WE'RE HEADING TO THE ARNOLD!!!!

We'll do it live!!! FitGems is Arnold Bound! 

Yep, you read that correctly. After YEARS of not being able to attend for various reasons, I'm happy to announce that the founder of FitGems Nation will be LIVE in attendance at the Arnold Sports Festival this year!!! I knew this was going to happen for weeks, but didn't want to say anything to jinx it. This has been a long time coming for me and it's gonna feel so good to finally meet many of you who I've supported and who have supported FitGems Nation for years.

I can't promise how much footage I will provide, but I invite you all to follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/fitgemsnation), Twitter (https://twitter.com/fitgemsnation), and Instagram (http://instagram.com/fitgemsnation) as I will be attempting to post photos LIVE at the Arnold. Also, use the hashtag #FitGemsAtASF15 as we'll be using it for our candid coverage as well.

Long story short, the excitement for the FitGems brand is at the highest it's ever been and as I've stated over and over again, none of this could have possible without all of YOU. You are the reason FitGems has been able to stand the test of time. Looking forward to what is shaping up to be a very memorable Arnold Sports Festival!

2011 Arnold Amateur Competitors List

Here's the list for the 2011 Arnold Amateur competition. Congrats to everyone that's on the list! List came from the official Arnold Amateur website at http://arnoldamateur.com/competitors/.


WOMEN'S BODYBUILDING:

Lightweight (12)
Monika Becht (Germany)
Brenda Boyd (Houston, Texas)
Julie Currie (Warren, Mich.)
Nataliia Dichkovska (Ukraine)
Nathalie Falk (Germany)
Marina Lemenovskaya (Russia)
Coralie Marchisio
Margaret Negrete (El Paso, Texas)
Branka Njegovec (Croatia)
Maria Rita Penteado (Brazil)
Elizabeth Schneider (Dallas, Texas)
Tamara Qureshi (Claremont, California)
Heavyweight (19)
Lilli Ewing (Seattle, Wash.)
Alevtina Goroshinskaya (Russia)
Robin Hillis (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada)
Stockelova Jana (Czech Republic)
Jaimi Johnson (Fenton, Mich.)
Kyptova Katerina (Czech Republic)
Salla Kauranen (Finland)
Hasina Love (Canal Winchester, Ohio)
Mary Lynne MacKenzie (Niagara Falls, Canada)
Giuditta Magazzino (Italy)
Geraldine Morgan (Chile)
Nidia Hermosilla Ocampos (Paraguay)
Nataliya Romashko (Ukraine)
Evy Anita Rustad (Norway)
Marie Samperio (Edinburg, Texas)
Violet Schwarz (Germany)
Rachelle Stephens (Farmington, N.M.)
Silvia Guadalupe Chavez Terrazas (Mexico)
Roberta Casciano Toth (Brazil)

FITNESS:
Fitness Short Class (10)
Diana Paula Monteiro Noronha de Alemida (Brazil)
Maria Laura Cervelli (Argentina)
Samantha Kinnish (Australia)
Gloria Mohninger (Calgary, Canada)
Guryeva Olga (Russia)
Dawn Scholey (United Kingdom)
Stephanie Yu (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
Toni Wheeler (Morehead, Ky.)
Shalimar Wilder (Charleston, W.V.)
Paula Williams-Gulman (Hayden Lake, Idaho)
Fitness Tall Class (8)
Valeria Cristiane Aprobato (Brazil)
Angela Beavers (Smyrna, Ga.)
Tiina Kasvi (Finland)
Jayla McDermott (Trophy Club, Texas)
Meredith Miller (Westerville, Ohio)
Deborah Sizemore (Charleston, W.V.)
Czine Szilvia (Hungary)
Dvortsova Tatiana (Russia)

FIGURE
Figure A Class (11)
Rachel Baker (Lutherville, Md.)
Helena Chansky (Grayslake, Ill.)
Stephanie Curran (Riverview, Florida)
Angela DeFrancesco (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada)
Tatiana Garcia (Glen Cove, N.Y.)
Hanah Melvin (Elyria, Ohio)
Cheri Nguyen (Springfield, Mo.)
Nuria Novia (New Zealand)
Medina Roberts (Fredericksburg, Va.)
Chie Terui (Homewood, Ill.)
Elsie Velazquez (Sheffield Village, Ohio)
Figure B Class (18)
Margaret Barker (Tampa, Fla.)
Zolzaya Batjargal (Mongolia)
Brandi Binkley (Nashville, Tenn.)
Robyn Bricco (Bloomington, Ill.)
Katie Davis (Del Ray Beach, Fla.)
Shiryaeva Elena (Russia)
Tara Green (The Woodlands, Texas)
Lauren Jacobsen (Toronto, Canada)
Nora Raquel Martinez Jara (Paraguay)
Irina Kiselev (Arvada, Colo.)
Jill Mock (Ellicott City, Md.)
Lily Ochkur (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Michelle Price (South Africa)
Patricia Regra (Brazil)
Nelly Rey (France)
Stefanie Richard (Montreal, Canada)
Vanessa Catarina Oliveira E Silva (Brazil)
Diane Singh (Anchorage, Alaska)
Figure C Class (23)
Amy Boeckmann (Sabina, Ohio)
Dolores Burlingame (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Ranaeatrice Cann (Bermuda)
Casey Cunliffe (Howell, N.J.)
Rachel Dusek (Petaluma, Calif.)
Chairma Fenelon (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Raquel Hernandez (Spain)
Frankie Hibberd (South Charleston, W.V.)
Agneta Salome Janga (Netherlands)
Roongtawan Jindasing (Thailand)
Lacey Lynn Johnston (Orem, Utah)
Anita Kus-Roberts (Oakville, Ontario Canada)
Allison McKee (Parkton, Md.)
Mikhaylova Natalia (Russia)
Kristina O’Brien (Bellbrook, Ohio)
Ellena Reidie (Australia)
Christine Ritchie (Atlanta, Fla.)
Christina Rivera (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Amy Rozier (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Ruth Sicklesteel (Warren, Mich.)
Giada Simari (Italy)
Jessica Stevenson (Romeo, Mich.)
Susetty Tabash (Costa Rica)
Figure D Class (28)
Jessica Bowman (Martinsburg, W.V.)
Cheryl Davis (Alexandria, Va.)
Shimara Jenice Galhena (Sri Lanka)
Anna Maria Giordani (Italy)
Sarah Griffith (Curacao)
Ashley Horner Tumon (Guam)
Delilah Matos (Naperville, Ill.)
Julie Mayer-Hyman (Henderson, Nev.)
Melissa Martin (Sunrise, Fla.)
Kayla McCain (Wellington, Colo.)
Sophie Miranda (France)
Bruna da Casta Miyagui (Brazil)
Alison Moser (Strongsville, Ohio)
Teale Mueller (Naples, Fla.)
Lindsey Olsen (Perth Amboy, N.J.)
Teagan Posey-Benson (Middletown, Ohio)
Karina Rhode (Noblesville, Ind.)
Yekaterina Robacker (Singapore)
Jena Robertson (Oxford, N.Y.)
Misty Ryan (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Daniela Santarelli (Paraguay)
Carla Sizemore (Grand Prairie, Texas)
Sif Sveinsdottir (Iceland)
Penpraghai Tiangngok (Thailand)
Robles Tibisay (Venezuela)
Jayne Tingle (United Kingdom)
Rosa Valente (Kingston, Ontario Canada)
Madelaine Alexia Molina Calle de Vega (Peru)
Figure E Class (13)
Karla Bungee (Owens Cross Roads, Ala.)
Eniko Csonka (Hungary)
Francisca Dennis (Lynden, Ontario, Canada)
Dawn Fernandez (Peoria, Ariz.)
Marlene Koekemoer (South Africa)
Christine Moore (Renton, Wash.)
Allison Moyer (Lancaster, Pa.)
Jodie Parker (Australia)
Constance Petot (Columbus, Ohio)
Alessandra Barata Pinheiro (Brazil)
Jessica Rinaldi (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Daisy Tibisay Robles (Miami, Fla.)
Inez Sobczak (Arlington,Va.)
Figure F Class (27)
Jayme Appleman (Gahanna, Ohio)
Essence Ashford (Schaumburg, Ill.)
Melissa Bailey Great (Meadows, N.J.)
Samantha Baker (Meymouth, Mass.)
Lisa Burdick (Avon, Ohio)
Krista Cowie (Fort St. John, Canada)
Karen Dallas (Milwaukee, Wisc.)
Priscilla Edwards (Plainview, Texas)
Darlene Escano (Australia)
Sarah Farr (Austin, Texas)
Kate Grevey (Glen Arm, Md.)
Einhildur Yr Gunnarsdottir (Iceland)
Sharon Iacovone (Westerville, Ohio)
Nikki Jankovic (Australia)
Noora Kuusivuori (Fort Collins, Colo.)
Francine Kwarteng (Arlington, Texas)
Pantovic-Subotic Ljuba (Serbia)
Erica Marten (Burlington, Canada)
Anita Metzler (Hungary)
Danielle Miranda (Columbus, Ohio)
Danielle Murry (Pearland, Texas)
Lori Raper (Palisade, Colorado)
Hannah Ringholm (Portland, Ore.)
Barbara Skierka (Stevens Point, Wis.)
Kambra Sundstrom (Rockford, Mich.)
Eva Sveindottir (Iceland)
Emily Zelinka (London, Ontario Canada)

MASTERS FIGURE:
Figure Masters Short Class (21)
Debbie Bell (New York, N.Y.)
Kim Bailey (Norman, Oklahoma)
Zolzaya Batjargal (Mongolia)
Ann Bunge (Woodland Park, Colo.)
Marcella Cameron (Calgary, Canada)
Nina Cash (Beavercreek, Ohio)
Masayo Copeland (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Sabrina Dodson (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
Dania Gerebtzof (Singapore)
Nicole Huss (Temperance, Mich.)
Laura London (Boca Raton, Fla.)
Jodie Luther-Kofod (Savannah, Ga.)
Jolie Mosser (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Lynne Nichols (Newark, Ohio)
Susie Poli-Smith (Bruce Township, Mich.)
Terri Sileno (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
Marli Rodrigues Da Silva (Brazil)
Viviana Smerilli (Coral Springs, Fla.)
Sabrina Sonner (Island, Ky.)
Danielle Soucek (Broadview Heights, Ohio)
Tracy Weller (Loganville, Ga.)

Figure Masters Medium Class (10)
Linda Andrew (Reynoldsburg, Ohio)
Batchimeg Byambanyam (Mongolia)
Felica Davis (Pickerington, Ohio)
Deborah Judy (Washington, Pa.)
Heather Miller (San Carlos, Calif.)
Vasile Anca Nicoleta (Romania)
Stacey O’Neill Romeo (Michigan)
Amy Rosenberg (New Albany, Ohio)
Heather Ruelan (Flushing, Michigan)
Katerina Tarbox (Warwick, Rhode Island)

Figure Masters Tall Class (10)
Jodi Bump (Huntsville, Alabama)
Liane Fischer (Allen, Texas)
Karaleen McMillian (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Tetyana Mikheychyk (Ukraine)
Heather Mills (Alma, Mich.)
Sandy Scamman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Yolanda Slaughter (Dallas, Texas)
Linda Stephens (Darien, Conn.)
Andrea Ternes (Elyria, Ohio)
Leyla Yurchick (Worthington, Ohio)

BIKINI
Bikini A Class (30)
Katie Berchick (Irwin, Pa.)
Amanda Burton (Waverly, Ohio)
Emily Chappie (Columbus, Ohio)
Leigh Chappie (Piqua, Ohio)
Amanda Cherundolo (Novi, Mich.)
Amy Collins (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Gianna Contillo (Lincoln, R.I.)
Jessica Daniels (Tonawanda, N.Y.)
Lisa DeGisi (San Francisco, Calif.)
Sylvia Duque (Houston, Texas)
Ashley Duxbury (Ontario, Canada)
Tanya Fennell  (Fredonia, N.Y.)
Daron Fitzgerald (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Misti Garner (Flowood, Miss.)
Yarelis Gonzalez (Wilmington, Del.)
Tara Granberry (Austin, Texas)
Francesca Hartman (Buckeye, Ariz.)
Alexis Kaufman (Dublin, Ohio)
Andrea Lea King (Tampa, Fla.)
Andrea Lawmaster (Muskegon, Mich.)
Natasha Love (Seattle, Wash.)
Jermalen Marmon (Tracy, Calif.)
Bernadett Matassa (Ormond Beach, Fla.)
Nicole Morrow (Dayton, Ohio)
Mymuna Nasrin (Montreal, Canada)
Angela Porter (Salem, Va.)
Gloriela Rosas (Atlanta, Ga.)
Khay Rosemond (San Pedro, Calif.)
Mandie Taketa (Studio City, Calif.)
Jessica Thompson (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Bikini B Class (41)
Anjali Antani (Naperville, Ill.)
Joleen Axworthy (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
Fernanda Zanzoni Barroso (Brazil)
Cynthia Benoit (Quebec, Canada)
Ryan Bittner (Washington, Mich.)
Chelsea Boissonneault (Dunrobin, Ontario Canada)
Chelcy Bowers (Danville, Ky.)
Amanda Butz  (Yuma, Ariz.)
Juel Casamayor (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Kimberly Castle (Evansville, Ind.)
Laura Cessna (Lexington, Ky.)
Jennifer Chapman (McKinney, Texas)
Tiffany Desimone (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Mandi Fanelli  (Lakewood, Calif.)
Amanda Garifo (Burlington, N.C.)
Candyce Graham (Lutz, Fla.)
Diana Leigh Graham (Duvall, Wash.)
Sabine Guidon (New Caledonia)
Kelli Haas (Westerville, Ohio)
Krista Haddad (Lexington, Ky.)
Erica Holiday  (Tigard, Ore.)
Michelle Hutton (Overland Park, Kansas)
Sarah Ingmanson (Henderson, Nev.)
Valerie Kavaras (Florence, Ky.)
Leslie Ann Lancaster  (Singapore)
Tonya Laurent (Williamstown, Ky.)
Danielle Laws (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Amber Milenkoff (Lake Station, Ind.)
Stacy Miller (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Donna Morgan (Mobile, Ala.)
Cheryl Pontious (Burlington, N.C.)
Giada Protino  (Italy)
Venus Ramos  (Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Lee Randall (Whitehorse, Canada)
Ingrid Romero  (Simi Valley, Calif.)
Maria Rutter (San Francisco, Calif.)
Danielle Scharf (Massillon, Ohio)
Mary Schmitt (Thornton, Colo.)
Emilee Van Dyne (Ottawa, Ohio)
Julenoy Dias Vieira (Brazil)
Brandy Wagner (Yutan, Neb.)
Bikini C Class (41)
Jaime Ahlers-Maynard (Morton, Illinois)
Demia Avery (Atlanta, Ga.)
Aixa Barnhill (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Amy Campbell (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Emily Carey (Austin, Texas)
Sarah Connors (Johnstown, Pa.)
Elizabeth DeVault (Martinsville, Va.)
Mariam Dillard (Tulsa, Okla.)
Jennifer Elliott (Naperville, Illinois)
Renata Soares Guaraciaba (Brazil)
Sherry Hasty (Wylie, Texas)
Tamrijn Jackson (South Africa)
Ashley Kaltwasser (Akron, Ohio)
Anne Krumsiek (Whitehorse, Canada)
Anna Kuzminykh (Palm Coast, Fla.)
Devon Law (Charleston, W.V.)
Sheena Lee (Lewisville, Texas)
Lisa Marie Lowrey (Tampa, Fla.)
Bethany Lynn (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Rachel Mac (Chicago, Ill.)
Stephanie Mahoe (Beaverton, Ore.)
Nicole Marous (Mayfield Heights, Ohio)
Grissel Martinez (N. Ogden, Utah)
Tareyn McKenzie (Elyria, Ohio)
Ainsley McSorley (Winnipeg, Canada)
Lindsey Nicole (Centennial, Colo.)
Kia Patrece (Mt. Laurel, N.J.)
Lisa Perry (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Anna Pezza (Italy)
Phyllis Plear (Columbus, Ohio)
Robyn Ray (Anchorage, Alaska)
Judy Rodriguez (Arlington, Texas)
Kristin Roush (Orient, Ohio)
Jennifer Scarborough (Washington, Pa.)
LeAnne Silva (Santa Fe, N.M.)
Brittany Smith  (Wadsworth, Ohio)
Morgan Spoon  (Graham, N.C.)
Brittany Stohl (Omaha, Neb.)
Jill Vogelpohl  (Orient, Ohio)
Fernanda Winchester  (Jonesborough, Tenn.)
Kristie Winter (Overland Park, Kansas)
Bikini D Class (37)
Nivya Barrera  Carolina (Puerto Rico)
Jill Bradley-Taylor (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Heaven Corcino (Elyria, Ohio)
Jennifer Cullen (Fort Madison, Iowa)
Rachel Delacalzada (Norwalk, Conn.)
Serena Depersis (Woodbridge, Ontario Canada)
Heather Gilbertson (W. Bountiful, Utah)
Michele Gregor (Leavenworth, Kansas)
Lauren Greyhosky (Bentleyville, Pa.)
Amanda Harper (Florence, Miss.)
Shannon Holt (Papillion, Neb.)
Sara Hoots (Jersey City, N.J.)
Sarah Hoots (Birmingham, Ala.)
Rikki Hudson (Comstock Park, Mich.)
Christina Jupinko (Van Nuys, Calif.)
Crystal King (Plano, Texas)
Ilona Kovacs (New York, N.Y.)
Stephanie Krohn (Franklin, Ky.)
Jessica Markowicz (Westmont, N.J.)
Ashley Mercer (Arlington, Va.)
Alexandra Miller (Port Orange, Fla.)
Véronique Morin (Quebec, Canada)
Kylee Morris (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Alexandra Sif Nikulasdottir (Iceland)
Amy Orzechowski (Erie, Pa.)
Alicia Paris (Smithland, Ky.)
Christina Penegar-Tucker (Lancaster, S.C.)
Tiphany Santos (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Gabriela Silva Cardosa da Silva (Brazil)
Dayna Smith (Paducah, Ky.)
Erica Smith (Washington, D.C.)
Shannon Smolar (Portage, Ind.)
Olga Svyrydova (Wayne, Pa.)
Jodi Tiahrt (Henderson, Nev.)
Caroline Carlos Uittermark (Netherlands)
Tahitia Walton (Columbus, Ohio)
Kendra Warren (North Miami, Florida)

Tracey Greenwood Says Goodbye to IFBB Fitness

One of the top fitness competitors of all time says "adios" to IFBB Fitness competitions.

Considered by many to be arguably the best fitness competitor to not win the Fitness International nor the Fitness Olympia, Tracey Greenwood has decided to call it a career after competing for over a decade to the IFBB, winning several titles and being a top placer at many Arnolds and Olympias. Like many of you, Tracey has been one of my favorite fitness competitors. Her strength in her routines are unmatched, and she always brings out one of the hardest yet most complete physiques, making her a big fan favorite. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to see her on stage, but for those that have, she was a highlight for everyone.
 
Here's the press release from FMG, her management:

FMG PRESS RELEASE

July 20, 2010 - For those of you in attendance at the 2009 IFBB Fitness Olympia, you unknowingly saw the last competition of IFBB Fitness icon Tracey Greenwood. After a long and wildly successful fitness career in both the NPC and IFBB, Tracey has decided she will be retiring from competition due to lingering injuries and just moving on in life in general. Yes, Tracey had thought about retirement previously and honestly we laughed it off and told her that she still had her best in her and not to retire. That was in 2008 when she won the IFBB Houston Pro Fitness, IFBB Atlantic City Pro Fitness, won the IFBB Europa Super Show Pro Fitness for the second time and finished second at the IFBB Fitness Olympia. That same year she was voted the FLEX Magazine Women’s Athlete Of The Year. Glad you listened to us Tracey! In 2009 Tracey started off the year placing third at the IFBB Fitness International, won the Atlantic City again and unbeknownst at the time, finished her career in third place at the IFBB Fitness Olympia.


This doesn’t mean you won’t still see Tracey. She is an expediter at almost every major NPC national competition, along with all the competitions in the NPC New York-Metropolitan district, is doing her share of emcee work, is a personal trainer and continues to promote both the NPC Tracey Greenwood Classic and NPC Deleware States.

Although now retired, rest assured that at 41 years old, Tracey’s physique can still stand right up there with any IFBB Pro Fitness competitor old or new. And in the end, she’ll always be “Trixie” to us!

On behalf of the entire FitGems Nation and to every fitness competitor and fan out there, thank you so much Tracey for everything you've given to this sport. May you continue to be an inspiration outside competing, and may God bless you as you enter the next chapter in your life! :)

Arnold 2011 VIP Packages & Regular Tickets On Sale Soon!

The news was released today that the 2011 Arnold VIP Package was going to be one of epic proportions. Here's the press release about it, from the main Arnold Sports website (http://arnoldsportsfestival.com/bulletins/articles/ASFNews12):

The Arnold Sports Festival is proud to announce several exclusive Weekend experiences that will only be offered to Arnold VIPs.

They include a Meet & Greet with competing International Federation of Body Building professionals, entry into a raffle to win lunch and photo with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, entry into a raffle to win two Arnold VIP Ticket Packages to the 2012 Arnold Sports Festival, early entry to the Arnold Fitness EXPO, and a commemorative Arnold VIP Gift Tote and VIP Credential.

The new Arnold VIP Ticket Package exclusive features are in addition to premium seating and/or admission to nearly all Weekend events, including the 23rd Annual Arnold Classic and all other professional International Federation of Body Building events held during the Arnold Sports Festival, set for March 3-6, 2011 in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

“Arnold VIP Ticket Package buyers are the most dedicated attendees at the Arnold Sports Festival and we are proud to offer some very special enhancements to reward VIP ticket holders for their loyalty,” said Arnold Sports Festival co-producer Jim Lorimer. “We are excited to offer the Meet and Greet with IFBB professional athletes and early admission each day to the Arnold Fitness EXPO, among other exclusive offerings. These changes will provide a world-class experience for our most dedicated attendees.”

Arnold VIP Ticket Packages will cost just $350 each again in 2011 and are available via pre-sale beginning June 23 at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. Use pre-sale code FACE. All other tickets to the 2011 Arnold Sports Festival go on sale June 28.

The Meet & Greet with IFBB Professionals will be held the evening of Thursday, March 3 at Veterans Memorial and will feature appearances by professional men’s and women’s bodybuilders, fitness, figure and bikini athletes such as Kai Greene, Phil Heath, Iris Kyle, Adela Garcia and Nicole Wilkins-Lee. (All IFBB athletes competing at the Arnold Classic and related professional events will be invited to the Meet & Greet.)

VIP ticket holders will also be invited to enter the Arnold Fitness EXPO 30 minutes before doors open to the general public on Friday, March 4; Saturday, March 5; and Sunday, March 6.

The Arnold VIP Ticket Packages will include the following 12 tickets:

* Reserved seating for the 23rd Annual Arnold Classic, Bikini International and Arnold Strongman Classic Finals on Saturday, March 5 at Veterans Memorial

* Reserved seating for the Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International Finals on Friday, March 4 at Veterans Memorial

* Reserved seating for the Arnold Classic and Bikini International Prejudging on Saturday, March 5 at Veterans Memorial

* Admission to the Meet & Greet With IFBB Professional Athletes on Thursday, March 3 at Veterans Memorial

* Admission to the Arnold Party With The Pros – the Official Arnold After-Party – on Saturday, March 5 at the LC Pavilion

* Admission to the Arnold Amateur IFBB Fitness, Figure and Bikini Prejudging on Thursday, March 3 at Veterans Memorial

* Admission to the Arnold Amateur IFBB Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding Prejudging on Friday, March 4 at Veterans Memorial

* Three days admission to the Arnold Fitness EXPO and all events included with Daily EXPO ticket. Arnold Fitness EXPO admission includes entrance 30 minutes before doors open to general public.

* Admission to the Ask Arnold Training Seminar on Sunday, March 6 at Veterans Memorial

* One ticket that is redeemable for a commemorative VIP Tote Bag that will include a Special VIP credential.

Presale for the VIP Package, as well as tickets for separate parts of the Arnold 2011, will begin on June 23rd, which is this Wednesday. For more on what events will be on presale this Wednesday, go here:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/j4w9k7

One more piece of advice, I've been told that if you want a good hotel within good walking distance of the Columbus Convention Center, it's best to go on and book your hotel NOW, or else you will be walking farther or need to catch a cab. Just some advice, that's all.

Have a great weekend, everyone, and to those competing at the Jr. Nationals in Chi-town this weekend, GOOD LUCK!! :)

Special Edition of Song of the Week: "I Made It" by Kevin Rudolf, Birdman, Jay Sean, and Lil Wayne

To everyone competing at the Arnold this weekend, you've made it. You've made it to a place many competitors only DREAM about. Hence why this special Song of the Week is dedicated to all of you. This is one of the theme songs for WWE Wrestlemania XXVI, and it fits PERFECTLY with this weekend.

2010 Arnold FitChat TOMORROW!

Tomorrow afternoon (at 4PM Eastern/3PM Central), FitGems Nation will sponsor the 2010 Arnold Womens FitChat. For this FitChat, we'll be discussing the Fitness International, Figure International, Ms. International, and the Arnold Amateur (Women's Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini). In addition to the above, we'll be discussing the following:

* Predictions for each division
* How well the current Olympia champions will fare in the Arnold
* Who will have a breakout performance and break the "glass ceiling" Which pro debuts will be the most impressive
* Thoughts on why Pro Bikini didn't make the 2010 Arnold Sports Festival and was it or was it not the right decision and the announcement of Pro Bikini joining the Arnold in 2011
* And more!

As of this writing, there are no special guests, but don't be surprised if a Arnold competitor from the present or past stops by to chat for a bit about the Arnold.

Here's the link to the FitChat: http://www.fitgemsnation.net/page/fitchat-1

Please join us tomorrow at 4PM Eastern/3PM Central. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the FitChat! LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY FROM THE ARNOLD!!!!!!