Fitting Observations: Victoria Larvie and Ariel Khadr...Future of Fitness?

At the age of sixteen and seventeen, what are teenagers doing? Rebelling against their parents (and all forms of society) and lying to them, discovering new ways to get high and drunk without getting caught, getting the big head thinking that they know everything, and there isn't a damn thing anyone can tell them. Admit it, everyone reading this has done one or more of those things during their teenage years (Thank God I'm out of that stage). However, not all teenagers are bad people. There are some that set examples for those that are getting up there in age. In fact, two female teenagers might be the key to resurrecting the fitness division. I'm talking about Victoria Larvie and Ariel Khadr.

First, let talk about Victoria.



Victoria is only 17 years old, and she's has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. She started to compete nationally in 2004, when she was just becoming a teenager. Yes, she's still a teenager, but she has accomplished more than most competitors have that are twice her age. This past weekend, she cemented her name in the history books as she became the one of the youngest fitness pro EVER at the age of 17 to attain her pro card. And on top of that, she just graduated from high school!! She's also a Level 10 Gymnast, which is the toughest level to master right before elite status, which is Olympic material, folks. Clearly, the sky's the limit for this unbelievable superstar.

Victoria isn't the only youngster looking to bring fitness back into the spotlight. Ariel Khadr is definitely getting people's attention as of late.



As I was checking the winners of the Atlantic City this year, I was immediately drawn to Ariel. Little did I know that she's just SIXTEEN!!! She has great genetics for this sport, and her energy during her routines (from what I've heard) is off-the-charts, almost at the level of Jenny Hendershott (who happens to help her out with her routines). Whoever is her date at her senior prom next year is gonna be one lucky guy. Like Victoria, she's a Level 10 Gymnast, so she's capable of crazy stuff on stage. Expect her to make history on stage before she starts her freshman year at college.

With Victoria and Ariel showcasing talent with their routines and well-developed physiques on stage, all while studying for the next math exam, both ladies have what it take to one day join the ranks of Adela, Kim, Jenny, Tracy, Tanji, and other top IFBB fitness stars. These two future superstars are proof that fitness isn't going anywhere anytime soon. :)

Fitting Observations: Is Gina Aliotti this generation's Monica Brant?

In every sport, you have that main person that the fans define as someone special. People like Micheal Jordan, Brett Farve, Kobe Bryant, Trish Stratus, Hulk Hogan, Venus and Serena Williams, Troy Aikman, and others are synonymous with greatness for their field of sports and entertainment. And in the world of female muscle, there may not be a more famous name out there than Monica Brant.





She has done more in her career than most will do in a lifetime, despite only winning one Olympia championship (Fitness Olympia in 1998). She has graced in more fitness magazine covers than I dare to count right now. It it hard to find any fitness or figure competitor that has NOT been influenced by Monica. Without question, Mo is a bonafied future IFBB Hall of Famer.

With that being said, who has what it takes to step up and be an iconic force like Monica? No disrespect to the competitors, but there's only one person I can think of right now that has the ability to not only be a icon, but maybe...just maybe, surpass the legendary status of the Brant one, and she's only in her mid-20s! I'm talking about the one and only Gina Aliotti.




Gina has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. She became a pro at the age of 21 at the NPC USAs, by winning her class. She has proven to be a force to be reckoned with ever since. She has placed high in every competition she's entered in so far. In her first Olympia (in 2006) and Arnold (in 2007), she placed sixth in both of them. The next go around, she was super-close to winning the Figure Olympia title in 2007 and actually captured the Figure International title in 2008, with an overwhelming unanimous approval by judges AND fans. She has remained in the Figure Olympia title hunt despite the changes made within the IFBB (but that's another story). If the fans has any say in the matter, she would have been Ms. Figure Olympia by now.

Gina is young enough to become the face of the IFBB for years to come, and it won't be done by the IFBB itself. With her ever-growing fan base, and competitors that are looking up to her the way Gina looks up to Monica (and others), they may have no choice but to market the division around her. I have no clue when Monica will hang up the figure suits for good, but when she does, look for Gina to grab that torch and become her own icon. Then someone can write down who's the future Gina Aliotti in the year 2050! :)

Fitting Observations: Is Brittani Simpson a future superstar in this industry?

Crossing over to a different division (fitness/figure to bodybuilding and vice verse, or fitness to figure and vice verse) is nothing new. It's been done for quite some time now. Some have competed in either fitness or figure, and put on muscle for about a couple of years to become bodybuilders, while those in bodybuilding have taken off some muscle to become fitness/figure. Now imagine having the right balance of muscle to not only do bodybuilding, but figure as well...for the same contest...and actually doing well in BOTH divisions. That's exactly what Brittani Simpson did at the 2009 Emerald Cup.

For those that are unfamiliar with the Emerald Cup, it's arguably the best regional shows in the nations, and one of the best ran shows period. A lot of big stars have come from the Emerald Cup, and I feel Brittani is going to be one of those stars.

Before I go on, how about you get a little visual aid of Brittani from the Emerald Cup earlier this year:



(Brittani competing as a bodybuilder at the Emerald Cup 2009)



(Brittani competing as a figure competitor at the Emerald Cup 2009)

Brittani isn't your typical physique star. Prior to competing, she has been involved in dance, cheerleading, rock climbing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and just about everything in between. (Source: Twixpix) In addition to having that in her resume, she's also a mother of two.

In her first year competing (2008), she competed in the Vancouver Natural (yes, her physique is natural) and won her class, won the overall title at the 7 Feathers Classic, and placed in the top three at last year's Emerald Cup. And then she kicks off 2009 in a big way by placing in the top three in both bodybuilding AND figure in her classes. Call me crazy, but that screams future pro to me. According to a video interview she did for Hardfitness (click here to view the video), look for her to make her national debut this November at the NPC Nationals.

She's only been competing for a couple of years now, but I feel it will only be a matter of time before she turns pro. Whether she will get it for bodybuilding or figure remains to be seen. Regardless of what she gets it for, look for Brittani to do big things in the years to come. And with her being a natural athlete, that says a lot about her character and determination. At this point, the only person that's gonna hold her back is herself, and I doubt that it will happen anytime soon. :-)

Brittani, on befalf of the FitGems Nation, we wish you the very best of luck in the future and hope you serve as an inspiration to working mothers around the world. The world is yours for the taking. GOOD LUCK CHAMP!!!

For more on Brittani, check out her website at http:///www.brittfit.com and her blog at http://wwwbrittfitcom.blogspot.com/.

Fitting Observations-Trish Warren, the future of IFBB Fitness?!

Today, I'm introducing a new feature of the FitGems blog entitled "Fitting Observations". I pick a particular competitor or event and tell it like I see it. Need I remind you that these are JUST MY OPINIONS!!! Don't get your panties all in a bunch if I happen to say something that doesn't please you as much.

Okay...let's get this new blog feature rolling, shall we?! :-) For the first feature of this part of the blog, I observe Trish Warren (get your mind out of the gutter, pervs! I'm talking about her current career in the IFBB, thank you.)

Is is just me, or has everyone been getting B.M.F. these days? By that, I'm talking about Black Mamba fever. The Black Mamba is another name for one of the today's rising fitness pros, Trish Warren. If you think she looks familiar and went by another name, then you're right. A while back, she was Trish Mayberry. However, now she's happily married to top IFBB Bodybuilder and MAJOR threat to the Arnold and Olympia titles, Branch Warren. Yep, I guess you can say that the Warrens are the "It" couple in IFBB.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about Trish that makes her...unique. Special. One to watch, even. She has the "it" factor. And when you have the "it" factor, you can only go one direction and that's up. Trish has been doing exactly that, and it's showing big time.

A top fitness competitor needs to have charisma, talent, strength, and, or course, an amazing physique that can handle the physical challenges of fitness, which is what makes fitness unique. Trish seems to posses all of that and more, and is being rightfully rewarded at last for having a great combination of charisma, talent, strength, and a killer physique with great muscularity, vascularity, and overall conditioning that's perfect for fitness. Dare I say that she might be one of the best complete competitors out there today! I mean that 110%. All she needs is more showings like she had at her first Olympia last year (top ten in her debut) and her first Arnold this year (top ten in her debut) as well as the New York Pro (2008 and 2009-top three finishes), and Trish will be on her way to joining the IFBB fitness elite in no time. She may even be the one leading a new class of IFBB fitness elite in the near future, who knows?

So what's my prediction for the Black Mamba? She will place in the top six at the 2009 Olympia, win a fitness show in 2010 or 2011, and be in top contention for the Fitness International and Fitness Olympia title until her body says "I've had enough".


Be on the lookout for Mrs. Warren in the years ahead. You'll see her next competing at the 2009 Fitness Olympia. The Black Mamba is on the prowl, and she's hunting down IFBB immortality. IFBB Fitness, you've been put on notice. BEHOLD THE ALL-MIGHTY BLACK MAMBA!!!!