Anatomy of a Fitness Routine-The WOW Factor

Attending a fitness pageant or even watching one on television can often be intimidating to someone who is thinking about entering such an event. Some competitors are gymnasts, and others are dancers but the reality is, all you need is dedication, determination and the "WOW" Factor!

Some women believe that if they can not tumble like Mary Lou Retton or dance like Janet Jackson, they should not even bother. "Not so!" says Rhonda Finlayson, who recently placed 11th at the Fitness America Nationals in November of 2002.

Rhonda was a collegiate softball player with a passion for weight training and living a healthy lifestyle. She competes side by side with incredible gymnasts and dancers but she continues to place well without tumbling all over the stage!

The key to Rhonda's success is that she possesses the most important ingredient of a successful routine-PERSONALITY and what I call, The WOW Factor". "I know that I need to concentrate on entertaining the crowd and the judges and if I am successful, I will do well!", says Rhonda, who just finished her first full year of competing.

Success has not come easy to Rhonda as her first show was quite a challenge. "Boy, did I learn a lot"! says Rhonda. However, immediately after that show, she concentrated on her flexibility, posing and overall stage presence.

Rhonda's hard work paid off early in the 2002 season as she placed fourth at the highly competitive Fitness Atlantic Pageant in New Haven. Later in the year, Rhonda placed third at the Fitness Canada Nationals with a, once again, impressive list of athletes by her side! Redondo Beach was next for Rhonda and she gave it her all with a new-revamped routine which was infectious with enthusiasm and crowd appeal.

Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of the Fitness America is that anything goes! There is no specific skill that is required such as mandatory strength moves. Individuality and creativity are rewarded more than the height of one's back tuck! The goal of each competitor should be to create a mini-musical. Select music that says something about "you" and start there. Creating the WOW factor is easy once you put your own fabulous individual touch upon each move!

"Attending fitness camps and meeting all the other girls who compete have been such a wonderful experience for me. I have created a whole new aspect of my life with the friendships I have made with outstanding girls from all over the country", says Rhonda. "Being from New England, I am so fortunate to train along side veterans like Dawn Butterfield, Donna Poggio, and Wendi West". "Team New England is getting bigger each month and I feel lucky to be a role model to some of the new girls who once thought that they could not participate if they couldn't do a back hand spring!"

The anatomy of a fitness routine should include personality, entertainment and of course, your HEART! I want to hear the judges and the crowd say "WOW" after a competitor finishes her routine! SO, search deep inside yourself and bring out your WOW factor! We all have one just dying to come out!

Cathy Savage
Savage Choreography and Fitness