Tianna Ta - IFBB Bikini Pro

Scared of the bulk?

The one thing that puts most women off lifting weights is fear. Fear of getting bulky.  So many ladies think that if they lift anything heavier than a 5lb dumbbell they’ll end up looking like this…

Those that have been reading my blog long enough will know I’ve dispelled this myth on numerous occasions and today, I have my own photographic proof that this just isn’t going to happen without chemical intervention.

I remember, back to March 2010. Just before I started to train seriously for my half marathon, I was training at home and after I’d finished, I got my mini JAG to take a picture for me.  I’d just finished training my upper body and I wanted to see how I looked when I was pumped from training.  The picture was took and it became one of my favourite ever photos of myself…

Over the next 4 months I was training for my half marathon so my lower body training was changed to lifting lighter weights with less intensity as the DOMS was interfering with my running.  However, my upper body regime remained exactly the same.

Once the half marathon was over, my exercise regime returned to what it was – heavy lifting, no cardio – the way I prefer it.  I seriously got back into my training in January of this year.  When I say seriously, I mean training consistently and lifting progressively heavier weights.

Tuesday, I took a new picture, in pretty much the same stance as my prior picture from March last year…

And here they are side by side…

Definite improvement for sure but upon checking back over my measurements from last year, my bicep is only 1/2cm bigger than it was back in March.  Hardly “bulky” is it?

Over those 18 months, I’ve been lifting heavily, eating a surplus of calories for a good chunk of that time and I’ve still not morphed into  a female version of Arnie!

Don’t let the fear or worry of getting big and bulky put you off lifting weights. I can promise you it’s not going to happen.  Take it from me – the woman that only 2 days ago pulled a 105kg deadlift :-)

Fitness Star Splendid in Comeback

Amanda Swallow was a highly popular face on physique sites and a nationally ranked fitness competitor when she slipped away from the scene about five years ago. Now that she’s back as Amanda Hatfield, enthusiastic fans are in the midst of the rousing comeback they’d long been hoping for; meanwhile, the fitness division reclaims one of its most athletic and beautiful talents of the past several years.

She’s Baaaack!: Amazing Amanda Hatfield shines in her return to fitness.

Not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for the tireless 40-year-old gymnastics and cheerleading coach to begin making up for lost time, securing first place at the NPC Julie Palmer Ultimate Showdown this past June in Toledo, Ohio and qualifying to compete in Fitness Nationals at Team Universe. Amanda looked great and performed a well in New Jersey, but missed a jump and a press hold in an otherwise very entertaining, well-choreographed routine that was still good enough to claim fifth in the short class.
Next on Amanda’s comeback trail came the recent North Americans—where her new shoot takes place—and there she delivered a crisp, clean routine en route to a short class win. Known for dazzling strength moves and expert gymnastics skills, Amanda was at her best in Cleveland. Tall class and overall winner Danielle Ruban was the only competitor who stood between her and a pro card, on a night that not only cemented Amanda’s comeback, but restored her status as one of the division’s top contenders.
You can stop dreaming because it‘s finally true. Our amazing Mandy is back in the flesh and some might say she’s better than ever. Stay tuned, there’s plenty more of her to come.

Erica Davidson Lady Fitness Model

Erica Nicole Davidson was born on June 26th, 1983.
She was a fitness competitor, but moved to figure competitions.
You know it's kinda embarrassing what with me writing this blog, but I didn't realized there was a difference between Fitness competitions and Figure competitions. However, Fitness, and Figure, are two distinct forms of competition.
Anyway, the lovely Erica is also a personal fitness trainer.

She placed 2nd at the 2002 Contra Costa Fitness competition, 3rd at the 2002 California State Fitness Championships, she got a first place win at the 2003 Contra Costa Fitness competition and 2nd place at the Figure competition, she placed 7th at the 2004 Fitness Nationals.

Asian Female Bodybuilder Videos on YouTube

Instead of posting pictures and info this time, I thought I'd do a little something different and post some Asian female bodybuilder videos.
So here are some videos I found on YouTube of Asian fitness beauties Tomoko Kanda, Xin Li Cao, Mi-Hee You and Suki Bangs.

First up is Chinese-American bodybuilder "Lili" Xin Li Cao.
I have said many times on here how much I like her.
She seems to be a person that would be a lot of fun to hang around, and despite her size, she just looks so darn cute!



Next up is Korean bodybuilder Mi-Hee You.



The next video is of Japanese female bodybuilder Tomoko Kanda.



And finally we have a video of Asian female fitness star Suki Bangs posing.

Noemi Olah - Figure Competitor and Fitness Model

This lovely young lady is figure competitor and fitness model Noemi Olah.
She was born on December 26, 1986 in Hungary.
You will most likely be hearing a lot more about Noemi, not just because she is drop dead gorgeous, but because she just took first place at the 2010 IFBB Arnold Amateur International Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini Championships, Medium Bikini.



Of course Noemi is no stranger to the spotlight.
In 2005 she won Miss Hungary 2005 and in 2006 she was first runner up at Miss World Hungary.

Here's a video of Noemi working out posted on YouTube...

Noemi Olah - Figure Competitor and Fitness Model

Michelle Cagle - Fitness Competitor and Fitness Model

This is professional fitness competitor and fitness model Michelle Cagle.
Like a lot of other fitness women these days, Michelle became involved in fitness after the birth of her child.
She gained weight, didn't like it and decided to do something about it.
Michelle lost the weight she had gained, then went into fitness work outs and general nutrition to bring herself up to a higher level.
She works in being a mom with her workouts, taking stroller walks/jogs, swimming with her child, making sure they both eat right, doing yoga together etc.

Female Fitness Competition:
20009 - Europa, Hot Mom bikini contest - 3rd Place
2009 - NPC Tampa Classic - 2nd Place
2009 - NPC National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships - 4th Place
2010 - IFBB Arnold Amateur International Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini Championships - 2nd Place

Fitness model and competitor Yenny Polanco

Fitness model and fitness competitor Yenny Polanco is an IFBB Athlete, born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Like a lot of female athletes, Yenny doesn't just wear one hat.
She's an AFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, Licensed Board Certified Cosmetologist, owned a hair salon from 2001 to 2006, Former Public Access T.V. producer (she produced a make-over show "Re-Inventing Yourself" where she did complete make-overs on volunteers) and she's a two time Light Flight weight Golden Gloves Boxing Champion!
Believe it or not, when Jenny got to the US from the Dominican Republic at the age of twelve, she couldn't even speak English.
And look at what she has accomplished!

Contest History:
2007 INBF Northeast Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest - 1st place
2007 INBF Northeast Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest - 1st place
2007 NPC New England Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure Championship - 1st place
2007 NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Championships - 3rd place
2008 IFPA Yorton Cup Pro International - 2nd place
2008 MuscleMania Fitness America Weekend - 1st place
2009 NPC USA Bodybuilding & Figure Championships - 16th place
2009 NPC Team Universe - 1st place
2009 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Fitness & Figure - 3rd place