Fitness Modeling

What got you started in fitness modeling?

uot;>I got started fitness modeling because I live an active lifestyle and I want to be a role model to others to do the same! I also want to answer “Yes!” when people ask me if I’m a model and if anyone else tells me I should be on the Tyra Banks show I’m going to scream! I am currently a professional model and have national ads so I don’t qualify. Boo hoo!

THE WORLD OF FITNESS MODELING

Enter With Determination as Strong as Your Body

Tips To Get Work

1. You got to have great pictures in your portfolio to make editors take notice of you and give you a chance for a shoot.
2. Network with some of the top fitness cover people at the Expos and find out what they did to get on the cover of a magazine.
3. Make friends with as many fitness people as you can because someone always knows somebody in this business that may want to hire you.
4. Always be in shape. The difference between a working fitness model and fitness model that works once a year is the fact that the fitness model that is always working is the person that is ready to shoot at a moment's notice. Editors and photographers don't have time to wait for a month for you to be in shape. Sometimes you'll be lucky if you get a 48 hour notice. When I first shot for Maximum Fitness back in April of 2008, photographer Robert Reif called me and said he had a two issue spread for me and he needed to shoot me in 2 days. Fortunately for me I was ripped up and in shape to shoot for him.

Recently I spoke at the Fitness Model International weekend and my message was much about "networking." In a nutshell, I told the models to get off their high horse and realize that we need each other in order to survive.

Fitness modeling, and most business in general, can be a very narcissistic environment. "I'm better than you", "look at me", "my abs are the best in the world", "I have more covers than you", "my business is grossing over 100 Million per year", and so on, and so forth.

My plea to the models at the event was to open up and get to know each other, to understand that you can and will benefit from building relationships.

The days of Arnold mentally beating down poor Lou Ferrigno are forever imprinted on old dvd's of Pumping Iron, but now is the time to unite if we want to make it.

I'm obviously using the FMI event as a metaphor for a much bigger situation. That situation being the State of the Union. As much as I preach not to get overwhelmed by what people are saying about the economy, I'm not blind either.

I am writing this article because I've had many people send me emails on facebook on how can they attain fitness modeling opportunities. The best thing I can do is use my experience and tell you what I did to attain work and the people that were influential in my success.



When I started this year, I told myself that there was no amount of money that I wasn't willing to spend to promote myself as a fitness model. This may not be the route for you. I was very impatient and I wanted the success right away and I always felt in my mind that I was cover material. I just felt I had to produce great pictures that would allow editors to give me that chance.



Not to give a numerical figure, but I've spent over 2,000 dollars shooting with one of the best fitness/physique photographers in the country. Was it worth it? It was definitely worth it because now I have pictures that

continuosly get me work and have created a buzz about who I am in this fitness industry. This fitness photographer rarely did TFP's and so I had no problem spending my money to get the best pictures. I felt that if I shot with him, I could get great pictures that would get me work.


It's a never ending situation for me; I am constantly getting hit with questions of “how can I effectively market myself?" I always answer the same way and it will never change: you have to be in the faces of the people, in shape, and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Period!

There seems to also be a belief in the industry that if someone has a certain amount of exposure (even if it is a ton) that there should be pay involved, simply for being involved in the marketing of one’s self. Here is the bottom line, my friends: You have to constantly be proactive to further your career. A magazine cover or twenty won't suddenly warrant that you get paid to be involved in efforts to market yourself. Of course there are jobs that you should be paid for, but you really need to understand the difference between the two.

I take fitness shoots very seriously and I pride myself on always being prepared for them and I am incredibly meticulous when it comes to being at my best in front of a camera. So what should you do to come prepared for a fitness shoot? There are so many things but here are the basics.

Bringing many different colors of shorts, preferably dark-colored shorts, is a must. Also make sure you have practiced some poses you want to implement in your shoot. Great examples are picking up poses from the cover of previous fitness magazines. Don’t rely on the photographer always trying to direct you. You can really impress him if you know what poses you want to try. Also make sure you are shaved and I mean armpits, face, legs, forearms, etc. When you have seen a cover model with hairy legs or hairy arms?

The name of the game in the modeling business (or any business, for that matter) is networking. If you’re not meeting the right people, then you’re missing opportunities to get work.

Sure it’s important to mail your comp cards, headshots, and resumes to photographers, agencies, and clients, but I have a better suggestion that can get you noticed if you’ve got the goods.

I recommend attending the top two fitness events we have here in the U.S. — The Arnold Classic and The Mr. Olympia. Between these two shows, nearly every photographer, supplement manufacturer, magazine publisher, and talent scout will be looking to find you! I know for a fact that the big magazines are constantly scouring the crowds for fresh faces and awesome bodies. Scouts are lurking in anonymity, waiting to pounce on the next fitness superstars!

Often times I'm asked how can one make it in the fitness industry as a successful model or trainer. Honestly the information I share with people applies to this, or any industry, for that matter. Business is business and should treated as such. That is the problem ,in my opinion, most "models" don't act as if they are a business.

I've invested in many careers over the years and to be brutally honest, most people just don't get it. The ones that do, however, understand that there are qualities that are vital to make it in this industry and any other.

1. Be a Person of Your Word- Good or bad, right or wrong, always do what you say you're going to do. Over the years I've had differences with people, situations didn't always turn out as planned, but I've always done whatever I can to make it right. On the other hand, I've had people not treat me the same in return or deal with a situation with the same professionalism and tact. Just do what you say you are going to do, or own up if you can't and you'll always end up coming out looking good.
2. Be Prepared- Always be ready for a photo shoot, appearance, audition or meeting. Whatever situation arises never give the excuse, "I need more time." If you need more time, et someone know as early on in the process as you can. Don't come in at the eleventh hour and have that lame excuse.

I’ve given you my advice on fitness modeling, you’ve heard from Max and Obi, but now you’ll hear from a few photographers and what they have to say about fitness modeling. I would highly suggest you take heed to the advice you are about to hear because these are the guys that you will hopefully be working with someday.

Alex Ardenti

• 1st thing: Complainers! Some models and bodybuilders don't realize that there are thousands of others that would die to be photographed to be in magazines. Decide before hand if it's something you really want and be professional.
• 2nd thing: Tardiness! Being late, if there was no life threatening situation, is unprofessional and wastes the time of the whole crew. Don't get there one hour early either. Chances are you will be in the way. Just get there within 10 minutes of your call time.