Now living in the U.S., Ekaterina has competed in five Miss Fitness competitions and took first place in Miss Fitness LA, Universe, Team USA, and Miss Fitness Natural Universe. She is also a certified Personal Trainer through NPTI, a Choreographer and a Gymnastics coach.

1. Obsession Fitness focuses on home gyms and exercise equipment. Do you have a favorite type of equipment?

My favorite piece of exercise equipment would be the Life Fitness cable cross machine. It can be utilized in many different ways to maximize the challenges placed on you body, either by isolating a specific body part or working the entire body. It stimulates both the physical and neurological systems through balance, stabilization and isolation.

2. What type of training do you do during a typical week?

My typical workout week consists of approximately 40 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, running and stair mill, and one hour of strength training, cables and Olympic lifting, 3 times per week. I also practice gymnastics, elements of my routine, and swimming 3 times per week, with one day off.

3. Can you describe your approach to diet and nutrition?

My diet does not change much throughout the year as I try to eat healthy at all times. Typically my breakfast includes oatmeal and fruit and other times eggs and wheat toast, followed two hours later with a healthy snack of fruit and/or almonds. My post workout lunch is usually chicken or fish with buckwheat and broccoli or asparagus. After another snack of yogurt and granola my dinner is again mostly fish or chicken and lots of veggies. My indulgences are dark chocolate and red wine. It is important to indulge a little bit every day to keep yourself on track to a healthy lifestyle.

4. What is your favorite aspect of training?

I enjoy constantly varying my workouts with different styles of cardio and strength moves. This allows me to be challenged in new and exciting ways, which limits boredom and causes adaptations at all levels, by changing the stimuli placed against my body. It is very important to keep things fresh and fun with my workout as well as my clients, thus ensuring results.

5. Do you have any advice for others interested in fitness modeling or competing?

My advice to others wishing to compete in fitness shows would be to work with a coach or choreographer to assist in utilizing all dimensions of the stage and completing smooth and effortless transitions. The best and most successful routines are not the ones with the most difficult moves but the those which are best put together. One must also be very consistent and dedicated, working on every move and then linking them all together into a beautifully choreographed routine.

Learn more about Ekaterina at www.ekaterinaseuroworkout.com

Nicole has been featured in such publications as Oxygen Magazine, Almost Famous Magazine, Ms. Fitness Magazine, Iron Man Magazine and Fitness Experts Magazine, as well as on a variety as well as on a variety of local Chicago-area television and radio shows.

During the 1994-1995 season, she was a member of the World Champion Chicago Bulls cheerleading squad and was later a part of the Bally Total Fitness Performance Team.  Nicole earned the title as Ms. Fitness Illinois in 2004 and 2007, as well as the 2004 and 2007 Fitness America, Midwest Fitness Festival Champion, among others.

1. Obsession Fitness focuses on home gym equipment. Do you have a favorite type of exercise equipment?

Foam/Body Rolling, which is a type of stretching. I use Yamuna balls, Power-Systems Massage Bar and SPRI Foam Rollers. As a competitive athlete my body takes a beating and rolling helps to lengthen my muscles, improve circulation and relieve tightness. I do it with all my clients and everyone should incorporate it into their workouts as a warm-up or cool down.

2. Do you spend more time working out at home or in a gym?

I actually spend more time working out in the gym BUT have recently started to train more in my house due to time constraints. I prefer the energy/atmosphere of the gym and of course the variety of equipment.

3. What are your top five strength training tips?

• Form first.
• Always challenge yourself with load and variety.
• Train your core (29 muscles)…not just your abs.
• Invest in a trainer if you know nothing about weights…they will educate you on so much so you get results!
• Eat protein, especially following your workouts!

4. What is the most challenging part of maintaining your fitness level?

The most challenging part is keeping my body healthy/injury-free. Body rolling helps with this along with using the Pilates Reformer.

5. What are some misconceptions people have about staying fit?

Most people think there is a secret…a special pill or certain exercise. Let me tell you the secret, it’s takes hard work and dedication!

Learn more about Nicole at www.nicolemoneer.com and www.myspace.com/nicolemoneerguerrero