Brand new interview with IFBB Legend JUDY GAILLARD
Showing posts with label Judy Gaillard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judy Gaillard. Show all posts
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Staring Game
In many gyms, whether of the hardcore or fitness center variety, one key selling point for men, is whether there's attractive women working out there - or not. Usually, guys want to join a gym that has heavy weights, good music, and beautiful women. But why is it that most gym have fewer and fewer female populations? Why is it that some gyms have gone to single-gender days? Why is it that some gyms have even gone to the point of being Women Only?.
I think the idea of Mens Only gym has certain gay overtones to it -- I'm not being homophobic, just honest. I don't know of any heterosexual man that would find himself so distracted by the presence of women, that he couldn't lift and/or train in peace. But can the same blanket statement be made by women? Can a woman - regardless of age, build, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, income level, whatever, go into a gym wearing what a guy would (tank top 'n shorts) and train without being stared at? And is there really a huge difference between who's staring? Sure, a good looking, buff guy, that drove up in a beamer and has a big office job, might be a great sale over drinks, but his staring game and the poor man's or the blue collar man's, is about the same in the scheme of things. Staring is staring, and in most cases -- it's unwelcomed. So what avenues of recourse are available for women? How much of a response can be expected from someone looking at you? Are they saying anything? No. Are they touching you? No. Do you they come close to you? No. So what can be done? And a better question, what WILL be done?
I like to look, but I try to be suble -- I think this is what everyone who looks aspires to do -- look but discretely. But what happens when someone stares? What happens when someone EYE-F**KS YOU? Sorry for being vulgar, but there's a huge difference between checking someone out and staring, and then there's that slang term I used earlier (which is even worse than staring, we'll call it EFfing). What someone is EFfing you, lol - sorry, they are not only staring at you, but they are intentionally making you uncomfortable, they re-assert their presence each and everytime their victim looks or tries to make some kind of face or gesture acknowledging and condemning the conduct. Imagine having to play this deadend mind game while doing cardio. It's grounds to just bolt out of the gym for good.
So do we really need to have men on one day and women on other days? Do we need to have Womens Only gyms? I don't know, but I do know that if I was a guy being checked out here and there, I'd love it; HOWEVER, if I was checked out all the time and it made me uncomfortable and I had not way of stopping it, I know I'd be pretty irate -- to say the least!
As usual, I went to the champions to see what they had to say. I hope you all take something away from this post - as with all the others. Happy New Year!
" I don't have to really deal with those issues on a daily basis. My husband & I co-own the gym, where I train. So if guys are looking they are not obvious about it....I assume out of respect for my husband & myself. My husband & I have trained in other gyms though, where we do get our share of attention, but I feel that it was really us together that drew the looks. I agree with the ladies I don't let anything interfere with my training. When I am working out, I am in my own little bubble, just getting lost in my workout. I am not really noticing what the guy next to me is doing. I personally get more stares just doing errands like shopping than I ever have gotten in the gym."
IFBB Pro, Judy Gaillard
"I think attractive women will get looked at anywhere- even in the grocery store in sweatpants, lol it's just the way things are. The gym is no exception. I guess I don't even pay attention to it. I plug into my IPod and I go to work. I am there to train, to be alone with my thoughts, and to get the job done.">
Allison Moyer
"I feel if you are at the gym to truly workout and better yourself, you are not concerned with who is there, who is watching you or what they are thinking. I am so focused on my training when I'm at the gym that having to share it with men does not concern me. I also agree with Allison that men will look at you no matter where you are so get over it and do not let it stand in your way of achieving your goals!"
Tiffany Reffner, Npc Competitor
"EarPhone's Usually Deter Many. Hanging Around the Big Guys Always Helps..... On a More Seious Note.... I Agree, You Will get Bothered in or out of Gym, Sadly in Gym, we Need our Focus, and This Could be More of a Problem Then..... Ignoring Them can Help, Not Making eye Contact, Those That go to far... Report to the Manager, Without Breaking a Sweat."
Tracey Gottschalk-Pike
***As always, if you enjoyed reading this post and you have a Facebook account, please "like" this page. By doing this, you'll help spread the word about FigureBikini.com
Monday, August 22, 2011
2 Intros and a Poll Question
Editor's Note
First and foremost, I'd like to welcome two new stars to FigureBikini.com. Ashley Pelletier is a bikini competitor that got her start in the NPC and has decided to transition to the WBFF. She has a great physique, a wonderful personality, and a commitment to go pro. Expect to see a lot more of Ashley in the future!
I'm also very pleased to welcome Judy Gaillard, an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder. Judy has a great physique and will be featured in an upcoming interview for StrengthAddicts/FigureBikini/PhysiqueCentral.
In addition to these two wonderful introductions, I posed a poll question to a select group of ladies whom contribute regularly to this page. The question was: "what's your favorite exercise for abs, why, and how often do you train this muscle group?" I hope you enjoy today's post -- and make sure to check FigureBikini.com often!
"Hey everyone! My name is Ashley Pelletier, and I'm a bikini competitor from the New Haven, CT area (however, I'm moving to San Francisco in January- my favorite city on Earth!!!) I'm a Pediatric home care nurse and currently, I'm studying through the ISSA to obtain my personal training certification. I work with NPC bodybuilder PJ Braun for my training and nutrition needs- a great coach makes all the difference. I have been training and living the clean eating lifestyle for two years now...all leading up to my ultimate goal, competing in my first two physique competitions this past summer. I've always wanted to build my ultimate body but just never knew how to go about it. I joined Golds Gym of New Haven in November of 2009 and finally got hooked up with the means and resources to make my goals a reality. All my life, I've struggled with binge eating, so to finally change my life and get healthy was an accomplishment in and of itself. I got into competing in bikini when I met Tabitha Klausen Leandri, IFBB Bikini Pro, at Golds in New Haven. She trained me for my first two shows and helped me to achieve the confidence I never knew I had!!! As far as my "stats"go, I'm 6'2" and my contest weight is 141. I'm in my first offseason ever and currently weigh 153...training to build muscle, as I plan on competing in Figure one day!
As far as ABS go, my favorite ab exercise is the simple, humble plank. When I first began training, I had zero core strength. My trainer, Tabitha, had me start out doing these, and I love them. They work the entire abdominal region and you can do countless variations on them such as the side plank, weighted plank, etc. I train my abs once per week currently, but I will admit that I HATE training them, and its a struggle to be consistent. The REAL exercise I do the most for my abs is CLEAN EATING. Exercising control over your sweet tooth will keep your midsection in check like absolutely nothing else can. In addition, I always keep my abdomen contracted tightly- whether I'm standing, sitting, driving, or just lounging in bed!!! That starts a lifetime good habit of posture and core strength that you won't ever lose."
"I do not like ab/oblique training and I very rarely do isolation ab work, it's definitely an area that I don't put much focus on. I keep my core strong by heavy deadlifting and squatting. Abs are just like every other muscle, there isnt a need to train them daily..They get plenty of stimulation during my main lifts, so I let them recover on other days. Heavy lifting keeps them strong, but it's the diet they makes them visble.
Nicole Gray
IFPA Figure Pro
"My favorite ab exercise are decline crunches with a slight twist at the top. I feel it gets my entire core. I use a 10 lb plate every other time that I do these to help build up my abs. I train abs 3 times a week but when a show is close I'll do them everyday unweighted to make sure they're lean and tight. Core strength is important for a lot of exercises so I never neglect them."
Danae Zaitz
NPC Figure Competitor
"Stability Ball Pike Up is a MUST. They engage the entire core. That exercise and I have a love/hate relationship! As far as obliques, I really like mountain climbers, bringing knees to elbows in a wide stance. This is great for the obliques and you're still killing the abs at the same tiem. I will work abs 3-4 times/week, and obliques only once or twice/week."
Ashley Lemmons
NPC Figure Competitor
"Judy Gaillard, age 40. (yeah i'm old..lol). 5'3". Competition weight is 138-140lbs. Off-season weight is 165-170. I started training about 14 years ago. Basically just wanted to lose weight & tighten up after having kids. Before you know it, you start seeing a little detail & you find that you are hooked. I competed in 5 shows this year, including 3 national shows. I dieted 10 months (42 weeks) total for 2011 season, so I am taking whats left of this year to rest & recover. I am still working out, just not in training..lol
I guess I am one of the lucky ones..I don't really train abs until a few weeks out from competition, just to bring in detail. Fortunately once I start strict dieting, they usually come in within a couple of weeks. Also, I am like Nicole, I train pretty heavy off-season & competition time, so that keeps my abs pretty tight. When I do train them, I primarily concentrate on my lower abs. Leg raises, decline crunches & regular crunches is about it. Trying to really squeeze each rep. I don't train obliques @ all. Judges tell me that my obliques are overdeveloped whatever that means..lol Thanks for asking!"
Judy Gaillard
IFBB Pro
Friday, August 5, 2011
What's for Breakfast?
"I eat a About 5 Raw Almonds and 2 Dried Mango Slrips as Soon as Waking Then Have My Green Tea With Lemon Juice and Cayenne Mix. About 30 min Later 3 Egg Whites, and a Cup of Instant Porridge. 2hrs Later a Repeat of the Breakfast. Before Hitting GymSupplements... Low Carb Protein Shke, Straight After Each Training Session, Amino's, Glutamin, BCAA's, Omega 3 6 and 9, Multi Vit, Vit C, and Calcium."
Tracey Gottschalk-Pike
Figure Champion
South Africa
Athlete Update: I've been asked to Guest Pose at Province and SA' Champs this year, before Hitting the World Championships on October 30th. It's been so hectic with around 4 to 5 Hrs of Gym Time 6 Days a Week.
"I keep the bulk of my carbs around my workout, which is always in the morning. Generally a whole egg, and 1/4-1/2 c whites and 1/2 c oatmeal on the side. Usually wait 30 minutes before I leave for the gym and start getting prepared. I've been using VPX Anarchy as my pre-workout. Gives me a GREAT boost of energy. I am also a big supporter of amino acids. I use a few different products including Xtend-watermelon flavor and 2 BCAA capsules before and after my workout."
Sundae Marshall
NPC Bikini Competitor
"My first meal of the day always includes carbohydrates. Depending on what stage I am in is the time within after waking up that I consume the meal. If I am off season I highly believe no more than 30 minutes should pass after waking up that you consume that first meal. If in season a lot of the time when taking a fat burner I like to wait 30 min then eat, so the meal is still consumed within those 30 min. The only exception to this "rule" is when doing pre-breakfast cardio, which I do on most days of the week. In which ase I wake up and go straight to my nearest gym, do 30 to 45 minutes of cardio and rush back for breakfast.
Meal 1 is always between 1/3 and 1/2 a cup of all natural oats, with cinnamon and 12 almonds mixed in. Then I will have 5 egg whites and about a cup full of asparagus. 8 to 16 oz of water.
With Meal 1 I like to take a Multivitamin, CLA, Omega 3's & 6's, and an Antioxidant. When not taking these in a concentrated form I take the Diet Accelerator by Top Secret Nutrition that has them all in there greatly portioned to a daily requirement and also has metabolic enhacer, diet accelerator, and a mood enhacer ;). I also religiously consume glutamine 10 g with meal 1."
Erika Otero
NPC Figure Competitor
"When I wake up (usually around 5:30) I take a lipo 6 black. About 30 minutes later I eat breakfast. On a regular day I eat 3-4 egg whites and 1 whole egg cooked in coconut oil. I throw in whatever veggies we have left over from the night before with a little squirt of canola mayo on top. On carb days I have 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 1/2c oats, 1/4c blueberries- mix it all together and cook one giant pancake- with either coconut oil, kerrygold butter, or almond butter on top. Mmmm Mmm good!."
Amber Shephard Hayes
NPC Bikini Competitor
"My first meal of the day consists of 5oz of Mahi Mahi, a piece of cinnamon ezekiel bread and a 1/2 of grapefruit. I love this meal, it gets me going!! I do not take any suppliments in the morning right now other than dandelion root and uva ursi. I get what I need from my meal.I wake up at about 7-7:30 and eat at 8:15. I get up, I go to the bathroom, I drink 8oz of water, I go down and make my coffee and by that time I'm ready to eat my meal. It's like clockwork."
Danae Zaitz
NPC Figure Competitor
"My first meal of the day is a protein shake. I usually drink it about an hour after I wake up. My favorite protein is vanilla flavor by optimum nutrition, and I add liquid vitamin, flax oil, glutamine, and L-carnitine to it. I order all of my supplements from http://www.powermaxxnutrition.com ."
Carolina Granados
NPC Figure Competitor
"I start my day with Protein Pancakes. I make them with liquid egg whites, oats, stevia, cinnamon and crushed pecans..topped with sugar free maple syrup. I always have my first meal within 30-45min of waking up..Always starving first thing in the morning. My supplements are pretty basic..just a multi and some vit. c with breakfast."
Nicole Gray
IFPA Figure Pro
From Christian Duque:
Thank you to all the ladies of Figure & Bikini, which took the time to participate in our poll question. These women are doing such a great job pushing themselves in-and-outside of the gym. They are proving to be far more than just athletes -- they are great role models for countless young women, and they are helping fuel physique sports throughout the world.
I'd also like to let everyone know that I did a write up for NPC Bodybuilder Kate Cooper. She's been vying for an IFBB Pro Card since 2001, but in the last month, Kate has done major damage at the NPC Masters Nationals and the NPC USA Championships. I hope the judges see all the hard work this athlete has put into her training and contest prep (for more, go to PhysiqueCentral.
I know it's easy to preach, but regardless of what the talking heads may say -- physique sports are in demand, and the men do not subsidize the women. In fact, thanks to Bikini, hundreds of competitors are now paying Contest Fees and feeding the industry. Prize money for Bikini -- the largest class (at the Pro level) seems just as disproportionate to revenues, as the prize money given to Women Bodybuilders -- women in the most popular division and the most scapegoated (by chauvenists) are making about the same amount of money -- or LESS!
The Women need a strong unified front, with strong representation at the NPC and IFBB levels. Furthermore... MEN AREN'T JUDGED BY WOMEN, so in a perfect world -- ALL WOMEN JUDGING PANELS will judge the Women. This isn't just a blog with a bunch of pictures of great champions with insightful info on training! Take a moment to think about what an important role you can play on the sport -- whether as a competitor or as a fan.
Thanks again to all the ladies who contributed on this post and throughout the site. FigureBikini.com will continue to grow, and we hope you keep coming back!
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