Good Morning,
Hope you are having an awesome week!
The above photo is Anna Gibbons she has entered Fitness Atlantic
since 2011 and only skipped one year which means she did the show 8 times.
It is go great to become a tradition and see people again and again.
Anna always enters the Figure Open and Figure masters classes.
She sent this note yesterday.
Brian,
I love this show ! It is always a spectacular and classy event. And we always have so much fun Mohegan Sun Casino. I’ll be back for sure!
Thank you,
Anna
It's really nice to see people again who truly enjoy coming to Fitness Atlantic and making
it part of their lives.
For some people this is just another "contest" and they come with one thing in mind (winning) while for others it is a day to enjoy the whole weekend. Then they jump into the next contest after contest until the win or they burnout and you never see or hear from them again.
Other people document the entire experience. Many people posted photos with stories of driving to Mohegan Sun with their friends and family. They shared candid photos at the casino and afterwards eating with family and friends at some of the wonderful restaurants and the giant pancakes from Hash House.
There is always just a limited amount of people can win. More and more participants from the show are starting to really take in the whole experience. It really is unlike any other event.
Many years back we had to stop with "judges feedback" because contestants looked to justify why they believed they should have placed higher. Instead of simply being a score it turned into them comparing themselves to a person's physique who placed ahead of them.
It turns into questions asking why someone beat them. We use a very experienced panel of judges and they use a tabulator who uses calculations of the rounds and the criteria to total a score and place each participate.
Feedback usually comes down to a few factors:
Number One - Conditioning.
This is typically the thing most people need to work on and that comes over time. Not putting on as much weight in an off-season or being first show and learning your body. Some people just hold weight in certain areas and it is a struggle.
Number Two - Posing.
Being comfortable on stage and smiling takes time. People practice over and over but after a few shows sometimes it just clicks and this confidence shows on stage.
Number Three - Muscle Size and Symmetry.
This depends on the division but Muscle Model and Figure it is more of the criteria than other classes.
In most cases you need a trainer or coach to watch you at the show the entire show. If someone only sees a photo after they might see some poses but not your entire time on stage and how you posed.
An honest trainer will help you plan strategies to improve. A weak trainer makes up excuses you didn't win and talks negative which doesn't change anything.
Most times you did nothing "wrong" you did the best you could possibly do yet someone showed up that placed above you.
The below photo is Anna with her trainer Mick. Mick spoke to me at the show and complimented our judging panel and said out of all of the shows he attends he always agrees with our judges placement at this show. It was nice to hear because we truly do put a lot of effort to get it right.
Then he complemented on the production of the stage lighting. (My favorite compliment!) Bring on more moving lights to the music! Let's go!
There are so many great trainers with teams that make Fitness Atlantic part of our annual tradition with group photos and fun for everyone to have something special to use to get in their best shape as a goal.
We always use our saying, "Your body is your trophy."
Brian
