FITNESS MODEL AARON BURDSALL Reveals the Secrets of his Success Written by Elias Stimac Photographed by Ori Bengal of ObscureReality.com

(Note from the editorial staff: The writers and photographers of www.newyorkcool.com are collectively going on a diet this January, just like you are. So here is the first of our January “Let’s all drool over the models while we think about going to the gym stories.”)

Aaron Burdsall is a twenty-nine-year-old model from Orlando, Florida. He is also a fitness veteran whose physical assets led him to being named “Cosmopolitan Magazine Bachelor of the Year -- Florida, 2005.”

That’s not the only media exposure this young man has accumulated. He has been seen around  New York City recently, in town to appear as a guest on “Regis and Kelly Live” and “The Today Show,” as well as being featured on “Entertainment Tonight.” He has done principal work on commercials for Amscot and Suzuki Motors, and print campaigns for clients such as Walt Disney World and “The Perfect Wedding Guide.” In addition to posing and pumping iron, Burdsall also flies planes, works conventions, participates in many sports, and sings.

Burdsall has been making fitness a part of his lifestyle for the past twelve years. His desire to get in shape began when he became body conscious after going away to college. “I was 6 feet tall and 130 lbs.....SKINNY! My roommates and I lived only a quarter mile from a popular gym. We didn't have much money but decided to join at a ‘group rate.’ I began to meet people who were not only in great shape, but who seemed to just have an extra joy for life! I realized I wanted both. Long story short, I asked many questions and have been hooked ever since!”

He discovered that working out faithfully helped improve every other area in his life. “I became an all-around healthier person not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I view working out like brushing your teeth....you make time....no exceptions. This way I never leave myself an out.”

Burdsall’s usual workout routine is anything but usual. “My schedule is so unpredictable, to say I’m on a ‘routine’ would be a stretch. I basically try and work each body part every 5-6 days.” His current split is:

Day 1:Chest/Tri's.

Day 2:Back/Traps

Day 3:Legs

Day 4:Shoulders/Bi's

He adds that his days off are dictated by his schedule, but he always take a day off after Day 4 before repeating the cycle.

His routine has broadened greatly over the years. “I find myself constantly changing up exercises, rep schemes and time between sets. I've learned that the body adapts quickly and you must keep it guessing in order to make continual progress.”

Although he has been focusing on fitness for a long time, he only recently started in modeling in June of this year. Being a commercial pilot full time, he had to wait until his schedule became more flexible before he was able to pursue modeling.

His first photo shoot was with Cosmopolitan, leading Burdsall to his current title as Bachelor of the Year. “My roommate submitted my picture to Cosmopolitan Magazine.

After that, I signed on with an agency, and my career has taken off ever since. I have been fortunate enough to book many modeling jobs. I am actually currently taking leave from my full time job to pursue modeling further.”

His fitness goals for the New Year are going to be a challenge, even for Burdsall. “I want to continue to add muscle while keeping my body fat very low. This is TOUGH to do!

Due to the nature of modeling, you never know when a client will call. Sometimes it's with as little as a few days notice. This makes ‘bulking up’ out of the question. In order to add muscle, my diet must be almost perfect. There is a fine line between eating enough quality calories to add muscle and at the same time NOT add any body fat.”

Burdsall’s future goals as a model are almost as daunting. “To make the cover of a national magazine! I would also like to try my hand at acting. So far, I've booked two commercials. As a result, I've caught the ‘acting bug.’”

He explains how being fit helps him as a model. “It makes me more marketable. I can model fashion or throw on some gym shorts and do any sort of lifestyle/fitness modeling. Being fit just opens up doors that would otherwise not be an option. I’m learning that this industry is all about exposure. Staying in tip-top shape gives me more opportunity to get the exposure required to make it in this industry as well as keeping me grounded.”

Conversely, modeling helps keep him motivated as far as fitness goals. “Modeling constantly challenges me to improve myself. It just makes it more interesting! I've learned how to tailor my diet and exercise to the clients needs. It has taught me so much about my body and how it functions and responds!”

Burdsall offers the following advice for aspiring models. “Don't rely on just your agent to market you. Use resources that are available to you, such as the Internet, to market yourself. You can be seen by thousands of potential clients simply by posting your pictures up on certain websites. OneModelPlace.com, for example, has given me the opportunity to speak with many potential clients as well as meet different photographers. This exposure has broadened my portfolio greatly! Remember, exposure is what keeps you going in this industry. OneModelPlace gives me that opportunity, and it has certainly paid off ten-fold!”

Despite his hectic calendar, he always takes time to prepare before photo shoots. “It depends on the type of shoot. If it’s a fashion shoot, I don't have to do much preparation besides getting a good night’s sleep beforehand. If it's a fitness shoot, I tend to watch my sodium intake and water intake the day before and the day of the session. This allows me to appear very cut with minimal water retention. And I always try to stay somewhat tan.”

Anyone who wants to get into a fitness regime should be realistic, according to Burdsall. “Find a diet and exercise program that fits you particular schedule. Once you have that down and it becomes as much of a routine as "brushing your teeth", start to market yourself. It really is a matter of how much you want to be fit. If a strong desire is there, you will find the time... even with the busiest schedule.”

As for the relationship between fitness and modeling, Burdsall thinks they go hand in hand. “Regardless of whether you’re a fashion model or fitness model... you need to take pride in how you look. That is, after all, what you are being paid for. I don't think you can separate the two.”

Finally, Burdsall suggests anyone interested in modeling or fitness can always ask others in the industry for advice. “Seek out local people that are in the business, to find out how they got into the industry and what made them succeed. Above all...HAVE FUN WITH IT! Since I started doing this, it has been an absolute blast! I feel very fortunate and blessed!”

For more information about Aaron Burdsall:
http://www.onemodelplace.com/member.cfm?ID=211291
You can contract Aaron directly at:
floridabachelor05@yahoo.com