The 2011/12 Status Fitness Cover Model Contest Finals presented by VPX Sports & Redline launch tonight, January 16, at 9pm PST. It will run until 9pm PST February 17, 2012.

It's that time of year again. One year ago, Status Fitness brought you the exciting finals to our first cover contest. Rather than tackle the daunting task of picking the top 100 ourselves, we chose to become the first fitness publication to enrol the help of our social media friends on Facebook to help us decide who should be a future cover model and who should be included in our special top 100 feature.  

This year, we are very excited to once again showcase over one hundred and fifty finalists from the nearly one thousand entries we had over the course of the past year. The feedback after the contest last year was incredible. We received many congratulatory emails from participants, as well as fans on Facebook and readers from across North America. Additionally, we received requests from many of our top twenty five to be included in this year's contest because of all the fun it was last year. Rather than limit the potential opportunities for new athletes this year, we decided to show appreciation to our previous top twenty five and qualify them for the finals this year.

Of course our previous winner, Melissa Morrison could not be included in this group because of her big win. Melissa shares, "Entering the Status Fitness Cover Model Contest was one of the best moves of my fitness career. Status Fitness offers the biggest and best opportunities to the athletes it features and I'm a perfect example. After winning last year, I have been treated like a celebrity. The cover with Michael Vick was a dream come true and because of it, I have had many opportunities presented to me including my recent signing with Core Synergy. My wish for everyone in the newest contest is to enjoy the process. Work hard, make friendships and have fun because it does pay off. Thank you Status Fitness."

To everyone entered in the finals remember to have fun and watch your friendships and opportunities grow.

Please find the gallery of finalists here. (Please note, you will have to "Like" the Status Fitness fanpage in order to "Like" your favorite athletes.)

All the best to those entered.

Status Fitness