Ed Corney once said, Posing is the presentation of your physique in all its splendor, showing the results of all your hard training, dieting, dedication and PRACTICE.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, please read the previous statement again and if you did not notice the word that is highlighted and in capitol letters, please do when you read it again. Simply put, I believe that most competitive bodybuilders do not spend enough time practicing their posing. However, I also believe that many competitors do not really know how to practice. Please let me be of some help.

    My first offer is my video that I produced in 1993. It is titled “Posing The Extra-Ordinary Way!” The focus is on the symmetry, compulsory, and the fee posing round. Detail is given for both men and women for the stance of the quarter turns, position and movement of mandatory and optional poses, highlighting good points while minimizing weak points, and the choreography of the posing routine. By viewing these tips on video, a bodybuilder will be able to better learn and practice correct posing techniques. The cost is $49.95 plus $4.00 for postage.

    If your desire is to have a posing routine that does not look like it was put together the night before your show, but is polished and professionally choreographed, then my second offer of individual posing choreography via-videotape is for you.

    It is as simple as you sending me the music of your choice. I want it to be your choice because the music should be something that you can relate and be sensitive to. If you are not sure or you have more than one piece of music in mind, I will be glad to help you decide. At the same time I will ask you to send me a few details like your best side for Side Chest and Side Triceps. I will want to know if you have any favorite poses or poses that you dislike or feel you do not look good executing. Also, photos or a video from a previous competition can be sent so I know what your physique is like or your style of posing. However, this is not necessary.

    After I receive this information I take it from there. I choreograph your routine communicating with you at the same time because I want to make sure I give you what you want and do not give you something that you dislike or cannot do.

A third option would be personal one-on-one posing instruction and choreography.  A competitor would travel to Albany, NY for 2-3 days to learn the finer points on the art of posing covering the quarter turns, the mandatory poses, optional poses, choreography and majoring on any specific area of choice.

Scott “Old Navy” Hults from Birmingham, AL recently came for some posing help and he decided to write about his experience.  Please scan down to read what he wrote.

My fourth and final offer is the same as above.  However, instead of a competitor traveling to my location for one-on-one personal instruction, I would travel to his or her location.

 

            I contacted Russ and he agreed to coach me for three consecutive days to work on symmetry poses, mandatory poses and on my 90-second individual posing routine.   I was already a good poser, having won “Best Male Poser” at my last competition.  I wanted to get better.   Also, as a Bantam Weight and Super Grand Master (60+) competitor, I am usually up against larger men.   So to be really competitive, I need to out-pose my competition.  I was hoping Russ could help me. 
            I arrived in Albany from Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday around noon.  Russ met me at my hotel and I followed him to his studio, about 15 minutes away.  When I walked into Russ's studio, I said, "Russ, I know nothing.  I am a blank slate.  Please fill my slate with your knowledge."  Russ asked me about my experience (I have competed in six contests) and my goals (I want to compete in at least six next year).  We talked about posing, both from the competitor’s point of view and from that of the judges.  Then we got down to business.  The first thing he did was to make me feel good about my posing up to now.  After watching me go through a symmetry round and mandatory round, Russ said, "Very good, Scott.  All we are going to do is add and subtract a bit.”  And that's what we did.  We worked from 1:15 until 4:45.  It was one tough session.  I enjoyed every minute. 
            Russ showed me a lot of really cool things that can make a difference in posing.  We worked on individual poses and on my 90-second individual routine.  Russ's thoughts on the subject are right on and I will benefit greatly by this experience.   We agreed to two sessions on Friday and one on Saturday.  Then I will return home and, as Russ says, "To practice, practice, and practice."  I really believe Russ's teaching will make me a much better poser next year.
         On Friday Russ continued to help me perfect my style.  We tried several optional poses and chose five to add to my “repertoire,” including a signature Frank Zane pose, both front and back, a front and side single arm bicep pose, a victory pose and a front chest pose.  The afternoon session focused on my 90-second individual posing routine.  Russ has great ideas and knows how to work with the music to create a story with pictures.   The pictures, of course, are poses.   We videotaped much of this session and Russ actually performed my routine to my music for me so I would have a study tape to take home.  He taped me doing my routine also. I'm really looking forward to performing my new posing routine at the 2006 NPC Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding and Fitness Open Championship on March 18^th, my first contest next year.
         That evening, Russ and I went to dinner.  And guess what we talked about?   What else, bodybuilding.   He has been training since he was 14.  He is 48.  That’s a lot of time in the weight room.  And, it shows.  Russ has a great physique. 
            We enjoyed our steak dinner.  He asked for his broccoli raw…I didn’t. 
On Saturday morning, Russ put me through some posing drills, calling the poses with little break between.   Contest conditions, he called it.   I sweated, but really enjoyed the session.  He gave me some posing drills to do once I’m home.  I will do them. 
             A very special highlight of my last hour with Russ on Saturday was when he showed me a live demonstration of the audition posing routine he performed for Arnold and the Mr. Olympia in 1981, Russ's first guest posing stint.  He then showed me a live demo of his latest routine, choreographed to Bobby Daren's "Mack The Knife."  Both were classic.  I watched in awe as he flowed through his routines.

For these offers, please email me at;