There is truly something magical about competing onstage at NPC bodybuilding contests that defies adequate description.  People who have not been drawn into the world of competing imagine, and rightly so, that it must be intimidating to step onstage in an outfit which in many respects is similar to a set of fancy underwear, while a panel of judges assess the lines of your body and compare them to other competitors.  What often happens to competitors (and it certainly occurred with me at my first show) is that a spiritual transformation occurs which is in keeping with the physical transformation, similar to a butterfly emerging from a cocoon and spreading its wings in flight for the first time.  The countless months of adhering to a structured training regimen and meal plan are celebrated during the course of several minutes while standing under blinding stage lights.

I take pride in being disciplined enough to endure a rigorous plan which requires me to sacrifice many common pleasures such as having free time on the weekends and eating foods outside my plan. The resulting changes in my physique have made the often arduous journey completely worthwhile.  However, I understand that those who do not compete may regard such dedication as extreme.  People have asked me why I continue to compete when I have already had a number of excellent show placings.  Without getting into a lengthy discussion about my quest to attain IFBB Professional Status in the Bikini Division, I will say that each competition represents a new goal which encourages me to keep raising the bar higher.

I have spoken with countless individuals who have asked me to describe the culture of bodybuilding competitions, and many have expressed an interest in entering a contest just to see what the experience might be like.  At the very least I encourage people to attend a competition because I know that the environment can be very inspiring to behold.  Some people will venture further and ask detailed questions about what it takes to compete, how to train and prep, what suit or shorts to wear, how to tan, etc.  Though I am always excited to discover that someone might be interested in competing, I try to ferret out important personality characteristics which will either make one well suited for competing, or will completely demolish a person’s self-worth.  I realize this sounds negative, but it is reality-based and backed up by my own personal ups and downs since I began to compete.

I have seen people who decide to compete but fail to recognize the work that goes into prepping for a competition.  Those individuals invariably get quite a shock when they discover all the essential elements and expenses involved.  I continue to be amazed by people who believe they can eat and drink whatever they want, exercise minimally, then slap on a Mystic Tan and a suit or trunks they usually wear at the beach and win a show.  At the risk of dissuading some readers from competing, I am providing a list of contest prep elements and expenses which are most commonly encountered.

What Is Involved In Contest Prep?

1. Structured training and cardio plan
2. Structured meal plan
3. Competition suit/trunks
4. Competition tanning
5. NPC Registration
6. Show entry fee
7. Professional makeup
8. Professional hair styling
9. Travel expenses (flight, hotel, rental car, gym fees)
10.  Jewelry and shoes

As a competitor who has traveled for ten pro qualifiers, all of which are outside of the state in which I live, I am well aware of how prohibitive the combined expenses can be.

Thinking of Competing? 

For those who have not been discouraged thus far, I have three questions which will assist in determining whether or not competing is the right choice for you.

1. Are you comfortable with being scrutinized by a panel of judges?  It can be quite distressing to stand onstage in a row with other competitors, smiling until your jaw cramps, doing half or quarter turns in unison and hoping you get moved to the middle spot.  Unless you can allow yourself to enjoy the experience for what it is and resist taking a poor show placing personally, you should refrain from competing.

However, if you can celebrate your personal accomplishments and enjoy the experience of being on par with some of the best bodies in society, you may indeed gain great pleasure from competing.

1. Are you capable of adhering to a strict training and meal regimen?  Quite frankly, following a very strict meal plan which prohibits preferred foods and which coerces you into eating foods you can’t stand can really wear you down after a while.  But it is even more critical to follow such a regimen as you approach a competition.  This often requires you to follow the meal plan to the letter for months at a time (aside from the occasional cheat meal).  In addition, consistency with a specific training regimen also requires complete focus.  If you are the type of person who is prone to omitting training blocks for whatever reason, perhaps you are better off attending rather than competing in a show.

Those who rigidly follow a training regimen and meal plan which is designed to prime them for a specific contest consistently do relatively well.

1. Do you enjoy being onstage or do you freeze up?  If the mere thought of being onstage with glaring stage lights oriented toward you has you hyperventilating and forgetting any posing you may have easily practiced in the privacy of your own living room, you might as well remain in the audience and watch the other competitors do their thing.

 

At the other extreme are people who look like they are having a blast onstage and exude such positive and appealing energy that they catch the interest of the judges and audience.