Born In The USA

Well that is the USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships held at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. And it is amateurs in the sport who are born in the USA when they earn their pro card at this competition. SecondFocus was there on assignment as 347 athletes competed over two days in mens and womens bodybuilding and womens figure. In the end 9 athletes earned new pro status. And the big winner was Omar Deckard who won the men's overall championship. Omar is a competitor in the super heavy weight class.

Back in L.A. for the L.A.

The L.A. in this case is the Los Angeles Bodybuilding, Figure & Fitness Championships. Back from New York City, SecondFocus was on assignment for a competition drawing about 150 athletes in a very busy July schedule. And a fun show it was for competitors, fans and many athletes in attendance on their way to the upcoming big show known as the "USA" in Las Vegas yet this week.

But the tear the house down support came for Larry Brown and Kimm Winn. Their individual posing routines brought more yelling and screaming than an audience of 10 times as many people could have done. And when emcee Bob Cicherillo asked who the favorites were before the standings were announced for each, the name chanting for them was deafening. I think everyone was amazed. A little behind the scenes info is that this was only the second show for Kimm and she has only been training for about two years. Before stepping into the gym for the first time, she had never picked up anything unless it was absolutely necessary let alone lifted weights. And who trained her? Trainer Larry Brown, the novice overall winner. Now Larry has done a few competitions and has placed, but this time he went all out looking for nothing but a win. And this guy obviously taught Kimm well. More behind the scenes about these two; you can find them at a little known gym in Santa Ana, California called Iron Bodies. No air conditioning, a single floor industrial space that lends itself well to pushing big weight and building big bodies. Don't go looking for a lot of shine, chrome and valet parking at Iron Bodies. This place is a real throw back to hard core lifting, check it out. Iron Bodies Gym is also a favorite shoot location for SecondFocus advertising photography for clients in the health and fitness business.

Next stop for SecondFocus..... Las Vegas.

SecondFocus at Team Universe in New York City

Hundreds of competitors met for two days in New York City at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center and SecondFocus was there on assignment. One of the biggest shows in the nation, the athletes competed in the NPC Team Universe for Bodybuilding and Fitness, the National Figure Championships, and the IFBB New York City Pro Figure Championships. Watch here for more by SecondFocus on my return to California. Thanks.

BodyRock 2006 & SecondFocus

Take over 100 top amateur bodybuilding, fitness and figure competitors, a couple of thousands fans, industry celebrities, a bunch of top sponsors, and what else do you need to put on a great show? You only the production team from BodyRock. The Center of the Arts Concert Hall at George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia never had it so good. And SecondFocus was there on assignment.

But to show us what it is like at the bodybuilding pro level, guest posing was 335 pound Gunter Schlierkamp on his way to the Olympia at the end of September. Gunter says he will probably compete at under 300 but either way this guy is huge. The only thing bigger than Gunter himself is that movie star smile of his that is always there. This guy is a lesson in showmanship for guest posing. Not only is he a crowd pleaser to begin with but by the time he runs through the aisles jumping on the back of the seats there is not anything less than a smile like his on the face of everyone in the place. Gunter flexes for babies and babes alike and is ready to invite you to compare size next to him and squeeze a bicep or slap a pec.

And not just Superman can fly. Fitness professional Adela Garcia also leaps tall buildings in a single bound. I guess in her case it is a lot more than just guest "posing" because she can move across the stage faster than a 1/4 mile dragster. Fitness competition combines the development of bodybuilding, the strength required in gymnastics and the beauty of dance. The women that compete in fitness are truly athletes. Adela has been competing since 1995 and just this year won the prestigious "Arnold" competition in Columbus Ohio.

In the end a lot of very deserving people walked away with trophies and every athlete at BodyRock 2006 had an experience they will not forget. This was a great show and the production staff at BodyRock deserve a great deal of applause for raising the bar this high in this sport. SecondFocus will be continuing to cover more great competitions like BodyRock.

Hard Bodies Under the Hot Sun at Muscle Beach for July 4th

There was not a cloud in the sky for the opening of the annual Mr. & Ms.Muscle Beach competition at world famous Venice, California. A picture perfect day greeted competitors, fans and tourists for what was what the world thinks of when they imagine the home of bodybuilding. Media coverage was not limited to the usual muscle magazines but was on the top of the list for both local and national television. Even all news radio station KNX 1070 did an all day live broadcast from beside the Muscle Beach "Pit". And of course SecondFocus was there on assignment. There is no place in the world that strikes the imagination of bodybuilders and fans like "Muscle Beach".