Heather Policky Takes The Overall in Sacramento

Rookie IFBB Pro Heather Policky takes home her first Pro Win at the first IFBB Women's Bodybuilding Pro Bodybuilding Show of 2007!

2007 IFBB Sacramento Pro Women's Bodybuilding Results:

Lightweight (Up to and including 135 lbs)
1) Antoinette Norman*
2) Cathy LeFrançois
3) Vickie Nixon
4) Gayle Moher
5) Angela Debatin

6) Carla Salotti

*Qualifies for the 2007 Ms. Olympia

Heavyweight (Over 135 lbs)
1) Heather Policky*
2) Kim Perez
3) Brenda Raganot
4) MahAnn Mendoza
5) Helen Bouchard

6) Irene Andersen

7) Heather Foster

8) Aurelia Grozajova

*Qualifies for the 2007 Ms. Olympia

Overall: Heather Policky

Freeman Goes 2 For 2 In Sacramento

The results for the 2007 IFBB Sacramento Pro are in and Toney Freeman has gone 2 for 2 in the first 2 IFBB Men's Pro Shows!

2007 IFBB Sacramento Men's Pro Top 5
1st- Toney Freeman*
2nd- Silvio Samuel*
3rd- Hidetada Yamagishi*
4th- Ahmed Haider
5th- Marcus Haley

*Qualifies for the 2007 Mr. Olympia

AXIS LABS Wins 2007 Supplement Award

Axis Labs has won the 2007 AverageJoesSupplements.com Best Supplement Award with their Creatine Ethyl Ester product. While I've personally never tried any products by Axis Labs I think this is an accomplishment to be proud of - and now I'm gonna have to try a bottle and do a write up!

Denver, CO (PRWeb) February 24, 2007 -- AxisLabs Creatine Ethyl Ester product recently won the 2007 Best Supplements Awards held by AverageJoesSupplements.com.

AverageJoesSupplements.com is devoted to recognizing supplements that offer exceptional quality for helping athletes obtain gains in the gym and sports training. Average Joe's uses a combination of customer reviews, customer feedback, professional opinion, and a review of the staff's best choices in determining the winner of our awards. Average Joe's then publishes their awards at the first of the year to allow customers to utilize the best supplements to reach any fitness goal for the entire year.

Creatine Ethyl Ester HCI is a potent soluble creatine product which is formulated to allow advanced absorption, increased bioavailability, and more stability than more traditional forms of creatine . Creatine Ethyl Ester is purpoted to directly penetrates muscle cells resulting in a 30 to 40 times more effective creatine. This precision supplementation means that there are no more negative side effects such as bloating, cramping, and dehydration. Many users notice the tremendous boost after the first dose.

In additional to Creatine Ethyl Ester, Axis Labs offers NE2 Arginine Ethyl Ester, SMASH Preworkout Drink, HyperTEST natural testosterone booster, Phire! extreme fat loss stack, and SesaMAX fat loss supplements.

Source: www.prweb.com

Nutrabolics Signs WWE Heavyweight Champion BATISTA!

Nutrabolics has signed WWE Heavyweight Champion, BATISTA, to 2-year exclusive supplement contract!

"As a professional athlete sports nutrition is extremely important to me," explains Batista. "I am proud to be a part of Team Nutrabolics, a company that is truly dedicated to being the best."

Under the contract terms, Batista will make appearances to promote the Nutrabolics brand of leading-edge sports supplements. The first stop for Batista is The Arnold Classic Fitness Expo in Columbus, Ohio, where he will appear at Nutrabolics' booth, March 2nd & 3rd from 11am - 5pm on both days.

For more info on Nutrabolics check out www.nutrabolics.com

For more info on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. check out www.wwe.com

Bodybuilding Legend Dave Draper to Have Open Heart Surgery

I was planning on seeing Dave at the Arnold this year as I have every year for the last couple (last year I picked up what's now one of my most prized possessions - a Dave Draper autographed copy of West Coast Bodybuilding: The Golden Years) but I just found out that Dave is going in for open heart surgery!

You can read in detail what's happening with Dave as his wife Laree updates Dave's blog here: http://www.davedraper.com/blog/2007/02/21/daves-heart-surgery-an-overview/

Please take a minute to send Dave your best wishes as I know he reads each and every one of his emails and snails mails.
His contact info is all right here: http://www.davedraper.com/contact-irononline.html

The Insider

NX Labs Sued

Canadian Weight-Loss Firms Sued by Two Area Women
By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two women have filed a federal lawsuit against a group of Canadian businesses, claiming that their weight-loss products fail to perform the way they are advertised.

Catherine Cantazaro, of Allegheny County, and Tara Liebert, of Washington County, are seeking to have their claim certified as a class-action lawsuit.

It was filed yesterday against three companies based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada -- NxCare Inc., NxLabs Inc., and Wellnx Life Sciences. They are listed as the makers of Slimquick, which the lawsuit said was touted as the "world's first advanced fat burner designed specifically for women."

The other product named in the claim is NV, which the company claimed to be "the world's first rapid weight-loss beauty pill."

Besides aiding in weight loss, NV was supposed to help nurture women's hair, skin and nails, the women wrote in their lawsuit.

Among the claims in the lawsuit, the women allege deceptive trade practices; a violation of the Pennsylvania consumer protection law and fraud.

For Slimquick, the package claims the "revolutionary formula is scientifically developed to overcome the physiological and hormonal barriers women face in losing fat."

Further, the lawsuit alleges false advertising. Two of the women who gave testimonials in the products' packaging -- claiming to have lost more than 30 pounds in eight or nine weeks -- were in relationships with company officials. One, Kerrie Lee Brown, was the wife of the marketing director. The other, Nadine Erin, was the girlfriend of the vice president of marketing.

Ms. Cantazaro and Ms. Liebert are asking for damages of more than $10,000. If the case is certified as a class action, they say, the claims could exceed $5 million.

According to the Slimquick Web site, a one-month supply sells for $49.99 with a two-week supply thrown in for free.

The lawsuit does not describe the experiences of Ms. Cantazaro or Ms. Liebert in using either of the products.

Also named as defendants are three corporate officers for the companies that make Slimquick and NV.

Slimquick officials could not be reached for comment.

Ouch.
The Insider

IFBB Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler Signs With Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Radio

Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, the popular talk radio show devoted to the world of professional bodybuilding, announces the signing of IFBB Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler. The announcement comes just days after the program shattered audience records during a memorable interview with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Cutler explains, "As the new Mr. Olympia, I feel that it's important to maintain contact with the fans. PBW has become a great way to communicate with bodybuilding supporters all over the world. The show has had a big impact on the industry and I'm just glad to be a part of it."
PBW's creator Dan Solomon explains, "We're very excited to welcome Jay to the team. Our growing family of major sponsors has put us in a unique position to develop the show in several areas. The signing of the reigning Mr. Olympia is great news for our listeners."

Cutler, who will seek a second straight Mr. Olympia title in September, will be featured in PBW's new ad campaign.

Co-hosted by Solomon and the outspoken Bob Cicherillo, the one-hour weekly broadcasts are presented by supplement giant MuscleTech and brought to you by Bodybuilding.com, the world's # 1 most visited bodybuilding website.

Additional sponsors include: Flex Magazine, Nx Labs, Biogenetix, Max Muscle Venice Beach, MuscleTime.com, The Vein Centre, and The Arnold Sports Festival.

For more information, visit www.BodybuildingRadio.com

2007 IFBB Sacramento Pro Preview

Coming off a big win at the IFBB Ironman Pro, Tony Freeman will
look to start off the 2007 IFBB Season by going 2-for-2 when he takes the stage at the IFBB Sacramento Pro Grand Prix this Saturday, February 24. Freeman has been one of the hottest Pros on the circuit latety with two recent wins (1st at the 2006 Europa Super Show) along with a seventh-place finish at the 2006 Mr. Olympia. “I’m just finally glad that I’m being looked at,” Freeman said after the Ironman. “I always though I was in the mix and didn’t understand why I wasn’t placing well, but that’s all behind me now. It just gave me fuel, gave me fire and made me hungrier. Now I’m happy and focused and I’m dedicated.” One competitor who will be in Sacramento that understands Freeman’s frustration is Spain’s Silvio Samuel. The best conditioned athlete in last week’s Ironman, Samuel finished fourth but was arguably one of the most overlooked and unfairly judged competitors at the contest. “I’m really, really excited and really happy with the way the crowd treated me,” he said. “My main aim at that competition was to try and do my best. My motivation is still very, very high, and I hope to do more in Sacramento.” As for turning the tables on Freeman this weekend, Samuel wasn’t ready to make any predictions concerning the outcome. “The question of beating Tony isn’t really in my hands,” Samuel said. “I will leave the judges to make that decision.”

The Sacramento Pro Grand Prix will also kick things off for 2007 on the women’s bodybuilding side. Look below for a complete list of competitors for both the men’s and women’s contests.

The event will be held at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento; prejudging starts at 11 a.m. Pacific time, with the finals at 6:30 p.m.

For more information and to order tickets online, visit http://www.lindsayproduction.com/.

And for results and photos after the contest, visit http://www.flexonline.com/.

Men’s Bodybuilding
Erik Byui
Bryan Carmichael
Gianluca Catapano
Omar Deckard
Kris Dim
Aiman Faour
Tony Freeman
Ahmad Haidar
Marcus Haley
Rusty Jeffers
Rod Ketchens
Daniele Seccareci
Sergey Shelestov
Roc Shabazz
Joel Stubbs
Clifton Torres
Hidetada Yamagishi

Women’s Bodybuilding
Irene Anderson
Angela Debatin
Heather Foster
Aurelia Grozajova
Rosemary Jennings
Cathy LeFrancois
Maria Leena Lehtonen
Jana Linke-Sipple
Mah-Ann Mendoza
Emery Miller
Gayle Moher
Antoinette Norman
Vicki Nixon
Jeannie Paparone
Kim Perez
Heather Policky
Brenda Raganot
Carla Salotti

2007 Arnold Classic Weekend Bodybuilding,Figure, and Fitness Lineup

Each year veteran, as well as brand new IFBB Pros, submit their applications hoping to land one of the few coveted invites for the IFBB Arnold Classic - arguably the highest paying IFBB Pro Show of the year and second only in prestige to the IFBB Olympia.

There are four major competitions for the held over this weekend and typically the committee selects 15 competitors for each event, although that number could change slightly based on stand-out athletes.

Normally, room for one more competitor in each event is left open just in case that there is a competitor that places well at the IFBB Ironman Pro and the IFBB Sacramento Pro right before the Arnold Classic Weekend.

The official lists have been published for this prestigious event, and here is are the lineups...

2007 Arnold Classic Men's Bodybuilding Competitors
1. Gustavo Badell (4th 2006)
2. Mark Dugdale
3. Tony Freeman (9th 2006)
4. Marcus Haley
5. Phillip Heath
6. David Henry (11th 2006)
7. Dexter Jackson (1st 2006)
8. Johnnie Jackson
9. Dennis James
10. Victor Martinez (3rd 2006)
11. Ronny Rockel
12. Markus Ruehl
13. Sergey Shelestov
14. Vince Taylor
15. Branch Warren (2nd 2006)
16. Luke Wood

Dennis James has withdrawn due to injury
Johnnie Jackson has withdrawn

2007 Figure International Competitors
1. Sonia Adcock
2. Gina Aliotti
3. Jane Awad (5th 2006)
4. Zena Collins
5. Mary Elizabeth Lado (1st 2006)
6. Deborah Leung (14th 2006)
7. Corry Mathews
8. Inga Neverauskaite
9. Amanda Savell (3rd 2006)
10. Chastity Slone (4th 2006)
11. Briana Tindell
12. Julie Wallis
13. Christine Wan
14. Valerie Waugaman (8th 2006)
15. Latisha Wilder (7th 2006)

Gina Camocho has withdrawn due to injury
Zhanna Rotar has withdrawn

2007 Fitness International Competitors
1. Debra Czempinski
2. Heidi Fletcher (12th 2006)
3. Bethany Gainey
4. Adela Garcia (1st 2006)
5. Tracey Greenwood (4th 2006)
6. Amy Haddad
7. Jennifer Hendershott (3rd 2006)
8. Tanji Johnson (6th 2006)
9. Kimberly Klein (2nd 2006)
10. Angela Monteleone-Semsch (9th 2006)
11. Mindi O’Brien
12. Julie Palmer (7th 2006)
13. Julie Shipley-Childs (5th 2006)
14. Hollie Stewart
15. Amy Villa-Nelson

2007 Ms. International Female Bodybuilding Competitors
1. Lisa Aukland (8th 2006)
2. Dayana Cadeau (2nd 2006)
3. Rosemary Jennings (12th 2006)
4. Iris Kyle-Floyd (1st 2006)
5. Cathy LeFrancois
6. Denise Masino
7. Colette Nelson
8. Susanne Niederhauser
9. Antoinette Norman (10th 2006)
10. Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia (3rd 2006)
11. Lora Ottenad
12. Betty Pariso (5th 2006)
13. Kim Perez
14. Heather Policky
15. Bonny Priest (6th 2006)
16. Annie Rivieccio (7th 2006)

New Study: Different Proteins Promote Varied Strength Gains

INDIANAPOLIS—Using Creatine/Carbohydrate, Whey Protein Only and Creatine/Whey combinations resulted in significantly greater strength improvements and muscle hypertrophy compared with Carbohydrate-Only on resistance trained men, but hypertrophy responses varied.

In the double-blind, randomized trial, resistance-trained males were matched for strength and placed into one of four groups taking 1.5 g/kg body weight per day: Creatine/Carbohydrate (CrCHO), Creatine/Whey Protein (CrWP), Whey Protein Only (WP), or Carbohydrate-Only (CHO). Several assessments were completed the week before and after an 11-week structured, supervised resistance exercise (RE) program and included strength (1RM; three exercises), body composition (DEXA), and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies for determination of muscle fiber type (I, IIa or IIx), cross-sectional area (CSA), contractile protein, and creatine content.

Researchers found up to 76% of the strength improvements in the squat could be attributed to hypertrophy of muscle involved in this exercise. They concluded that although WP and/or CrM seem to promote greater strength gains and muscle morphology during RE training, the hypertrophy responses within the groups varied.

The study was published in the Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (39, 2:298-307, 2007).

2007 Arnold After Party

Yes I'm flooding you with posts about the Arnold for a couple of reasons. First, I'll be there myself. Second, I've been there every year since 1998 so I think I have a pretty good insight into what's hot and what's not. With that said, if you're looking for something very cool to do after the expo ends and the trophies are handed out, then you need to check out the Official Arnold After Party hosted by Jason Dhir, owner of Nutrition Forum.

This is THE place to rub shoulders with all of the Pro's and Celebrities you met at the Expo in a very cool and laid back environment. And you can feel good knowing that a portion of the proceeds go to support a number of local Columbus area as well as national charities!

The Charity After Bash Party IV
“Armageddon 2007”
The Mecca of the Midwest Returns

For complete details, tickets, and location check out http://www.jasondhir.com/home.html

The Insider

WWE Superstar John Cena to Appear at the ABB Booth at the Arnold

Going to the Arnold Expo this year? Don't miss your chance to meet WWE Champion John Cena exclusively at the ABB Booth Saturday only from 10:30 to 12:30 and again from 2:00 to 5:00.

And based on past experience ABB has a long line every year apart from Cena based on the huge number of freebies they give away so when you add Cena to the equation I would be ready to stand for a VERY long time in line!

The Insider

IFBB Pro Art Atwood Opens 2nd Store in Texas

Tired of paying ridiculously high prices for your supplements?

That's exactly why IFBB Pro Art Atwood opened his first brick and mortar store "Mass Results" near his hometown of Milwaukee, WI.

Shortly afterwards he launched http://www.massresults.com/ to take care of his growing customer base.

Now that Art has relocated to Dallas, TX, he's opening his second brick and mortar store April 1st, 2007. Check out Results Pro-Tan and Nutrition on Arapaho and the North/West Tollway right next to Gold's Gym.

So if you're ready for some serious savings along with some straightforward advice from one of the most respected IFBB Pro's around visit Art at one of his two store locations or on the web and tell him The Insider sent you!

For more about Art and his stellar bodybuilding career check out http://www.artatwood.com/

New Look for Optimum Nutrition?

I just received my April 2007 Muscular Development and the 3rd ad spread is a brand-new look from ON showcasing a completely new campaign Pro Complex campaign featuring IFBB Pro George Farah and radically different packaging on ON's very popular Pro Complex Protein!

I'm not going to express my opinion on the new label yet as I want to see what the comments look like here and on some of the boards...

Let's see what shows up here in the next couple of weeks in the new mags and at the ON booth at the upcoming Arnold Classic.

FREE Bodybuilding.com shaker with your purchase of $75.00 or more! Mix and go!

Planet Fitness: No Bodybuilders Allowed

I had a membership to Planet Fitness for a year or so - only because it was extremely close to home and it was cheap at only $10.00 per month.

During the time I trained there I lost weight, size, strength, and motivation - having to train among a bunch of sissies who were afraid of weights.

Needless to say I will never again step foot in a Planet Fitness or recommend anyone to train there for any reason.

Why? I simply can't in any good measure of conscience support a gym whose motto is "the judgement free zone" and yet practices discrimination. Can you say "hypocrisy"?

Watch this news clip and I think you'll agree:

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=8EB2181A-AB14-461A-992A-2B0F73B675D1&t=c150&f=06/64&p=Source_TodayShow&fg=&GT1=9033

Just my opinion,
The Insider

2007 IFBB Ironman Results

Calling 2 out of 3 isn't so bad - especially in a field of nearly 30 athletes. I called Tony Freeman and Mark Dugdale - but what happened to David Henry? In my opinion there is no way his lines and conditioning were beaten by Abbew, Samuel, and Marcus Haley!

In my preview post I mentioned the possibility of some dark-horse upsets and it appears that's exactly what happened!

I have to sat however that Freeman is gonna be tough to beat this season with his unbelievable x-frame, thick muscle bellies, and spot-on conditioning!

It looks already like the early spring season is shaping up to be far more competitive than even this industry insider thought possible!

The Insider

2007 Ironman Pro
February 17, 2007
Pasadena, California

Top 10 Final Results
1) Toney Freeman* (7th in 2006)
2) Mark Dugdale* (5th in 2006)
3) Eddie Abbew*
4) Silvio Samuel*
5) Marcus Haley*
6) David Henry (2nd in 2006)
7) Hidetada Yamagishi (16th in 2006)
8) Ahmad Haidar (9th in 2006)
9) Omar Deckard
10) Joel Stubbs

* Qualifies for the 2007 IFBB Mr. Olympia

For complete results of all the events along with photos check out www.ironmanmagazine.com

The Insider