Siouxcountry
04-23-2008, 08:38 PM
Over at MuscleWithAttitude.com:
LINK (http://www.musclewithattitude.com/article/most_recent/welcome_to_camp_savage&cr=)
Welcome to Camp Savage
An Interview with Fitness Coach Cathy Savage
by Sandy Joyce
You might say that Cathy Savage's success in the fitness field wasn't supposed to happen, seeing as she graduated from Boston College with a marketing and communications degree. But soon after graduation her natural love for fitness, cheerleading, and dance put her on a different path.
Now, she's one of the most sought after choreographers and fitness coaches in the country. In 2005, Cathy was contacted and became the featured star on MTV's "True Life: I Want the Perfect Body."
After competing in the early 90's, Cathy soon found herself bombarded with questions from peers, and she was quickly seen as a leader in the world of fitness and figure competitions. Cathy is now the proud owner of her company, Cathy Savage Fitness, and she's here to answer some questions for us.
Muscle With Attitude: Hi Cathy, thank you for joining us!
Cathy Savage: Thank you for having me!
MWA: Okay, let's get right down to business. Give us the top five mistakes new competitors make.
Savage: The first is over-dieting. Figure and fitness aren't bodybuilding. The preparation doesn't have to be hardcore. You shouldn't have to eliminate entire food groups 12 weeks before an event. However, I meet so many girls that peak way too early and then burn out long before their show arrives.
The second mistake is over-training. Double sessions of cardio and going to the gym three times a day just aren't necessary when you prepare correctly. Yet so many girls still believe that more is better. You grow when you rest, so sleeping and staying well rested are key for optimal results.
Another mistake I see is preparing like a bodybuilder. You're judged on your attractiveness (no matter what anyone says) and if you diet and train too hard, your face will look dry and sunken in. Bodybuilders don't need to worry about this, but figure and fitness athletes do, no matter what federation they're in.
You also can't neglect the importance of posing. A person can have the best body in the world, but if they're posing recklessly, their best attributes won't be seen. Learning proper body mechanics is the best way to show your strengths andhide your weaknesses.
And lastly, stop listening to so many people! You'll always find someone out there questioning what you're doing. You hear, "You're eating fruit this close to a show?" or, "Why are youdoingthat exercise?" And, "Do you plan to deplete?" Everyone atyour gym will be an expert and your head will be spinning in a million directions!
The best advice is to listen to one personwho handles your preparation and to ignore all the comments. A simple, "Thanks, I'm all set" is all you need to politely say and then move on.
MWA: You bring up a fantastic point about advice. It's all too easy to lose focus when everyone around you thinks their way is better.
Now, give us the scoop. Just what is it that you do to these girls that come to you, desiring to step on stage? Briefly walk us threw that exciting process.
Savage: Well, everyone has different goals. Some girls come to me to win a national title. Others are new and are starting their journey into competitions for no other reason then their own personal achievement.
I've worked with girls who are in the military, who yearn to have the feeling of stepping onstage before they deploy. I've also worked with brave women who have overcome incredible odds, such as Dottie O'Connor who's a double lung and kidney transplant recipient with cystic fibrosis. She's now a fitness athlete.
Each girl has a story and they're dramatic, powerful, and inspiring. With each client that walks into my studio or signs up for my online program, I find their strengths and capitalize on them. I market them to the appropriate media if that's something they're looking for. I prepare them physically and emotionally for the journey ahead and remind them that this is a positive experience, and once it stops being fun, let it go.
My style of coaching is nurturing, yet disciplined. I have a phenomenal staff that also lives by these principles. It often takes a great deal of convincing for women to believe they can stand onstage. Nothing brings me more satisfaction than seeing that same woman who walked into my office with self-doubt, now joyfully standing onstage with her teammates.
MWA: It sounds like you're able to create the perfect atmosphere for success, but I'm sure there are plenty of hardships along the way. What's the most difficult obstacle for woman at this level to deal with and over come in order to step on stage?
Savage: The most difficult obstacle is to find the right balance. Fitting it all into your life, which is usually already busy, is quite a challenge. If you have a tense career, kids, family obligations, etc., they all factor into your contest preparation.
Our philosophy differs from many in the industry. We don't want you to give up your life — we help you find that balance!
MWA: That's a great attitude to have, and it certainly sets you apart from everyone else.
You've also judged contest shows before. Tell us about that end of it. What do judges most typically look for in a contestant? What stands out? Tell us what they like and what they hate!
Savage: I've probably judged over 100 shows in my lifetime. I can confidently say the "wow" factor is what counts most — charisma, confidence, and essentially being the total package. I've witnessed girls with incredible bodies come out onstage and they look miserable or they can't pose. Then you see some girls come out with a great physique that may not be the best onstage, but they glow! Their suit is just right, their hair is on-point, they pose like a pro, and their body is perfect for the criteria given to the judges.
You have to be "electric." You have to almost jump out to the judges table. In the larger shows, when there are so many girls, you have to standout. And when everyone has a great physique, the other factors come into play. This is true for any federation.
Judging standards, however, are different with each federation. For example, in the NPC, symmetry is key. You can have six pack abs, but if your legs jiggle, they notice! NPC judges are looking for those beautiful lines and structure. Genetics plays a huge role in finding that perfect "X" physique.
With Fitness America, poise and confidence play an equal part in your score. They want a softer, more feminine physique than that of the NPC, and their presentation scores are much more of a priority than the NPC.
One thing that drives judges crazy is when a competitor doesn't adhere to the criteria of the show. For example, if you're competing in the NPC, don't pose for another federation. Show up and be ready to compete under the rules of the federation.
MWA: Something the readers may find interesting, I met you a few weeks ago by attending a Sunday session at your training center. I joined your program that day, and now you and your girls are helping me get ready to do my first show in April!
With that being said, it didn't take me long to figure out that training and nutrition are only a small part of being ready to step on stage. Can you elaborate a little on that for us please?
Savage: Well, I can honestly say that every part of competition prep is important! You must excel in your nutrition, training, posing, suit selection, makeup, hair, marketing, and your attitude.
I can only speak for my business, but we're coaches. We aren't just personal trainers. Coaches give you goals to meet. We treat our clients just like athletes. They have curfews, they respect their family, friends, and teammates, they must check in, they must be a positive role model, and most of all they must be drug free. This style of coaching isn't for everyone, but it's worked for our girls.
MWA: From your overall approach, let's break this down into the finer details. Give us some tips on suit selection. What should we look for in a suit? When it comes to color and rhinestones, what's in and what's not?
Savage: I'm really controlling about the suits my girls wear. I only recommend certain designers for a few reasons. The first is that they're guaranteed to be delivered on time. It's amazing how many terrible designers there are, as far as customer service is concerned. Second, they coordinate the style of each client with me, so we discuss the client's body type before the suit is made.
My design team is Maggie Blanchard (MaggieFit), Sylvia Tremblay, Christine Marsh, and Angelina Harvey. All four designers are very customer service oriented, and I know they all make great suits and costumes. They're also reasonably priced.
I help to select the color for all of my clients. I tend to select darker colors for NPC/IFBB athletes and what I call "ocean" colors for FAP clients. Color also depends on the hue of the skin. For example, I never put a red suit on a girl who's naturally pale with dry skin. Color is a big deal, so we pick wisely.
With the suit, fit is most important. I'd rather a girl spend the money on a suit that's unstoned, as long as it fits. She can later find a relative or friend who's crafty to stone it for her. Stones are what make the suit expensive. The heavily stoned suits look better, but you need to watch your budget. I advise girls to stay away from velvet if they don't have the funds to heavily stone their suit. They're better off using a wet look or holograph to brighten up the suit naturally.
Maggie is awesome for making NPC and IFBB suits, as she's an IFBB Pro (as well as a judge). She's really on the cutting edge of what the judges are looking for in terms of style and cuts. Sylvia and Angelina are awesome with FAP model and bikini suits, as they're both competitors in this federation. They know all about developing a glam-look. Christine is simply a genius with both suits and costumes. She's so creative with her designs. I'm very lucky to have these ladies design our suits and costumes.
MWA: That sounds like quite the creative dream team. Let's dive into the critical time period just before the contest.
When a competitor uses water manipulation tactics, what advantage(s) does that give them? Can you first explain what water manipulation means, for those of us who aren't very familiar with it?
Savage: Well, this is an old bodybuilding technique, and one that I don't use, as bodybuilding and figure/fitness preparation are totally different. If you think you must play with your water, you're sadly misinformed and running the risk of causing harm to yourself. Refraining from water can cause bloating and serious dehydration.
However, some athletes gradually decrease their intake right before a show. For example, they'll drop from one and a half gallons, to one gallon, to sipping a half gallon on the day of the show. The ideal situation is to avoid holding water between the muscle and your skin.
Honestly, if you do your homework, you don't have to worry about manipulating anything!
MWA: Okay, let's face it. None of us have perfect bodies. If a part of our body isn't quite "stage ready," what do we do? Any dirty tricks to hide stubborn areas?
Savage: Oh yes, posing and stage presentation are your best weapons to use when hiding flaws in your physique. Any weakness you have can be altered by superior posing. I'm blessed to have Paula Harvey, a postural specialist, on my staff that assists the girls in developing their posture for stage. Through creative posing, you can hide many issues.
For example, if you have wider hips, keeping your arms right by your side helps tremendously. This is perfect for the Fitness America federation, as the posing is so liberal. If you aren't lean enough, put on an extra coat of tanning product, as you naturally look leaner when you're dark.
For the NPC, where your genetics are on the forefront, it isn't as easy, but we do our best to bring out strengths and hide weaknesses. It's amazing how even a shift in foot placement can make you look better. Bringing your toes out a little on the front stance of an NPC pose can make outer quad development more dramatic. Bringing your feet close together can help to hide symmetry issue with larger legs. It's all smoke and mirrors!
MWA: So now the secret is out! For those of us on a budget and preparing for a show, what do we spend our money on, and what's not worth it?
Savage: For figure, spend your money on good posing instruction and food! It's expensive to eat healthy. For fitness, spend your money on your choreography. Suits don't have to put you in the poor house. A good designer will work with your budget.
Reaching out to potential sponsors is also a big help. My top girls are all sponsored by suit designers. However, if you're new, you can reach out to friends, family, supplement companies, tanning salons, physical therapy offices — anything! You'd be surprised at how many people want to help. Competing is an expensive hobby, and you must budget accordingly. You don't need a $1,000 dollar suit. Save your money!
MWA: Speaking of tanning salons, any tips or tricks when it comes to obtaining the right tan? What's too dark, what's too light, and most importantly, how do we avoid those tan lines?
Savage: Tanning protocol differs for each federation. The NPC and IFBB prefer a darker tan to the Fitness America pageant. I love Jan Tana Onstage. It seems to work well with most athletes.
As someone who's been afflicted with skin cancer, I don't recommend the use of tanning booths during your preparation. Instead, start with a self-tanner such as L'Oreal or Clarins, and then start your competition application the day before your show.
The secret of all this is to keep your skin healthy all year long through proper hydration, healthy, nutrition which includes good fats, exfoliation, and working with a dermatologist. When I see an athlete on stage with a terrible tan, I know it's due to either a lack of good fats, over-dieting, dehydration, or lack of a good skin care regimen.
And tan lines don't happen when you stay out of the sun! Using a SPF of anywhere between 35 to 70 is what I recommend.
MWA: So, we've found the perfect suit and we're keeping our skin healthy, any tips on learning how to pose? Do posing videos help?
Savage: Posing and stage presentation must be mastered if you want to compete successfully. We practice posing all year long. There are several good DVD's out there. I have two that cover all federations — Ready Set Show and Strictly Posing.
Our Strictly Posing DVD is sold out, so we're offering a free Strictly Posing: Classroom Edition due out in early Spring with the purchase of Ready Set Show. Our newest updated posing DVD will be out later in the Spring. But for now, athletes can watch our raw footage classroom edition and practice along with us as if they were right in my studio. Tanji Johnson also has a great DVD for NPC posing.
One thing I want to make clear is that posing should be individual. I take each athlete and find the posing style that works for them. Some girls look good with their legs bent, others don't. Individual posing is what we recommend, but certain factors such as hand placement, ribcage contraction, and leg positions are universal.
The important thing to remember is that when you're new, you're working from a foundation. As you grow as a competitor, your posing will improve!
MWA: Now the fun part, tell us all about your camps. How many girls typically attend? What do they consist of?
Savage: Camp Savage has been around for twelve years. It started with a few girls in a seminar type setting. On our tenth anniversary, around the time of our MTV show, we had 150 girls there! It was like a convention. Since then, we decided to hold more camps each year and limit it to 40 girls. We like the intimate atmosphere, and we really bond more with the girls!
Camp is different with each group, but generally starts on a Friday evening with lectures, seminars, and really getting to know the girls. On Saturday and Sunday, we cover it all, including multiple training sessions, visualization, grooving, nutrition, posing, stage presentation drills, model discussions, competing on a budget, sponsorships, suit selections, federation information, and every aspect of show prep for each federation. We leave no stone unturned!
On Saturday night, we all go out as a group. For our Boston camps, we take the girls into Boston on an authentic Boston Trolley and we dance the night away together! We truly bond as a group and the girls get to see a little bit of the Boston night life.
MWA: Wow, that sure sounds like a blast! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and expertise with us, Cathy.
Savage: My pleasure!
About the Author
Sandy Joyce is a personal trainer and nutrition specialist in the Boston area who specializes in helping women of all ages lose fat and maintain better health. She has a reputation for not only getting women into great shape quickly, but helping them adopt lifelong healthy habits. For info on her online training services, visit her website at BestBodyEva.com (http://www.bestbodyeva.com/) or email her at sandy@bestbodyeva.com.
LINK (http://www.musclewithattitude.com/article/most_recent/welcome_to_camp_savage&cr=)
Welcome to Camp Savage
An Interview with Fitness Coach Cathy Savage
by Sandy Joyce
You might say that Cathy Savage's success in the fitness field wasn't supposed to happen, seeing as she graduated from Boston College with a marketing and communications degree. But soon after graduation her natural love for fitness, cheerleading, and dance put her on a different path.
Now, she's one of the most sought after choreographers and fitness coaches in the country. In 2005, Cathy was contacted and became the featured star on MTV's "True Life: I Want the Perfect Body."
After competing in the early 90's, Cathy soon found herself bombarded with questions from peers, and she was quickly seen as a leader in the world of fitness and figure competitions. Cathy is now the proud owner of her company, Cathy Savage Fitness, and she's here to answer some questions for us.
Muscle With Attitude: Hi Cathy, thank you for joining us!
Cathy Savage: Thank you for having me!
MWA: Okay, let's get right down to business. Give us the top five mistakes new competitors make.
Savage: The first is over-dieting. Figure and fitness aren't bodybuilding. The preparation doesn't have to be hardcore. You shouldn't have to eliminate entire food groups 12 weeks before an event. However, I meet so many girls that peak way too early and then burn out long before their show arrives.
The second mistake is over-training. Double sessions of cardio and going to the gym three times a day just aren't necessary when you prepare correctly. Yet so many girls still believe that more is better. You grow when you rest, so sleeping and staying well rested are key for optimal results.
Another mistake I see is preparing like a bodybuilder. You're judged on your attractiveness (no matter what anyone says) and if you diet and train too hard, your face will look dry and sunken in. Bodybuilders don't need to worry about this, but figure and fitness athletes do, no matter what federation they're in.
You also can't neglect the importance of posing. A person can have the best body in the world, but if they're posing recklessly, their best attributes won't be seen. Learning proper body mechanics is the best way to show your strengths andhide your weaknesses.
And lastly, stop listening to so many people! You'll always find someone out there questioning what you're doing. You hear, "You're eating fruit this close to a show?" or, "Why are youdoingthat exercise?" And, "Do you plan to deplete?" Everyone atyour gym will be an expert and your head will be spinning in a million directions!
The best advice is to listen to one personwho handles your preparation and to ignore all the comments. A simple, "Thanks, I'm all set" is all you need to politely say and then move on.
MWA: You bring up a fantastic point about advice. It's all too easy to lose focus when everyone around you thinks their way is better.
Now, give us the scoop. Just what is it that you do to these girls that come to you, desiring to step on stage? Briefly walk us threw that exciting process.
Savage: Well, everyone has different goals. Some girls come to me to win a national title. Others are new and are starting their journey into competitions for no other reason then their own personal achievement.
I've worked with girls who are in the military, who yearn to have the feeling of stepping onstage before they deploy. I've also worked with brave women who have overcome incredible odds, such as Dottie O'Connor who's a double lung and kidney transplant recipient with cystic fibrosis. She's now a fitness athlete.
Each girl has a story and they're dramatic, powerful, and inspiring. With each client that walks into my studio or signs up for my online program, I find their strengths and capitalize on them. I market them to the appropriate media if that's something they're looking for. I prepare them physically and emotionally for the journey ahead and remind them that this is a positive experience, and once it stops being fun, let it go.
My style of coaching is nurturing, yet disciplined. I have a phenomenal staff that also lives by these principles. It often takes a great deal of convincing for women to believe they can stand onstage. Nothing brings me more satisfaction than seeing that same woman who walked into my office with self-doubt, now joyfully standing onstage with her teammates.
MWA: It sounds like you're able to create the perfect atmosphere for success, but I'm sure there are plenty of hardships along the way. What's the most difficult obstacle for woman at this level to deal with and over come in order to step on stage?
Savage: The most difficult obstacle is to find the right balance. Fitting it all into your life, which is usually already busy, is quite a challenge. If you have a tense career, kids, family obligations, etc., they all factor into your contest preparation.
Our philosophy differs from many in the industry. We don't want you to give up your life — we help you find that balance!
MWA: That's a great attitude to have, and it certainly sets you apart from everyone else.
You've also judged contest shows before. Tell us about that end of it. What do judges most typically look for in a contestant? What stands out? Tell us what they like and what they hate!
Savage: I've probably judged over 100 shows in my lifetime. I can confidently say the "wow" factor is what counts most — charisma, confidence, and essentially being the total package. I've witnessed girls with incredible bodies come out onstage and they look miserable or they can't pose. Then you see some girls come out with a great physique that may not be the best onstage, but they glow! Their suit is just right, their hair is on-point, they pose like a pro, and their body is perfect for the criteria given to the judges.
You have to be "electric." You have to almost jump out to the judges table. In the larger shows, when there are so many girls, you have to standout. And when everyone has a great physique, the other factors come into play. This is true for any federation.
Judging standards, however, are different with each federation. For example, in the NPC, symmetry is key. You can have six pack abs, but if your legs jiggle, they notice! NPC judges are looking for those beautiful lines and structure. Genetics plays a huge role in finding that perfect "X" physique.
With Fitness America, poise and confidence play an equal part in your score. They want a softer, more feminine physique than that of the NPC, and their presentation scores are much more of a priority than the NPC.
One thing that drives judges crazy is when a competitor doesn't adhere to the criteria of the show. For example, if you're competing in the NPC, don't pose for another federation. Show up and be ready to compete under the rules of the federation.
MWA: Something the readers may find interesting, I met you a few weeks ago by attending a Sunday session at your training center. I joined your program that day, and now you and your girls are helping me get ready to do my first show in April!
With that being said, it didn't take me long to figure out that training and nutrition are only a small part of being ready to step on stage. Can you elaborate a little on that for us please?
Savage: Well, I can honestly say that every part of competition prep is important! You must excel in your nutrition, training, posing, suit selection, makeup, hair, marketing, and your attitude.
I can only speak for my business, but we're coaches. We aren't just personal trainers. Coaches give you goals to meet. We treat our clients just like athletes. They have curfews, they respect their family, friends, and teammates, they must check in, they must be a positive role model, and most of all they must be drug free. This style of coaching isn't for everyone, but it's worked for our girls.
MWA: From your overall approach, let's break this down into the finer details. Give us some tips on suit selection. What should we look for in a suit? When it comes to color and rhinestones, what's in and what's not?
Savage: I'm really controlling about the suits my girls wear. I only recommend certain designers for a few reasons. The first is that they're guaranteed to be delivered on time. It's amazing how many terrible designers there are, as far as customer service is concerned. Second, they coordinate the style of each client with me, so we discuss the client's body type before the suit is made.
My design team is Maggie Blanchard (MaggieFit), Sylvia Tremblay, Christine Marsh, and Angelina Harvey. All four designers are very customer service oriented, and I know they all make great suits and costumes. They're also reasonably priced.
I help to select the color for all of my clients. I tend to select darker colors for NPC/IFBB athletes and what I call "ocean" colors for FAP clients. Color also depends on the hue of the skin. For example, I never put a red suit on a girl who's naturally pale with dry skin. Color is a big deal, so we pick wisely.
With the suit, fit is most important. I'd rather a girl spend the money on a suit that's unstoned, as long as it fits. She can later find a relative or friend who's crafty to stone it for her. Stones are what make the suit expensive. The heavily stoned suits look better, but you need to watch your budget. I advise girls to stay away from velvet if they don't have the funds to heavily stone their suit. They're better off using a wet look or holograph to brighten up the suit naturally.
Maggie is awesome for making NPC and IFBB suits, as she's an IFBB Pro (as well as a judge). She's really on the cutting edge of what the judges are looking for in terms of style and cuts. Sylvia and Angelina are awesome with FAP model and bikini suits, as they're both competitors in this federation. They know all about developing a glam-look. Christine is simply a genius with both suits and costumes. She's so creative with her designs. I'm very lucky to have these ladies design our suits and costumes.
MWA: That sounds like quite the creative dream team. Let's dive into the critical time period just before the contest.
When a competitor uses water manipulation tactics, what advantage(s) does that give them? Can you first explain what water manipulation means, for those of us who aren't very familiar with it?
Savage: Well, this is an old bodybuilding technique, and one that I don't use, as bodybuilding and figure/fitness preparation are totally different. If you think you must play with your water, you're sadly misinformed and running the risk of causing harm to yourself. Refraining from water can cause bloating and serious dehydration.
However, some athletes gradually decrease their intake right before a show. For example, they'll drop from one and a half gallons, to one gallon, to sipping a half gallon on the day of the show. The ideal situation is to avoid holding water between the muscle and your skin.
Honestly, if you do your homework, you don't have to worry about manipulating anything!
MWA: Okay, let's face it. None of us have perfect bodies. If a part of our body isn't quite "stage ready," what do we do? Any dirty tricks to hide stubborn areas?
Savage: Oh yes, posing and stage presentation are your best weapons to use when hiding flaws in your physique. Any weakness you have can be altered by superior posing. I'm blessed to have Paula Harvey, a postural specialist, on my staff that assists the girls in developing their posture for stage. Through creative posing, you can hide many issues.
For example, if you have wider hips, keeping your arms right by your side helps tremendously. This is perfect for the Fitness America federation, as the posing is so liberal. If you aren't lean enough, put on an extra coat of tanning product, as you naturally look leaner when you're dark.
For the NPC, where your genetics are on the forefront, it isn't as easy, but we do our best to bring out strengths and hide weaknesses. It's amazing how even a shift in foot placement can make you look better. Bringing your toes out a little on the front stance of an NPC pose can make outer quad development more dramatic. Bringing your feet close together can help to hide symmetry issue with larger legs. It's all smoke and mirrors!
MWA: So now the secret is out! For those of us on a budget and preparing for a show, what do we spend our money on, and what's not worth it?
Savage: For figure, spend your money on good posing instruction and food! It's expensive to eat healthy. For fitness, spend your money on your choreography. Suits don't have to put you in the poor house. A good designer will work with your budget.
Reaching out to potential sponsors is also a big help. My top girls are all sponsored by suit designers. However, if you're new, you can reach out to friends, family, supplement companies, tanning salons, physical therapy offices — anything! You'd be surprised at how many people want to help. Competing is an expensive hobby, and you must budget accordingly. You don't need a $1,000 dollar suit. Save your money!
MWA: Speaking of tanning salons, any tips or tricks when it comes to obtaining the right tan? What's too dark, what's too light, and most importantly, how do we avoid those tan lines?
Savage: Tanning protocol differs for each federation. The NPC and IFBB prefer a darker tan to the Fitness America pageant. I love Jan Tana Onstage. It seems to work well with most athletes.
As someone who's been afflicted with skin cancer, I don't recommend the use of tanning booths during your preparation. Instead, start with a self-tanner such as L'Oreal or Clarins, and then start your competition application the day before your show.
The secret of all this is to keep your skin healthy all year long through proper hydration, healthy, nutrition which includes good fats, exfoliation, and working with a dermatologist. When I see an athlete on stage with a terrible tan, I know it's due to either a lack of good fats, over-dieting, dehydration, or lack of a good skin care regimen.
And tan lines don't happen when you stay out of the sun! Using a SPF of anywhere between 35 to 70 is what I recommend.
MWA: So, we've found the perfect suit and we're keeping our skin healthy, any tips on learning how to pose? Do posing videos help?
Savage: Posing and stage presentation must be mastered if you want to compete successfully. We practice posing all year long. There are several good DVD's out there. I have two that cover all federations — Ready Set Show and Strictly Posing.
Our Strictly Posing DVD is sold out, so we're offering a free Strictly Posing: Classroom Edition due out in early Spring with the purchase of Ready Set Show. Our newest updated posing DVD will be out later in the Spring. But for now, athletes can watch our raw footage classroom edition and practice along with us as if they were right in my studio. Tanji Johnson also has a great DVD for NPC posing.
One thing I want to make clear is that posing should be individual. I take each athlete and find the posing style that works for them. Some girls look good with their legs bent, others don't. Individual posing is what we recommend, but certain factors such as hand placement, ribcage contraction, and leg positions are universal.
The important thing to remember is that when you're new, you're working from a foundation. As you grow as a competitor, your posing will improve!
MWA: Now the fun part, tell us all about your camps. How many girls typically attend? What do they consist of?
Savage: Camp Savage has been around for twelve years. It started with a few girls in a seminar type setting. On our tenth anniversary, around the time of our MTV show, we had 150 girls there! It was like a convention. Since then, we decided to hold more camps each year and limit it to 40 girls. We like the intimate atmosphere, and we really bond more with the girls!
Camp is different with each group, but generally starts on a Friday evening with lectures, seminars, and really getting to know the girls. On Saturday and Sunday, we cover it all, including multiple training sessions, visualization, grooving, nutrition, posing, stage presentation drills, model discussions, competing on a budget, sponsorships, suit selections, federation information, and every aspect of show prep for each federation. We leave no stone unturned!
On Saturday night, we all go out as a group. For our Boston camps, we take the girls into Boston on an authentic Boston Trolley and we dance the night away together! We truly bond as a group and the girls get to see a little bit of the Boston night life.
MWA: Wow, that sure sounds like a blast! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and expertise with us, Cathy.
Savage: My pleasure!
About the Author
Sandy Joyce is a personal trainer and nutrition specialist in the Boston area who specializes in helping women of all ages lose fat and maintain better health. She has a reputation for not only getting women into great shape quickly, but helping them adopt lifelong healthy habits. For info on her online training services, visit her website at BestBodyEva.com (http://www.bestbodyeva.com/) or email her at sandy@bestbodyeva.com.