Male Bodybuilder Fitness Models

It seems a natural jumping off point for a body builder to expand his career and go into the world of fitness modeling. Fitness models make their living showing off their muscles and since most body builder’s work to show off, not hide their muscles a career as a fitness model is a good fit. The good news about fitness modeling is it is a career that you can do anywhere as long as you are prepared to travel to bigger cities if needed for photo shoots and can do so seamlessly.

Just as body building is a career that takes a serious commitment to undertake, so does a career as a fitness model. Fitness models don’t get paid a lot, at least not initially and sometimes traveling, which is done at your own expense, will cost more than the shoot will even pay you. However keep in mind that the cost and bother is worth it if your long term goal is to become a fitness model for magazines, television or online. Just as building your body required commitment and tenacity so will becoming a successful working fitness model.

The good news for potential fitness models is you are probably already very familiar with your potential employers. The fitness and muscle magazines that you are currently reading and aware of are the same magazines that you are going to be targeting for work. Those models you see showing off their muscles could just as easily be you. So what are the tricks?

First you need to be in shape, your muscles need to be sharply defined and contoured with special emphases on your abs. Assuming you are already looking muscular you are now ready to have a professional photographer create your portfolio. Don’t skimp here and try and have your brother who owns a digital camera and read the manual take the shots. This is where your investment will pay off. A professional photographer who specializes in fitness photographer will know what your strengths are and will be your guide to poising so you emphasize your assets.

You are going to need head shots and body shots of your abs and any other body parts that are particular well defined as well as whole body shots. Your abs need to be especially well defines since this is an area that magazines have the strongest interest in photographing. If you have well developed quads you need to include shots of them, because this is a marketable asset that will get you noticed.

You can mail your head and abs shots in unsolicited to fitness and muscle magazines or you can mail or email your photos to a fitness photographer who works exclusively for these magazines and see if he wants to do a shoot. Be sure to include your measurement with your photo submission. This should include your height, weight, chest size, waist size, inseam, age, ancestry, eye and hair color and your location.

Another option for finding work is to answer casting calls found in fitness and muscle magazines or get an agent to represent you in finding modeling gigs. An agent will get a percent of your pay but they will also be working to keep you working in a competitive field. When you look for an agent be sure to look at their portfolio and check their references. This is especially important if you sign an exclusive contract with them because you won’t be able to work for anyone else. If you sign a semi exclusive contract you can work for multiple agencies.

Finally keep your exposure high by competing in body building shows even if you don’t place you are keeping your face and body visible. Another trade secret is to attend trade shows at least a few times a year well prepared to make your own break. This means know who is who with the magazines and have a good supply of photos and business cards ready to hand out.

Once you are established as a fitness model you are ready to work your way into casting calls for actors where the sky is the limit.