May 31 2012

Fitness America – 1st Place!

When I think back to when I first started my fitness journey, I can’t help but think about the excitement, the dreams and the goals that seemed so far out of reach.

I can’t believe I have now competed in 2 competitions and that I placed in both!

I am so excited that you have been with me on my journey to become a figure competitor. It’s like we all have been training together! I feel like you were all at my first 2 competitions with me!

My second competition was with Fitness America and I won 1st place in Figure! It was an amazing adventure with a fun filled girl’s road trip, photo shoots, costumes, bikinis, spray tan party, and so much more!

I noticed quite a few differences between the NPC and Fitness America, but I loved both experiences.

I was able to compete in three different categories with Fitness America; Figure, Bikini and Fitness Model. I loved competing in figure and bikini.

Make sure to watch the video, check out the full text below and see all the pictures to learn more from my experiences with both organizations, through the eyes of a complete rookie newbie.

xoxo ~ Cori

Fitness America – 1st Place!

Fitness America – 1st Place!

Fitness America – Great Competitions for Beginners

My experience with Fitness America was just completely fun. They have competitions specially designed for beginners and if you’re thinking about competing, but don’t have a coach, or friends who are competing, or the opportunity to check out the whole process before you step on stage yourself … I would definitely recommend trying one of their beginner shows.

My Experience at a Fitness America Beginner Show

At my show with Fitness America, the Orange County Natural Championships for Beginners and Novices, the whole team really catered to the competitors and made the experience as stress free as possible.

It was shorter than my NPC show. There was no need to check in the day before. Registration and check in was at 2:00 pm the day of the show. The show started at 6:00 pm. The show was over by 9:00 pm. There was no pre-judging in the morning. There were no lengthy intermissions.

They allowed competitors to practice their T-walks and posing on the actual stage for about an hour before the show started. The promoter took the time to really explain the best way to pose, almost like a posing seminar.

There was enough room in the dressing room for everyone to have their own mirror and their own chair. These may sound like little things, but they really do make a big difference to make you feel special.

It was a very family friendly show. Most of the female competitors were moms. Kids were allowed on stage, interviewed, hugged, kissed and made a part of the show.

Bikini posing was family friendly, meaning the emphasis was on being elegant and poised. Any open leg stance poses would actually give you demerits, points taken off of your score, even if your legs were just four inches apart. Bikini poses were expected to be done with your feet together.

Sounds simple, until you factor in 5 inch heels. You do actually have more stability when you stand with your feet apart while you’re in heels, but it does look more elegant when you stand with your legs crossed or together, so I’m personally in agreement with their bikini posing recommendations.

I like that Figure competitors with Fitness America can also cross over into Bikini. With the NPC, Figure competitors are not able to cross over into other classes unless you decide to compete in the Masters category.

Bikini competitors with Fitness America do a T-walk while on stage and also have a mandatory theme wear round. I loved getting dressed up, having different wardrobe changes and having additional stage time.

In addition to a themewear round and bikini round, there is also an interview round. The announcer, or promotor, will actually interview you and give you the mic to answer.

At my show, each competitor in every class was interviewed. The questions were focused on our achievements, families, work, hobbies and life experiences. If you’re planning on competing with Fitness America, practice holding a mic and speaking to a crowd in addition to practicing your T-walk and your posing!

Photo Shoots

Fitness America competitions start later in the day, so my friends and I were able to book a photo shoot in the morning. It was a really great way for us see ourselves in the most beautiful, positive light right before we took the stage. We went to LaNeve Photography at the Orange County Photography Center.

If you are in the Orange County area, I would definitely check out David LaNeve as a photographer! We all had a great time. The lighting was amazing. The sets were fun. David and his team were just awesome guys and fabulous photographers.

Fitness America also has opportunities for competitors to have photo shoots at the actual competition. There is a period called the “media session” when a professional photographer is available for private photo shoots. There is a set created right there at the show. It’s a really great experience and I actually wish the NPC had something similar. Photo shoots are a great way to capture the moment, the memories, the friendships.

Competing for me means so much more than looking good on stage.  It is about empowerment, overcoming fears and anxiety. Competing is about building friendships and sharing the love of health and fitness with other strong women. It is about the journey of self discipline and self discovery. It really is all about the journey.

Your Journey

If you are thinking about competing, your journey will be your own and your story will be full of different experiences and friendships. Celebrate the whole experience. Enjoy the ups and the downs. A journey on a bumpy road will help you grow, learn and discover your own inner strength. When things don’t go according to plan it just means you were not ready quite yet. It simply means you were meant to grow in order to make your grand entrance at a later date.

Winning isn’t everything, but it sure is shiny! My friends and I all placed well at the competition. We didn’t get the same gas mileage on the road trip back to northern California due to all the hardware.

Never ever quit and know that you can do anything!

More About Fitness America:

Bikini, Fitness Model and Figure Division Comparisons

Fitness America (Natural Competition) Bikini:

• Rounds:
  • Sportswear Round
  • Bikini Round
• Posing:
  • Runway Style or Model Walk or T-Walk
  • Model Posing
• Suit: 
  • Any color pattern and style, as it is conservatively presentable. Thong style or any other inappropriate swimwear is absolutly not allowed.
• Scoring:
  • 50%-Sportswear Round – Poise & presence, sports wear selection, appearance
  • 50%-Bikini Round – Body condition, facial beauty, appearance
• Muscularity:
  • An fit, toned feminine body that displays conditioning.
• Natural:
  • Musclemania bodybuilding and ladies figure events are natural shows. The bikini division with Musclemania is through Fitness America and Ms. Bikini Universe.

Fitness America (Natural Competition) Fitness Model:

• Rounds:
  • Sportswear Round
  • Clubwear Round
  • Bikini Round
• Posing:
  • Runway Style or Model Walk or T-Walk
  • Model Posing
• Suit: 
  • Any color pattern and style, as it is conservatively presentable. Thong style or any other inappropriate swimwear is absolutly not allowed.
• Scoring:
  • 40%-Physical Appearance – Body shape, complexion, face, hair and smile
  • 40%-Photogenics – Poise, posture and presentation
  • 20%-Apparel – Coordination, fit and proportion
• Muscularity:
  • An athletic body, typically less muscular than figure competitors
• Natural:
  • Musclemania bodybuilding and ladies figure events are natural shows.  The fitness model division with Musclemania is through Fitness America and Fitness Universe Pageants.

Fitness America (Natural Competition) Figure:

• Rounds:
  • Two-peice figure suit (a figure suit is very different from a typical bikini)
• Posing:
  • T-Walk
  • Model Poses
  • Quarter Turns
• Suit: 
  • A two-piece swimsuit must be worn and may have high, side cuts and extremely thin straps to extenuate their bodies lines. However, no thong or ‘T’ cuts are permitted. This is distinctly different from the more standard swimsuit designs as required in both the Ms. Bikini, Fitness and Model competitions. No one-piece suits may worn.
• Scoring:
  • 40%-Muscle Shape and Body Symmetry
  • 40%-Body Condition
  • 20%Overall Appearance
• Muscularity:
  • Ms. Bikini competitors must have an athletic, shapely and sexy appearance.
  • Figure competitors may be slightly muscular, have low body fat but still present a shapely look.
  • Ladies who have a more naturally muscular body would best compete in Figure while those with a softer but still toned body best compete in Ms. Bikini.
• Natural:
  • Musclemania bodybuilding and ladies figure events are natural shows. The top 5 finalists in each division may be subjected to a urinalysis or polygraph testing.

Did you like this post? Tell me in the comments!

Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments. Don’t be shy! Your comments may help to inspire another. Your questions may help someone else who has the exact same question, but is too shy to ask. I love hearing from you!

By Cori Ann Lentz • Competition • 6 • Tags: bikini, Competition, figure, Fitness Model, Motivation