Laina DeRose won FemFit and earned her ANBF Pro Card at the 2026 ANBF Ocean State Natural in Rhode Island. She also received the Best Presentation Award, giving Team SUF plenty to celebrate. For an athlete trying ANBF FemFit for the first time, it was a strong start to a season with several shows ahead.
Her result also highlights an important part of natural bodybuilding coaching: understanding the division an athlete wants to enter and preparing for its specific demands.
What does ANBF FemFit reward?
ANBF FemFit emphasizes conditioning, supported by balanced muscular development, symmetry, and stage presentation. Athletes need to understand how those elements come together under the ANBF FemFit criteria. That makes division selection an important conversation during contest prep, particularly when an athlete is considering something new.
Laina wanted to give FemFit a try. She arrived with the sharp conditioning this division calls for, and the judges awarded her the win. That result gave us valuable information about how her physique fits ANBF FemFit as we plan the rest of her season.
Presentation deserves its own attention
Laina also took home the Best Presentation Award. Preparing a physique and presenting it effectively are closely connected, and this was a successful day for her on both fronts.
Posing gives judges the opportunity to assess the work an athlete has put into prep. Positioning, transitions, and the ability to display the physique consistently all deserve practice. For anyone considering a new division, learning its posing requirements should be part of preparation from the beginning.
For prospective FemFit athletes, the takeaway is practical: give posing the same attention you give the rest of your preparation.
What we learned for the next show
Ocean State Natural was the first of several planned appearances for Laina this season. We came away pleased with the outcome and with useful observations to carry into the next stage of preparation.
Winning still leaves room for improvement. We learned a lot from this show and will make adjustments as she moves forward. The goal is to use what we saw onstage to make the next appearance better.
That ongoing evaluation matters when a season includes multiple competitions. Each show gives coach and athlete another opportunity to assess progress and decide what needs attention.
Natural bodybuilding coaching with Team SUF
At Team SUF, Coach Ryan Sullivan brings training, nutrition, and stage preparation into an individual coaching plan. Your experience, current physique, and competition goals help guide that process. As you progress, the plan needs to reflect how you are responding.
Laina’s weekend shows what can happen when an athlete explores a division that suits her physique. We now have a successful first appearance to build on, with more opportunities ahead.
Considering FemFit or planning your next natural bodybuilding season? Apply for Team SUF coaching to discuss your goals with Ryan Sullivan and start building a plan for your next stage appearance.
