Fitness competitions are dying. There, I said it. It's on the endangered species list of sports. Since the birth of Figure, Fitness has been rapidly declining. But why? Is the sport just too challenging for newcomers to handle? I refuse to believe that.
This sport is entirely made up of women who thrive on challenge! Fitness competitions involve going the extra mile. Not just to look strong, but to be strong. Why do so many girls with competitive urges prefer to stand in line doing quarter-turns, when they could have the stage to themselves and really rock the joint?
To answer some of these questions, I contacted IFBB Pro and Fitness competition veteran Tanji Johnson. Tanji is known for her highly entertaining routines, as well as her passion for the sport.
Over the course of her Fitness career, Tanji has racked up quite a resume. She placed 1st at the 2007 All Star Pro Fitness, as well as 1st at the 2006 Europa Pro, and the list goes on.
First off, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to give FigureAthlete.com some information about competing in Fitness, Figure's older and more experienced sister of a sport.
You're so welcome!
What was your athletic background before coming into Fitness competing? Have you always competed in the Fitness division or have you trained for other sports, too?
My background includes hip-hop dancing and cheerleading. Cheering helped me develop sharpness in my movements. I've also been training gymnastics for the last eight years.
My first competitive show was actually an NPC bodybuilding show. I started doing Fitness after that. But I have competed in Figure as an amateur, and I've done one Figure show as a professional.
As if that wasn't enough, Tanji is also an American Gladiator!
Wow, so you've really been through a little bit of everything. Why do you think there's been a decline in girls interested in doing a Fitness competition?
Really, it was the inception of Figure competitions. Competitors have more choices now. 20 years ago, it was either bodybuilding or Fitness. Now, the thought of choreographing a routine, getting another costume made, getting music put together... in addition to dieting and training... is just too much for most people.
Also, there's a huge misconception that you have to be a hardcore, life-long gymnast to excel in Fitness.
Okay then, let's talk about what a Fitness competitor does have to do — the mandatories. What are the necessary moves that are placed in a fitness routine?
There are five mandatory movements.
High kicks...
One-arm push-ups...
Full splits...
The L-press...
And the straddle press.
You said that Fitness doesn't require you to be a long-time gymnast, but some of the moves in these routines do seem to rely on a bit of gymnastic ability, a dance background, or flexibility and strength.
What's your advice to women with little or no formal training in these areas?
First, you have to identify what your strength is, and then build on that. If you can dance, work it into the routine. If you're a gymnast, put in those impressive tricks that non-gymnasts can't handle. You've got to play up your strengths.
Once you've done that, you need to identify your weak areas and devise a game plan to build the necessary skills. Strength, agility, conditioning, muscular endurance, and plyometric ability are all needed for a solid routine.
My best advice is to work with a gymnastics coach, not necessarily to learn tumbling, but to learn how to develop all those qualities I mentioned; the strength, agility, etc.
Tanji, during her 2007 Fitness Olympia routine. She won 4th place!
That sounds like a great way to get started training the right way. Tanji, what's the Save Fitness campaign and how can people get involved?
Save Fitness is a campaign to really "save" the sport of Fitness. The movement is geared towards the promotion of the sport of fitness, recruitment, and training.
The biggest reason why competitors aren't starting in fitness is because there's a lack of organized training available for aspiring fitness competitors. Cathy Savage and Carla Sanchez are amongst industry leaders who are committed to offering this type of training.
If anyone is interested in joining the Save Fitness team for the Spring 2009 season, check out www.SaveFitness.net.
That's a great cause, and you're a terrific ambassador for the sport. Good luck with it, and thank you again for your insight into this challenging sport.
So, if you've been teetering between not competing, competing in Figure, or competing in Fitness, consider this your push! Dive in, no matter what your background might be. Start thinking about what challenges lay on the horizon and how you can tackle them. Let's keep Fitness competitions alive and kicking!
And remember, depending on the organization, you might be able to compete in both Fitness and Figure at the same show. That's having your cake and eating it too... no, not literally. That cake is only for post-contest!
Pink bikini, American Gladiator, and boot camp girl: Tanji Johnson - www.TanjiJohnson.com
High kick: Lisa Lutz - www.LastingLooksByLisa.com
One-arm push-up: Adela Garcia - www.AdelaFitness.com
Full split: Jennifer Cassetty - www.JennifferCassetty.com
L-Press: Kendra Elias - www.KendraElias.com
Straddle press: Sherry Ann Boudreau - www.SherryAnnBoudreau.com
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