How to Make It As an exercise Model!

How to Make It As an exercise Model!

So You Wanna Be considered a Fitness Model?

Individuals who follow my stuff know I generally come up with nutrition, supplements, training, along with other topics that are more science based than subjective topics, such as what is covered in this article. I chose to shuck my science geek persona, and write on the topic I know is going to be helpful to thousands of could be and want to be fitness models.

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Also a known “hard core” science based no BS writer, why I’m writing what most perceive as a “fluff” article? Over time I have gotten hundreds, perhaps thousands, of gals that ask me via email, letters, or perhaps in person “how do I be a fitness model Will? You have been in the business a long time, surly you of most people should know.” I recieve this from newbies and i also get this from women that have been at it a little while but have been struggling to “break in” effectively.

The fact is, I’ve been in the fitness, health, and bodybuilding biz a very long time, and though I am referred to as a science and nutrition based “guru” type, I’ve trained many a workout athlete, and judged fitness and figure/bikini shows to the NPC, Fitness America, Fitness USA, as well as other federations as well as given marketing and business advice to any or all sorts of athletes, including fitness models. So, it’s not as far fetched as it might seem that we are going to use this space to pay a non scientific topic, that’s, how one goes about as being a fitness model.

This article be useful to both experienced and novice types trying to “break in” to the biz. In case you are already a professional and successful fitness model, Buy may still glean some valuable information from this article.

First the unhealthy news, there is no one method to become a successful fitness model. There is no single path or magic secret. You’ll find however some key things a person might do to greatly grow their chances of “making it” in the fitness biz as being a model, and perhaps using success as a launching pad to greater things, including movies, TV, etc.

A portion of the top fitness models (Trish Stratus and Vicki Pratt springs to mind but there are many others) go onto careers in entertainment of all sorts. Bottom line, though there is not any magic secret to getting good results as a fitness model, this document will be about as close to some blueprint for success because you find.

“Do I need to compete?”

This is the question I get asked continuously and it’s not an easy you to definitely answer. In fact, the reply is (drum roll) yes and no. Anyone has to deicide why these are competing in the first place to resolve that question. As an example, do you need to compete should your goal is to be a prosperous fitness model?

The solution is no. Many of today’s well-known fitness designs have never competed, or they competed in a few small shows and yes it was clearly not portion of their success as fitness models. However, competing does have its potential uses.

One of them is exposure. In the upper level shows, there’ll often be editors, publishers, photographers, supplement company owners, along with other business people. So, competing can increase your exposure. Also, competing will make sense if you are attempting to build a business which is related to your competing or will benefit from you winning a motion picture.

For example, say you have an exclusive training gym you are attempting to build. Sure, having the title of say Ms Fitness America, or winning the NPC Nationals and just as one IFBB pro, will help your reputation and the notoriety of one’s business. There are many scenarios were it would help to have won a motion picture for a business or another endeavors.

On the other hand, it ought to be realized that winning a motion picture does not in any way guarantee success in the industry end (and it is a real business) of being a fitness model. The phone wont ring off the hook with big offers for contracts. Also, it’s very important to realize that it’s common that this 4th or 6th or 8th place finisher inside a fitness or figure show will get more press as opposed to winner. Why? Although the winner might have just what it took to win that relate, it’s often other gals the editor, publishers, supplement companies etc, feel is much more marketable.

I have seen it often times where the winner was shocked to locate she didn’t get nearly the interest she expected and also other girls who placed lower have gotten attention in the form of photos shoots, magazine coverage, etc. Something to bear in mind when you ask yourself quite question “do I need to compete and if so, why am I competing?” Answer that question, and you will know the answer to the heading with this section. Winning a title of some kind can be a stepping stone, but it is not in itself any guarantee of success inside the fitness industry. It’s as being a college degree; it’s everything you do with it.

Now. If you compete for the fun than it, then by all means go for it, nevertheless the above is focusing on competing as it relates to the business aspect of as a fitness model.

Right body, wrong federation?

Ok, so looking at the above you have decided you will compete, or will compete again. If you don’t plan to compete, you can skip this section. The greatest mistake I see the following is so many gals have the right body for your wrong federation. Each federation features its own judging criteria plus a competitor will do poorly given that they didn’t bother to look into which show would be better suited for them.

I’ll give you a perfect real-world example of this. Not long ago i judged a show whose criteria for that figure round was women should be more on the curvy softer side with some tone, vs. being more muscular and athletic with less bodyfat that other federations might allow. At this show one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen came out. She was very proportional, great muscle tone, lean, and athletically shaped with narrow hips and waist and wider shoulders. How did she do at this show? She didn’t even put in place the top ten!

Why? Because she was not what we were expected to look for and didn’t fit the requirements. After the show I said that she looked great, however may not the federation on her. I told her she’d much more of an NPC type body, the place where a little more muscle, athletic build, much less bodyfat is rewarded.

These week I was judging an NPC fitness, figure, and bodybuilding show high she was. How did she do? She won your entire show with all judges voting her number 1 unanimously.

Conversely, if the body type tends to be more rounded and toned, though a little more bodyfat, wider (however, not fat!) hips, you might be better off competing in the Fitness America Pageants. When you are planning to compete:

(1) find out exactly what the judging criteria is made for that federation and

(2) visit those shows as a spectator for several different federations to see which one your physique, style, etc will go with best.

(3) You will need to decide if you truly have the athletic abilities to compete in a fitness competition (which uses a routine) or a figure/bikini competition.

I often see females who would do well in a figure show however , don’t have the athletic abilities perform the routines required to be competitive with other athletes in the show. Some shows will allow you to do both competitions and several wont.

Networking 101: dos and don’ts…

In a lot of respects, this is the area which will make or break you in different business, and yet, people the fitness industry do an amazingly poor job advertising. If you don’t network and market yourself properly, you’ll be able to pretty much forget about having any real success like a fitness model, or even a success in virtually any business. For the sake of space, we are going to stick to fitness.

When i started out, I was a self marketing machine. I really could be found at every show I was thinking might be an opportunity, walking the isles of trade exhibitions, bodybuilding, shows, fitness show, yet others. I gave out a zillion cards and I took a million home beside me, and followed up on every and every one. I visited as many industry related meetings, outings, parties, etc. when i could get into. Now i have the reputation and experience in the industry that I don’t have to go to such a show unless I’m like it, or have meetings, nonetheless they were quite attractive the beginning.

I am always impressed by the number of fitness models who send an email who have never even gone to the Arnold Classic Fitness Weekend, or the Mr. Olympia, or the trade events like the NNFA Expo West yet others. If you want to make it from the fitness business you sure as hell had better treat it like a business.

I know of many a pretty girl who wishes to be a fitness model who thinks when they stand there looking pretty for a specified duration, someone is going to offer to set their face on the cover of a magazine. News flash, there are millions of beautiful women out there and to be noticed, you must hussle to get that business like everyone else by networking your butt off, or having a good agent (if you can afford such a thing) who is doing it for you.

Pick a few major industry shows to attend (some of which were stated previously) and go to them each year. Have a plan of attack of the best way you plan to market yourself and network. Many fitness models, bodybuilders, etc view a show as one big party. If that is you, then have some fun at the party, along with think you are really marketing yourself as a serous business person or athlete.

Another thing that always amazes me is the number of fitness models who either don’t have any business cards, or have some cards they printed high on their bubble jet printer at home! They ask me to help them or what ever and I say “give me your card” and so they look at me like “I am so pretty I would not need a card you fool.” This attitude turns off editors, photographers, writers, and industry people faster then should they found out you were really a transvestite. Don’t do it. For every pretty girl available who thinks the globe owes them a favor, you’ll find 100 who are ready to act like professionals.

Ever wonder why some fitness model you know is doing better than you might be even though you know you’re prettier than her? That could be why…never ever search for a show to network without good cards, bios, and professionally done head along with the shots you can give said editors, publishers, photographers, industry types, etc. Don’t stand around looking pretty assuming they are going to find you, find them first and introduce yourself. Not to mention it should go without having to say you should be in good condition and have something of a tan to look your best.

You need to go to the shows and party? Fine, but do it in private after the tasks are done and don’t create a fool out of yourself at some industry sponsored get together. Hell, I was virtually poured into a cab at last years Arnold Classic after seeing a sushi place with some well know industry types and corporations owners (you know whom you are!) but at least nobody saw me! We had our own little private gather after the show to allow loose.

Let me offer you one final real world example of how NOT to market yourself. This past year I was on retainer as a consultant to a mid sized supplement company. Online resources the company asked me basically knew a couple of fitness model types which could work his booth for any trade show. In fact, he requested “unknowns, new faces people we had not seen yet but had real possible ways to grow with the company.” I went and found him two such gals I thought fit the bill.

He agreed to pay their flights, room, and food along with a thousand dollars each for the days work. The two girls informed to be at the booth 9am sharp. The evening before at the hotel, I saw the 2 girls getting in a cab at 11pm possibly even dressed to kill, clearly en route out to party. The next day they showed up with the booth an hour and a half late and hung over! The thing that was the result of this? (1) it embarrassed me to no end as I had recommended these phones the company owner (2) they might never get work from that company again (3) they might never get any work from me again and (4) they’d not get a reference from either folks for other jobs.

this type of thing on a regular basis in the fitness biz, and it is not limited to fitness models. Amazingly, a month after the show they emailed me as well as the company owner wondering when their next job could be! Amazing…

Who loves you baby?

When there is one universal truth, it’s that the camera either loves you or it does not. Any professional photographers can help you understand. For some unknown reason, a lot of people are very photogenic and some usually are not. Truth be known, there are many well known fitness models (who shall remain nameless because they would probably smack me the next time they saw me) that aren’t all that attractive directly. It’s just that the camera loves them and they are very photogenic, but not terribly pretty in person.

Conversely, I have seen turned around many times; a girl that is much better looking directly than in photographs. Such may be the fate of the person who would like to be a model of any sort, including a fitness model. If you discover you are not very photogenic, keep dealing with different photographers and soon you find one that really captures you well and pay that photographer handsomely!

Now, being bluntly honest, there’s also some want to be fitness models that aren’t “unphotogenic”, they’re just “fugly”! There are some people out there who have no business looking to be fitness models. It does not make them bad people, it simply means they need to snap from their delusions and find a profession they may be better suited for, like radio personality….

“How must i get in the magazines?”

This part sort of incorporates everything I’ve covered above, and adds in a few additional strategies. For instance, as I mentioned before, competing in fitness shows or figure/bikini shows can increase your exposure, thus obtaining the attention of some magazine publisher or photographer. Networking correctly at the various trade shows might also have the same effect, not to mention having a good portfolio produced by a photographer that really captures your look, a useful website, etc., will all improve your potential for getting into the magazines, or getting ad work, and so forth.

However, all of these strategies are nevertheless somewhat passive versus active in my view. It’s still the fitness model waiting to get “discovered.” As far as We are concerned, waiting is made for bus stops and pregnancy tests. Success waits for no man…or woman because case me be. So, after all the above advice is considered as having an added effect that will get you magazine coverage, what else is possible?

For one thing, you should read and be familiar with all the magazines you wish to be in so you know that’s who and what the style of different magazines are. I can tell you right now, if the Editor-in-Chief of a good sized fitness or bodybuilding publications and says “hi, We are the Bob Smith what’s your name?” and the fitness model doesn’t have idea who Bob Smith is, Bob is not going to take kindly compared to that. Why should he? You need to know who the major players have been in the publications you need to be seen in. He is doing you the favor, not the other way around. You should know who the major players are and actively seek them out, don’t wait for the crooks to “discover” you.

If you consider the masthead inside any magazine, it’s going to tell you who the publisher is, who the Editor-in-Chief is and so on. The mailing address to the magazine, and often the web page and email, can also be found. What is to stop you from searching for those names and mailing them your pictures and resume directly? Nothing, it is exactly what. If you see a photo spread you think is really well done, what exactly is to stop you from determining who the photographer is and contacting them directly and sending them your pics? Nothing, that is what.

My point being, you’ll need a get a break in the business enterprise, make the break, don’t wallow in it thinking it’s seeking you, because it’s not. Be proactive, not reactive! Luck will be the residue of design. Achieve success by design. As my older brother utilized to say to me like a kid when I told him I used to be too scared to inquire about out a pretty girl “what’s the worst that will happen Will? All she can say is no.” That is the worst that can happen to you also.

Beware of web idiots, schlubs, morons, perverts, scum bags, and sleazoids!

This part is self-explanatory but worth mentioning. Like all industries that provide entertainment based media (e.g., television, theater, modeling, etc.), the fitness industry attracts its far share of web idiots, schlubs, morons, perverts, scum bags, and sleazoids, to mention just a few.

There is also the class of person known as the schmoe, but we’re going to leave that for one more place and time. Point is that you want to meet the right people while not getting involved with that group of worthless types that will only drag you down, delay you, or just flat out screw you up well as over.

For example, a guy pops up and says he desires to “shoot you” for the magazines, what do you really know of mike geary? He has a camera plus some business cards, so that makes him a photographer right? Wrong! If a person want to shoot you and also they are not a well-known name (and you ought to know who the well-known photographers are since you researched that already!), discover who they are. Do they have references it is possible to call? Girls you’ll be able to contact he has shot before and were pleased with the work? What magazines has he published in? Does he undertake it professionally or as a hobby? That type of thing.

Another thing I see is the big web scam. I’m amazed the number of girls get scammed by these web idiots. Lesson this is you get what you buy, so when some person desires to build you a website for free, you are getting what you pay for. Yes, there is certainly good money to be made around the ‘net, and the net can be great for marketing yourself and making contacts, but many of it’s a scam.

You’re better off paying an excellent web designer and web designer who has experience with other fitness model types and has references you can speak with. I can’t tell you the amount of girls who have been screwed over by some internet thing that attended hell, like the “fan” who volunteers to build a free web site and only runs off with any money made from the site or puts their picks on porn sites and then for any number of other things that made them regret like hell ever acknowledging the site in the first place.

Clearly, I am unable to go down the list of all the possible pitfalls from the web idiots, schlubs, morons, perverts, scum bags, and sleazoids around to be found in the entertainment business, but you get the idea. Be mindful!

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