in 2011 and 12th in 2012. Jennifer is coming off a win at the 2012 Ft. Lauderdale Cup and will look to carry that momentum into Columbus. Jennifer has a beauty pageant, southern belle vibe going for her. She has a permanent smile on her face and, when she presents, you almost expect the cordial pageant wave to go with her big hair.
Juliana didn’t compete in 2013, but she decided to come back and give the bikini division another go. She has one of the most athletic physiques in the division, and it can work for or against her depending on who she is compared to. When she is conditioned, she can hang with the best. She’s not the curviest woman in the group, but her tight, toned physique combined with her confidence helps her finish in the mix. Personally, I’m drawn to her physique because it is on the more athletic side. She’s currently an NBA cheerleader for the Atlanta Hawks and has a background in swimming, which is evident in her look. She’s been as high as second and as low as 14th in the pros.
Marget isn’t a familiar name to most in the USA, but she’ll make her presence known in Columbus. She won the 2013 World Championships, which granted her IFBB Pro status. She is Iceland’s first IFBB Pro. She’s a black belt who has taken numerous top spots in Tae Kwon Do tournaments. She was fourth at the 2012 Arnold Amateur Bikini but has only competed in a handful of shows. This will be her IFBB Pro debut. She has a great look and, although she’ll have her work cut out for her against this lineup, she’ll turn more than a few heads no matter where she finishes. I like her look and she could be the one to shake things up.
Ashley is coming off a great 2013 season. She could be the first competitor to win the Arnold amateur and pro show. She won the Arnold Amateur in 2012 and finished 10th at Bikini International, her second show as a pro. The 10th place finish was the lowest she’s finished. Since then, she has yet to place lower than second. She’s riding a winning streak of three shows in a row and is the reigning Bikini Olympia champ. She has an athletic physique and always comes in tight and toned. She doesn’t have the muscle maturity some of the other competitors, but it doesn’t seem to hurt her in the placings. I’d be shocked if she’s not in the first callout being compared for the win.
This will be Courtney’s first appearance at the Bikini International, and she could be a contender for the top spots. This is only her second year competing as a pro and, at the age of 20, she’s the youngest competitor. She has two pro victories already and is coming off a seventh place finish at the Olympia. She has long, lean muscles and is one of the taller competitors in the show. Courtney just needs time to fill out her frame and add some muscle maturity. If she comes in a bit fuller, especially in her arms, she’ll be in the mix for the top six. She continues to improve her stage presence and it’s definitely helped her move up the ranks.
Amanda is no stranger to the winner’s circle. However, while she’s been there nine times before, she has yet to finish higher than fifth at a big show. Amanda finished sixth at this show in 2011 and matched that placing at the 2013 Olympia. She’s full of energy and takes the stage with confidence. When she does her individual poses, I tend to cringe and say to myself, “What are you doing?” She tends to cock one leg out and pose unlike anyone else in the show. I find it kind of distracting, and it takes away from her physique. She has a great backside, and she’s quite proud of the rump she’s built. If she ditches the awkward individual posing, I think she’ll move up.
Janet burst onto the NPC scene in 2013 and will look to make her presence known in the pro ranks. She’s won every class she’s entered, and the only time she didn’t win the overall was at the 2013 Ft. Lauderdale Cup. Janet was the 2013 Overall NPC Nationals champion and has undeniably good looks. If she looks familiar, it’s because she has a strikingly similar look to her sister, IFBB Pro Monique Ricardo (formerly Monique Minton). Janet is one of the taller competitors in the line-up and will shake things up in the top spots. I’d like to see her come in a bit fuller than Nationals and not look too thin in her upper body.
Nathalia has won the Olympia. The only title that still eludes her is the Arnold. She’s come oh-so-close numerous times and is considered a veteran of the division at this point. She’s never finished outside of the top five as a pro, and she’s proven to be one of the most consistent competitors. She wasn’t at her best at the 2013 Olympia, but she still finished in fourth. She was the runner-up at the Bikini International last year and is hungry for a win this time around. Nathalia exudes sexiness without being over the top, and her biggest challenge is keeping her Brazilian booty in check. Look for Nathalia to be on top of her game and to be a contender for the top spot.
Jessica has been competing in the IFBB since 2006. She’s consistently been a top-10 contender. She competed in figure before making the switch to bikini. Last year, Jessica finished fifth at this show and will look to match and improve upon that this year. She’s one of the only blondes in the lineup and, if she can bring her lower half in tight, she could be in the top spots this year.
Justine has positioned herself as a leading lady in the division, and this is the fourth time she’s been invited to the Arnold. She missed 2012 due to an injury and withdrew from the show in 2013. She was eighth in the 2011 Bikini International and is coming off an eighth place finish at the 2013 Olympia. Justine has built one of the best booties in the division and continues to improve her stage presence. I like the look she brings to the stage and would have her in the mix for the top six.
India is back to defend her title and will have her work cut out for her to repeat as the champ. She’s never finished out of the top six as a pro and is coming off a fifth place finish at the 2013 Olympia. She poses with sass that most of the other competitors couldn’t pull off, but she manages to make it part of her personality—wearing a yellow suit and nearly popping her hip out of place when she does her individual poses. She tends to have long eye lashes and over-the-top makeup, but her placement really depends on the conditioning of her backside.
Yeshaira is coming off her best competitive year and is still riding high with her runner-up Olympia finish. She won two pro shows in 2013 and is a top contender in every show she enters. Yeshaira is one of the few competitors who can present in a cute manner and, with the blink of an eye, turn on the sex appeal. She’s a natural on stage and presents herself with class and confidence. She reminds every woman that you can be a mother and have a rock-hard body. If she brings a tight booty to the stage, look for her to be in the mix for the top three once again. She was fourth at this show last year, and I look for her to at least match that again.
Anna is beautiful enough to be a model, but she’s still finding her way in the IFBB Pro Bikini division. She’s been out of the top 10 in each of the shows she’s entered, but she has a memorable look with short blonde hair. She’s one of the taller competitors and will need to bring a tighter backside, especially in her glutes and hamstrings. This will be some of the hardest competition she’s faced to date, and she will need to be at her best in order to be in the hunt.
This will be Anna’s second trip to the Bikini International. She was 11th at this contest last year and has a good chance of moving into the top 10 this time around. She finished the 2013 season with a win at the Nordic Pro and a runner-up finish at the Prague Pro. She has a bit more muscle than some of the other competitors, but she carries it well. She continues to improve her stage presence, which could make the difference on where she finishes this time around.
Predicting the top spots for this division in order is like herding cats. That said, if everyone is on point, here’s how I’d like to see it go down. Will I be right? Probably not, but that’s half the fun. If you think you can call the top six in exact order, make your predictions in the comments below!
There are 17 women competing at the 2014 Figure International, but it’s one woman’s title to lose. Check out the lineup and these top predictions!
The light but impressive beasts of the IFBB’s 212 class are ready to rumble at the 2014 Arnold Classic. Check out these predictions for the Arnold Classic 212!
All eyes will be on the big stage in Columbus, Ohio for the upcoming Arnold Classic. Check out this preview and let us know your predictions in the comments!
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