Mandy's back: fitness model Mandy Blank premieres a star-quality back and shoulder workout

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, Oct, 2004 by Lara McGlashan

ONCE UPON A TIME, a baton-twirling, dancing diva whipped the fitness world into a frenzy with her scalding-hot routines and million-dollar smile. But after an 11th-place finish at the 2000 Fitness International at the Arnold Classic, Mandy Blank packed away her posing suit and headed to Hollywood. So what happened to that buff, Daytona Beach dervish?

"I'm trying to do the whole acting thing," she says. "Every other day I go on casting calls for print, film or commercial work, and I actually booked the lead in a sci-fi movie that begins shooting next January called Contagion From Mars. I'm the heroine, a nerdy scientist who kicks ass!" Although she has been called out for several shows like The Next Action Star, Mandy has decided to resist the lure of reality TV in favor of old-school Hollywood work. "I don't want to be categorized as a reality star, and I'm willing to bust my ass however long it takes to get the real acting jobs," she says.

Unfortunately, it's been a mostly difficult journey, since the physique that earned her so many accolades on the fitness stage is now holding her back from success on the sound stage. "All the feedback I'm getting from directors and casting agents is that I'm too muscular," she says. "They want someone who's fit and toned, but not as defined and cut as I look right now. I mean, I go on tons of calls and get a lot of callbacks, but so far I've booked only the one movie."

CHANGE OF PACE

Much in the same way that she beefed up her slim, dancing body to fit the face of fitness, Mandy is now trying to pare it back down to fit the trim Hollywood ideal. "I still lift at least 3-4 days a week, but now I do really high reps with really light weights," she says. "I used to use 15-20-pound dumbbells for arms and stuff, but now I lift only 5-8 pounders, and I feel like a total wimp! But it's working out better for casting purposes."

Mandy also changed her diet to include less protein and more veggies, and upped her cardio to an hour a day, six days a week, doing everything from boxing to sprinting to Spinning. "I still love to dance and take hip-hop classes at Gold's Gym in Hollywood whenever I have the time," she adds. "I've also started club dancing again, which I really missed! My boyfriend is a promoter, and he got me a job dancing one night a week for a few hours at Prey, a new club in Hollywood. It's so much fun, and it's great cardio!"

She also squeezes in a little twirling time every once in a while, busting out her batons, which she keeps polished and ready in her closet should she ever need to twirl at an audition. "Apparently there isn't a big call for baton twirling in Hollywood, so mostly I twirl in the house," she laughs. "I don't do it much, though, because I break a lot of lamps!"

Though her acting career has yet to pay for all the broken glass, it's not for lack of trying. "I take acting classes twice a week now, which are helping a lot, and I even learned to cry on cue," she remarks. "It's really emotionally draining, and it's probably the hardest thing I've ever done."

Harder than performing for thousands of fans on the fitness stage? "So much harder!" she groans. "My high is performing in front of an audience. I love it! If I mess up onstage [for fitness], I can cover it up quickly with a move or a kick or something and no one will ever know. But in front of a casting director, you can't cover anything up unless you're doing improv. You screw up your lines and you're outta there!"

So while Mandy waits for the perfect role, she does what so many in Hollywood do to make a living. No, not waiting tables--personal training. "Gotta pay the bills somehow!" she laughs. "I train 6-8 people a day, including weekends, both at a private personal-training gym and in their homes. It's rewarding to see people succeed, but I really, really want to act. So I'll just keep on trying! One day, it'll happen."

PULL-UP (CLOSE GRIP)

START >>> Take a pronated grip on a pull-up bar, hands just inside shoulder-width apart. Arch your back slightly, lift your chin and sternum toward the ceiling, and cross your feet behind you.

EXECUTION >>> Initiate the motion by squeezing your shoulder blades together, then pull with your back muscles to lift your body toward the bar, keeping your elbows close to your sides and your chin up. Hold for a count at the top before slowly lowering back to the start, but don't go to full arm extension.

MANDY'S TIP >>> "If you're unable to do pull-ups on your own, either start on an assisted pull-up machine or try doing negatives to build up strength. For those, stand on a bench, grasp the bar, hop up and hold the pull-up position at the top for a count of two. Then slowly lower back down, shake out your arms and do it again."

SEATED HIGH CARLEROW

START >>> Sit on an exercise ball in front of a high-cable pulley with a rope handle attached. Extend your arms and back up the ball to the point where you feel no slack in the cable. Use a pronated grip and keep your back straight.

EXECUTION >>> Pull the rope down toward your collarbones, keeping your elbows high and your back straight. As you pull the rope nearly into your upper chest, separate your hands and squeeze hard through your upper back and rear delts. Slowly allow your arms to extend fully without leaning forward.