Best Summer Bodies 2012

1. Ryan Lochte

Last December, Lochte was named Swimmer of the Year after winning five gold medals at the 2011 World Championships. It was there that he finally and decisively emerged from the wake of his friend and rival Michael Phelps. Not only did Lochte, 27, vanquish the octo-golden boy in their head-to-head races, but Lochte’s winning time of 1:54.00 in the 200-meter individual medley was the first new world record set since performance-enhancing suits were banned in 2009. Lochte didn’t need a special suit thanks in large part to a world-class core strengthening routine.

“Swimming is 90 percent core driven,” he says. “If you don’t have a strong core, you’re not going to be efficient.” That’s why he does 30 minutes of abs work every day, choosing from a menu of planks, hanging leg raises, Swiss ball moves, and medicine ball work. That translates to hard-core power in the pool. “The World Championships were just an appetizer of what I’m capable of doing,” Lochte told us. “I know I had my best times, but I also know I haven’t had those perfect swims yet.”


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Rich Sport - U.S. Olympic swimmers float on cash

America's mermen and women have some of the best support in the country, but even the breakout stars must diversify to keep their heads above water.

By Alex Konrad, reporter | May 29, 2012: 5:00 AM ET



FORTUNE -- Americans love to swim: 93 million people do so and spend $1.4 billion on suits every year. For professional swimmers, this means both lucrative sponsorship and a deep-pocketed support organization -- USA Swimming raises about $100 million a year, from its nearly 300,000 members' registration fees, taking a share of about a sixth of that money for its own revenue. Much like running, swimming is a sport in which the elites are supported by the hobbyists. The cut from member registration -- about $16 million in 2011 -- keeps the elites afloat.

National team members ranked 16th in the world or higher in their respective events who sign on as partners and commit to a group of events and appearances can receive a $3,000-a-month stipend, but even elite swimmers who opt out receive strong support roughly equivalent to a starting teacher's salary. USA Swimming spent over $7 million on its National Team swimmers last year, and even provides stipends to college athletes eligible under NCAA rules. And everyone gets a free Speedo.

( Ryan Lochte is a special case... )

Add it all up, and Lochte could earn as much as $3 million if the schedule and the races break in his favor -- good for a man with an eye for Lamborghinis. Now that teammate and rival Michael Phelps has declared London his last Olympics, even bigger future paydays might make him the car dealership's new best friend.


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A look at Serena Williams, Hope Solo and Ryan Lochte in Vogue Magazine's special Olympic-themed June issue.


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May 28, 2012: It's Memorial Day in the United States, and while you?re taking the time to remember those who fought for our country, we wanted to bring a smile to your face with this interview Tiffany Elias did with Ryan Lochte recently. Elias asked Lochte 25 questions that ranged from the very personal to the very funny. Learn more about this superstar swimmer before you watch him go for gold at the Olympics!


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Best Summer Bodies list

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY | Updated 2d 5h ago

Julianne Hough, 23, has shown us much of her toned bod on the Dancing With the Stars ballroom floor.

That sleek shape has now landed her in a hot spot. She's No. 1 on Women's Health's third annual Best Summer Bodies list.

Actors, musicians, pro athletes and more - 25 on each list - reveal "the fittest and hottest beach-ready bodies."

Securing the top spot on the Men's Health list is upcoming Olympian Ryan Lochte. His intense swim workouts obviously keep him in top form. But in addition to the swimming, he does 30 minutes of ab work every day, picking from a menu of planks, hanging leg raises, Swiss ball moves and medicine ball work.

As for Hough's exercise routine?

The Rock of Ages star isn't a gym rat. Instead, she turns to celeb trainer Tracy Anderson (a Gwyneth Paltrow pal) for a total-body "dance-y" workout.


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*click for the video link

Vogue Magazine's Olympic-Themed June Issue by splashnews

A look at Serena Williams, Hope Solo and Ryan Lochte in Vogue Magazine's special Olympic-themed June issue.


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Ryan Lochte Says No Matter Who Wins In London, He'll Be Friends With Michael Phelps

Ryan Lochte has changed his diet in the lead-up to the games

By Chris Clark | Thursday, May 17, 2012 | Updated 5:46 PM EDT



Former Gator, Ryan Lochte may be one of this Summer Olympics' biggest stars.

Lochte's main challenger will be Michael Phelps, America's brightest star the past two Olympics. Phelps has won 16 medals, 14 of them were gold.

But swimming may be getting a new champion for the 2012 Games in London.

( Lochte, who is half Cuban, swam in Phelps's shadow in Athens and Beijing but in 2012, he's primed for a breakout. )

He says his goal is swim for as many medals as he can, even if it comes at the expense of his friend and rival.

"What is cool about it is, no matter what the outcome is, if I beat him or if he beats me, no matter what, we are still going to be friends, and I think that's definitely a great rivalry right there."


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