Blog Entry
What is the Fitness Atlantic Championship?
The Fitness Atlantic is a competition and fitness exposition held in the spring which includes bodybuilding, fitness, model, and swimsuit competitions for natural athletes to participate and receive awards and recognition for their accomplishments of getting into the best shape of their lives.
The production standards are nothing less than spectacular and are designed to make every contestant feel like a star. Broadway stage designers and night club music lighting experts to create a dazzling backdrop of lights, music and staging like no other fitness event you will ever witness and are designed to provide spectators with an unforgettable entertainment experience and make every contestant feel like a star.
When is the Fitness Atlantic Championship?
The event is held in the spring usually the third or fourth weekend in April each year.
Where is the event held?
The Fitness Atlantic is held in Connecticut and draws contestants and attendees from New York to Boston. The first five years (1999-2003) the show was held in downtown New Haven at the Palace Theatre unfortunately the Palace Theatre went out of business in 2004 and we moved the show to East Haven High School Performing Arts Center which is a beautiful modern school built in 1998 with a much larger lobby for exhibitors, plenty of free parking, and the best lighting and staging for an event of this kind.
What are the directions to the event location?
East Haven Performing Arts Center
35 Wheelbarrow Lane
East Haven, CT 06512
Is there a hotel discount?
Holiday Inn
North Haven201 Washington Ave.
North Haven, CT 06473
How do I get to the host hotel?
Follow I-91 North or South to exit 12. At the end of the exit make a right onto Washington Ave and follow for 1/4 mile, hotel on left.
The Hotel location is ideal. The list of amenities include, a full service restaurant and lounge, free continental breakfast, indoor pool, sauna, outdoor deck and bar, charming courtyard, laundry valet service (M-F), exercise room, free parking, exceptional meeting and banquet facilities, and the most comfortable guest accommodations.
The central location is minutes from the arts and culture of Greater New Haven and the CT shoreline, 30 minutes from Hartford, CT., 11/2 hrs from New York City and 2 hrs from Boston.
What is the closest airport if I fly into?
BDL - Bradley International Airport in Hartford County (Windsor Locks, CT) is the closest and most convenient but some people like to fly into New York either JFK or LaGuardia depending if flights are more or less expensive.
How do I get from the airport to the hotel and how far is it?
Bradley is about 40 minutes from New Haven / East Haven so we wouldn’t recommend a taxi drive - renting a car at the airport would be recommended.
Where can I purchase tickets to the live event?
Tickets Call (203) 395-6196
Fitness Preliminaries 10:00am $20.00
Bodybuilding Pre-Judge 1:00pm $20.00
All Finals 6:00pm $25.00* Reserved Seating
Can photographers get a media pass?
The Fitness Atlantic does have a staff photographer for all stage photography that is set up directly at the center stage front row. Anyone can shoot stage photography from their seats but backstage photographers and photographers that want to set up athlete photo shoots must be approved before hand by submitting a biography and sign a waiver. We request that all copies of photos be provided for use on the Fitness Atlantic website and if any photographer does not want to submit ALL copies of photos taken then they need not apply.
Are video cameras allowed in the theater?
Personal camcorders are NOT allowed into the theater to film the show and the event will be professional filmed for purchase as a DVD and streaming video promotions on the Fitness Atlantic website.
Media passes are available for television purposes only but must be submitted in writing and approved by Brian Cannone prior to the event.
What are the bodybuilding divisions and weight classes?
We reserve the right to adjust classes based on contestants participating in each division. These classes may be changed at any time.
Men
1. Bantamweight - Up to 150lbs
2. Lightweight - 150- under 165lbs
3. Welterweight - 165 - under 175lbs
4. Middleweight - 175- under 185lbs
5. Light Heavyweight - 185- under 195lbs
6. Heavyweight - Over 195lbs
Novice Men *(Never placed first in ANY contest)
7. Lightweight - Under 180lbs
8. Heavyweight - Over 180lbs
Women
9. Open Class
10. Novice Women
Masters Men
11. Over 40 years old
Grand Masters Men
12. Over 50 years old
Junior Men
13. 23 Years and Under
*If qualified contestants may compete in two divisions only and not three, crossovers are permitted for an additional fee.
Is the bodybuilding drug tested?
Each bodybuilding contestant must provide a urine sample and to ensure the highest quality of testing. Testing will only be held on Friday before the contest at the host hotel by appointment.
A fee of $35.00 cash will be collected by the nurses and will cover the cost of testing, the hotel room, the nurses’ fees, the collection bottles, and testing laboratory costs and procedure. The following samples will be tested - all division winners, and five random tests.
Any contestant that does not provide a sample will be disqualified. Any positive result will be terms of returning all prizes and permanent expulsion from participation in any future event.
What is the difference between Ms. Bikini and Figure?
Ms. Bikini is the trademark name for the class of Figure. Ms. Bikini includes two rounds with a two-piece and a sportswear round to make the event more entertaining for the audience and provide some type of participation for the athletes to perform on stage.
The Ms. Bikini competition is quite simply a beauty contest, but with special emphasis on body shape, condition and overall attractiveness. It includes two competitive rounds. There are no qualifications to compete and the event is open to women worldwide.
There are two Open Divisions - Under 5′4″ and Over 5′4″. Contestants must be at least 18 years of age. No minors are permitted regardless of parental consent.
Are there different classes for Fitness?
1. Fitness Atlantic Pageant Open Division
2. Fitness Atlantic Pageant Junior Division - Under 18 years (routine and sportswear round)
Are there required moves in Fitness?
Fitness America Pageant is a celebration of feminine style, beauty and grace - a nationally recognized event that allows women beyond high school and college years to compete for recognition and prizes in dance, aerobics, cheerleading, gymnastics routines and/or other displays of athletic talent. The Top 10 fitness women qualify for the 2005 Fitness America National Championships and 2005 Fitness Universe Championships.
Fitness Round - 40% of Score
The judges will look for high energy routines that demonstrate athletic coordination, style, personality and overall performance. Contestants should demonstrate flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, strength, creativity and showmanship. Only the athletic skills that a contestant has experience should be incorporated. Costumes will be judged as well during the Fitness Round, so special attention should be given. No G-string or thong-type costumes may be worn unless athletic apparel or tights are worn underneath, and tennis shoes or athletic shoes must be worn. Props are allowed but must be approved by Pageant officials at least 2 weeks in advance of the performance. Routines must be under two minutes and once begun cannot be repeated. Music must be professionally recorded for maximum performance and audience and judges impression.
Execution and Performance 40%
Routine Creativity 30%
Appearance and Costume 30%
Swimsuit Round - 40% of Score
Judges will analyze body shape, tone, symmetry, complexion, poise, presentation and overall condition. Also, they will be looking for fit, toned, feminine physiques that display proper conditioning. However, the Fitness America Pageant is not a bodybuilding event therefore; extreme physical definition and excessive muscular development will be penalized. Contestants will be judged individually and in group comparisons. G-String or thong type swimsuits are not allowed.
Overall Appearance 40%
Body Condition 30%
Femininity 30%
Interview Round - 20% of Score
The Top 5 competitors from the combined Fitness and Swimsuits scores will proceed to the interview round at the finals. Each contestant will answer a question from one of the selected judges regarding her background, outlook about various aspects of life and attitudes concerning health and fitness lifestyles. Spontaneous answers must be given. Judges will be looking for articulate, concise, and intelligent thought provoking responses.
Relevant Thought and Content 40%
Sincerity 30%
Composure 30%
What is Model competition?
Model America Championships is for attractive women and men from around the world. Contestants must have stunning looks, an athletic body and know how to present themselves in a sexy and marketable manner for the judging panel and live & television audience. Contestants must be in good mental & physical health and at least 18 years of age. There are no prescribed height and/or weight limitations.
There are two divisions - Female Sports Model and Male Sports Model. All contestants will be required to perform a runway style presentation in the following three Competition Rounds. Choice of apparel and shoes is at the complete discretion of the contestant.
Sportswear - Active sports apparel appropriate for athletics; Theme selection welcome.
Swimsuit - Women in two piece style and heels; Men in one color suit (no patterns or logos) and bare feet.
Clubwear - Night and social lifestyle.
The judging criteria will be scored upon the following considerations:
Physical Appearance - Body shape, complexion, face, hair and smile 40%
Photogenics - Poise, posture and presentation 40%
Apparel - Coordination, fit and proportion 20%
Do I need to pre-qualify to compete in the Fitness Atlantic Championship?
You do not have to be qualified to participate in this event. The Fitness Atlantic is an open competition and any athlete can participate as long as they are not using steroids.
Who runs the Fitness Atlantic show?
Brian Cannone is the event producer and runs the event under Beyond Fitness LLC and is responsible for all aspects of Fitness Atlantic and “Super Fitness Weekend” event development, as well as overseeing marketing to the public. Since 1993 Brian has creating and managing fitness events and leading in building attendance, show branding, and exhibitor promotion.
Brian Cannone is a full-time health club regional general manager operating two large health clubs in Connecticut. His expertise includes membership sales training, facility layouts, club marketing, and management skills. With an unbroken record of success Brian Cannone has serviced World Gym, Gold’s Gym, In Shape Fitness Centers, and Ultimate Fitness Centers along with organizing one of the largest fitness and bodybuilding events since 1991. He has worked with hundreds of clients as a certified personal trainer and certified nutritionist for both general fitness and competition preparation.
Brian Cannone has worked every aspect involved in health club operation including membership sales, certified personal trainer, group class director and indoor cycling instructor, to his current position operating a health club chain. Brian has also competed in bodybuilding events with the A.A.U., NPC, ANBC, and Musclemania organizations and knows first hand from personal experience what it is like to be participating in these events.
