Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Evolution of the Figure Walk: Part 2 - Be yourself.
Part 2
of Evolution of the Figure Walk: Be yourself.
When you aren't authentic, it shows. Both in your discomfort, stiffness, and apprehension. You look uncomfortable. Do you really want to be up there? The walk doesn't flow. The steps are counted. The swagger is jerky. Muscles aren't as flexible and movements are robotic. The music, the steps, the poses, the look, the movement, all of it just doesn't gel together. And all of that will show up in your scores.
Over the years I've tried copying other competitors who placed better than me. And it always backfired when I totally removed myself from what I was doing. Sure there are some things that had to change. I couldn't walk out on stage in a tank top, jeans, and flip-flops. I had to don the gear for the sport. And with that comes learning how to best present the physique I've worked so hard to build. Where I went wrong was trying to give up being the powerful, sporty, sassy, goofy, energetic jock and trade it all in trying to be a slinky, sexy, panther of a Victoria's Secret model on the cat walk. Yeah right. That's a train wreck waiting to happen.
If you are sassy, choose more energetic or powerful music. The goal is to make sure you are still posing and not rushing through. Slow it down so the judges can still have enough time to view each of your poses. If you are more elegant then maybe Gudnam Style and doing dance moves may not be the t-walk for you. However, long sweeping dramatic movements, lingering gazes with long transitions will continue to draw attention over the course of a slower t-walk.
However, I will say this: judges do have their preferences for style of presentation. Elegance & poise takes practice. It's up to you to DEVELOP that balance and personality. Over time (years), this presents on stage as confidence, focus, ownership of the stage, and presenting yourself as the Champion.
For figure coaching, competition training, or contest diet help, please contact me at: nicole@nicoleweeks.com. I work online and in person.
When you aren't authentic, it shows. Both in your discomfort, stiffness, and apprehension. You look uncomfortable. Do you really want to be up there? The walk doesn't flow. The steps are counted. The swagger is jerky. Muscles aren't as flexible and movements are robotic. The music, the steps, the poses, the look, the movement, all of it just doesn't gel together. And all of that will show up in your scores.
Over the years I've tried copying other competitors who placed better than me. And it always backfired when I totally removed myself from what I was doing. Sure there are some things that had to change. I couldn't walk out on stage in a tank top, jeans, and flip-flops. I had to don the gear for the sport. And with that comes learning how to best present the physique I've worked so hard to build. Where I went wrong was trying to give up being the powerful, sporty, sassy, goofy, energetic jock and trade it all in trying to be a slinky, sexy, panther of a Victoria's Secret model on the cat walk. Yeah right. That's a train wreck waiting to happen.
If you are sassy, choose more energetic or powerful music. The goal is to make sure you are still posing and not rushing through. Slow it down so the judges can still have enough time to view each of your poses. If you are more elegant then maybe Gudnam Style and doing dance moves may not be the t-walk for you. However, long sweeping dramatic movements, lingering gazes with long transitions will continue to draw attention over the course of a slower t-walk.
However, I will say this: judges do have their preferences for style of presentation. Elegance & poise takes practice. It's up to you to DEVELOP that balance and personality. Over time (years), this presents on stage as confidence, focus, ownership of the stage, and presenting yourself as the Champion.
For figure coaching, competition training, or contest diet help, please contact me at: nicole@nicoleweeks.com. I work online and in person.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Evolution of the figure walk: Part 1
Evolution of the figure walk: Part 1.
They've changed so much since I first competed in 2001. It used to be just four 1/4 turns and house music. You were lucky to have your name and hometown announced. And even that was announced WHILE you were walking. It was like you were "filler" until the next bodybuilding class was up. Figure was a dumbed down version of "fitness" in their eyes back then.
Today the SPORT of Figure is fully legitimate. Figure classes are LARGER than bodybuilding classes at most shows today, even at the pro level sometimes. Check the numbers out for yourself. Highly competitive. Muscular. Jacked. Lean. Symmetrical. bringing a level of competition that unfortunately rivals women's bodybuilding.
Four 1/4 turns are now fully choreographed 60-90 second posing routines of self expression to the music of their own choosing. Competitors push the envelope with sex appeal and near bodybuilding style poses, testing the waters and raising eyebrows. With tiger-like prowess and Miss America poise, figure competitors wow the crowd with their muscularity and grace in 5-inch stilettos and still manage to keep their teeny-tiny bikinis glued on securely.
We've come a long way. Let us never give up what we've fought so hard to earn: our own routine, our own music, pro-money equal to the men, and a legitimate spot on that stage.
They've changed so much since I first competed in 2001. It used to be just four 1/4 turns and house music. You were lucky to have your name and hometown announced. And even that was announced WHILE you were walking. It was like you were "filler" until the next bodybuilding class was up. Figure was a dumbed down version of "fitness" in their eyes back then.
Today the SPORT of Figure is fully legitimate. Figure classes are LARGER than bodybuilding classes at most shows today, even at the pro level sometimes. Check the numbers out for yourself. Highly competitive. Muscular. Jacked. Lean. Symmetrical. bringing a level of competition that unfortunately rivals women's bodybuilding.
Four 1/4 turns are now fully choreographed 60-90 second posing routines of self expression to the music of their own choosing. Competitors push the envelope with sex appeal and near bodybuilding style poses, testing the waters and raising eyebrows. With tiger-like prowess and Miss America poise, figure competitors wow the crowd with their muscularity and grace in 5-inch stilettos and still manage to keep their teeny-tiny bikinis glued on securely.
We've come a long way. Let us never give up what we've fought so hard to earn: our own routine, our own music, pro-money equal to the men, and a legitimate spot on that stage.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
10 Pull-ups! Yeah, I'm back :)
I've been really busy with life lately. That's a good thing! I've been working on the last few classes for my Dietetics degree, deadline to apply for graduate school and internships was April 15th, and I've been working full time in addition to trying to train in the gym. The biggest news of all: Chet proposed to me on our 1 year anniversary Feb 28th! He has seen me at my weakest, hasn't seen me at my strongest (yet), and loves me as I am enough to want to spend the rest of his life with me. So I'm the happiest and busiest girl in the world right now! And it's become so evident to me how God is the power keeping me going, rebuilding me, making me stronger, faster, more flexible again, all the while holding me together stronger than duct tape to keep all these irons in the fire HOT! I sure as hell couldn't do it on my own will power. No way.
On January 20th I did 8 pull-ups. So I wanted my 10 again. On my birthday Feb 11th I set out to do those 10 pull-ups like I used to when I was 100%. Now over a month later, I realize that not only did I accomplish getting back those 10 pull-ups, but I did it weighing 15 pounds more than I usually weighed previously. I'm starting to think I'm actually STRONGER than I was before. Just wait until you see what I'm benching these days....more than I did a couple years ago!
On January 20th I did 8 pull-ups. So I wanted my 10 again. On my birthday Feb 11th I set out to do those 10 pull-ups like I used to when I was 100%. Now over a month later, I realize that not only did I accomplish getting back those 10 pull-ups, but I did it weighing 15 pounds more than I usually weighed previously. I'm starting to think I'm actually STRONGER than I was before. Just wait until you see what I'm benching these days....more than I did a couple years ago!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Weeeeak! Weak I tell you!
It feels great being back in the gym. Pumped up with a positive attitude. But it really got frustrating those first few weeks. I was all gung-ho, wound up, and ready to reclaim the gym. I knew I had to take it easy. But what I didn't expect was how easy my body would force me to go. The first 15 minutes of the workout were great. After that my energy and intensity died off. My mind was saying "Push!" And my body replied, "Huh?"
But things are steadily getting better. Intensity and my strength endurance are increasing. And the same goes for cardio. Cardio has been the hardest to get back into. I had to suck up my pride and go steady state at 2.8mph and 6% incline on the treadmill. That was hard when what my mind is used to is crazy hardcore incline sprint intervals that make me want to puke after 30 minutes. Instead I was feeling beat down and unfulfilled after only 20 minutes of seemingly easy cardio while the 65 year old marathoner next to me is on his 10th mile at Olympic pace. Its been difficult just accepting that I'm doing the best I can do for now.
The past few weeks I've gotten in a few killer workouts. Caught myself enjoying the intensity and being able to dig deep and squeak out a couple more reps. Back days are still my favorite. But my quickest recovery gains have been in bench press. Last week I pushed 140# for 2 reps which is at my personal best. I've never pushed 150#, so I'm going to shoot for that this coming week and post a video. This video is from late August just showing some before videos and then later post newer progress videos.
But things are steadily getting better. Intensity and my strength endurance are increasing. And the same goes for cardio. Cardio has been the hardest to get back into. I had to suck up my pride and go steady state at 2.8mph and 6% incline on the treadmill. That was hard when what my mind is used to is crazy hardcore incline sprint intervals that make me want to puke after 30 minutes. Instead I was feeling beat down and unfulfilled after only 20 minutes of seemingly easy cardio while the 65 year old marathoner next to me is on his 10th mile at Olympic pace. Its been difficult just accepting that I'm doing the best I can do for now.
The past few weeks I've gotten in a few killer workouts. Caught myself enjoying the intensity and being able to dig deep and squeak out a couple more reps. Back days are still my favorite. But my quickest recovery gains have been in bench press. Last week I pushed 140# for 2 reps which is at my personal best. I've never pushed 150#, so I'm going to shoot for that this coming week and post a video. This video is from late August just showing some before videos and then later post newer progress videos.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Healing Fast
This video was done Aug 21, 2011. Only 5 1/2 weeks post-surgery and I'm already arching my back and stretching my abdominal area, using my core for stability. Pretty cool, huh?
What I learned most about recovering from any injury, illness, or surgery is that being physically fit makes a huge difference in recovery. Remember in my previous post how my doctor said no gym for 6 weeks? Well, I was honest with her at my 6 week follow-up and told her I was back in the gym within 4 weeks. And she admitted she knew I would. But at the same time, you have to listen to your body, take it easy, and start very slowly.
Being back in the gym at this point felt like a miracle. It felt like getting back to a life of normalcy. When an "flare up" occurred, the typical procedure was to pop some pills, and pray I pass out before the pain gets too much to bear. Six hours later hopefully the pain scale went back down from a 9 or 10 to a 5 so I could at least pretend to be functioning as a human being. After unot being able to do shit but flip around like a fish in bed, moaning in pain, half the day EVERY DAY for the past 6-7 months, being able to work out semi-normal again felt like a MIRACLE. I've had a lot of second chances in life, but this was humbling.
I will never again judge those with chronic health issues ever again. If anything I now understand what they are going through.
And every night I get down on my knees and thank God for my renewed health and ask Him to bless all those who helped me especially my boyfriend Chet, my parents, my doctor, and all the people who prayed for me and gave me encouragement on Facebook and through email. And I ask God to help me find the blessing in all that suffering. All I know now is that I should share my story so maybe someone who needs it finds it on Google and gets something out of it.
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