Women's Health Magazine Announces Finalists For 3rd Annual "Next Fitness Star" Competition

NEW YORK, July 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Women's Health, the leading national and international women's health and wellness magazine, announces the third annual "Next Fitness Star" national search for the next face in fitness.  After receiving thousands of submissions across the country from talented and dynamic personal trainers, Women's Health has chosen the top five finalists who appear on the flip cover of the July/August issue and compete for their own fitness DVD contract.

The winner will be selected by a combination of a celebrity judging panel including NBC's Today host Natalie Morales, NBC's Today fitness and lifestyle correspondent and ACE-certified personal trainer Jenna Wolfe, Extreme Weight Loss's celebrity trainers Chris and Heidi Powell, Women's Health Editor-in-Chief Amy Keller Laird and reader / fan votes.  The winner will be revealed live, exclusively on Today in August 2015.

With the support of sponsor EAS Sports Nutrition, the 2015 competition allows fans the opportunity to workout along with finalists and vote daily for who they think should win the title of "Next Fitness Star" via www.thenextfitnessstar.com.

New this year, Women's Health in conjunction with Hudsun Media, a multi-platform production and creative agency, will also launch the first ever Next Fitness Star webisode-series for the competition. In the bi-weekly show, viewers can see just what it takes to become a star trainer, get to know the finalists and meet the team behind the Next Fitness Star platform.

EAS Sports Nutrition, a brand of sports nutrition products from health care company Abbott, is the joint sponsor for both Women's Health's "Next Fitness Star" and Men's Health's "Next Top Trainer" programs through a multi-platform advertising commitment across both brands. This partnership invites consumers to participate in the unique contests and leverages EAS's expertise in performance nutrition.  Women's Health "Next Fitness Star" aligns perfectly with EAS's core messaging  which aims to inspire, motivate and prepare individuals each day to achieve their personal best.

2015 "Next Fitness Star" Finalists:

Jana Hare, 29 // Lexington, KYJana is a trainer specializing in multiple areas of fitness–certified in boxing, Bodycombat, beginner/intermediate sparring, mixed martial arts cardio, Zumba, Hip Hop Hustle, AquaFit, strength training, dance aerobics, spinning, and a focus on Ariel Yoga. She has her Master's Degree in Exercise Science and a thriving passion for health and fitness. Dubbed the "Cardio Queen" in Kentucky—Hare also recognizes the power of weight lifting for maximum results. She has launched her own company Dumbbell Bombshell Fitness, an e-commerce and editorial destination site for fitness tips, videos and workout plans.

Dina Juve, 41 // Fresno, CA

Dina is a Certified Kettlebell Instructor, Battling Ropes Coach, TRX trainer, Barre instructor and Co-Founder of FitnessSocial Studio, with 12 years experience in the health & fitness industry. At a young age, she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and spent years overweight and inactive. Now a mother of four, Dina has successfully lost (& kept off!) over 80 pounds in the last 20 years, working through several medical issues including arthritis, spinal stenosis, and an autoimmune disease. Dina is the creator of the "Lean Out Cleanse & Slim Down Program," an ambassador for lululemon Athletica, and is currently enrolled with Deepak Chopra at the Chopra Center in the Perfect Health Teacher Training. The workouts she selects for herself and her clients provide fast results; both weight loss and a quick lean out.

Christine Bullock, 33 // Redondo Beach, CA

Practicing what she preaches, Christine Bullock has turned her expertise and passion for fitness, nutrition, and beauty into a dynamic lifestyle business. As an accomplished ballerina who started dancing at age three, Bullock has a lifetime's worth of knowledge and insight into the importance of a consistent athletic routine and ongoing healthy eating habits. Passionate about helping others attain health and happiness, she has spent over 17 years working with health and beauty industry leaders all over the globe and has counseled and trained thousands of people to improve their health and well-being both inside and out. Bullock has certifications in Pilates, Barre, Yoga and Pre & Post-Natal, and is also certified as a Nutrition and Wellness Counselor.

Nikki Metzger, 29 // Scottsdale, AZ

Nikki Metzger is a Certified Personal Trainer, Nike Master Trainer and Owner of BODI, a high intensity gym in Scottsdale Arizona, which recently won 7 Best Of Our Valley awards, including Best Gym & Best Trainer & Fittest Female. Metzger's mission is to set a new standard for group fitness. She has created a unique, focused, and competitive environment that forces her clients to test new boundaries. Prior to BODI Nikki was the General Manager and Lead Instructor at Chicago, ENRGi Fitness and was also nominated as one of Chicago's Hottest Trainers in 2013 by Racked Chicago. Metzger has trained clients of all different fitness levels and has taught a variety of group fitness classes over the years with a focus on strength & conditioning bootcamps, dance fitness and barre.

Rachel Nicks, 31 // New York, NY

Rachel Nicks a certified Hatha yoga, barre, TRX and prenatal and postpartum fitness instructor, in addition to being a certified doula. Beginning her training at Exhale receiving the 275 hour core fusion barre certification, Nicks has been working in the wellness industry for the past five years and is currently a lead instructor at BFX Studio in New York City. Nicks was a graduate of The Juilliard School, and from that experience influences her clients to not only move, but to be present in your body and actually enjoy moving. Nicks is also an actor with roles on network shows including Nurse Jackie and Grey's Anatomy. Between her training and acting, Rachel dedicates her time to giving back to her local community with a strong influence from her mother, a former special education teacher, who taught her to "never judge, accept people for who they are and where they are in their journey and to do my best with a smile and a positive attitude."

For information head to: www.TheNextFitnessStar.com and on social at @womenshealthmag and #NextFitnessStar.

About Women's HealthAbout Women's Health: Women's Health propels 32 million consumers into action, providing the motivation and the inspiration for them to make instant, positive changes in their lives.  Launched in October 2005 and published 10 times a year by Rodale Inc., Women's Health has quickly grown into a multimedia brand that includes branded books, mobile applications, and renowned events. The magazine has received numerous industry accolades including the 2011 ASME National Magazine Award in the category of General Excellence in Fashion, Service, and Lifestyle and was also nominated for the ASME of General Excellence again in 2013 and 2014; included on Adweek's annual Hot List four times and most recently named Hottest Health/Fitness Magazine and Reader's Choice in 2014; and was named Advertising Age's 2009 Magazine of the Year and also listed among their 2013 A-List winners. With 28 editions in 51 countries, the magazine continues to be the fastest growing women's magazine in the world. Get more information at www.womenshealthmag.com and get instant updates via Twitter (@WomensHealthMag) and Facebook (Women's Health Magazine).

About EAS: Abbott, a global health care company and maker of EAS products, has more than 85 years of innovation in leading-edge nutritional science. Whether you are an elite athlete, fitness enthusiast or weekend warrior, EAS develops performance nutrition products that can help you play hard and recover strong. A brand you can trust, EAS and its team of scientists, researchers and all-around fitness enthusiasts take pride in making products that are impactful, clean and safe – so you can keep pushing yourself to the next level. Visit EAS.com or facebook.com/EASbrand.

Contact: Lindsey Benoit, Director of Communications, Women's Health, 212.573.0380, [email protected]

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SOURCE Women's Health