Pro/Am Contests Blog

Check out Bodybuilding.com’s full contest coverage from this competition right here.

For more information on this event check out Brenda Kelly’s 2009 Muscle Beach Labor Day Review here.

2009 Muscle Beach Championships Results. Check out the results from the 2009 Muscle Beach Championships here. [ View 2009 Muscle Beach Championships Results ]

2009 Muscle Beach Championships Photos. Check out the pictures of the 2009 Muscle Beach Championships. See pictures of contestants, crowds and competition! [ Mens ] [ Bikini ] [ Figure ] [ Womens ] [ Misc. ]

MUSLCE BEACH CHAMPIONSHIP
LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

The Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini 2009 season competitions ended at Muscle Beach on Labor Day, September 7, 2009. Terrific California weather, palm trees waving, ocean crashing and a packed crowd cheered on the athletes who competed at the event.

Reg Lewis, IFBB Mr. America, Mr. America over 40 and Mr. Physical Fitness was inducted into the Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame, Class of 2009. Many may remember Reg as the star of “Son of Hercules” and “The Fire Monster”. It was a pleasure to have Reg and his family, view his bronze plaque on the Muscle Beach Venice Walk of Fame sponsored by Bodybuilding.com.

We would like to congratulate the winners:

Overall Women’s Bodybuilding - Victoria Dominquez
Overall Novice Men’s Bodybuilding – Bishoy Hanna
Overall Open Men’s Bodybuilding – Peter Jablonski
Overall Bikini - Victorai Kirsanova
Overall Novice Figure – Taylor Hansen
Overall Open Figure – Andrea Mandella

Thanks to Weider International who sponsored the Overall Women’s and Men’s Bodybuilding Awards.

New to this event was the “Best Back” Awards sponsored by Big Back Grips. The award was presented to Dallas Malloy and Guillermo Escalante.

In tribute to the Muscle Beach 75th Anniversary, Mark Antonio Grant, representative for Councilmen Bill Rosendahl and John Balik, Publisher Iron Man Magazine described the plan to bury a time capsule to commemorate Muscle Beach. Thanks to Iron Man Magazine for sponsoring this opportunity. The time capsule will be buried in conjunction with the third annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive on December 13, 2009. The capsule will be opened in fifty years and will contain information, artifacts and mementos from the first 75 years of Muscle Beach.

In addition to the competition vendors from the health and fitness industry were on hand to provide samples, product and education to the public. Thanks to the sponsors Bodybuilding.com, Allday Energy, Gaspari Nutrition, Eric The Trainer, Iron Man Magazine, Big Arm Clothing, PopChips, Heart Check, Global Rainfall and Vitamin Water.

Joe Wheatley Productions in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks would like to sincerely thank all the judges and staff who work so hard to make these events a huge success.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!

Check out Bodybuilding.com’s full contest coverage from this competition right here.

2009 Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach Results. Check out the results from the 2009 Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach here. [ View 2009 Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach Results ]

2009 Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach Photos Check out the pictures of the 2009 Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach.  See pictures of contestants, crowds and competition! [ Mens Photos ] [ Bikini Photos ] [ Figure Photos ] [ Womens Photos ] [ Misc. Photos ]

MR. & MS. MUSCLE BEACH
JULY 4TH, 2009
By: Ron Avidan

The 75th Anniversary of Muscle Beach was celebrated at the July 4th, 2009 Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini competition. The Title Sponsor MuscleTech was honored to have Acting Mayor Jan Perry along with the 11th District Councilman Bill Rosendahl, and Sophia Pina Cortez from the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department present a plaque to the Hall of Fame Inductees who attended the event.

The Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame inducted two outstanding individuals. Dr. Bernie Ernst, known for his television show “Body Buddies” and Relna Brewer McRae one of the four original founding members of Santa Monica Muscle Beach were inducted.

The audience enjoyed the “Then and Now” entertainment provided by the father and son team of Misha and Ivan depicting the excellent gymnastic routines performed at Santa Monica Muscle Beach in the 1940’s. Jake Sawyer presented a superb bodybuilding posing routine that depicts the “now” of the world renown bodybuilding acclaim of Muscle Beach Venice.

A number of Hall of Fame Inductees were on hand for the celebration including Bill Grant, Paula Boelsems, Bill Howard, Tony Pearson, John Balik, Gene Mosee and Elaine Hargitay for Mickey Hargitay.

A record breaking number of athletes competed at Muscle Beach on July 4, 2009. Our congratulations go to:

Kristina Szeles – Overall Women’s Bodybuilding
Daniel Alexander – Overall Novice Men’s Bodybuilding
George Giraldo – Overall Open Men’s Bodybuilding
Elena Andrade – Overall Bikini
Francesca Lucioni – Overall Novice Figure
AND MAKING MUSCLE BEACH HISTORY FOR WINNING BOTH
Francesca Lucioni  - Overall Open Figure

Congratulations to all athletes who won their classes!!!

An Expo of Sponsors from the health and fitness industry including Bodybuilding.com, Iron Man Magazine, Gaspari Nutrition, Eric The Trainer, Big Back Grips, Big Arm Clothing, ProFight Supplements, Herbal Life, Pop Chips, Extreme Boot Camp and Vitamin Water were on hand to provide samples and education to the public.

Joe Wheatley Productions would like to thank our judges and support personnel for their dedication to the success of the events at Muscle Beach.

Check out Bodybuilding.com’s full contest coverage from this competition right here.

Muscle Beach International Classic Results. Check out the results from the Muscle Beach International Classic here. [ View Muscle Beach International Classic Results ]

Muscle Beach International Classic Photos Check out the pictures of the Muscle Beach International Classic.  See pictures of contestants, crowds and competition! [ Muscle Beach International Classic Photos ] [ Mens Photos ] [ Bikini Photos ] [ Figure Photos ] [ Womens Photos ]

Armed Forces Bodybuilding Championships Results!

Battle of the Branches

Middleweight

1. Jake Sawyer
2. Chris Horton

Light-Heavyweight

1. Jerami Withrow

Overall Armed Forces Winner

1. Jerami Withrow

I received this in an email from Brenda Kelly;
Subject: From Brenda - Muscle Beach Memorial Day Invitation

Hello and Happy springtime to you from here in beautiful LA from Brenda!

I want to invite you to this Memorial Day weekend on May 23 (Sat.), May 24 (Sun.) & Memorial Day May 25 (Mon.) to a spectacular line up of exciting events and health Expo at Muscle Beach, Venice, CA.

Joe Wheatly Productions is hosting a nonstop fitness weekend full of fun in the sun right at Muscle Beach.

Saturday: Military National Championship open to all active, reserved, National Guard and retired personnel begins at 9:00 AM.

Come by the Xstatic booth and hang out with MLB Hall of Fame catcher, Johnny Bench, Eric Fleishman AKA Eric The Trainer and I to see a breakthrough new technology that can have you feeling more energy, power, endurance and strength. You will be amazed just like we were when you feel the difference instantly! Live and recorded demonstrations FREE

Sunday: Benchpress and Deadlifting Championships begin at 10:00 AM.
Sunday: Pro Fight Supplements presents Rumble In Venice sanctioned by USA Boxing from 2-5 PM.

Monday: Battle of the Branches Armed Force Championships in conjunction with the Bodybuilding and Figure Muscle Beach International Classic presented by Iron Man Magazine and Bodybuilding.com.
Pre - judge starts at 10:00 AM. Finals at 1:00 PM.

Visit me at the Iron Man Magazine booth where I’ll be handing out FREE issues! Stop by and say hello, pick up your free Mag and get a personalized autograph from me!

Make sure to check out the fun In between pre judge and finals onstage where I will be hosting a segment on some new and exciting health and exercise products available right there at the Muscle Beach Expo.

If you want to compete in the Military National Championships, Benchpress and Deadlifting Championships or the Bodybuilding or Figure Classic and have not registered, no worries! Come early and register on site! Registration fees apply. Click here to review.

Thanks to Xstatic for sponsoring T-shirts for he Powerlifting USA Military National Championships and Bench Press and Deadlifting Contest and thanks to Bodybuilding.com for sponsoring event T-shirts for the Muscle Beach weekend!

All events all 3 days are FREE ADMISSION and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC so bring your friends and family to watch the entertainment, cheer on your favorite competitor, browse the Expo and get FREE samples and up to date info on new health products. Many of your favorite industry celebrities show up so make sure to bring your camera or get an autograph from your favorite role model.

Join us for a fit and healthy weekend at historical Muscle Beach.
See you at the Beach!

1800 Ocean Front Walk - Venice, CA 90291

Take care of yourself. You’re worth it.
Love,
Brenda
WWW.BrendaKelly.com

Ron Avidan, GetBig.com

From Joe Wheatley, the promoter of Muscle Beach Venice.  

It all started in 1934 when a group of health and fitness pioneers brought fame to Santa Monica Muscle Beach with their feats of weightlifting, strength and gymnastics. In 2009, Muscle Beach Venice marks the 75th Anniversary of the world renown home of bodybuilding.

This historic occasion will be celebrated on July 4th 2009 at the Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Competition. Icons from the industry including Hall of Fame Inductees will be on hand with City of Los Angels Officials to recognize this great history.

Bodybuilding.com, Muscletech and Ironman Magazine are three of the main sponsors of this event.

More information coming soon…

When the population of the world thinks of bodybuilding they think of two things, Arnold and “Muscle Beach“. Did you know that Arnold is perhaps the most recognizable public figure ever on the face of the earth only second to Mickey Mouse? And did you know that Venice Beach, home to “Muscle Beach”, is one most popular tourist destinations in the world right up there with Las Vegas, Disneyland and the Vatican? Well put those together on the last holiday weekend of the summer and what do you get, thousands of people crowded in to see it all. And you get newspaper, television and radio coverage rivaling a presidential visit.

Fewer places are more readily accepted as a view of the fun life than Muscle Beach at Venice Beach in California. The sun, sand and the ocean all come together where great bodies gather for the summer to walk down the Venice boardwalk in bikinis and shorts. I have heard it said over and over again that Venice and Muscle Beach might be the third most popular tourist attraction in the world only behind Disneyland and Las Vegas!

It was at the July 4th, 2007 competition at Muscle Beach Venice that I ran across my good friend Silvio. He had come by to check it all out and jumped on stage to give the crowd a few quick poses, which they loved! So what do you do if you are Silvio? Well you come on back for a workout in the sun on Sunday!
- SecondFocus

For more information:

www.musclebeachvenice.com

Email: joesmusclebeach@yahoo.com

More Muscle Beach Links:

2008 Muscle Beach Toy Drive

2008 Muscle Beach International Classic

2007 Muscle Beach International Classic

2007 Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Bodybuilding & Figure Contest

2006 Muscle Beach Championship

2006 Muscle Beach Venice International Classic

Check out all the Muscle Beach Articles Here.

The second annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive, December 13 & 14, 2008 was a HUGE!! success. The bite in the air was a reminder to all that Christmas was near and the donors responded with an outstanding donation of toys.

Many thanks to Bodybuilding.com and Iron Man Magazine the Presenting Sponsors of the event. The BB.com event t-shirts and Iron Man Magazines were proudly displayed by each donor.

The City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department, Venice Recreation Center and the Los Angeles Pacific Division Police Department, Host Sponsors, graciously provided the location and distributed the toys to needy children in the Los Angeles area.

Councilman Bill Rosendahl, 11th District, presented Certificates of Appreciation for their outstanding contribution to the City of Los Angeles. The following contributors to the Muscle Beach Toy Drive were recognized:

Russ Deluca (accepted by Jerome Ferguson) Bodybuilding.com
John Balik (accepted by Steve Downs) Iron Man Magazine
Abbas Moussawwi - Pro-Fight Supplements
Eric Fleischman – Eric The Trainer

In addition Joe Wheatley Productions would like to thank Fruit Gallery – James and Nina Merced for their donation of hot chocolate that hit the spot on a nippy afternoon.

The Venice High School Choir – the “Allegros” entertained the crowd with Christmas Carols. Thanks to Wendy Kornbeck, Choir Director, for her enthusiasm and Christmas Spirit.

Sunday afternoon, the guest star of the event Santa Claus arrived by a sled, escorted by the LAPD. What a great sight to see Santa coming down the Venice Boardwalk, visiting with the kids and taking orders for Christmas Wishes!!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everyone!!!

Check out Bodybuilding.com’s full contest coverage from this competition right here.

2008 Joe Wheatley Labor Day Results. Check out the results from the 2008 Joe Wheatley Labor Day contest here. [ View Joe Wheatley Labor Day Results ]

2008 Joe Wheatley Labor Day Photos Check out the pictures of the 2008 Joe Wheatley Labor Day.  See pictures of contestants, crowds and competition! Prejudging Photos: [ Men’s Bodybuilding ] [ Figure ] [ Women’s Bodybuilding ] [ Misc ] [ VIEW ALL PICTURES ]

This past weekend saw some great bodybuilding contests, including the 2008 IFBB Houston Pro and Joe Wheatley’s Muscle Beach 4th of July contest.

Check out the results and photos from this weekend’s contests here on Bodybuilding.com:

- 2008 IFBB Houston Pro Results

- 2008 IFBB Houston Pro Photo Gallery

- 2008 IFBB Houston Pro Video Clips (from SiouxCountry.com)

IFBB Pro Natalie Benson @ 2008 Houston Pro.

- 2008 Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Results

- 2008 Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Photo Gallery

IFBB Pro Eryk Bui @ 2008 Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Contest.

Joe Wheatley’s Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach July 4th show was FAnominal!  The show began promptly at 10 am… The classes for each division were a lot larger then the Memorial Day show.

I was happy to see a good friend of mine, Dena Anne Weiner, back stage.  We ended up competing against one another in the Overall Competition… We were so excited about standing next to one another… we grabbed hands immediately!

Photo courtesy of SecondFocus.

To my surprise, I won the Overall trophy… and when I say trophy, I mean it.  It’s a TALL trophy!  I had to have a friend ship it back to me… it wouldn’t fit in my luggage! And my hands were full with the long-stem roses I received!

I absolutely love this show!!! It’s a great place to people watch.  I probably won’t compete in it again this year, but would love to return to watch!!!

Abby Marie
AbbyMarie.net

So who else comes on out to Muscle Beach for the July 4th competition? Well after Arnold came biking through, there was still more. Victor Martinez for one and you should not doubt this guy’s popularity! I have not seen a pro bodybuilder generate as much excitement as Victor in a long time. I am amazed and how many people know who he is and want to meet him and take a photo with the man who won the 2007 Arnold!

Next up and no slouch in the fan favorite department was Silvio Samuel. Silvio is always ready to get out on stage and show some muscle. He is always a humble guy and very thankful for everything that has gotten him this far.

And both guys got to share the Muscle Beach magic with one of the true greats of the sport, Franco Columbo. Two time Olympia winner and holder of more titles than even he can probably remember, Franco was inducted into the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame.

And not to be upstaged by anyone and despite his march along senior citizen status, Franco did the same stunt he has been known to do forever. He blew up an actual hot water bottle until it burst! Try that at home at any age!

Roland Kickinger was on hand to give out some hardware. Roland was the star of “See Arnold Run” and actually won a show at Muscle Beach 13 years ago.

Now I am going to give you a sneak peek. Muscle Beach is going to have it’s own walk of fame. That’s right; on Labor Day it will be official that Bronze Plaques will be laid along the “Pit” and be there forever to honor the most famous in bodybuilding. And you might catch in the upper left corner of the plaque who is behind getting it done with Joe Wheatley the producer and the father of all that is new and great at Muscle Beach. That is right, BodyBuilding.com.

So plan on being at Muscle Beach Venice on Labor Day. You can only imagine who will be there on that day, I can assure you.

Thanks and keep coming back if you "Wanna See More…?"

Another Summer day and the Mr and Mrs Muscle Beach competition at worlds famous Muscle Beach. Now you never know who you might see on the boardwalk in Venice but one person you can see very often is Arnold. Since he got his start he has always been around Muscle Beach and July 4th was another bike ride for him, which he does often when he is in town.

This time he came along just when the bodybuilding competition was getting started. And a shocked crowd and tourists was amazed that the Governator was just out and about for fun. Arnold stopped and talked with a few and then was on his way.

The people around were really caught off guard and many of them were asking me “Was that really Arnold?”.

Well it was Arnold, I know that for sure!

More from July 4th at Muscle Beach shortly with more big surprises!

Thanks and keep coming back if you "Wanna See More…?"

Joe Wheatley’s 2007 Muscle Beach International Classic was held last week on Memorial Day in Santa Monica, California, and we’ve got lots of coverage here on Bodybuilding.com of the event.

IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, Günter Schlierkamp.

Lots of fitness industry celebs were in attendance, including:

• Gunter Schlierkamp
• Bob Cicherillo
• Brenda Kelly
• John Balik
• “The X-Man” Toney Freeman
• Ian Sitren
• Cathy LeFrancois
• “Hollywood” Jerome Ferguson
• Abby Marie
• Chris LaCascia
• Adam Kirby
• “Marvelous” Melvin Anthony
• Roland Kickinger
• Timea Majorova
• Russ DeLuca
• Tony Pearson
• Sherry Goggins
• Justin Hunter

NPC/INBF Figure Competitor &
Figure Short Class Winner, Abby Marie.

NPC Bodybuilder, Chris LaCascia.

IFBB Pro Bodybuilders, Bob Cicherillo & Toney Freeman.

NPC Bodybuilder, Justin Hunter.

“Getting Cut With Glass” Star, Adam Kirby.

Pre/Post-Show Muscle Beach Coverage on Bodybuilding.com:

Muscle Beach Post-Show Recap And Show Footage by Chris LaCascia
Muscle Beach Int’l Info Page/Review by Ian Sitren
Muscle Beach Int’l Review by Brenda Kelly
Muscle Beach Int’l Results
2007 Muscle Beach Int’l Finals Photos
2007 Muscle Beach Int’l Miscellaneous Photos
2007 Muscle Beach Int’l Pre-Judging Photos
Chris LaCascia & Tracy Guarino’s “Back To The Beach” Video Series
Adam Kirby’s Training with Charles Glass

Muscle Beach photos courtesy of SecondFocus.

There is no other bodybuilding competition in the world like Muscle Beach over Memorial Day weekend at Venice Beach, California. It is perhaps the most news media covered bodybuilding show in the world, only exceeded by the Arnold and the Olympia. Where else at what other competition do you get the United States Air Force to fly over the massive C-17 Globemaster!

So much more went on during the day including trophies handed out by Gunter Schlierkamp and guest posing by Melvin Anthony. The overall figure winner is Erin Lutz and this was only her second show, having done Muscle Beach last year. And the overall mens bodybuilder is 40 year old Carl Matthews Jr. from Las Vegas.

Anyway I just got in from the beach, Muscle Beach that is. So time for a break. I will be posting some more fun stuff from this weekend at Muscle Beach, so keep checking back. And we will have the photo galleries up soon. Thanks!

Photos:
Pre-Judging Gallery
Finals Gallery
Contest Fun Gallery

And the first day of the Memorial Day weekend festivities got off with muscle! A record number of competitors came on out to Venice Beach including great bodies from our own Armed Forces and lots of great people from around the world who wanted to get on stage at Muscle Beach!

A cool morning opened up to a Summer sunny day at the beach here in Southern California. It was everything you think about; sand, the ocean, good looking guys and girls. Not only did we have the show pre-judging but also booths and bands for entertainment. Even big Toney Freeman, the “X-Man” himself, could not miss Muscle Beach.

Tomorrow on Memorial Day we will see the show start off with an Air Force flyover and then get on to a big day of finals. So if you are around, come on out! And look for me and the crew from BodyBuilding.com and say Hi!