Special though we hope the Pic of the Week will always be, it's not going to be very often that it features a bona fide moment in history - and not just female muscle history, I'm talking the History of the World here, capital H, capital W and all.
But this week, that's EXACTLY what we have.
Drum roll please...
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Monday, 10 February 2014
Happy Saint Valentina's Day
Regular readers may remember that exactly twelve months ago, FMS discovered that today, February 10th, is the feast day of Saint Valentina. The name 'Valentina', we were delighted to learn, means 'strong, vigorous and healthy', and we celebrated then by 'canonising' the first saint of the Order of the Female Muscle Lovin' Brethren, our own St Valentina of Kharkiv, Valentina Chepiga, and declaring 10th February the day when we celebrate strong, vigorous and healthy women everywhere.
And this year, as part of our celebration, the canonisation of another Saint Valentina! Again, this Valentina is from the Ukraine (coincidentally a country that could do with a miracle right now), and, like her Ms Olympia-winning compatriot, has been a champion in international female bodybuilding competition. However, unlike Valentina Chepiga, our latest Saint Valentina is an amateur, and still active.
VALENTINA YEFYMCHUK
Now, I'm no expert on how saints become saints in the Catholic (or indeed any other) church, but I'm pretty sure it's quite a long drawn-out process. Not so in this 'church'. In the Order of the Female Muscle Lovin' Brethren, it takes little more (well, absolutely nothing more it seems) than a kind word from another female muscle deity and bingo, you're canonised!
Such a lovely lady we have met up a few times now and it is always a pleasure.
Lisa Cross, October 2013
Unfortunately, though, whereas the life of Saint Valentina of Kharkiv, Valentina Chepiga, has been well-documented, the life of her namesake from the Ukraine remains, despite FMS' research team's best efforts, somewhat shrouded in mystery.
However, everything we do know about Saint Valentina the Amateur comes from the most venerable source we have, Muscle Memory, where worshippers can view her contest history, or at least her international contest history, at their leisure.
top, left to right: 2006 NABBA Worlds, Winner; 2007 NABBA Universe, 4th; 2007 IBFA Worlds, Winner
bottom, left to right: 2008 and 2009 NABBA Universe, both 3rd; 2010 NABBA Universe, Winner
2013 marked her comeback to international competition at the IFBB Worlds and the Arnold Europe, but she finished outside the top six at both. However, as 2010 was the last time the 'Miss Physique' title was contested at the NABBA Universe, she could rightly claim to still be the reigning champ!
Valentina's routine at the 2010 NABBA Universe
As we pointed out last year, there's no dogma in the Order of the Female Muscle Lovin' Brethren. Pay tribute to Saint Valentina of Kharkiv, to Saint Valentina the Amateur, or to any one or more of your favourite strong, vigorous and healthy women.
Pay tribute as you see fit. But pay tribute today.
We bid you Happy Saint Valentina's Day, and leave you with a little inspiration in the form of Saint Valentina the Amateur's most recent work.
Valentina in 2013 by Female-Bodybuilders.org
Enjoy!
And this year, as part of our celebration, the canonisation of another Saint Valentina! Again, this Valentina is from the Ukraine (coincidentally a country that could do with a miracle right now), and, like her Ms Olympia-winning compatriot, has been a champion in international female bodybuilding competition. However, unlike Valentina Chepiga, our latest Saint Valentina is an amateur, and still active.
VALENTINA YEFYMCHUK
Now, I'm no expert on how saints become saints in the Catholic (or indeed any other) church, but I'm pretty sure it's quite a long drawn-out process. Not so in this 'church'. In the Order of the Female Muscle Lovin' Brethren, it takes little more (well, absolutely nothing more it seems) than a kind word from another female muscle deity and bingo, you're canonised!
Such a lovely lady we have met up a few times now and it is always a pleasure.
Lisa Cross, October 2013
Unfortunately, though, whereas the life of Saint Valentina of Kharkiv, Valentina Chepiga, has been well-documented, the life of her namesake from the Ukraine remains, despite FMS' research team's best efforts, somewhat shrouded in mystery.
However, everything we do know about Saint Valentina the Amateur comes from the most venerable source we have, Muscle Memory, where worshippers can view her contest history, or at least her international contest history, at their leisure.
top, left to right: 2006 NABBA Worlds, Winner; 2007 NABBA Universe, 4th; 2007 IBFA Worlds, Winner
bottom, left to right: 2008 and 2009 NABBA Universe, both 3rd; 2010 NABBA Universe, Winner
2013 marked her comeback to international competition at the IFBB Worlds and the Arnold Europe, but she finished outside the top six at both. However, as 2010 was the last time the 'Miss Physique' title was contested at the NABBA Universe, she could rightly claim to still be the reigning champ!
Valentina's routine at the 2010 NABBA Universe
As we pointed out last year, there's no dogma in the Order of the Female Muscle Lovin' Brethren. Pay tribute to Saint Valentina of Kharkiv, to Saint Valentina the Amateur, or to any one or more of your favourite strong, vigorous and healthy women.
Pay tribute as you see fit. But pay tribute today.
We bid you Happy Saint Valentina's Day, and leave you with a little inspiration in the form of Saint Valentina the Amateur's most recent work.
Valentina in 2013 by Female-Bodybuilders.org
Enjoy!
Sunday, 9 February 2014
Gif of the Week
From Shirtrippers2.0, FMS fave Lisa Cross, er, ripping her shirt.
Yeah!
Lisa's website. Contains 'Hot Muscle Packed Raw Sex Power', according to Lisa.
Shirtrippers2.0. Does exactly what it says in the tin.
Enjoy!
Yeah!
Lisa's website. Contains 'Hot Muscle Packed Raw Sex Power', according to Lisa.
Shirtrippers2.0. Does exactly what it says in the tin.
Enjoy!
Saturday, 8 February 2014
Media Watch
Media Watch is a new series exploring how stories relating to female muscle are reported in the English-speaking world's mainstream media.
FMS was delighted that the very first UK article to come to the attention of our Media Watch team in 2014 was one that was nothing but positive about the benefits of weight training for women. The article, in the 'Life' section in the online version of the Express newspaper, promised 'a bodybuilding champ' would be explaining how 'heartbreak' had 'inspired' her. Now the accompanying picture didn't make it look as if we really were about to read about a bodybuilding champ as you or I would understand the word, but in the UK media, you take what you can get. We read on...
This time last year, Rachel Evans, a 43-year-old PA from South London explained, I'd just got engaged. I was living in a big house in Essex, driving around in expensive cars and dining in the best restaurants. But was she happy? No! On the surface it looked as if I had the perfect life. I was supposed to be happy but in reality I was far from it. I knew the relationship wasn't working and had tried to leave him before but in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it. So when he asked me to marry him just after Christmas when we'd been together for a year I said yes. But just a week later, Rachel was packing her car and leaving her fiancé.
And this change in her life led to another. I suffered from anorexia as a teenager and keeping fit helped me overcome my eating disorder. I had lifted weights before and had always been interested in bodybuilding but I hadn't had the opportunity to try it.
The opportunity arrived, the article continued, when Rachel was introduced to the forgotten IFBB pro of British bodybuilding, the 6'2" (that's 1 full inch taller than FMS' own 6ft1swell, or, if you'd rather, 1.88m) Sarah Bridges, who was last seen at the 2013 New York Pro show as a physique competitor, three full years after her previous show as a bodybuilder.
From February to September I trained rigorously with Sarah and could see my body changing on a weekly basis, said Rachel. I became leaner and more toned than ever and developed a six-pack. My body fat went down to 10% and I began to look and feel like a proper athlete.
Now, before we get to the happy ending, I want you to remember that last bit because it's going to be VERY important later: My body fat went down to 10% and I began to look and feel like a proper athlete. Got that? 10% body fat, looking and feeling like a 'proper athlete'.
Back to Rachel. My dream was to compete in a bodybuilding competition and in October I won the Bikini Diva Champion Total Fitness title. That was my second competition and I was absolutely ecstatic.
So, woman finds self-esteem through weight training at a low point in her life, and meanwhile conquers her eating disorder once and for all. That's the kind of story I like to post, I thought to myself. OK, so she's 'only' a bikini competitor, which might disgruntle a few readers, but like I said before, you take what you can get in the UK media. And I can even give a long overdue nod to Sarah Bridges on the way.
Satisfied, I ran the story past our legendary editor, JJ Musclesucker.
Play up the Bridges angle to keep the muscle fans happy and you've got yourself the go ahead, he told me. Lovely. I began to research this Rachel Evans. I found her old website, where she publicised her makeover, personal shopping and bridal make-up businesses. Her new website, also called MakeOverEssex, was all about Rachel Evans the bikini competitor and sponsored athlete.
And then I came across a story originally from The Sun newspaper from way back in 2009. There was Rachel. And there was Madonna. And the headline for the story was "I wish I'd never tried to get a body like Madonna".
Remember what Rachel said about her 10% body fat this January? That it was only when she had achieved it that she had started to 'look and feel like a proper athlete'? Well, the Rachel Evans from the 2009 article had quite a different point of view...
I have a body fat ratio of about 10% so all the muscles and veins in my arms show up more clearly and prominently than if I was weightier. I have to hide my veiny hands by wearing leather gloves after a workout or if I’m going out in the evening. Only the other day I was painting a ceiling and was struck by the thick, blue vein running from my bicep to the corner of my wrist. It’s not attractive.
Rachel v.2009 also talks about how her breasts disappeared as her body fat ratio fell, how this made her feel 'like a little boy', and led to her getting new boobs. It was the surgery, not the weight training, that made her feel better... and more body-confident.
Don't worry, I'm not about to have a massive rant about the hypocrisy of it all. To be honest, I don't think Rachel is really being hypocritical at all. It seems to me that back in 2009, as now, Rachel Evans is in the business of getting publicity for Rachel Evans. In the past she needed the publicity to attract clients to her various services. Now, perhaps the services she offers are different and she attracts publicity for the benefit of her sponsors as well as for herself, but it's all the same game.
What's interesting to me is this. How does Rachel, fitness fanatic and Madonna fan, get herself into a national newspaper in 2009? By riding in on the back of a general press outcry at how bad Madonna's 'gristly' arms were looking, and by being negative about the effects of her fitness regime. But how does the same woman get herself into the national media five years' later? By being nothing but positive about her 'new' weight training self.
In the end, that's the story this ended up being. Same woman, same body fat percentage, telling a very different story about her life of fitness to the story she had told five years ago. Then, the national media were only too happy to accommodate her disgust at her own sinewy self, but now things are different. Now, they want a positive angle on weight training, they want a life transformed for the better, they want to hear about female empowerment through muscle building.
Enjoy!
FMS was delighted that the very first UK article to come to the attention of our Media Watch team in 2014 was one that was nothing but positive about the benefits of weight training for women. The article, in the 'Life' section in the online version of the Express newspaper, promised 'a bodybuilding champ' would be explaining how 'heartbreak' had 'inspired' her. Now the accompanying picture didn't make it look as if we really were about to read about a bodybuilding champ as you or I would understand the word, but in the UK media, you take what you can get. We read on...
This time last year, Rachel Evans, a 43-year-old PA from South London explained, I'd just got engaged. I was living in a big house in Essex, driving around in expensive cars and dining in the best restaurants. But was she happy? No! On the surface it looked as if I had the perfect life. I was supposed to be happy but in reality I was far from it. I knew the relationship wasn't working and had tried to leave him before but in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it. So when he asked me to marry him just after Christmas when we'd been together for a year I said yes. But just a week later, Rachel was packing her car and leaving her fiancé.
And this change in her life led to another. I suffered from anorexia as a teenager and keeping fit helped me overcome my eating disorder. I had lifted weights before and had always been interested in bodybuilding but I hadn't had the opportunity to try it.
The opportunity arrived, the article continued, when Rachel was introduced to the forgotten IFBB pro of British bodybuilding, the 6'2" (that's 1 full inch taller than FMS' own 6ft1swell, or, if you'd rather, 1.88m) Sarah Bridges, who was last seen at the 2013 New York Pro show as a physique competitor, three full years after her previous show as a bodybuilder.
From February to September I trained rigorously with Sarah and could see my body changing on a weekly basis, said Rachel. I became leaner and more toned than ever and developed a six-pack. My body fat went down to 10% and I began to look and feel like a proper athlete.
Now, before we get to the happy ending, I want you to remember that last bit because it's going to be VERY important later: My body fat went down to 10% and I began to look and feel like a proper athlete. Got that? 10% body fat, looking and feeling like a 'proper athlete'.
Back to Rachel. My dream was to compete in a bodybuilding competition and in October I won the Bikini Diva Champion Total Fitness title. That was my second competition and I was absolutely ecstatic.
So, woman finds self-esteem through weight training at a low point in her life, and meanwhile conquers her eating disorder once and for all. That's the kind of story I like to post, I thought to myself. OK, so she's 'only' a bikini competitor, which might disgruntle a few readers, but like I said before, you take what you can get in the UK media. And I can even give a long overdue nod to Sarah Bridges on the way.
Satisfied, I ran the story past our legendary editor, JJ Musclesucker.
Play up the Bridges angle to keep the muscle fans happy and you've got yourself the go ahead, he told me. Lovely. I began to research this Rachel Evans. I found her old website, where she publicised her makeover, personal shopping and bridal make-up businesses. Her new website, also called MakeOverEssex, was all about Rachel Evans the bikini competitor and sponsored athlete.
And then I came across a story originally from The Sun newspaper from way back in 2009. There was Rachel. And there was Madonna. And the headline for the story was "I wish I'd never tried to get a body like Madonna".
Remember what Rachel said about her 10% body fat this January? That it was only when she had achieved it that she had started to 'look and feel like a proper athlete'? Well, the Rachel Evans from the 2009 article had quite a different point of view...
I have a body fat ratio of about 10% so all the muscles and veins in my arms show up more clearly and prominently than if I was weightier. I have to hide my veiny hands by wearing leather gloves after a workout or if I’m going out in the evening. Only the other day I was painting a ceiling and was struck by the thick, blue vein running from my bicep to the corner of my wrist. It’s not attractive.
Rachel v.2009 also talks about how her breasts disappeared as her body fat ratio fell, how this made her feel 'like a little boy', and led to her getting new boobs. It was the surgery, not the weight training, that made her feel better... and more body-confident.
Don't worry, I'm not about to have a massive rant about the hypocrisy of it all. To be honest, I don't think Rachel is really being hypocritical at all. It seems to me that back in 2009, as now, Rachel Evans is in the business of getting publicity for Rachel Evans. In the past she needed the publicity to attract clients to her various services. Now, perhaps the services she offers are different and she attracts publicity for the benefit of her sponsors as well as for herself, but it's all the same game.
What's interesting to me is this. How does Rachel, fitness fanatic and Madonna fan, get herself into a national newspaper in 2009? By riding in on the back of a general press outcry at how bad Madonna's 'gristly' arms were looking, and by being negative about the effects of her fitness regime. But how does the same woman get herself into the national media five years' later? By being nothing but positive about her 'new' weight training self.
In the end, that's the story this ended up being. Same woman, same body fat percentage, telling a very different story about her life of fitness to the story she had told five years ago. Then, the national media were only too happy to accommodate her disgust at her own sinewy self, but now things are different. Now, they want a positive angle on weight training, they want a life transformed for the better, they want to hear about female empowerment through muscle building.
Enjoy!
Friday, 7 February 2014
Hand Bras: Swell's Picks
Finally this week, a personal top three hand bras...
THE THIRD HAND
Swell digs this shot of Rhode Island's figure turned physique competitor Ariella Palumbo for all sorts of obvious reasons, but not least the massive double-take you do the first time you see it. Then, of course, there's all the questions it leaves you with. Questions like 'is the third hand male or female?' and 'where is their other hand exactly?' You can't find the answers to these questions on her website, nor on her Instagram page, but you can find lots of other lovely pictures of her there. And no, Dave Palumbo isn't her father. But he is going to be training her this year.
EVERY ANGLE COVERED
Backstage/pre-contest hand bras are always winners, but drop-dead gorgeous German bikini champ Ramona Valerie Alb deserves a special mention for this abstacular triptych. You can almost smell the protan. And there's lots more of FMS' favourite Cuban Jamaican Afro-American German cooking, training, and getting up to all sorts of energetic craziness on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
MMMARVELLOUS MMMAVI
I know I probably shouldn't be trying to unduly influence your own personal selections for the FMS Hot and Hard 100 with mmmouth-watering pictures of some of my favourite women while voting's still open, but really, if Mavi Gioia isn't one of the 100 hottest hard women in the world then my name's not 6ft1swell...
[er, it isn't though, is it? - ed.]
Hope you enjoyed Hand Bra Week. Normal service resumes tomorrow.
THE THIRD HAND
Swell digs this shot of Rhode Island's figure turned physique competitor Ariella Palumbo for all sorts of obvious reasons, but not least the massive double-take you do the first time you see it. Then, of course, there's all the questions it leaves you with. Questions like 'is the third hand male or female?' and 'where is their other hand exactly?' You can't find the answers to these questions on her website, nor on her Instagram page, but you can find lots of other lovely pictures of her there. And no, Dave Palumbo isn't her father. But he is going to be training her this year.
EVERY ANGLE COVERED
Backstage/pre-contest hand bras are always winners, but drop-dead gorgeous German bikini champ Ramona Valerie Alb deserves a special mention for this abstacular triptych. You can almost smell the protan. And there's lots more of FMS' favourite Cuban Jamaican Afro-American German cooking, training, and getting up to all sorts of energetic craziness on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
MMMARVELLOUS MMMAVI
I know I probably shouldn't be trying to unduly influence your own personal selections for the FMS Hot and Hard 100 with mmmouth-watering pictures of some of my favourite women while voting's still open, but really, if Mavi Gioia isn't one of the 100 hottest hard women in the world then my name's not 6ft1swell...
[er, it isn't though, is it? - ed.]
Hope you enjoyed Hand Bra Week. Normal service resumes tomorrow.
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Muscletease: Home of the Hand Bra
Nowadays, hand bra selfies are two-a-penny, but in the early days of the internet, they were extremely rare. However, from about 2005, there was Muscletease. Its creator, female muscle photography legend Juan Carlos Lopez, made the style (in Muscletease-speak, 'implied topless') one of the trademarks of the site and through his work there and on his free online magazine Hardfitness, the hand bra made a mighty comeback.
Casey Brocato, 2008
As well as some of the more famous fitness and figure athletes like Tara Scotti or Mindi O'Brien, Muscletease featured many women that were new to this ex-member. I've chosen Casey Brocato, who competed in figure from 2008ish to 2010, as an example. A second place in her class at the 2010 NPC USAs was her highest finish and as far as I know she never turned pro. A word of warning if these images whet your appetite for more of her - there is now an over-35 MALE physique athlete with the same name. Refine your search if you want to avoid an unpleasant shock!
Heather Green, 2006
One of the most memorable sets from my first (of a few) times as a Muscletease member was this one of the mouth-watering figure competitor Heather Green, who turned pro the year after these were taken. Now competing in the WBFF physique division, you might want to reconnect with Heather via her Twitter.
Outfits: It is up to the model to bring her own clothing. Bring at least three different outfits you can use. Preference is swimsuits, skirts, gym wear, heels, contest suits. If you are in contest shape it is best to go with swimsuits mostly. Optionally I can provide swimsuits as well but they will be smaller and much sexier usually from Colleen Kelly Designs, DreamGirl, Wicked Temptations etc.
(Photoshoot information, Hardfitness)
Juliana Malacarne, 2007
With over 30 photo sets still listed there, Juliana must be one of the Muscletease's most photographed models, if not the most photographed. I'm pretty sure the site introduced me to Juliana, and if that were the only reason I had to be grateful to Juan Carlos Lopez, I wouldn't need another. For Juliana at least, the introduction of the physique division heralded the most successful period of her career so far, and now pushing 40 (if she isn't there already) La Malacarne seems, like a fine wine, to be getting better and better with age.
Karen Zaremba, 2005
This set of FMS Abs Queen Karen Zaremba ('Blue Bed' is its title, and there are five parts!) is, I suspect, as familiar to female muscle heads as any of the most renowned sets from WPW, HerBiceps or any other female muscle photo site you care to mention. The images will be 10 years old next year, but Lopez still uses these pics all over Muscletease and Hardfitness as examples of his work, and I don't blame him. Classic stuff. What was I saying about iconic female muscle photography the other day...?
As well as on Muscletease and Hardfitness, you can keep up with the work of Juan Carlos Lopez via Twitter, and the Hardfitness Facebook page.
Enjoy!
Casey Brocato, 2008
As well as some of the more famous fitness and figure athletes like Tara Scotti or Mindi O'Brien, Muscletease featured many women that were new to this ex-member. I've chosen Casey Brocato, who competed in figure from 2008ish to 2010, as an example. A second place in her class at the 2010 NPC USAs was her highest finish and as far as I know she never turned pro. A word of warning if these images whet your appetite for more of her - there is now an over-35 MALE physique athlete with the same name. Refine your search if you want to avoid an unpleasant shock!
Heather Green, 2006
One of the most memorable sets from my first (of a few) times as a Muscletease member was this one of the mouth-watering figure competitor Heather Green, who turned pro the year after these were taken. Now competing in the WBFF physique division, you might want to reconnect with Heather via her Twitter.
Outfits: It is up to the model to bring her own clothing. Bring at least three different outfits you can use. Preference is swimsuits, skirts, gym wear, heels, contest suits. If you are in contest shape it is best to go with swimsuits mostly. Optionally I can provide swimsuits as well but they will be smaller and much sexier usually from Colleen Kelly Designs, DreamGirl, Wicked Temptations etc.
(Photoshoot information, Hardfitness)
Juliana Malacarne, 2007
With over 30 photo sets still listed there, Juliana must be one of the Muscletease's most photographed models, if not the most photographed. I'm pretty sure the site introduced me to Juliana, and if that were the only reason I had to be grateful to Juan Carlos Lopez, I wouldn't need another. For Juliana at least, the introduction of the physique division heralded the most successful period of her career so far, and now pushing 40 (if she isn't there already) La Malacarne seems, like a fine wine, to be getting better and better with age.
Karen Zaremba, 2005
This set of FMS Abs Queen Karen Zaremba ('Blue Bed' is its title, and there are five parts!) is, I suspect, as familiar to female muscle heads as any of the most renowned sets from WPW, HerBiceps or any other female muscle photo site you care to mention. The images will be 10 years old next year, but Lopez still uses these pics all over Muscletease and Hardfitness as examples of his work, and I don't blame him. Classic stuff. What was I saying about iconic female muscle photography the other day...?
As well as on Muscletease and Hardfitness, you can keep up with the work of Juan Carlos Lopez via Twitter, and the Hardfitness Facebook page.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Aleesha's Problem
Or, 'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others'
I don't think I can hold this hand bra much longer. What if...?
Success!
... That's better!
I don't think I can hold this hand bra much longer. What if...?
Success!
... That's better!
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Horizontal Hand Bras
And the memories...
Kris Murrell, who appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy Grown Ups 2 last year, and was last seen as a competitor in 2012 when she made her physique debut and looked like half the woman she once was - literally - in her NPC Nationals winning pomp of 2009, which is how, if you don't mind, FMS would like to remember her...
And an FMS all-time fave, Dr Sexy herself, Dena Westerfield, now sadly missing in action (well, working in a professional capacity at her clinic rather than competitively bodybuilding) in a shot that still grabs the attention despite the passing years and the fact that Dena often used to wear only a little more than a hand bra in the majority of her photo and video shoots. Female muscle gold!
Enjoy!
Kris Murrell, who appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy Grown Ups 2 last year, and was last seen as a competitor in 2012 when she made her physique debut and looked like half the woman she once was - literally - in her NPC Nationals winning pomp of 2009, which is how, if you don't mind, FMS would like to remember her...
And an FMS all-time fave, Dr Sexy herself, Dena Westerfield, now sadly missing in action (well, working in a professional capacity at her clinic rather than competitively bodybuilding) in a shot that still grabs the attention despite the passing years and the fact that Dena often used to wear only a little more than a hand bra in the majority of her photo and video shoots. Female muscle gold!
Enjoy!
Monday, 3 February 2014
Christal Cornick's Hand Bra 101
Given the events I described on Friday (Image Removed Copyright Violation) I feel that I should say straight off that today's post is entirely A WORK OF FICTION, a bit of fun and nothing more, and that Christal Cornick had absolutely NOTHING to do with it. Is everybody clear on that? Good. Let's begin...
One of the rising stars of British female bodybuilding, Christal Cornick is not only a four-time regional bodybuilding champion but has also finished 3rd at the UKBFF British Championships in each of the last three years.
And she seems to enjoy the skin she's in. But other than being the owner of a Twitter account that'll send your pulse sky high, Christal Cornick is also one of the world's leading female muscle hand bra posing experts, and, by her own admission, often performs hand bra poses even when it's totally unnecessary.
I go naked so often, she says, I sometimes forget I'm actually wearing something!!! With, as you can see below, hilarious results in all sorts of incongruous places...
So, FMS is downright delighted Christal is helping us out in our Hand Bra Week, with her own little guide to some of the less common hand bra poses. Now pay attention.
1. THE FOLDED ARMS HAND BRA
Christal says: Modesty is not exactly my forte, but false modesty is quite another thing. This variation on the hand bra comes in useful, for example, when I walk into the weights area topless 'by accident' and then, after all the boys (and girls) are staring, I fold my arms, feign surprise, give one or two cuties a knowing wink, and then head back into the changing room to put a tiny top on!
And it can also come in useful when entertaining some lucky fella.
I sit him down, make him wait a bit and then re-enter the room wearing nothing but a tight little pair of shorts and my folded arms hand bra. When my chest is right in front of his face, it's off with the hand bra! Assuming he doesn't pass out at that point (it happens) it's the perfect moment to grab his head and bury it into my granite pecs. I've broken some noses in my time with that move!
2. THE ONE-ARM HAND BRA
Christal says: The best thing about the one-arm is that it leaves your other arm free to do whatever, so there are endless variations. I call this particular one 'The Teapot'.
Ah, yes, it's like the handle! Wow, great obliques. Great veins on that forearm, Christal. And, wow, I like your bicep and shoulder too. Wow, actually I really really really like that shoulder. And those shorts look like they are rather snug. Are they?
Oh, you wouldn't believe! But do you see how 'The Teapot' drew your attention away from my perfect pecs, allowing you to take in some of my other perfect parts? And having that free arm makes this absolutely the best hand bra pose when the postman turns up with something that needs signing for. Let me tell you, delivering to Christal is such a treat that the postmen at my local depot have started holding an auction to see who gets to do the round that includes my house. How cool is that?
Very. And last, but certainly not least...
3. THE SIDE CHEST HAND BRA
Christal says: In a perfect world, this would be a mandatory pose.
But it is a mandatory pose, isn't it?
I mean exactly like this.
Damn!
I have spent years sculpting every inch of my body. Why shouldn't I display all of it? Would you tell a sculptor who'd carved a nude to stick a posing suit on it before you opened the gallery doors to the public? Of course you wouldn't! That would be ridiculous. Well, why do I, a living sculpture, have to do just that?
[At which point FMS was left so utterly speechless that we agreed it would be best if the interview was terminated. Quite honestly, since then, I've seen the world Christal imagines every night when I close my eyes. And I like it.]
Many many thanks to Christal for her unique and informative hand bra insight, and we sincerely hope that 2014 will be the year when she goes not just one, but two better, and claims the British title that she deserves. Even if it has to be done in a posing suit!
Enjoy!
One of the rising stars of British female bodybuilding, Christal Cornick is not only a four-time regional bodybuilding champion but has also finished 3rd at the UKBFF British Championships in each of the last three years.
Really don't wanna put clothes on today!! But I guess going to the shops naked would get me in trouble. LOL xCx
— Christal Cornick (@ChristalFBB) December 14, 2013
And she seems to enjoy the skin she's in. But other than being the owner of a Twitter account that'll send your pulse sky high, Christal Cornick is also one of the world's leading female muscle hand bra posing experts, and, by her own admission, often performs hand bra poses even when it's totally unnecessary.
I go naked so often, she says, I sometimes forget I'm actually wearing something!!! With, as you can see below, hilarious results in all sorts of incongruous places...
So, FMS is downright delighted Christal is helping us out in our Hand Bra Week, with her own little guide to some of the less common hand bra poses. Now pay attention.
1. THE FOLDED ARMS HAND BRA
Christal says: Modesty is not exactly my forte, but false modesty is quite another thing. This variation on the hand bra comes in useful, for example, when I walk into the weights area topless 'by accident' and then, after all the boys (and girls) are staring, I fold my arms, feign surprise, give one or two cuties a knowing wink, and then head back into the changing room to put a tiny top on!
And it can also come in useful when entertaining some lucky fella.
I sit him down, make him wait a bit and then re-enter the room wearing nothing but a tight little pair of shorts and my folded arms hand bra. When my chest is right in front of his face, it's off with the hand bra! Assuming he doesn't pass out at that point (it happens) it's the perfect moment to grab his head and bury it into my granite pecs. I've broken some noses in my time with that move!
2. THE ONE-ARM HAND BRA
Christal says: The best thing about the one-arm is that it leaves your other arm free to do whatever, so there are endless variations. I call this particular one 'The Teapot'.
Ah, yes, it's like the handle! Wow, great obliques. Great veins on that forearm, Christal. And, wow, I like your bicep and shoulder too. Wow, actually I really really really like that shoulder. And those shorts look like they are rather snug. Are they?
Oh, you wouldn't believe! But do you see how 'The Teapot' drew your attention away from my perfect pecs, allowing you to take in some of my other perfect parts? And having that free arm makes this absolutely the best hand bra pose when the postman turns up with something that needs signing for. Let me tell you, delivering to Christal is such a treat that the postmen at my local depot have started holding an auction to see who gets to do the round that includes my house. How cool is that?
Very. And last, but certainly not least...
3. THE SIDE CHEST HAND BRA
Christal says: In a perfect world, this would be a mandatory pose.
But it is a mandatory pose, isn't it?
I mean exactly like this.
Damn!
I have spent years sculpting every inch of my body. Why shouldn't I display all of it? Would you tell a sculptor who'd carved a nude to stick a posing suit on it before you opened the gallery doors to the public? Of course you wouldn't! That would be ridiculous. Well, why do I, a living sculpture, have to do just that?
[At which point FMS was left so utterly speechless that we agreed it would be best if the interview was terminated. Quite honestly, since then, I've seen the world Christal imagines every night when I close my eyes. And I like it.]
Many many thanks to Christal for her unique and informative hand bra insight, and we sincerely hope that 2014 will be the year when she goes not just one, but two better, and claims the British title that she deserves. Even if it has to be done in a posing suit!
Enjoy!
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