"After a decade of publishing only the winner on the cover, we wanted to add a new dimension to the competition format to make it more enticing for aspiring fitness models," says fitness magazine editor and publisher, Tanja Schmitz.
Additional competition changes included the need for multimedia entry submissions in the form of video and the biggest prize value in the competition's history,
Schmitz adds, "To make the final three-day shoot experience, you must embody and personify the health and fitness lifestyle, which makes any of our finalists worthy cover models."
By publishing all three finalists – Logan Leigh Rix, Yvette Ferreira and Farai Gomwe – Schmitz says the competition will create more opportunities for all of them to launch successful careers in the industry. "And that's what the competition has always been about," she says.
According to fitness, the concept has also helped to create more hype for the magazine, with all the finalists promoting their covers online to their social media communities.
"It has proven to be a powerful and effective means to blend the world of physical print with digital media. We're delighted with the engagement the ladies and fitness magazine have received since the latest issue hit store shelves. It seems people love to share their opinions about who they believe should win," adds Schmitz.
Readers can cast their vote on who should win the title of USN Face of Fitness for 2018 by buying their choice of the three Fitness magazine cover options, which are now on sale at retailers across the country, and by sharing their choice on social media by tagging #USNfaceoffitness2018.
For more information, visit www.faceoffitness.co.za. You can also follow fitness magazine on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.