Simon Howard Blog

Suprise Shot

2010-04-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

Found this shot online that i didnt realise had been published. Check out the tear above from Wire magazine in Miami.

Training going great

2010-03-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

Since I have been modelling I have really had to be versatile with my training. Alot of the time if you are doing fitness shoots, video etc a few days of the week it only leaves you a few days to do your main training. My approach to training is very adaptive and my workouts can change each week, alot of weeks I can only get to the gym 3 times a week. When I was just training and not modelling I could train 5 days a week and train one body part a day. I thoroughly enjoy this new approach to training, and find alot of my workouts are brief innovative and intense. I've decided to share some of my workout on here for you, and will try and get this weeks worth of training written up.

Day 1 - Back, Rear Delts, Traps, Biceps and Abs

Warm up - I always do a few sets of light Lat Pulldowns to warm up my back and stretch the muscle.

Chin Ups - Body Weight, I have a unique rep scheme I pitched of Ian Ducket. I do these about once a month. 1st set 12 reps, 2nd set 11 reps. 3rd set 10 reps, 4th set 9 reps,, 5th set 8 reps, 6th set 7 reps, 7th set 6 reps, 8th set 5 reps, 9th set 4 reps, 10th set 3 reps, 11th set 2 reps, 12th set 1 rep.

TRX Rows supersetted with TRX rear lateral raise

5 sets x 10 reps

Barbel Shrugs

5 sets x 10 reps (only light but with a great squeeze at peak contraction)

TRX Bicep Curls

5 sets x 10 reps

ABS - I have a wicked new TRX abs workout, I will detail later on its own.

Only got my TRX suspension training at the weekend and its fanatstic wanted some for so long. Will write more on them soon and try and get you some shots done

New Shot

2010-03-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share this latest shot with you. The first of hopefully many Hotsnapz and snh foto collaborations, will be expalining alot more about snh foto over the next few weeks. So watch this space!

New Mag

2010-03-04T22:50:00.000-08:00

Still erratic posts I know, starting to settle down and get back on track. Just wanted to share this, I am featured in a French print mag this month. Download to the latest mag on the link below and you will find me on the contents and a full feature on Hotsnapz in issue. Lots of projects in the pipeline so keep checking back :)

www.sensitif.fr/

@ F#ck*ng Last "My first Blog of 2010"

2010-02-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Firstly its a bit late for the new year blog. Only mid February, lol. Have had a hectic year so far, the snow through January up in the air, and I am currently having some computer problems that I wont go into. Wanted to get the blog back up and running, and hopefully keep it nice and regular. Have plenty in store this year, have already set up a few new website and some new ventures to share with you over the coming months. Thought for this blog would just share this advert I found for a Spanish Fat Burning supplement, didn't know they were using my image, but lets just I'm not keeping bad company. That's Phil Heath one of the top 5 bodybuilders in the world.

Beautiful Vision

2009-12-14T23:28:00.000-08:00

With this year coming to an end, I just keep getting more and more good news. Today I just picked up a copy the the Bruno Gmunder book

"Beautiful Vison"

This is the first coffee table art book that i've been featured in. What makes it even better is the profits from the book are being donated to an aids charity http://www.sidaction.org/.

This is one of my shots featured, shot by "Hotsnapz" exclusively for Beautiful. Make sure you check out the Hotsnapz blog big things happening on there in 2010.

You can purchase the book from Amazon or direct from Bruno Gmunder

http://www.amazon.fr/dp/3867870438?ie=UTF8&tag=brungmue0c-21&linkCode=as2

http://www.brunogmuender.com/

http://www.beautifulmag.eu/beautiful/2009/11/world-aids-day-with-a-beautiful-vision.html

Please Note : Some of the above link may contain nudity.

"Nine" World Premiere

2009-12-06T04:18:00.000-08:00

Ok I dont want to brag and name drop buuuttttt, what did I do thursday night? Just went to the cinema, few people there Daniel Day Lewis, Penolope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Dame Judi Dench to name a few. I was lucky enough to get an invite to the "World Premiere of Nine" the new film from Rob Marshall Director of Chicago. Not bad walked my first red carpet a few feet away from the gorgeous Penelope Cruz :). Unfortunately I never got as far as taking my camera out of my pocket, but here is press pic of the cast and the movie's official trailer

Ultra Fit Cover Out Now

2009-11-30T13:16:00.000-08:00

I will write the full blog soon, but my latest cover is out now so make sure you go out and buy one!

Adverts - Face of a product?

2009-11-25T02:49:00.000-08:00

Well not exactly the face of the product lol. Dont know if the abs in these adverts look familar to you guys :). My abs are featured on two of the latest LA Muscle adverts, which is a great compliment when you consider the calibre of there athletes. Thinking of getting my abs their own agent :) lol

Beautiful Again!!!!

2009-11-20T13:44:00.000-08:00

Told you its been a massive month for me. The shots I posted here a few weeks back, with Liz Scots styling and Simon Barnes photography have been featured in Beautiful Mag. I believe this is my fourth feature in Beautiful. Loved this shoot as its soooo different !!

Beautiful Feature : http://www.beautifulmag.eu/beautiful/2009/11/simon-scissorhands.html

(warning the above link may contain nudity)

Elizabeth Scott Hair and Make Up : http://www.elizabethrita.co.uk/

Simon Barnes : http://hotsnapz.blogspot.com/

Ultra Fit Vol.19 No.8

2009-11-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

November has been as massive month for me so much going on, will try and get it all on here before the end of the month. Well November started with my first ever cover (see my last blog) and now the guys at Ultra Fit have featured me on 4 pages in their November issue. Below is just a selection of the article.

First Magazine Cover

2009-11-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

Here it is my first magazine cover :). Will try and get a bigger copy to upload soon. In the meantime you can check out Beige's website for full details. If the photo looks familiar its another Paul Reiffer shot check his website below.

http://www.beigeuk.com/

http://www.paulreiffer.com/

Studio Day

2009-10-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

I am the feature model at a studio day in Hertsfordshire this sunday. Although slots have booked up fast I believe there are still a few available. Follow the links below to book a slot.

http://www.net-model.com/Portfolios/StudioPortfolio.asp?UserID=129751&IID=988777

http://www.net-model.com/Forums/ReadThread.asp?ThreadID=1572581

Different Again

2009-10-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here is the second look from Liz's make up and styling set. Certainly different. Had a play with the editing myself. Not a too bad a job lol, Once again photography Simon Barnes and Makeup / Stying Liz Scott

Something Different

2009-10-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

I've got a few new shots to share with you. Will upload the second one next week. Liz Scott who I have worked with in the past (a fanatstic model) is now a qualified hair and make up artist. So we managed to get together to get some male model shots for her portfolio. Completely different look for me, actually really like the hair :). Again photography by Simon Barnes always does a great job. On a serious note if you ever need a MUA (make up artist) its well worth getting touch with liz her modelling portfolio aint bad either

http://www.elizabethrita.co.uk/

2009-10-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update, wanted to share this bit of digital art with you. Its an old shot from earlier in year, worked up in photoshop. You have to love photoshop! I'm the only real element in this image, the background, car, helicopter and rain are all CGI. Always been a fan of digital art so hopefully this will be the first of many.

Fame now on LA Muscle Tv

2009-10-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

Back in August I judged the Fame European Championships in sunny old Brighton. The full show can now be seen on LA Muscle TV and Sky Channel 281. Also watch out for it on Channel 5.

Click on the link below to view includes an interview with yours truly

http://www.lamuscle.tv/player/bodybuilding/26

New Shots

2009-10-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Some new shots added to the gallery. Some shoots just come together so well, great locations, great models and great photographer. Really pleased with these shots. Have worked with Paul and Danni before so wont harp on about them, the links to their websites are below.

http://www.paulreiffer.com/

http://www.dannilevy.com/

beautifulmag.eu

2009-09-18T03:36:00.000-07:00

Beautiful New Article

I am in a new article in Beautiful Mag. These shots were taken only a few months on ago on location in deepest darkest Essex by photographer Felicity Fatale. This Felicity first article in Beautiful and the fourth time i've been featured. I believe it is their first feature ever by a female photographer. And yes that is my bike and my vintage cowboy boots :)

be careful before clicking on the link as some of the adverts on Beautiful can contain adult content.

http://www.beautifulmag.eu/beautiful/2009/09/rebel-with-a-cause-1.html

Iron Abs Part 2!

2009-09-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

Part 2 of Iron Abs now on LA Muscle Tv and Sky 281.

Watch me and fitness model and Fame competitor take you through our abs workouts. Below are a few abs shots from kast year.

http://www.lamuscle.tv/player/simonhoward/6

Fame

2009-09-10T12:04:00.001-07:00

Fame 2009 European Championships @ Brighton.

A couple of weeks ago on sunny sunday in August I made my way down to sunny Brigton to judge the Fame Competition. It was a long hot day but a fantastic experience all round. Lots of fantastic physiques and its definetly got me itching to compete again. I've posted a few pics below but follow the links below for more pics and watch out for it on LA Muscle TV, Channel 5 and in the magazines. Follow the link to LA Muscle magazine for full results.

http://www.lamuscle.com/magazine/article/FAME_2009_Results

and more pics courtesy of Digital Sports Uk

http://www.everybodysmile.biz/cgi-bin/public.cgi?form_status=CoverPage&Params=29388572

IRON ABS

2009-08-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Check out my Latest show

Iron Abs now on Sky Channel 281 and LA Muscle TV.com

and yes those are my abs heres the orignal picture to prove it :)

http://www.lamuscle.tv/player/simonhoward/5

let me know any feedback simonhowarddesigns@yahoo.co.uk

New Shots

2009-07-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Update - New shots added to Gallery

Updates

2009-07-20T22:50:00.000-07:00

Been a little quiet lately. Just been training, working and shooting. The main website is currently been revamped so will be letting you know the updates as they are done. I have added new pictures to the gallery and changed the format of the galllery follow the link below to have a look

http://www.simonhoward.net/portfolio.html

Just a few holiday snapz :)

Back!!!!

2009-07-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

After a refreshing break in Egypt i'm now back to work!

Ive been getting alot of emails requesting training and diet advice, Ive now set up links to all my diet and training articles on my website follow the link below. If it doesnt show click refresh.

http://www.simonhoward.net/Portfolio2.html

Have already had a number of shoots since I got back so loads of pics to come, and trust me they just keep getting better.

Will be updating website and blog soon so please keep checking it

HOTTER SNAPZ????????????

2009-06-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

New Concept Coming Soon!

ED HARDY FASHION SHOW

2009-06-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

LOVE SUMMER "ED HARDY FASHIONS PARTY" @ The Oceana Club in Birmingham.

more pics coming soon!

The Model Show LA Muscle TV

2009-05-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

We shot two more episodes for the model show last week. Meet Anya! Anya is an actress and TV presenter in her native Russia. She will apearing on the Model Show on LA Muscle TV very soon. Here is a taster of what to expect.

Superman ?

2009-05-25T04:13:00.000-07:00

Wanted to get these pics up for a while. This is when I was bodypainted as the "Man of Steel". Will add the more sooon!

First Shoot

2009-05-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

Found these gems and just wanted to share them with you. This was from my first ever photoshoot from way back in 2000, this is was right before my first ever bodybuilding show and also the year I won the British Karate Championships and East England Powerlifting Championships. Enjoy!

LA Muscle TV - Coming Soon!!!

2009-05-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

NEW EPISODE "THE MODEL SHOW" LA MUSCLE TV COMING SOON!!!!!!!

Hey Guys,

just a quick post as off out tonight. Got all the details confirmed for the next few episodes of the Model Show on LA Muscle TV. We have the Erica show which is nearly fnished editing and should be out soon. And we are filming two new shows for you next week that will be out over the next few weeks. We have Francesca Giacomini orignally from Rome, she has got some great ideas so i'm sure that will make an awesome show. Watch this space. In the mean time check out Francesca's website www.francescapilates.com . And we have Amber, she is a well published model and despite being only 19years old has already been modelling a number of years. Check out their pictures below and as always I will let you know as soon as the shows are out. Have a great weekend everyone.

Ultra Fit Vol.19 No.4

2009-05-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

Well guys in Ultra Fit Again this month VOL 19 NO 4 its on news stands now. 3 Pages demonstrating an arm workout. Haha just want to point out tht crop of an arm is not mine will post you a pick of mine another time. This months Ultra Fit also features my friend Danielle Levy on the cover. Danielle featured in our last Model Show on LA Muscle Tv.

Few other things. My legs are agony from yesterdays workout, could barely do cardio today. Weighed in at 81.5kg my weight seems to fluctuate quite at bit. My eating has been a touch odd this week. Basically got alot of bannanas and salmon on special offer so having slamon for my lunch and dinner, and bannanas are making my morning and post training carbs lol. Off for a chinese tomorrow night so if I dont get a blog done tomorrow have a great weekend everyone.

Legs

2009-05-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

First things first, got the next two LA Muscle TV Model Shows Lined up so watch the LA Muscle TV page http://www.simonhoward.net/page3.html to see what we've got lined up. Will be adding details soon.

Hope you all enjoyed the read on LA Muscle Magazine from yesterdays blog. Got so mcu to write about its hard to spread it all out. Wasnt going to write anything about training today but had one of the best leg workouts i've had in ages today. So thought i'd share it with you.

Warm up

5 minutes on a staionary bike.

3 sets leg extensions

3 sets leg curls

3 sets un weighted squats

(always like to make sure i'm thoroughly wamred up especially for legs)

Leg Extensions & Leg Curls (not a superset but alternate between them with as much rest as needed)

1 x approx 6 reps on leg extensions about 10 reps on leg curls

(failed about here, im terrible at keeping track of weights and reps)

1 x triple drop set with a few partials on both

Leg Press

1 x approx 12 reps

1 x drop set about four drops each set taken to failure with a spotter, few forced reps

Front Squats (havent done these in ages and really like them

2 x approx 12-15 reps

Stiff Legged Deadlifts with Dumbells

2 x 12 reps (did sets of 10 rep unweighted reverse lunges)

Alternate Leg Extensions (one leg at a time)

1 x to failure

Leg Curls with broomstick (these are awesome like preacher curls for your hamstrings

1 x to failure

Unweighted Squats with rope for balance
1 x failure approx 50 reps

Had to site down for 15 - 20 mins before I did abs. Got an awesome pump and it killed me. You may notice im quote vague on the reps and weights. I honestly dont pay any attention an the end of the workout you know if you have worked hard or not.

Here is a pic from a gym shoot few months ago just seemed suited to this post.

Results

2009-05-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

I know I have been promising some updates on my results for a few weeks now. For those of you who havent been following the blog, although I stay in shape all year round I have had a few projects coming up that required me to be in top shape. I set about changing my nutrition, training and supplement plan to achieve this. Wanted to give it a month before I showed any pictures so I can give you some good comparison pictures hopefully with a bit of improvement. Feel free to drop me a message with your opinions or any questions. Well without further ado

Don't know what you guys think? But Iwas pretty pleased. There is a full article about my supplements up in the LA Muscle magazine, there will be nore articles to follow, and I am also thinking about adding an article page to http://www.simonhoward.net/ follow the link below to LA Muscle

http://www.lamuscle.com/magazine/article/Simon_Howard_supplement_trial

New Blog

2009-05-12T00:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog.

Those of you who have read my old blog will notice we have relocated. The old blog is still there http://blog.simonhoward.net/

I have tried to transfer all the content onto hear and should get it all on here soon. But this will be our permanent home now! :). The blog has been a little quiet for the last few days. I have been incredibly busy this last week. Dont worry I will be posting all about over the next few days.

I hope you like the new look to the blog. I will be updating the details and hopefully get loads more info on here for you. We also have a new look to www.simonhward.net with loads more changes planned. Check out the new homepage image below. There is also a couple of new videos on the new shoots page and portfolio pages. Go and check them out.

Update (old blog 02/05/09)

2009-05-07T08:32:00.003-07:00

Just a quick message to let you know about a couple of features
First one is Beautifulmag a French online magazine.
This will be the third time Beautiful have featured me, and its a fun little piece. Looking forward to working with them again soon.
Please note their site does contain some images containing nudity before you click on the link below.

http://www.beautifulmag.eu/beautiful/2009/05/fire.html

The second one is Frech blog. Cant read a word of it, but they have put pretty much my entire portfolio up there which is cool.

Currently tightening up my diet for a few things next week. Means the bank holiday on a strict diet for me ... the rest of you enjoy.

Love It (Old Blog 1/05/09)

2009-05-07T08:32:00.001-07:00

well promised details on the second mag, bit of a cheesey one but its all good fun. Was featured in Love it magazine last week. It was also great fun working Liz Scott again, for more pics of me and Liz check out the latest shoot section of my website
http://www.simonhoward.net/page2.html
unfortunately Love is no longer on the newstands, but here's the pics for you.

sorry for such a short blog. Things are really flying at the moment. Got a new article coming out soon and another mag to tell you about next time. Also hoping to get another training video shot over the bank holiday.

Chest Workout (old blog 28/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:31:00.001-07:00

Chest Workout

Got to take my little brother to the gym yesterday. We dont get to train together very often since he moved to london to pursue his acting career a few years ago. Wanted to start filming my workouts and documenting things on here a bit more comprehensively. So fortunately we where able to film the workout, click on the link below to see my edit. We have no soundtrack on it at the moment. The videos should improve as we pregress. Also had the chance to get back to the first gym I ever trained at so that was a blast.

Chris was recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained on the set of his latest project, so he had to go light. I am currently try to gain a bit of strength so training a bit heavier. I am teriible for counting reps and try and go to failure rather thtan a pre determined rep range. The workout was as follow
3 x Incline Dumbell Press
2 x Flat Dumbell Press
2 x Incline Dumbell Flyes (including partial reps)
2 x Flat Dumbell Flyes (including partial reps)
2 x Cable Crossovers (finishing with a drop set)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGXCUsSp1
will try and get a few more workouts filmed in upcoming weeks. Also check out my borthers website http://www.christianhoward.co.uk/

New Shoot (old blog 27/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Havent got on here to do a blog for a few days. Have been incredibly busy. First things first have my new pc now so up and running now. You expect to see alot of improvements to the site etc in coming months.
Diet (although I hate that phrase) is progressing exremely well. Had a look at some progress pics today and there is a huge difference in less than a month. Do need to trun it up a notch as have a major project loaming. More on that closer the time.
Also have another magazine to talk about but will do that next week when its no lonnger on newsstands as its a bit embaressing lol
Have had a few shoots this week. Had aa fantastic one with Mr Barnes and we got 3 greaat sets from that. Trying not to post them on here as they are all editorial standard and will hopefully be getting published. Also shot with a new photographer, so looking forward to seeing the results from that shoot. Will get all that on here will full details when I get the edits.
In the mean time here is a shot from an up coming show we shot for LA Muscle TV with the sexy Danielle Levy. The girl's got better abs and arms than me!

Ultra Fit (old blog 23/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:29:00.002-07:00

Diet & Training is progressing well. Making some steady strength gains and my dodyweight is staying about the same about 80.5kg fully clothed. Anyway thats all boring stuff. We will write a more in depth post about diet and training soon.
Bit more interesting in Ultra Fit mag again this month Vol 19 No 3
thats every month this year :) Two articles this month
"Cannonball Shoulders" & "12 Week Muscle Builder" total of 8 pages of moi

Congratulations (old blog 22/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:29:00.001-07:00

Just found out my friend Cliff Haynes who works at my local gym Hamiltons Fitness has become
"BDFPA british powerlifting champion 2009" ,with a world record total.
well done Cliff at a bodyweight of just 75kg his lifts are truly incredible.

Cheats (old blog 21/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Firstly something must be going well, as had a few compliments on my arms and shoulders at the gym this week. Im not a big guy and I dont strive to be anymore, we all did at some point as a kid lol. Im more concerned with my shape, symmetry etc these days. So when someone notices an improvement things must be going well because i think changes it shape and structure are harder to notice than simple mass or fat gains.
Wanted to briefly touch on cheats, diet cheats. Some people incorporate cheat meals into the nutrition plans and some dont. Ive done it both ways, had cheat meals and whole days lol. Think whole days are a definite no no if you want to make steady progress. However the odd meal can give you a treat and a mental break. There is no denying it you make quicker progress without cheating.
This year, with a few years out of competition I've struggled to settle with my eating. And had to develop a more flexible approach. Which overall seems to be working, a good solid base of good quaility nutrition and meals out drinks etc where ever they crop up. Ive done well with only a few cheats up till this past week.
Bank Holiday weekend far to much beer and far to little food because I was hungover all day sunday. And now this week is where it all went wrong or did it?
Thursday night i was shooting in london and ended up in an italian in leicester square. Starter - Pizza base with olive oil and mozzarella, Mains - Americano Pizza and Lasagna.
Friday again shooting in london (i know after junk night before) - Packet (box lol) wine gums at the shoot, some how we ended up at Mcdonalds on the way back - Big Mac / Chicken Sandwich / 2 x Chips / Diet Coke and Mcfluffy
Saturday did ok lol
Sunday - Tobey Carvery - 2 Plates of raost dinner, 4 different meats all stacked high, brownie and ice cream desert, easter egg when I got home
No two ways about it thats bad eating, but training chest monday morning got the best pump in ages, and seemed more defined then it has done in ages. This started me wondering am i so scared of losing my definition that im not eating enough carbs / fat / calories to really fill out my muscles. Think I will definetly experiment with this. When I have reached the condition I want I will slowly increase my calories and see what happens. Its all trial and error and what worked yesterday might not work today.
In the mean time heres a shot from a shoot I did a little while ago when I was a little smoother (Fatter lol)

Supplements (old blog 20/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Promised some more info on diet and training and that is still to come. Just wanted to leave a quick note about my current supplement prgramme. I'm experimenting with a few supplements that I have used before

both supplements are muscle gainers. I am using them during a diet or maintenance phase. They both seem to be working extremely well at helping me retain muscle whilst losing fat. In fact my weight seems to be staying the same and im getting musch leaner. Click on the pictures to learn more about the full norateen range.
The other main supplement in my diet is a protein powder I have switched back to whey protein after using a whey / soy mix click picture below for more details

if you want to order anything from La Muscle please use this referall code to get 12.5% off your first order
LA38051217

Hopefully post a progress pic in the next blog entry

New Shoot (old blog 16/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

Got alot of new things to get moving this month. Firstly the diet and training is progressing well. Training and eating very different to how I have in the past. Will be adding some more detailed posts on training and diet soon.
Having improved a bit from the pic in the last post had a few projects to do this last week. Will break them up and run through them in more detail soon, but heres a little taster for now.
New Shoot - Erica V

dont worry more pics to come soon.
You will also hopefully notice a new look to the website, we are in the process of updating it with alot more content soon.
In the mean time check out the new page that has all my La Muscle shows on, the model show is going really well after a bumpy start. Each show is going to get better and better just look at the two shows we've got comong soon. Just click on the girls pics to view the shows

Progress (Old Blog 15/04/09)

2009-05-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

Getting back in shape!!!
Wanted to get this post up earlier in the month, but had a few software problems. A few projects coming up require me to get back into shape.
What is in shape? If your anything like me this is a very difficult question to answer. For anyone who has ever competed in bodybuilding we use different bench mark to whats "in shape" compared to the general public. For the time being im not going to worry about where I wana be and more concerned with gradually improving until I hit the conditioning I want.
Below is a pic of my current condition (will try and find a better pic when my laptops CD Rom is working again) About 84/85kg in that pic, I competed in my last show at 72kg, hoping to look half decent at about 80kg.

100% Raw and unedited pic = official before pic