Male Fitness Models, Photographers, Photography

Male Fashion and Portrait Photographer, Austin, Texas: Carlos “Trey” Salazar

Featuredby Andre M.3 Comments on Male Fashion and Portrait Photographer, Austin, Texas: Carlos “Trey” Salazar
Male Fashion and Portrait Photographer, Austin, Texas: Carlos “Trey” Salazar

Contact information and social media channels for Austin, Texas, Photographer Trey

Need portraits for to get a dream project completed? Contact Trey to discuss your project.

Want to support an artist? Buy a print. Check out Trey’s Instagram and website for your favorites.

Follow and subscribe to Trey’s social media channels: website | Instagram | Twitter | buy prints | Discuss your photo project with Trey |

Keep scrolling to see the article below.

Introduction

While doing some social media work for Box Menswear, I was able to discover the work of Austin, Texas, based Photographer Carlos “Trey” Salazar. Trey was one of the photographers at Box Menswear’s 2019 photo shoot in Texas.

  • Carlos Effort
    Carlos Effort
  • Seth Holbrook
    Seth Holbrook
  • Carlos Effort
    Carlos Effort

I saw some Trey’s photos from the Box Menswear photo shoot on Instagram, which I liked and wanted a physical print. I emailed him and found out prints were possible. I have bought several prints over time.

Trey provides some information about his inspiration for his business as well as his photography niche.

I try to create unique, colorful images. I want our images to be something you get excited about and love. I am constantly challenging myself and I continue to grow as a photographer and an artist. I often post on Instagram and Vero, all the  projects I am working on, things that I am learning and sometimes, some behind the scene shenanigans. 

Portraiture and Fashion are what I enjoy and love to photograph the most. I specialize and found my niche in male photography, but also LOVE photographing the ladies. When you work with me, always plan on having fun and be prepared to become a friend of mine.

Trey’s website

Model: Seth Holbrook
Muscular model Christoper Alford is in a standing pose for a photograph. Topher is wearing an snap-close tank tok tucking into denim jeans. Topher is flexing his right biceps. The photographer is Carlos "Trey" Salazar, based in Austin, Texas.
Model: Topher Alford

This blog has had several articles on the models in front of the camera. This blog article will focus on the person behind the camera. I will start with an interview Trey did with Yo Soy podcast.

Yo Soy Podcast with Trey

Alejandro Victoria hosts the Yo Soy podcast, which is also based in Austin, Texas. In 2019, Yo Soy had an interview with Trey.

In the podcast, Alejandro and Trey discussed several topics, including how Trey transitioned from working in retail to entering photography and owning his own business. Trey also discussed how he entered the male portrait photography niche. Also, Trey provides his view on being a Latino within the portrait photography industry.

Trey is open to providing photography advice to people who ask him for it. He noted in the interview that while he provides technical advice, each person has a different eye and will produce different images.

While Trey posts photos of stunning models on his Instagram pages, those models’ business is based on looking fantastic in photos. Those photos attract attention and create business leads. Trey takes photos of all people, focusing on helping the person to look their best.

For people looking to enter photography, Trey encourages people to take a lot of photographs of everything. This is the way to discover what type of photography the person likes.

Alejandro asked Trey if he had any favorite models. Trey responded that he likes working with models that are comfortable in their skin. (Interestingly, Trey himself prefers to take photos rather than being in photos.) Trey named two models as favorites, Keith Laue, and Kevin Mize, though I got the impression that he likes working with all people.

I have provided a summary of the 30-minute interview. I recommend listening to the podcast as you get to learn more about Trey the artist and person creating the images.

Topher Alford
Carlos Effort

Need portraits for your project or want to buy a print? Contact Trey for more information.

  • Model, actor, and Texas-based photographer Dillion Lalor posed in a green and black American football jersey and holds a football in his left hand while looking at something on the right side of the image. Dillion wears green swim briefs from the charlie brand.

  • Patrick Lyons and Keith Laue
    Patrick Lyons and Keith Laue
  • Alberto
    Alberto

My Photo Orders

I saw some photos that Trey posted on his Instagram from the Box Menswear photoshoot with Josh Watson, a model from the United Kingdom.

Other photos that I have bought: Box Menswear model Alex Parker and another model named Jordan. The photos are more of the models interacting with space. The models have been in the gym or have a physique developed with athletics. Most have sunlight and one is under studio lights.

Why Buy Photo Prints?

With the Internet, there is a lot of photography to enjoy. However, photographs are a form of intellectual property which is owned by someone, usually the photographer. The issue with the Internet is that the photographs are enjoyed without credit being given to the model or the photographer. So, on the blog, I make sure to locate model and photographer names and provide links for each. To the extent possible, I ask if prints are available.

Need portraits for your project or want to buy a print? Contact Trey for more information.

View this post on Instagram

📸

A post shared by Luis Miguel ®️ (@luis.miguel.pt) on

As things have moved to digital and there is more concern with conserving paper and the use of chemicals, prints are less common than when I was growing up (there was not the Internet as it exists today. Photography was based on the use of film and having prints made.)

Also, I want to support the artist making the photos that I enjoy. So, I buy a book or a print to do it.

Trey’s Blog

Trey has a blog on his website. While most of the entries are from 2018, there are some intriguing entries there.

Topher Alford

One model that had fantastic photos that I have come to love is Topher Alford. According to the blog post, Topher is a model represented by Raw Connects Model Management.

Topher was with Trey in 2018 to take test photos and, unsurprisingly, was getting calls for modeling gigs. I wish Topher the best in his career.

Trevor

One blog post was about a New Yorker, Trevor, who is an artist. Trey met Trevor through Instagram. All the photos are great.

Need portraits for your project or want to buy a print? Contact Trey for more information.

Box Menswear

Trey had been taking photos for Box Menswear clothing since 2018. Based on his blog posts, he likes working with the brand. An interesting side note: In the Yo Soy podcast (discussed above), Trey mentioned that Luke Mills, the owner of Box Menswear, had asked him to take photos in Thailand. Trey had declined the invitation.

For the next big trip, Box Menswear brought the photo shoot to Trey’s state–Texas. I noticed that some of the photo backgrounds for the 2019 photo shoot were the same as some of the photos on Trey’s Box Menswear blog (spring 2018 commercial shoot with Keith Laue and a selection of Box Menswear editorial photos with several different models).

(I have blog posts on some of the models in this post: Josh Riquelme, Josh Watson, and Kyle Hynick.)

  • Josh Riquelme
    Josh Riquelme
Josh Watson | related blog post

Carlos Effort

Need portraits for your project or want to buy a print? Contact Trey for more information.

After the Box Menswear photo shoot in Texas, one of the models there, Carlos Effort, returned to do another photo session with Trey.

Calvin

Another photo set was with a model named Calvin. Calvin has several talents: art, dance, and baking.

Conclusion

The models are seen in many photos and advertisements, the photographers also responsible for the image are not seen yet are an important part of the field. I heard about Trey’s work while seeing the numerous photos related to the huge Box Menswear photo shoot.

Also, I was happy to find the Yo Soy podcast in which I was able to find out more about Trey’s background and approach to photography.

I look forward to enjoying more photographic art from Trey.

Please write your questions or comments about photography or male modeling industry in the comment section.

E-commerce shops, Male Fitness Models, mens underwear, Personal Trainers, Photography

Mens Underwear 2020: Photoshoot with Personal Trainer and Fitness Model Aggelos Pirikkis for Walking Jack

by Andre M.Leave a Comment on Mens Underwear 2020: Photoshoot with Personal Trainer and Fitness Model Aggelos Pirikkis for Walking Jack
Mens Underwear 2020: Photoshoot with Personal Trainer and Fitness Model Aggelos Pirikkis for Walking Jack

Introduction

Aggelos Pirikkis is a personal trainer and model who lives in Cyprus. He had a photoshoot with Canthos Studio for Walking Jack, a mens underwear brand based in Greece.

(The underwear is manufactured in Portugal. Read more about Walking Jack on its website.)

Aggelos has a fantastic haircut.

My Experience with Walking Jack

I am a fan of the Bluebird collection. You can read my order review from the shop at the Men and Underwear website on the blog post.

Aggelos by Canthos Studio

Aggelos by Raph Pill

The Photoshoot in Cyprus

The photoshoot took place in Cyprus.

Aggelos wore several selections from the Walking Jack range:

  • Bluebird Trunks
  • Fern Briefs
  • Letters Trunks  
  • Solid Briefs in white, black and blue.

Bluebird

The Walking Jack collection

Fern

The Walking Jack collection

Letters

The Walking Jack collection

Solid briefs

The Walking Jack collection

The brand takes its inspiration from nature to create its interpretation of classic men’s underwear.

Conclusion

Walking Jack has created great looking everyday underwear, which Aggelos models well in his photoshoot.

Have you tried the Walking Jack brand, or perhaps interested in learning more about the brand? Let me know in the comments.

Media Relations, Small Business

Small Business: Do-It-Yourself Media Relations

by Andre M.Leave a Comment on Small Business: Do-It-Yourself Media Relations
Small Business: Do-It-Yourself Media Relations

Introduction

Personal trainers and fitness models often form small businesses to either take care of training clients or to promote yourself to photographers and clothing brands.

From interviewing and researching some personal trainers and fitness models for the blog, I have been finding that these small business owners also have great personal stories that could contribute positively to a news story. How do these business owners and potentially interested media outlets make a connection (but cannot afford a media relations firm)? The answer is through do-it-yourself media relations.

A Note on the Media Business: Contracting yet Still Important

I used to be a business-to-business journalist in weekly legal publications. I often was awed by the work of the daily journalists who dealt with challenging daily deadlines to produce publishable content. My sources were in reference materials; daily reporters must find relevant people to provide quotes for an article.

I loved my work, but with the Internet, the journalism industry has become a more challenging field, starting with print, and now occurring in the television. Lots of media outlets have closed or consolidated. Still, the thrill of finding a great story is in me even though I am in another non-journalist career. Seeing my article that I toiled to complete in print is another great feeling.

What are Media Relations?

I found an explanation of media relations at the Media Maven and More website “[I]t’s earning placement in the media without paying for it. When you pay for it, it’s advertising. When you don’t pay for it, it’s media relations.”

With fewer media outlets, interested business owners must contact the reporters that cover a particular issue and to provide them with relevant stories that will entertain, educate, or enlighten to the journalist’s audience. Also, I took a Muck Rack course on the fundamentals of media relations. In that course, media outlets also look at how many clicks a story gets.

In the Muck Rack course, stories that tend to get a high number of clicks are those involving politics, celebrity, or sports. Following that are stories that have a strong connection with the media outlet’s local area.

This work takes some time, but when you find a relevant journalist that covers your industry area and you have a story that entertains, educates or enlightens the audience, you will be successful and develop a good relationship with the media.

Media Relations Preparation Work Homework

Interested in doing the work to get media coverage? To get such coverage, you will have to do the homework. I recommend doing an Internet search on media relations to see what information is out there.

What you will need is to find out your story. A PDF from Pitch Rate is helpful to creating your press kit for your website. Then I would recommend checking out the Muck Rack course. Muck Rack is pricey for small businesses, but they offer helpful free content.

When Ready to Look for Media Publications, Start Local

Also, see Phoenix Jackson’s YouTube video for some more great tips as you get started. One great tip that is in the video is to check out all sources of local media—local newsletters and bulletins that are a good fit for your personal story or your business.

Conclusion

I wish you the best of luck in your search for media coverage. It requires some background work; however, your focus on doing things right and preparing well will be a huge benefit for you and your relationships with media and their audience.

Please let me know of your successes and challenges in the comment section or by sending me an email.

If you find some information that is helpful to you and not mentioned in the article, please tell me in the contents or through an email.

Personal Trainers, Workouts

Beginner Workout Inspiration: The Fitness Transformation Story of Online Trainer Elad Michaeli

by Andre M.Leave a Comment on Beginner Workout Inspiration: The Fitness Transformation Story of Online Trainer Elad Michaeli
Beginner Workout Inspiration: The Fitness Transformation Story of Online Trainer Elad Michaeli

Introduction

Inspired to start weight training to improve your fitness, health, physique, or confidence? Or, perhaps to lose some of the fat gained during these challenge days with the pandemic? This article will help you.

I interviewed a personal trainer, Elad Michaeli, who has his own fat-to-fit transformation story. Elad also provides us with some general advice to kickstart our fitness transformation journeys.

Elad’s Website and Social Media

Connect with Elad: Website | Instagram | E-book | Training application to work with Elad

An Interview with Online Personal Trainer Elad Michaeli

I had the opportunity to interview through email, Elad Michaeli, a 22-year-old (birth date 22-October (Libra)) personal and online trainer from Israel.

He has had several jobs. He started as a baker (bread, muffins, and cakes) to help bring in money to help his family. I was curious to see what things he baked were his favorites. It turns out he bakes and makes other meals. “Personally, I’m like a mini cook, I like making things in the kitchen (healthy mostly),” Elad said.

He does not have a sweet tooth (unlike me–I love carbohydrates, lol), explaining, “I would say bread is my favourite baked item because I don’t really like sweets. I’m more a meat guy. “

Elad joined the army when he was 18, but he also had a computer-based job. During this time, Elad also attended Wingate Academy where he studied fitness and nutrition.

In 2019, Elad started his personal training business, Elad Michaeli Fitness. Due to the pandemic with COVID-19 in 2020, he moved his training business online.

Elad is also a fitness influencer. At the time of the post, Elad has 118,000 followers on Instagram, and he has posted numerous workout demonstrations (even two with his cats) that could be done from home.

Elad told me that his girlfriend provides vital support for the Instagram page, as she behind the camera capturing the images.

According to a comment on one of his Instagram posts, Elad’s height is 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) and his weight at that time was 153 pounds (69.6 kg).

Elad’s Fitness Transformation

While Elad has a detailed physique now, this was not always the case. Elad started his journey being overweight and an insecure 12-year-old, who wanted to make a change.

“Being overweight really bothered me, especially because everyone was laughing at me and made me feel even worse,” Elad explained. Due to the bullying that he endured, Elad was sad and spent time by himself. It was during this time that he decided to improve himself. Elad mentioned a motivation quote that was his inspiration “First they laugh at you, then they will ask for advice.” He admits that his journey was not always a straight path, but he was able to make progress with his brother’s support. 

His brother enrolled him into a Muay Thai class, which he stated that he loved on his website. I asked more about Muay Thai, as I found out it is a full-contact combat sport. According to the Tiger Muay Thai website–

Muay Thai is referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs”; and using eight points of contact the body mimics weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armor against blows, and the elbow to fell opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees became the axe and staff. The body operated as one unit. The knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill.

With someone who is insecure, it struck me as an unusual sport with which to start. Elad told me that the gym “was quite a small place with 10-15 people and all of them were 20+ years old.” He liked going to that gym precisely because he was the youngest person there. “Being 12 years old at that kind of place was odd but that [is] what I really liked about that place. He continued, “The fact that I could go someplace after school [where there were no kids] made me feel calm, and it was the first step to progression.”

My impression is that Elad being so young would make people cautious about having to hit a 12-year-old, especially if you are a young adult. As Elad grew older and bigger, by 15 years old, the other members of the gym began to spar with him for real. “[W]hen I grew up and was kinda big, they stopped feeling sorry [for] me,” Elad explained. He continued, “When we trained together, they hit me like I was one of them. [I]t made me feel [like I was part of] a small family.”

By the time Elad was 17, the atmosphere at the Muay Thai gym changed–new people joined and the trainer moved. Elad enjoyed being with the people at the gym before all the changes. So, he decided to leave the gym.

Elad’s parents signed papers allowing him to join a small gym. Elad found that the trainers were not helpful. “I remember the trainers that were there [were] extremely lazy. [They] always tried to hide so no one would ask them questions.” Elad admitted that he did not know what he was doing. He explained to me that he constructed a “brutal” training routine and that he had terrible form. He remained without injury, fortunately. He decided to start researching workout information on YouTube and in books.

I asked Elad about the books and YouTube videos that were most helpful to him. He mentioned Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. YouTubers that Elad idolized were Jeff Seid and Lazar Angelov. He copied their workout routines and exercise form.

Elad’s goal is to be “ripped and extremely strong.” Having followed his fitness journey for almost 10 years, Elad has had experience following different diets and training methods (for example, 5×5 and the push-pull-legs split routine). He is trying out calisthenics (see author’s note below), which he is incorporating with weight training.

Elad follows other Instagram fitness influencers that have the same goal of being lean and strong, Fraser Wilson (who was covered previously on this blog), Chris Heria, and Adi Gillespie.

Author’s note on calisthenics

Calisthenics is a popular fitness option. Calisthenics is mostly bodyweight exercises, movements, and holds. One of the major trainers the calisthenics area is Daniel Vadnal.

Connect with Elad: Website | Instagram | E-book | Training application to work with Elad

The Importance of Being Consistent with Training

One of my blogs features Rowan Row, an online trainer on YouTube. Rowan observed on his Instagram page:

“If only people understood how important it is to be consistent. Everything that has value in life is a product of consistency. Success, health, fitness, wealth, friendships, relationships, and all other aspirations are all about consistency.” (Sylvester McNutt III)

I asked for Elad’s reaction. He explained “I couldn’t agree more with Rowan’s quote, I believe [that being] consistent is the key to everything in life because you just can’t watch TV all day and wait for things to happen or get better. You gotta stick to something and work your way from there. My clients’ consistency had a huge part in their success, but I’m always trying to give my full support so they will remain consistent and achieve their goals.”

General Workout Tips from Elad for Our Workout Journeys

While interviewing Elad to learn more about his fitness transformation journey, I wanted to get his thoughts on helping people who are about to start their fitness journeys. With the challenging pandemic and its related lock-downs, people may have added some body fat that they want to lose as we look forward to a new year.

My questions are in bold and Elad’s response follows. (Edited for clarity.)

Connect with Elad: Website | Instagram | E-book | Training application to work with Elad

What advice do you have for a new person who is over 25 percent body fat and wants to start a training program?

“The best advice I could give to someone with over 25 percent is to start slow and progress, usually when my extremely overweight clients are telling me “I’m willing to give it all” and I build a kind of rough diet plan they just give up right away and when I’m building a diet with a low-calorie deficit, using [intermittent] fasting they seem to stick to the diet plan and they get better results.”

Would you recommend bodyweight exercises or maybe starting with elastic bands or dumbbells?

“I’d highly recommend incorporating bodyweight exercises because it all starts from there, being able to bench 200lbs and not doing 20 push-ups with the right technique is just not worth it and it’s not good for you being weak at bodyweight exercises especially on abs. Elastic bands and pair of dumbbells are more than enough. I’ve been using only bodyweight and some bands for 3 months due to the quarantine and I didn’t even lose 1 lb of muscle. A beginner would gain muscle during the process.”

Is there a good basic routine that would be good to start with as a new trainee?

A good routine to start as a beginner is the push-up, incorporating different variations, along with some squat variations and abs workouts. Definitely progress will be shown through this routine.

(Author’s note: This routine can be done at home.)

How much time should be a person work with a program to develop a healthy workout habit?

“Developing a healthy workout routine it’s in the mindset, I believe it can happen after a week, month and even longer it all depends how much it’s important to them.”

What is your advice on a cardio program?

“[M]y advice is to find the type of cardio that suits you the best and stick to that, if you don’t like running you can take your bike and if you don’t like the ground then swimming it’s. Same with cardio need to find something that you can stay consistent with.”

Any other general helpful tips you can think of?

“[E]veryone has their days that the motivation levels are down and they just want to quit but before doing that remember why you started in the first place.”

Conclusion

It was nice chatting with Elad over email about his fitness journey. It is an interesting story, and since Elad is 21 at the time that this post was written, there will be more success stories in the future.

I hope that general advice is helpful for readers seeking to start a fitness journey to lose lock-down fat gain.

If you have any questions for Elad, please leave them in the comments or send me an email.

Is there anything you would have asked Elad that was not asked in my interview? Did you feel inspired or encouraged by Elad’s transformation story? Please let me know your questions and reflections in the comments section.

casual wear, denim jeans, Male Fitness Models, Men's fashion, Photographers, Photography

Male Fitness Models: Luis Capecchi

by Andre M.1 Comment on Male Fitness Models: Luis Capecchi
Male Fitness Models: Luis Capecchi

Luis’ Social Media

Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | model portfolio-Next Management |

Introduction

I first saw male model Luis Capecchi when Photographer Lester Villarama (who has also worked with Josh Riquelme), posted some photos that were published in Maximo Magazine.

Luis’ Podcast

I was interested in finding out more about Luis, and I found out through a web search that Luis is a YouTuber. His first video was a podcast that he filmed with his friend Nano Azpurua. I found the story about his background interesting, as I am a first generation U.S. citizen and have family from South America.

It is a treat to hear the model that you see in photos speaking. In the podcast, Luis and Nano touch on many topics. I recommend watching the video. I have picked out some information for the introduction to this blog post.

Biographical Information

  • Luis’ birthdate is September 4 (Virgo).
  • Luis was born in the United States; his parents are from Venezuela in South America.
  • Luis’ height is 5 feet, 10 inches (1.78 meters). Luis mentioned in the podcast that he went to a model open call (where scouts look for models). The scouts told him that he was too short. (Usually models are 6 feet or above in height.)

Other Information from Luis’ Podcast

When Luis started a TikTok account and began to get a lot of views, Luis then attracted interest.

@boynamedluis

I almost ate it so I clapped💀💀

♬ HotGirl Laffy Taffy Mashup – AsapGoku

Luis prefers not to live the full-time job life. Luis has worked several jobs since he was 16. In the podcast, Luis mentions that he attended online college courses. He did not mention a course of study.

Luis by Rick Day

Luis commented briefly on his workout goals. He stated that he will talk about the subject more in another video.

At the time of this blog post, Luis and Nano were looking for a name for their podcast and podcast ideas. You can enter suggestions at Luis YouTube video.

Pandemic and Protest in 2020

The year 2020 was eventful with a pandemic as well as several painful events involving fatal citizen encounters with law enforcement officers. One notable case was the one involving George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ample witness videos ultimately became a macabre film of 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

The aftermath of this event spread worldwide. Luis attended one of the protests.

Photoshoots

Lester Villarama and Maximo Magazine

As mentioned earlier in the post, Luis had a photo shoot with Photographer Lester Villarama in Los Angeles, California. (Grooming was by Keon Cruz.) One session was featured in Maximo Magazine.

There was another photo shoot that was done in black and white. While color photos dominate, I still find black and white photos intriguing.

Stevan Reyes

Luis also had a photo session with Photographer Stevan Reyes in Florida. Photographer Reyes also had a photo session with Kyle Hynick.

Conclusion

Luis has attracted a huge follower base for his TikTok content and has been making the best of a challenging 2020. I wish him best as he pursues his career path outside of the salaried 9-to-5 life. (Model Dominic Calvani has a similar opinion.)

It is interesting to hear the perspective of a first-generation U.S. citizen, as it is the same experience as mine, with family from South America (former British colonies), which is also a similar experience as mine.

I look forward to seeing more photos and social media content from Luis.

If you have any favorite photos or social media content that you have seen of Luis, please leave a comment or send me an email.

Male Fitness Models, mens physique board shorts

Mens Physique Board Shorts: An Inspired, Dedicated Gym Trainer Prepares for Competition

by Andre M.2 Comments on Mens Physique Board Shorts: An Inspired, Dedicated Gym Trainer Prepares for Competition
Mens Physique Board Shorts: An Inspired, Dedicated Gym Trainer Prepares for Competition

Introduction

You have been a dedicated weight trainer, and you have developed a good nutrition plan that works with your body. You are seeing results and want to take things to the next level. You have also determined that you have what it takes to compete with the other athletes that will show up.

How will you choose the best board short that will present your best image to the contest judges? How to develop a smooth, confident posing style for the stage? This article will help you find the answers you need to ace your first contest.

Mens Physique Board Shorts Rules

The IFBB created the Mens Physique Division on November 11, 2012. (Note: As explained in another post, there are no weight categories in mens physique.)

There are numerous federations to consider. I have listed the rules for mens physique stage shorts for a few federations.

FederationMens Physique Board Shorts Rules (as of August 23, 2020)
IFBB1. Competitors will wear an opaque, loose-fitting board shorts which are clean and decent. The colour and fabric of the shorts will be left to the competitor’s discretion.   Shorts may have geometric patterns and motives, but no inscriptions and cambered ornamentation. The shorts will cover the whole upper leg, down the upper point of the knee (patella). The use of padding anywhere in the trunks is prohibited.  
2. No tight, lycra style shorts are allowed.  
3. Personal sponsors logos are not permitted on the shorts; however a manufacturer’s logo such is accepted.
NPCContestants will be asked to walk in board shorts (shorts must be just above the knee in length and can be one inch below the belly button, no spandex and no logos are permitted on the board shorts however a manufacturer’s logo such as Nike symbol or Billabongs are acceptable.)
UKBFFThe attire for all rounds is board shorts, which must conform to the following criteria:
1. Material and colour can be of the athlete’s personal choice.
2. No tight, lycra style shorts are allowed.
3. Board shorts should not cover the knees.
4. Personal Sponsors logos are not permitted on the board shorts. However a manufacturer’s logo such as Nike, Adidas or Billabong are accepted.
CPAPosing Shorts: Contestants will be asked to walk in board shorts .  Shorts must be just above the knee in length and can be one inch below the belly button.   No spandex and no logos are permitted on the board shorts however a manufacturer’s logo such as Nike symbol or Billabongs are acceptable.  
OCBBoard shorts (loose shorts that come down to around the knee) are worn for both parts.   Shorts can be of any color and pattern.

Based on the rules of the various federations noted above, the expectation for competition board shorts is essentially the same. The IFBB does not allow cambered ornamentation.

In practice, mens physique contest athletes wear the shorts at the hips rather than one inch below the belly button. In addition, some of the board shorts have some spandex material (Darc Sport, Bro Activewear, Mens Physique Board Shorts, and Alphalete).

Kim’s board shorts are from Hurley. (He trained legs with pro bodybuilder Regan Grimes.)

Why Board Shorts?

I could not find the reason why the IFBB chose the board shorts for mens physique. I guess that the board shorts were widely available.

The Board Shorts

Board shorts was created for surfing, but the style and fabric of the shorts have evolved. For more about the board shorts, you can read a blog post on the Old Bull Shorts webpage.

The board short does not come with a liner and fits on the hips.

Board shorts come from big brands (Quiksilver, Hurley, Billabong) that come from surfing. You need wide legs to make it easy to move on the surfboard. However, mens physique competitors are focused on physique display on a stationary stage. Some brands have made alterations to the board short focused on that competition goal (for example, coloring, tapered leg).

Mens Physique Board Shorts Style

According to a YouTuber, Hart’s Physique Channel, some of the mens physique board shorts are tapered to show the outline of well-trained thighs. This is a recent development as board shorts are made for surfing and thus have a wider leg opening.

Mens Physique Board Shorts Brands

Narcizo

Narcizo is a brand based in Hungary. The brand’s goal, as described on its website, is to create stage (board) shorts that suit the goals of physique competition. The sizing of the brand’s board shorts is 28, 30, 32, and 34. The offers two styles—unicolor and patterned. The price of unicolor shorts is 69 euros. For the patterned shorts, the price is 89 euros.

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medalla de plata🥈 en el @npceuropean Muy feliz por todo el apoyo que he tenido, por el físico que hemos presentado mi coach @joseantonio_garciaruiz y yo, ahora a seguir trabajando y aún a un nivel más alto, sino fui primer puesto es porque piensan que puedo mejorar y eso es precisamente lo que haré!! No me rindo ,no pienso dejar pasar 2020 sin una pro card. Los sueños están para dar cuerpo y alma por ellos o Esa es mi filosofía de vida. Si fuese fácil este no sería mi deporte💪🏻💫 Mis short de competición @narcizoshorts creo que hasta hoy mis favoritos de todos los que he vestido me encanta esta marca !! 😍👌🏻 *No olvidéis chicos tenéis un 10% en vuestra compra usando mi código ▶️DavidL10◀️ en www.Narcizo.com ————————————————— #needsupps #tlfapparel #mensphysique #narcizogang #rzteam #ironbrothers #fitdream #fitlifestyle #fnff #godfirst #fightforyourdreams #nevergiveup #colombian #stepbystep #mcfit #spain #aesthetics #fitness #healthy #motivation #workout #fit #mcfit

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Mens Physique Show Shorts

The Mens Physique Show Shorts brand is based in the United Kingdom.

Fitness model Tom Seed wears Mens Physique Show Shorts (precontest posing, 2019)

According to its website, the focus of the brand’s board shorts is to have the right fit and colors (the brand used a horizontal stripe pattern) to make the result of the contestant’s hard work—his physique—stand out to the judges.

The sizing of the brand’s board shorts is 28, 30, 32, and 34. The price (on the day of the post) is 39.99 Great Britain pounds.

BroActiveWear

BroActiveWear is a brand based in the United States. The brand states that it creates distinctive styles in its clothing. The sizing of the brand’s board shorts is small (28-30), medium (30-32), and large (32-34). The price of the brand’s board shorts is 100 U.S. dollars.

Pro bodybuilder and YouTuber Jason Lowe modeling BroActiveWear’s Atlanta Falcons board shorts.
Alphalete

Alphalete is a brand owned by Christian Guzman, and the brand is based in the United States. The brand started its board shorts offering (Titan) on September 12, 2020.

The sizing of the brand’s board shorts has the widest range of waist sizes (28-40). The price of the brand’s board shorts is 55 U.S. dollars.

Growing Importance of Leg Day for Mens Physique

I mentioned that there is interest in having the mens physique board shorts be more tapered to show some evidence of thigh development (with the muscle filling the leg of the board shorts).

For example, Kim Angel, a mens physique pro competitor from Spain has notable thigh development. He is a skilled weight trainer, who is able to keep up in an intense leg training session with Canadian pro bodybuilder Regan Grimes.

Mens Physique Posing

The purpose of the Mens Physique Division was to showcase less muscular yet aesthetic physiques. What that has meant is the development of the upper-body muscles, especially abs, and a v-taper–slim waist and wide shoulders. As a result, the low waist of the board shorts helps to display the athlete’s contest conditioning of the abdomen. A muscle group on the sides of the torso, the external obliques, also becomes prominent with training and at lower body-fat levels (the so-called v-line) and emphasizes a v-tapered look.

Posing in Mens Physique Compared with Bodybuilding

In bodybuilding, several poses display the muscularity of various muscle groups. For example, the double-biceps pose.

In mens physique, the total physique is assessed. The IFBB rules that the judges will ask the competitors to make four quarter turns (IFBB rules (2019), mens physique, article 5, paragraph 4).

Author’s note: See related information in a blog post about a Canadian mens physique competitor, Kyle Hynick, which discusses in part the distinction between mens physique and bodybuilding.

Ryan Terry coaches Elton Pinto Mota in mens physique stage posing.

(Both Ryan and Elton are now professionals in mens physique.)

Conclusion

There are many steps in the journey toward your first competition. Participation is the best teacher. You will learn how you handle pressure while maintaining focus to achieve the goals that you want. I hope that this article just a couple of topics—board shorts and posing—helps you with your contest preparation path.

Any successes and teachable moments that you learned during contest preparation, contest, and post-contest, please share them by email or in the comments section.

Male Fitness Models, mens leisure wear, Photography

Men’s Lounge Shorts: Review of Garcon Francais Pajama Shorts with Pockets

by Andre M.Leave a Comment on Men’s Lounge Shorts: Review of Garcon Francais Pajama Shorts with Pockets
Men’s Lounge Shorts: Review of Garcon Francais Pajama Shorts with Pockets

Introduction: Lounge Shorts and Finding Garcon Francais

With the challenges of the year 2020, guys are looking for comfortable clothing to wear while working from home as well as to relax and run their errands. One item that has proven to be popular are shorts in the lounge category. These shorts are alternatively called pajama shorts. However, those with pockets and with the proper design can be worn outside of the house.

French Brand Garcon Francais and Killian Belliard, Fitness Influencer

While researching another blog topic, I found the lounge shorts by Garcon Francais, a brand that has its clothing made completely in France. However, the brand does sell to people outside of France (the website has versions in English and Spanish also currency is available in Great Britain pounds and U.S. dollars).

I knew of Garcon Francais brand from Instagram from Killian Belliard, a model and fitness influencer. Garcon Francais posted some photographs of Killian in Garcon Francais lounge shorts on the brand’s Instagram profile. (Photographer: Pascalpprl.)

Garcon Francais social media: Website | Instagram |

The Piyama (or Lounge) Short

At the Garcon Francais website, the brand places the lounge short in its men’s homewear category. Garcon Francais has a price point that is toward the high end (49.17 Euros or approximately 57.87 US dollars). According to the product description, the lounge shorts are designed for a guy to feel comfortable to relax in during the evenings. The fabric composition is 93 percent cotton and 7 percent Elastane. The short colors available are red, dark blue, and grey. (The waistband is in a contrasting color.)

My favorite color is blue, but I also like to boldness of what I call fire-engine red. While the price was toward the high end, I liked the pockets, the tapered fit of the legs, as well as the overall refined yet casual appearance of the shorts.

Comparison with Box Menswear and Nice Laundry

Previously, I have done a blog post on a lounge (bed) short from Box Menswear (no longer available), which did not have pockets and they have a wider fit. Another lounge short that I reviewed was from Nice Laundry. The Nice Laundry shorts are similar in appearance to the Champion men’s gym shorts that were popular when I was in school, except the Nice Laundry shorts have an underwear-like liner, have a shorter inseam, and have a tapered leg.

Decision Made: Buying the Lounge Short

I selected the dark blue shorts, called the “flag short pyjama bottom,” and a pair of the navy boxers (not reviewed here). The sizing in European sizes tends to be a bit smaller than US sizes. So, it was wonderful that Garcon Francais provides a convenient link to its size chart. My size was available as XXL (36-inch waist). The largest size available is XXXL (38-inch waist).

I figured that since the shipping cost to the United States was 20 Euros (approximately 23.60 US dollars), I should have an order big enough to justify the shipping fee.

With my selection in the shopping cart, I paid using a credit card. Everything went smoothly. The package arrived at my house through the U.S. Postal Service about 4 days later. (I wish there was a tracking option available so that I can see where the package is.)

Garcon Francais social media: Website | Instagram |

Packaging

The order arrived in a brown padded envelope. Inside there was a blue paper folder with a red elastic band with the invoice. The clothes were neatly folded inside with a card showing where parts of the clothing were sourced in France and care instructions. I commend the brand for the efficient use of resources in lower use of packaging materials.

Quality

With the price point, I expected very high quality and I was not disappointed. Neat stitching and soft fabric (just as described on the website).

Fit

I like the relatively slim fit of the shorts and the length looks and feels right. I am happy that the sizing information was accurate.

Conclusion

I am very happy with my order. The refined, casual styling and fit ensures that I will be enjoying wearing the shorts for a long time. I likely will return for the red shorts.

I hope that this review has been helpful to you.

If you have found that lounge shorts are a favorite of yours, enter a comment with the brand and style below. If you have a favorite outfit for your leisure time, inform us also in the comments.

E-commerce shops, Male Fitness Models, Men's fashion, mens underwear, Photographers, Photography

Men’s Underwear 2020: Box Menswear Releases Bold New Range

by Andre M.Leave a Comment on Men’s Underwear 2020: Box Menswear Releases Bold New Range
Men’s Underwear 2020: Box Menswear Releases Bold New Range

Introduction

In August 2020, Box Menswear released 4 new underwear styles. One was a new version of the King Fit boxer, the Evo version. Three other styles were more bold selections within the well-searched and competitive men’s lingerie category:

The new range is a departure from the current range of men’s underwear available for sale at Box. Based on the number of people searching for items in the men’s lingerie category, it is a good bet. The available sizes for the new range are XS to XXL.

Box Menswear’s sizing chart

Note: At the time that this post was published, the new items are available for pre-order.

Presenting Matt Luscious and Photographer Paul Jamnicky

In viewing Box Menswear’s Instagram pages, I saw previews of the new range. Photographer Paul Jamnicky and Canadian fitness model Matt Luscious created images, with Matt wearing the new range. Both men posted photos on their respective Instagram pages.

In October 2020, Matt competed in his first classic physique competition.

Aaron Connor Mead and Photographer Paul Jamnicky

Also on Paul’s Instagram is another model wearing Box Menswear clothing–Aaron Connor Mead. Aaron is a college student on Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Box Menswear’s New 2020 Additions

King Fit Boxer Briefs, Evo

The King Fit boxer briefs are a popular style at Box. With the new Evo version, there are several changes from the current version. The first is the bigger waistband with larger lettering for the brand. According to the brand description, the Evo is made of cotton fabric.

(The current king fit boxers have a fabric composition of Body: 96 percent bamboo viscose, 4 percent elastane; vent: 88 percent polyamide, 12 percent Spandex.)

Matt Luscious by Photographer Paul Jamnicky in Canada

The Evo features more room in the front as well. The Evo only comes in one color, nude (appears to be a beige color).

Suspender Jock

The suspender jock is a new addition to Box’s jockstraps range. The suspender jock, like the king fit Evo, features a bigger waistband with the larger typeface of the brand. The styling of the jockstrap is different in two ways:

  • The rear of the jockstrap has more straps, the usual two at the rear but bigger and more elastic grip. There are two vertical straps are each side.
  • The front of the jockstrap has a blue fabric panel, with an opening at the top.
Matt Luscious by Photographer Paul Jamnicky

The overall look is strong yet more-revealing. You can see more images (NSFW) on the website.

G-String

The G-string is a more-revealing brief style. The only real fabric covering with the g-string is the front, which is a thin, see-through material. There are thin straps that have the brand name which holds the g-string on the body.

You can see more images (NSFW) on the Box Menswear website.

All Over Lace Boxers

With the lace boxers, the wearer gets fabric coverage like a boxer brief, but the fishnet-style solid fabric is see-through. The styling is similar to the new king fit Evo style discussed above.

Model: Josh Watson

You can see more images (NSFW) on the Box Menswear website.

Conclusion

With the suspender jock, g-string, and lace boxers, Box Menswear has made its entry into the men’s lingerie market. After glancing at the search traffic numbers, the category has high interest and many brands trying to fulfill the wants of the people in this market.

Perhaps, you want to add some variety to your underwear selections. Check out what Box has to offer.

Have an interest in men’s lingerie? If so, leave a comment as to your favorite styles in the comments. If there are styles that are not widely available, but you think should be, let us know of the rare or missing styles in the comment section.

E-commerce shops, Men's fashion, mens underwear

Men’s Underwear 2020: Men and Underwear, the Shop– An Order Review

by Andre M.2 Comments on Men’s Underwear 2020: Men and Underwear, the Shop– An Order Review
Men’s Underwear 2020: Men and Underwear, the Shop– An Order Review

Introduction

While preparing a blog post for Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection, I decided to order one of the Bluebird Collection to see how it feels in real life.

I placed an order through the store associated with the Men and Underwear blog. I have been a longtime fan of the blog, so I knew the blog had a store associated with it. The blog is based in Greece and sells Walking Jack, a brand also based in Greece.

As Men and Underwear, the shop, is located in Greece, the prices are in euros. I paid through PayPal, which performs the currency exchange.

My order: Walking Jack and Bluebuck

I ordered a Bluebird Collection trunk (23 euros) and two of the trunks in the Fern Print Collection (25 euros). Separately, I had been looking at the brick trunk by Bluebuck (29 euros), a brand based in the United Kingdom. I decided to include it in the order.

Delivery through DHL

For delivery, I chose DHL, a more-expensive delivery option (18 euros). Given the distance between Greece and the United States, I preferred the shorter delivery time, with location tracking. I ordered on July 14 and I received the package through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on July 18. (DHL delivered to its District of Columbia office and then used the USPS to deliver to my home through Priority Mail.)

The Reveal

My order arrived in a yellow and white DHL plastic envelope, with four packages inside. There was also a small bag of gummy bear candy in the envelope. The Walking Jack underwear was packed inside dark blue envelopes and the Bluebuck came inside a recyclable clear bag.

Walking Jack

The Walking Jack underwear. The Fern Print collection has a fabric composition of 90 percent polyester and 10 percent Elastane. The fabric feels really soft and the stitching is neat. The Fern Print trunk almost has a boxer-brief type fit, which is perfect for me.

The Bluebird collection also has excellent production quality and a soft feel to the fabric. The Bluebird is slightly shorter than the fern print and has a snug fit. The amount of stretch is on point.

I had a concern that the underwear would be smaller than the size shown. With relief, this was not an issue. The size I picked fit well.

Walking Jack underwear is made in Portugal.

Bluebuck

Bluebuck uses recycled polyester in its fabric. The fabric composition is 46 percent cotton, 46 percent polyester—from plastic recovered from the ocean (material by Seaqual), and 8 percent Elastane. The Bluebuck trunks are lightweight, have a nice color and a soft feel. The trunks fit well. The lighter fabric is perfect for hot, summer days.

Like Walking Jack, Bluebuck underwear is made in Portugal.

Conclusion

I have been a reader and fan of Men and Underwear for many years. I had pages saved on my internet browser of underwear that I wanted to try. With trying out Walking Jack, I was able to try out the store associated with the blog and to add in one from my saved list to my order.

I am impressed with the quality of Walking Jack and Bluebuck, and I am happy with my purchase. If you are looking for new brands to try out, I recommend both. Check out my blog post on the Bluebird Collection.

Let me know your favorite brands by email or in the comment section.

E-commerce shops, Men's fashion, Mens Fitness Models, mens underwear, Photographers, Photography

Men’s Underwear 2020: Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection

by Andre M.1 Comment on Men’s Underwear 2020: Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection
Men’s Underwear 2020: Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection

Introduction

Walking Jack is an underwear brand based in Greece. The underwear is designed in Greece and made in Portugal. The brand applies a modern take on classic men’s underwear. The Bluebird is available in the following styles: trunk, brief, and solid brief.

I am a fan of blue and the underwear looks great. I am interested in trying on a pair of the trunk style. (See another post with my personal review.)

Bluebird Collection Photo Campaign

Walking Jack had a photo shoot for its Bluebird Collection. The model was Roger Zacha, a physiotherapy student in the Netherlands. The photographer was Louis C. The photos were taken in Cyprus.

Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection

Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection offers an all-blue design, with a fabric composition of 95 percent cotton and 5 percent Elastane. Also, underwear in the Bluebird Collection offers a longer waistband and a lined pouch.

The underwear is suitable for the gym and daily wear, an indication that the underwear can be worn to work and school as well as to a workout (gym or at home).

Size Chart

Walking Jack has a wide variety of sizes from Small (27-29 in or 70-75 cm) to XXL (36-39 in or 91-99 cm).

Shipping

Walking Jack delivers worldwide. I live in the United States. According to Walking Jack’s website, I would be in zone 4. The shipping fee would be 6.50 euros (registered post) for an expected delivery time of 10 to 14 business days or 20 euros for an expected delivery time of 2 to 4 business days. As I use the U.S. dollar, there is an international currency exchange element.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery can be affected. Walking Jack provides a delivery advisory for customers to review.

Conclusion

The Bluebird Collection is a great new addition to Walking Jack’s product lineup. The shade of blue selected for the collection is on point.

If you are looking for something new to add to your wardrobe, consider the Bluebird Collection.

denim jeans, Men's fashion

Slim Fit Jeans: Mott and Bow, a Review

by Andre M.Leave a Comment on Slim Fit Jeans: Mott and Bow, a Review

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Introduction

I am new to the world of slim jeans. But after having tried on some slim fit jeans from Mott and Bow, I have grown to like the style. In this blog post, I will cover my reviews of the slim fit jeans that I own.

Denim Manufacturers for Mott and Bow Jeans

According to the Mott and Bow website—

We source from some of the most well-respected denim mills in the world – Orta Anadolu in Turkey and Candiani in Italy – and buy their most premium denim. This high quality cotton not only looks better; it also performs better. The pricier denim is robust, keeping its shape and aging well over time; unlike cheaper denim that lacks the ability to bounce back after wear. Our goal is to make all our jeans like the vineyard’s finest bottle, and we don’t cut corners to get there, but we’ve set up our business in a way that allows a fair price.

Orta Anadolu

Orta Anadalu, according to its website, started as a spinning and weaving company In 1953. In 1985, the company transformed into a denim manufacturer.

Denim Production at Orta

Orta Anadolu describes its denim production process at its website. The process starts with raw material (cotton, Tencel/Modal/viscose, polyester/Elastane)). Then these materials go in the spinning process (blowroom, ring spinning machine). Next, the indigo dye is applies (rope dyeing, slasher dyeing). Sizing follows, then weaving, finishing, quality control, and denim service where Orta works with their customers (businesses) to combine designs and fits with washes using Orta’s fabrics. Finally, the fabric is shipped to customers.

Candiani Denim

Candiani Denim, according to its website, is a family-owned business, which started in 1938 in Milan, Italy.

The company describes is sustainability goals at its website.

The blog, Green Matters, describes Candiani’s sustainable denim fabric production process.

Denim Production and the Environment

Denim production has a definite effect on the environment at each stage. A report by the International Solid Waste Association discusses this point in more detail. [upload document]

 Elastane and Denim

The addition of Elastane, a fabric that has some elasticity, to men’s clothing was once controversial, according to an article in the Atlantic Magazine. Elastane or Spandex was associated with female clothing. Men appear to have had concern about clothing showing their body. SAs a result, clothing companies associated Elastane with athletic activity, as gym clothing already had Elastane in it, for example, compression shorts.

When Elastane is combined with cotton, the resulting fabric cannot be recycled. In particular, blended fabrics, accessories (zips, buttons, and stitching threads) prove to be difficult for cotton recyclers, according to an article by Adrian Wilson in the International Fiber Journal.

Yet when it comes to recycling, blended fabrics – as well as accessories, such as zips, buttons and stitching threads – can prove highly problematic, which is why most recycling programs for cotton generally concentrate on pre-consumer waste and those for polyester prefer to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles rather than post-consumer clothing.

Most denim mills are keen to highlight the use of recycled PET in their ranges, yet these are inevitably in blended fabrics, putting limitations on further recycling in the move towards achieving truly closed-loop manufacturing systems.”

Mott and Bow jeans have some (2 percent) Elastane in them. Mott and Bow’s denim is made to a standard that can help denim recycling process

The Jeans Redesign project of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation states that denim fabric should be 98 percent by weight of natural fibers and no more than 2 percent of plastic-based fibers, according to a Fast Company article.

What is LYCRA/Elastane/Spandex?

According to Sewpoint, Elastane is the generic term (used in Europe) for the synthetic fabric with the trademarked name LYCRA. Another generic name for LYCRA is Spandex. The owner of LYCRA’s trademark is the LYCRA Company.

Elastane is made from polyurethane. The fabric is elastic and can withstand high temperatures.

While Elastane was developed in the United States, most Elastane is made in China.

Review of Slim Fit Jeans

Mott and Bow

As stated earlier, I have bought several pairs of jeans from Mott and Bow. I own the slim fit in the Mercer, Mott and Bow’s summer weight denim, and Stone styles. Initially, I found out about the company with a Facebook ad, which led me to the brand’s website. I signed up for the email list. I bought the Stone in grey first to replace a pair of grey jeans.

Mott and Bow Stone model in grey.

Mott and Bow’s slim fit jeans have a mid-rise and zipper fly. The fit is straight through the hip, slim through the thigh, and has a 15.5 inches (39.4 cm) leg opening.

During the summer time, I received a brand email informing me about the jeans for the summer, the Mercer brand. I tried one in the slim fit, liked how it felt and bought two more pairs.

Mott and Bow’s Website and Social Media

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter |

Mott and Bow Customer Service

I had to contact Mott and Bow’s customer service for one of the Mercer jeans. An olive pair of jeans developed a situation where the zipper came loose from the pants. I emailed the company about the situation in order to exchange the jeans. I was contacted by one of the customer service representatives who asked for a photo of the issue as well as the inside label.

After I had sent it, the customer service representative sent a replacement pair of jeans and since the same color was not available, the representative included a free t-shirt, which was a nice gesture.

Conclusion

In writing this post, I was able to learn more about Mott and Bow, a brand that I have bought from. I have been enjoying the jeans I have bought.

Let me know about your experiences with slim fit jeans, with Mott and Bow or another men’s jeans brand through a comment or through an email, info at menswearnews.com.