2008 Arnold Blog

I felt the Arnold Amateur Classic was an opportunity that I could not miss when I heard about it. I had to send in my application. They made the stipulation that you basically had to have qualified for a National level show to participate so the turn out of athletes was spectacular.

Walking in the room was a bit of a shock. To stand there and see so many women that actually had near pro level physiques was almost intimidating. But I entered this contest number one because it was close to home for me and number two it was an amazing opportunity and an honor to be accepted.

The competition itself was run a bit differently then any show I had been in before as it was go go go from the moment we arrived at the Veterans. Mike Davies was to the point, gracious, kind and quite helpful to the girls to get us organized. Hats off to him for taking care of things. We were lined up quickly one group after the other and quite frankly the next round started lining up before even the last two groups finished the first rounds. This will give you some perspective of how quickly this contest ran.

My biggest thrill was to stand on the same stage as so many pros have done in the past. To be up there and have my family and so many friends out there watching ME was such a thrill! You couldn’t help but feel like a star!

All and all I had an amazing time and experience and honestly would do it again next year if given the opportunity. The rest of the weekend went by in a blur with photo shoots and and trying to catch up with as many of my friends as possible that live all across the country.

I felt so fortunate to have made it to that stage after the last month I had. I had a horrible infection, two mouth surgeries, a major snow storm and then 3 days before leaving for the show…I was in a car accident which totaled my SUV and in all ways should have basically taken me from this earth. So I felt very special to be up there in more ways then one.

I am sorry but as of yet I don’t know the standings. I am told they will be posted on the Arnold Amateur website but they are not there yet.

MUAH
Dream BIG!!!!!
K

Post by: sunshine1101

We bumped into Bodybuilding.com writer, Francesco Casillo who flew in all the way from Italy to attend the 2007 Arnold Classic and Expo!

Hear about Francesco’s upcoming 30-page multimedia article on Bodybuilding.com and his experience meeting Bob Cicherillo in the gym!

Having problems with the video?  Click here for the downloadable Windows Media version.

Post by: bbcom_developer

My name is George Friedel aka GFriedel and I am one of the contestants in the BB.com Transformation Contest.  As one of the contestants, I have been asked by BB.com to blog here, and I consider this an honor!

I have been a member of BB.com since the beginning of November 2006, when I decided it was time to go back to the gym and get in better shape.  I entered the BB.com Transformation Contest and I was one of eight people chosen to participate.  So far, during this contest, I have lost 20 lbs and 3% bodyfat.  It’s amazing what you can do with some motivation, and incentives, to get in better shape!!  Make sure you check out the BB.com Transformation Blog because there is OUTSTANDING progress being made by all 8 contestants!!!

I will be attending the 2007 Arnold Sports Festival.  I’m really excited about this because this is my 1st ever show!!  I’m not attending because I have any aspirations of competing.  I’m attending as someone who is interested in seeing all the events, meeting the different Supplement Companies, and meeting the people I have spoken with and competing against in the BB.com Transformation Contest.

From the Arnold, I will be blogging on the Experience of being there.  I will be taking pictures, and hopefully some video.  I will eventually add these to my posts in the Arnold blog and in a thread in the forums.  I want tell, and show you, what the HYPE is all about for a first timer!!

If you have any questions, or want to see a blog about a certain event, please let me know.  I will be more than happy to try to get it done!!

GFriedel

Post by:

I must say that I was honored to be asked to join this group who will blogging for the 2007 Arnold Classic. I’ve been actively blogging on Bodybuilding.com for about about five months in my own little world called Inside the Mind of Deserusan.

What initially drew me to the blogging process was the addition of BodySpace. As an active forum member I found the inclusion of this feature to be invaluable. It became very apparent who was walking the walking and those who were just talking the talk. Regardless, BodySpace and BodyBlog have allowed me to organize my hobby of constructive researched supplement reviews and other fitness/supplement industry thoughts within an attractive and user friendly interface. It’s even allowed me to showcase my ugly mug.

As an active forum member I’ve been able to make numerous contacts within the industry which appears to be quite an exciting sect of society to say the least. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure to meet any of them and have only had contact via e-mail or forum posts. This coming Arnold Classic is very dear to my heart because I will finally break my industry cherry and will have on opportunity to meet all these wonderful people I have interacted with over the past few years.

It’s hard to contain my excitement actually because this has been a long time coming. Regardless, I just find it simply amazing that my fitness hobby has resulted in so many great friendships and even had someone such as Jay Cutler giving me a phone call to say thanks. Talk about a shock.

With that said, my current career is involved in health care information systems. I was planning on taking the competative bodybuilding stage this past fall but a heavy travel schedule unfortunately put that on the back burner. At present I am currently bulking and am planning cutting this April for my long overdo debut to the natural bodybuilding scene. The organization I plan to compete in is the Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders (OCB) which will hopefully land me a pro card for the Internation Physique and Fitness Association (IFPA).

Eitherway, 2007 should be an exciting year for this would be bodybuilding hobbyist. Regardless, the Arnold Classic should open my eyes to an industry I have grown to love which supports a lifestyle I live and breath every second of the day. Thank you for your time and attention.

-Daniel (aka Deserusan)

What’s going on guys and gals?  I just want to do a little intro before we get rolling on the Arnold.  A lot you guys have seen me posting around but for those of you who don’t know I am Chitown72.  I am a 19 year old college student.  I have been on these boards for about two years now but was a lurker for a while before that.  I don’t have time to post as much as others on here but I try to contribute when I can and I also have done several logs.

My interest into bodybuilding began about six years ago when I began doing my first weight training/conditioning program for grade school sports.  I immediately found it to be very satisfying and loved the challenges that weightlifting and conditioning placed in front of me.  I continued my training into high school football and that is when I became more and more interested in bodybuilding.  I not only was lifting to get stronger for sports but now that I was starting to see some visible results I was hooked. I have continued my interest in bodybuilding throughout my teens and into present day.  All of my current stats are on my bodyspace so if you are interested check it out.  I come on these boards to learn from all of the much more knowledgeable and mature bodybuilders that post here.

My first experience with the Arnold was last year.  I traveled to Ohio and attended with a friend and I was completely blown away.  I had such a great time I did not want the weekend to end.  I am pretty familiar with all the pros but I have to say even if I wasn’t in to bodybuilding I still would have had a blast. There is just something there for everyone.  I will be attending once again this year and can not wait!  Well that’s about it.  Any questions just shoot me a PM.  

Chitown72

Obviously most don’t know who I am so here is a little about me.

My name is Scott Wilmonen and I am a Content Editor/Web Developer here at Bodybuilding.com and work at the main office in Boise, ID. I work with a great group here as we provide some of the best content (from writers all over the world) available on fitness and nutrition for anyone wanting to improve their lives. My background includes a BFA in Studio Art (photography/design) and a M.Ed. in Professional Technical Education (Vo Tech for those not familiar with the term).

If I do go back to school again I do think it would be more in the area of exercise and nutrition - I have always been involved in sports and do not get enough of the weight training. I sincerely hope everyone can find some way to improve there lives in this busy-fast crazy world that we live in today.

I did attend the Arnold last year, and with the exception of being sick while I was there, could not have expected a more grand event for anyone remotely interested in improving their health or just watching some great entertainment! Very exciting weekend! Some of the people I was able to meet include Gunter, Lou Ferrigno, Nassar, Quincy Taylor, Jay Cutler, Shawn Ray, Ronnie Coleman, Frank Zane, Timea Majorova, Brenda Kelly and many, many others!

Look forward to blogging our way through the Arnold and will probably being posting information from now through the show. Of course if you have any questions about this event ask away. You can ask me or any of the others in this blog. Isaac hits it right on the nose when he says to go prepared; it can be overwhelming!

Talk to y’all later,

Scott

Hello fellow bloggites. Those of you who don’t know who I am, where YOU BEEN? Just kidding. I write and photograph for Bodybuilding.com as well as a number of other industry publications. I work with a number of the top pros on their web sites and marketing. You may have read some of my interviews and previews on the shows…

Speaking of previews, make sure you check out my preview on the females competing in the ARNOLD. I will be getting video interviews, photos and providing updates here on BodySpace for yall on this year’s ARNOLD. I’ll be in Columbus Thursday - Monday. The ARNOLD is always one of the best shows of the years and simply madness. Over the next couple weeks I’ll provide insight, previews and other various updates leading up to the ARNOLD.

Stay tuned and check back often!

Hello everyone! Richard Barnet suggested that I introduce myself to you before we begin on our journey to the 2007 Arnold Classic. It should be quite an interesting ride: I hope you are all strapped in.

My name is Kyle aka NoNameNecessary on the Bodybuilding.com forums, where you can often find me posting. I have been lifting seriously for over 5 years. I began lifting for athletic purposes. However, I grew tired of team sports and began searching for a sport where I, alone, was responsible for the results. I enjoyed lifting so much that I turned to bodybuilding. It has totally consumed my life; it is no longer a hobby but a way of life. I plan on attending Manhattan College/Rowan University in the fall. I am currently undecided, though I am sure I will focus on health and nutrition.

I have not had the pleasure of attending the Arnold Classic. I was scheduled to go this year, however, family matters have prevented me from attending. This year’s competition is going to be a great one with the likes of Gustavo Badell, Tony Freeman, David Henry, Dexter Jackson, Victor Martinez, Markus Ruhl, and Branch Warren competing. The females will also have a strong presence with the Ms. International, Fitness International, and Figure International scheduled. With all of this going on and much, much more, the Arnold Classic weekend is sure to have something everyone can enjoy!

I look forward to blogging with you all and if you all have any input, comments, or suggestions, feel free to PM me. I’ll do the best I can to make this an enjoyable blog for everyone.