Song of the Week-Pitbull "Shut It Down"

This Song of the Week was requested by Stacy via email, and it's becoming a big track across the States. It's from Pitbull, and it's called "Shut it Down". I think it's hard to find a song by Pitbull that you CAN'T groove to in the gym.




Don't forget to either Twit me or email me YOUR choice for Song of the Week. You have two more chances to have your song chosen as Song of the Week. Next month, I'm hoping to have a special treat for all of you regarding the Songs of the Week for December.

Song of the Week-Fabulous Ft. Ne-Yo "Make Me Better"

This week's Song of the Week comes from NPC Bikini competitor Rebecca Staggs via Twitter. The song is by F-a-b-o-l-o-u-s featuring Ne-Yo, titled "Make Me Better." I could see this song being a part of the cool-down process after a grueling workout for the ladies. Thanks for the suggestion, Rebecca!




Next week, I'll have another Song of the Week chosen by you, the readers. So remember to Twit or e-mail me your song suggestions for the entire month of November!

Zivile's FCW Name Is...

Well, as announced on Diva Dirt today, the wrestling name for IFBB Figure Pro Zivile Raudoniene will be Aksana, at least that's what it will be for her in Flordia Championship Wrestling (FCW), which is World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s developmental territory. I prefer this name than her previous name, Olga. That screamed EPIC FAIL!! But I can definitely live with Aksana.

Here's her profile pic curteousy of FCW's official website:

From what I've gathered, she's supposed to make her FCW debut sometime next month. There are a few pics out from the taping right now, but since the show hasn't aired yet, I won't actually post a pic from the tapings. I can though give you the link to some pics I found of her FCW debut if you click here for them. I think she looks great, and if you were to have told me a few months ago that the current IFBB Figure International champion would be heading to the biggest sports-entertainment company on Earth (WWE), I would have though you were crazy. But now, it seems like Zivile is well on her way to being a television star.

I'm pulling for Aksana to do well in FCW and eventually WWE. I hope she follows the paths of other fitness stars such as Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson, and Lisa Maria Varon (Victoria in WWE, currently Tara in TNA) and become a big star in wrestling.

From the FitGems Nation...Kick some a$$, Aksana!!!! :)

Poll Results for October and New Poll for November

Thanks to everyone that answered the October Poll of the Month. I asked last month, With the elimination of the 45 second mandatories and one-piece swimsuit round, will this help or hurt the fitness division? 50% of you said that it was too early to tell at this point (which I agree), 33% said that this would help the division, while 16% said that this would hurt the division. I think we'll get a better grasp of the changes during the 2010 season.

This month's question has to do with something I blogged earlier, regarding having a Arnold selection show. Check out the link to see what I'm talking about.

My question for you is: Would YOU like to see an Arnold Classic Selection Show in the future? Yes or No?

New Elite: Natalie Ariel

(photo courtesy of RxMuscle)

Nataile Rae Ariel began her career in the fitness industry as a figure competitor. In 2006, she competed at the Jr. Nationals. The following year, under the direction of new IFBB Pro Elena Seiple, she made an amazing transformation on her body, and many people began to notice, especially Joe Bayer of HDPhysiques. He saw a star and arrange an awesome photo/video shoot that has made her among the most popular models on the site. She is not only built like a tank, but she's very strong as well. She isn't called the "A-Train" for nothing. Her strength and ability to grow muscle fast, as well as the new figure guidelines, played a key role in her switch to bodybuilding.

Many were anticipating her arrival in the bodybuilding world, and she did not disappoint whatsoever. She made her bodybuilding debut at the 2009 NPC Western Michigan and won the middleweight class and overall women's bodybuilding title. Apparently, Natalie made the right decision in crossing over from figure to bodybuilding. Next up for her is the 2009 Ironman in Chicago this Saturday. If this keeps up, look for her to do some serious damage in the IFBB when (not if) she earns her pro card in the years (by that I mean, two, three at the most) to come.

For more on Natalie, visit her website at http://www.natalieraeariel.webs.com/.

Fitting Review: Hardbody News

Okay, okay...

Some of you are probably going to be thinking, why the deuce is this moron promoting a blog other than his own. Long story short, it's my blog, and I'll promote whatever I damn well please, that's all! >:)

I kid, I kid!!! LOL... :)

The real reason I'm doing this blog is because this is arguably my favorite of the blogs I read every day. The founder of Hardbody News is the one and only Issac Hinds. I've not met the guy yet (hopefully that will change sooner than later), but he (more times than not) knows what he's talking about. What I like about him is that he doesn't beat around the bush about things; he says what he thinks and feels and lets it be the end of it. If you don't like it, too bad, so sad. Am I saying he's right all the time? Hell to the N-O! But go back and check some of his blog posts and compare his predictions to the actual results of contests. Heck, Hardbody News was the first site that actually shed light on the new bikini division for the NPC and IFBB.

On his blog, he interviews competitors, promotes contests, and post up-to-date pictures and coverage of events that are happening right now. Since he's also a photographer, he also shares his work on his blog as well. Yes, he wears quite a bit of hats in the industry.

If you want to understand the ever-changing things about the fitness industry, your best bet would be for you to check out Hardbody News. Click on the logo below to check out his site:

The direct link is http://www.hardbody.com/news. You can also follow Hardbody News on Twitter.

Song of the Week-Skillet "Hero"

As mentioned earlier, for all of November, the Song of the Week would be chosen by YOU, the readers, supporters, and followers of FitGems. IFBB Pro Angela Mraz chose this song via Twitter. The song is called "Hero" by Skillet, and it's a great song for the gym.



Remember, Twit me, email me, or leave a comment below of a song that you want to be featured as Song of the Week.

New Elite: Wendy Fortino

(Photo courtesy of Muscular Development)

One of the rising new faces of figure, Wendy Fortino is fastly becoming a top name in NPC figure and, if 2009 was any indication, is well on her way to becoming an IFBB figure competitor. From what she has told me in the past, she is aiming to have a Monica Brant-like physique (as Monica is (like many competitors) her role model. Judging by what she has brought to the table so far in regional competitions, she's on the right track. Speaking of the word "track", she actually competing in track and field prior to getting involved in fitness and figure competitions. Believe it or now, she was RIPPED then...without touching a single weight! Don't believe me, I'd go check out this Kriv Studios blog post and see for yourself.

In every competition she's entered in prior to her first major NPC National show (The USAs, where she placed 6th in Figure Class A), she has won her class, as well as the overall title on more than one occasion. Something tells me a pro card is imminent in the future of Miss Fortino. :)

I can see it now..."It's WAY better than regular figure physiques...It's Wendy's" LOL...sorry, had to throw that in there. I believe her next competition will be the 2010 Jr. USAs.

For more on Wendy, check her out on MySpace, Facebook, Hardfitness, and a slew of other sites.

BodySportTV: Open for Business!

The great folks of BodySport (Terry Goodlad and Ana Tigre) have launched their own version of YouTube, but it's more tailored to the fitness community. The video sharing service is called BodySportTV.

According to Ana Tigre on Siouxcountry, you can register for free and upload your own videos of training, interviews, photoshoots, or anything else you would like to share. For those that want to make a name for themselves, I would definitely recommend checking out BodySportTV. I mean, YouTube has launched the carrers of many people in entertainment, imagine what BodySportTV can do for the fitness industry.

Check out BodySportTV at http://www.bodysporttv.com.

New Elite: Carla Gutierrez

What's the New Elite? I just find female bodybuilders, fitness, and figure competitors that I feel will be the next big thing in this industry. I'm kicking it off with a Canadian who has all the tools to make it in the IFBB figure if and WHEN she becomes a pro. I'm talking about the Canadian Chica, Carla Gutierrez!




(Picture courtesy of TwixPix)

In such a short amount of time, Carla is looked upon as one of the top figure competitors in Canada and future IFBB figure pro. She's also an accomplished model in various publications, including Playboy.

In addition to being a figure competitor, She is also on HerBicepsCam, and it has been told that she blows the roof off the place. In 2009, she entered her first National competition and placed third in her class, which is a great debut for anyone who enters their first National competition. Look for this Latina Canadian to make more waves in the coming years as she aims to become an IFBB Figure Pro.

She is on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and FitGems Nation. You can also visit her upcoming website at http://www.carlitagutierrez.com/.


If there's a star in the making that you want me to spotlight in the future, Twit me (http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation) or Email me (admin@fitgemsnation.net) a suggestion, and I'll feature them here on this blog.