Old Navy

I just spent nine hours training one-on-one with the world’s best poser, Russ Testo. Like me, Russ was recentlly profiled as the Midwest Christian Bodybuilder of the Month. After reading his profile and visiting his website (www.russtesto.com) I knew I had to travel to Mecca to seek the “Gift.”

In this case, Mecca is Albany, New York, where Russ and his partner (a fitness competitor) operate a personal training service and posing clinic. The “Gift” is the talent this man has for displaying a bodybuilder’s muscles in their most favorable way. Russ is more than a master poser. He is a Physique Artist, who has perfected his skills since his first audition with Arnold in 1981 to become guest poser at the Mr. Olympia. Needless to say, Russ got the gig. He went on to do several Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic and Pro Ironman guest posing stints. His video, “Posing the Extra Ordinary Way” is excellent. I like it much more than Gary Udit’s “Perfect Posing” video.

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 Frank Zane front and rear double bicep pose, 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 18th, 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.

After our final session I headed for the airport for my flight to Birmingham. I can't describe the way I felt after spending nine hours one-on-one with Russ Testo. He is a Master Posing Artist. Russ has the knowledge, the technique, the great moves, the feeling and sensitivity of a man who has a passion and has lived that passion for more than 25 years. Russ has taken the act of contest posing to a level well above everyone else. Yet, he is a humble man, a quiet man and man who is secure enough to be able to share his secrets with a guy like me who is willing to place myself in his hands. I left Albany a much better poser. And I will practice what Russ taught to me and I will get even better by my first contest of the year next March.

Thanks, Russ for a really great learning experience.

DarkFalcon

Great piece Old Navy! Sounds like a wonderful experience and something that should pay dividens down the road. Not everyone is lucky enough to learn from one of the best.

NYCmitch25

nice!

Old Navy

Mitch, you live in New York. If you are interested in working with Russ, it's a short hop to Albany. It's worth the hop. LOL

Regards, Old Navy

Train Hard. Train Natural.