How to Become a Fitness Model

Becoming a model of any kind can be a challenging process. The fashion industry is brutal, and one of the more difficult areas of modeling to break into is fitness modeling. There is a certain level of fitness and body shape that needs to be maintained. Use these steps as a base for the rigorous process of becoming a fitness model.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Get a personal trainer. If you are not already in great shape, get someone to whip you into shape fast. You need to be trim, strong and look great in activewear and swimwear. Avoid too much muscle definition; you still need to look pretty and feminine.

2. Contact a photographer to help you put together a portfolio. You will need a variety of shots including head, body, glamour, casual, swimwear and active shots. Most photographers have experience in putting together portfolios; have them assist you through the process.

3. Find an agent. Research modeling agents in your city and ask them if they are looking for fitness models. Be prepared for them to ask for your portfolio and experience. They will also want you to come in for a test shot.

4. Attend go-sees or book jobs. A go-see is a job interview in the modeling world. It means to meet with a client looking your best with your portfolio in hand. Your agent will send you on these.

5. Search for modeling jobs using job sites such as craigslist or one of the many modeling websites such as Explore Talent. (See Resources below.)

Tips & Warnings

• Another great way to get into fitness modeling is through beauty pageants. Search for pageants in your area.
• If you don't get signed by an agent, there are ways to find modeling jobs to gain some experience.
• Do not get discouraged if you don't get signed by an agent immediately.
• Be careful of any jobs that aren't arranged by an agent. These could put you into a dangerous situation.

Resources

• Explore Talent
• Modeling Job Opportunities

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[EricCarlson]

on 8/19/2008 Here is a great website from an actual world famous fitness model who shows you the exact steps to take to be an elite fitness model.

http://www.TheFitnessModelsBible.com/

[TheFitnessNerd]

on 8/1/2008 Here are a couple of articles with additional information on "toning" as well as an interview with a successful professional female fitness and bikini model:

http://www.answerfitness.com/181/body-toning-myth-fitness-tips-answer-fitness/

http://www.answerfitness.com/174/female-fitness-model-amanda-carrier-fitness-model-interviews-answer-fitness/

[TheFitnessNerd]

on 8/1/2008 Also, the key is that "toned" bikini ready look is to have plenty of curves from muscle, with low body fat (which is slimming.)

Unlike fitness or figure competitors, most fitness and bikini models will not go much lower on their body fat levels that 13-15 percent. This "softens" up their curves a little bit and makes them less "ripped" and "angular," despite having muscle mass levels that are comparable to figure competitors.

Also, female fitness models train fairly heavy with weights. There are obviously differences in how individuals respond, so you want to experiment with different weights and rep ranges to see what works best for you.

Bottom line is that if you want to be a female fitness model, you have to stop fearing adding muscle. If you get too much of it, it's pretty easy to notch it back. It's much more difficult to add it.

Here are a couple of articles with addi

[TheFitnessNerd]

on 8/1/2008 Pretty good advice. In Step One, I would caution women NOT to be too concerned with having too much muscle definition -- it's very difficult for women to add lots of muscle, period. In general, women just don't have the hormonal environment necessary to put on the amounts of mass men do.

If anything, most women don't have enough muscle definition to become a fitness model because of their exercise and diet habits, which tend to emphasize too much long-duration cardio, too much high-rep-low-weight resistance training and too few calories.

Most successful female fitness models carry a large amount of muscle on their frames in relation to their body fat levels and scale weight. For example, a 5'5", 130 lb female fitness model with 15 percent body fat will have around 119 lbs of lean tissue -- that's muscle, bone, etc -- and about 11 lbs of fat. Proportionally speaking, that's a lot o