FitGems to have Social Media Correspondent at Arnold Sports Festival 2013!

The Arnold Sports Festival is this week, and we are happy and privileged to announce that for the first time in FitGems Nation history, we will have our own social media correspondent at the Arnold Sports Festival! 

Her name is Jennifer Bahney. She is a future figure competitor who trains at Powell Fitness, which happens to be near Columbus, the home city of the Arnold. She runs a hair care web site called Long Hair Lovers, (www.longhairlovers.com) and posts quite a bit about her business on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Longhairlovers) and Twitter(http://twitter.com/longhairlovers). She is also dealing with hypothyroidism in her quest to compete one day. Definitely an inspiration. 

Jennifer will be attending the Arnold on Friday for the women's prejudging events (Ms. International, Fitness International, Figure International). She will be tweet via her personal Twitter account (@JenniferBahney) during those events and possibly the expo afterwards. She will also be providing some updates via our fan page (https://www.facebook.com/fitgemsnation) For those that have followed FitGems since the beginning, this is a big step for us to even do something like this. In time, we hope to evolve and provide more exclusive footage from events such as the Arnold. 

Please follow along with Jennifer, and for all things Arnold, use the hashtag #asf2013. This is the official hashtag for the Arnold that will be used by everyone throughout the week. 

Jennifer, we look forward to what you will bring to the FitGems Nation this weekend and beyond. To all the spectators and competitors heading to Columbus in a matter of days, have fun! 

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Fitness Personality of the Year (Model/Trainer/Spokesperson)

Congrats to Jamie Eason on winning Fitness Personality of the Year!

For the 2nd year in a row, Jamie is your favorite fit personality!
Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com

For the 2nd year in a row, it was a no-brainer on who the fans chose for this award. Jamie Eason has shown time and time again why she is one of the most popular names in the sport, despite not competing in a federation of any kind. 2012 saw this top fitness star leave the singles market and become married. Sorry, fellas! On top of that, she is now currently pregnant with her first child. Despite all that, we definitely see Jamie continuing to be an inspiration to a lot of ladies. In fact, with her becoming a mommy, she will be able to reach and connect with the mothers out there, expanding her reach even more than before!

Runner-up: Trish Stratus

Others nominated include Brittany Beede, Jillian Michaels, and Shawn Johnson

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Moment of the Year

Congrats to Erin Stern's 2012 Figure Olympia victory on winning Moment of the Year!

The Champ is back again!
Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com

Let's be honest, people love a good, old-fashioned friendly rivalry. It's not about catfights or bickering, it's about clean competition sportsmanship in regards of who's the better person. I dare for anyone to find a better rivalry today than Erin Stern vs Nicole Wilkins. Erin represents the athletic, toned side of the sport while Nicole represents the beauty and structure side (don't get it twisted, though, as Erin is very beautiful as well). Both ladies have traded wins over the course of the last few years. Whenever one enters the show, everyone else is fighting for 2nd place. When BOTH enter, it's just a matter of which one will win and who will be runner-up. Erin fought long and hard to bring one of her best looks to date in 2012 and it paid off in dividends, as she ended up beating Nicole (who entered the 2012 Figure Olympia as champion) to become Ms. Figure Olympia for the 2nd time in her career. While other figure competitors are bound to step up their game in 2013, fans are already anticipating Erin and Nicole getting it one at next year's Olympia.

Runner-up: Juliana Malacarne winning her 1st IFBB contest (New York Pro Women's Physique)

Others nominated include Nathalia Melo winning 2012 Bikini Olympia, Fleur De Kine turned pro, and Karina Nacimento becoming the 1st IFBB Women's Physique Champion in history.

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Physique Organization of the Year

Congrats to the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilders) on winning Physique Organization of the Year!

IFBB: Best in the World
Photo credit: IFBBPro website

Sometimes being the biggest doesn't make you the best. The IFBB is one of those rare organizations that is not only the biggest, but is the best in terms of the quality of athletes. That's not saying the others don't have great athletes, but it's something about the IFBB that's second to none when it comes to attracting fitness stars. The IFBB has divisions for practically every female that wants to compete, in terms of their muscularity and what they want to accomplish: women's bodybuilding (the one that started it all), women's physique (a throwback to the older days of figure, but with a posing routine and barefoot), fitness (the athletic division), figure (more model-esque) and bikini (toned, athletic, beach look and personality). There's something for everyone, and it represent the top in the sports, which culminates at the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding, the Olympia, every September in Las Vegas.

Runner-up: NPC

Others nominated include WBFF, Fitness Universe, and IFPA.

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Shows of the Year (IFBB, NPC and WBFF)

Congrats to the following on winning their organizations' show of the year honors!

IFBB-Olympia
NPC-USAs
WBFF-Worlds

International Federation of Bodybuilders

In the IFBB, there's no show bigger than the Olympia. The best of the best compete to see who's number one in the world. Iris Kyle and Adela Gracia successfully defended their Ms. Olympia and Fitness Olympia title, respectively, further cementing their legacy and pretty much ensuring them first-ballot Hall of Fame slots when their time comes. In what might be the best "friendly rivalry" in any of the female divisions, Erin Stern bested Nicole Wilkins to regain the Figure Olympia title. Nathalia Melo would best former champion Nicole Nagrani to become Ms. Bikini Olympia for the first time in her career, and her emotions after the win showed why she earned the title. This show was also the first one under the Olympia Qualification Series, making the already-big show more elite that it has been for a long time. With women's physique to be added this year, the show is only going to get bigger and better from here.

Runner-up: Masters Olympia/Miami Pro

Others nominated included Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic, Sheru Classic, and Arnold Classic Europe


National Physique Committee

In the NPC, the USAs reigned supreme, according to you the voters. Holding it in Las Vegas brings an electric atmosphere to the event. Jon Lindsey does a great job in making this as big of an event as possible. Tierey Christian won the overall women's bodybuilding title, Francine Sablan won overall figure, Samantha Hill won overall women's physique, and Kelsie Burgin won overall bikini. The NPC crowned 34 new IFBB pros that evening: 2 for women's bodybuilding, 8 for women's physique, 12 for figure, and 12 for bikini.

Runner-up: Nationals

Others nominated include Jr. Nationals, Jr. USAs, and Arnold Amateur

World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation

In the WBFF, no other show is bigger for their organization than the Worlds. Emily Stirling showcased one of the best physique in the WBFF and in all of figure, but she would come up short in defending her pro figure title in 2012, losing it to Louise Van Der Nat, who was a former NABBA competitor. In addition to women's figure (which is one of their key divisions at the WBFF), there was women's bikini and fitness model (both of them have different looks). Unfortunately, I'm unaware of the results of those categories.

Runner-up: Fitness Atlantic


Others nominated include New England, Central US, and B.C. Championships

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Female Physique Site of the Year

Congrats to Siouxcountry on winning Female Physique Site of the Year!

Sioux reigns supreme once again!
Credit to the original owner

No disrespect to any of the other nominees, but this one wasn't even close. Siouxcounty continues to be THE destination for female competitors to interact and get advice from one another without having to worry about male egos. Yes, there are some guys on the board and the creator is a guy, but the board is female-focused, and not just Jason runs it, but a collection of female competitors help moderate the site. In 2012, all aspects of Siouxcountry were turned up a notch (fan page, site, Twitter, etc.), and they were the the first site to publically come out and openly talk about metabolic damage...and the site is barely five years old. One can only imagine what 2013 will bring to Siouxcountry. We at FitGems Nation for one can't wait! Visit their website at http://www.siouxcountry.com.

Runner-up: HDPhysiques (http://www.hdphysiques.com)

Others nominated include Promoting Real Women (http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com), Fit Model TV (http://www.fitmodeltv.com), and Female Athlete Admiration (http://www.femaleathleteadmiration.com).

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Photographer of the Year

Congrats to Dan Ray on winning Photographer of the Year!

We give this photo of Dan Ray and competitor Candace Lewis two thumbs up!
Photo credit: Dan Ray's Facebook page

Photography is a must in the fitness industry. Whether shooting for contests, shooting for a fan page, shooting for a paysite, etc. You need to get yourself out there in order to have some amount of success in the fitness industry, and photography plays a key role in getting exposure. Dan Ray is one of the best at photography. He has shot with some of the best competitors on the planet, and has received praised from many competitors and colleagues. His work is all over websites. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a competitor's fan page and NOT see his work somewhere displayed. Thumb up on the win, Dan!

Runner-up: Isaac Hinds

Others nominated include Marc Thyssen, David Ford, and J.M. Manion.

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Blogger of the Year

Congrats to Isaac Hinds on winning Blogger of the Year!

Isaac declares he's #1!
Photo credit: Ironman Magazine

In addition to being a top photographer, Isaac Hinds happens to be a very good blogger. His blog Hardbody.com is one of the most viewed blogs in the industry for fans and fellow competitors. Why I think it's a popular blog is he tells you what you NEED to hear rather than what you WANT to hear a lot of the times. The truth will sting for a bit, and maybe not what you want to hear, but in the long run, you will thank him later. Some have had to find that out the hard way. Isaac doesn't just talk to hear himself, ya know. As a photographer and someone who has stepped on stage himself, he knows what he's talking about 99.999% of the time. And quite honestly, I don't think many people would have it any other way.

Runner-up: Jason Adams

Others nominated include Area Orion, Dean Schich, and Carl Burkins (dallas3)

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Facebook Fan Pages of the Year

Congrats to Siouxcountry on winning Industry Fan Page of the Year and to Erin Stern on winning Competitor/Model Fan Page of the Year!

Credit to the original owner

Siouxcountry's fan page has always been a great page to turn to and keep up with the industry happenings. But 2012, the page turned up their content big time with more links to their most popular posts on the site, as well as exclusive content and posts. Plus Jason personally interacts with the members on the fan page. When you join the Siouxcountry fan page, you feel like you are part of something special rather than just a fan page for the heck of it. To check out their fan page, go to https://www.facebook.com/siouxcountryfb.

Runner-up: Rx Girl 

Other nominees include Fit Model TV, Promoting Women in Bodybuilding Fitness and MMA, and Hardbody.com.

Photo credit: Muscle and Fitness Hers

Erin Stern is one of the most popular and most accomplished figure competitors in IFBB today, and possibly in history. Although her schedule is busy, Erin makes sure to update her fan page often with tips, photos, and video Q and A sessions. She also ask fans what they want to see more of. During some of her competitions, she even post a small video letting her know about the show she's competing in. In a time where social media is a must, Erin has got it down to a science. No wonder she's one of the top pros in the sport, on AND off the stage. To check out her page, go to https://www.facebook.com/FitErin.

Runner-up: The Sweaty Betties

Other nominees include Sabrina Taylor IFBB Pro, IFBB Figure Pro Meriza Deguzman-Ciccone, and IFBB Figure Wendy Fortino.

4th Annual FitGems Awards: Female Celebrity Muscle of the Year

Congrats to Kelly Ripa on winning Female Celebrity Muscle of the Year!

Daytime has never looked any better!
Photo credit: People.com

Hollywood, slowly but surely, is kinda turning the page on how female muscle is portrayed  Keyword in that is KINDA. We've still got a long way to go, but progress is being made. These days, Kelly Ripa seems to be the fan favorite when it comes to female muscle in the mainstream world. While she might be the smallest of the nominees this year, she is one of the most recognizable when it comes to muscularity. In fact, it was her willingness to show off her lean arms during several shows of "Live with Regis and Kelly" (which then became the "Live with Kelly show after Regis's departure and now "Live with Kelly and Michael" with the addition of Michael Strathan) that lead to her rising popularity among some of the fitness industry. That, and being a mom doesn't hurt. We don't expect Kelly to lose her "ripped" image anytime soon.

Runner-up: Regina King

Other nominees include Elizabeth Hasslebeck, Alison Victoria, and Katie Couric.