View Full Version : How to decide when to compete
fatbackgoal
05-24-2009, 11:47 PM
I am new to the boards and have caught the bug to compete. I am 41 6'5" 305 pounds at roughly 25%. I am looking at possibly entering a natural show in late September in the masters division but I have no idea how to determine if I am ready. I know it is one of those things that you either do or don't but I do not know how to assess my body right now, what I would need to do to get ready for the show or if I should wait. Just hoping some of you who have gone through the process can lend some of your helpful tips.
gettinhuge
05-25-2009, 12:58 AM
If your a member of a gym get with a knowledgeable trainer tell them your goal...from there they can asses your body weight and all the other things you may want to know about your body...only you and you alone can make the decision. I have been a fan since 1990...and this fall will be my first time ever stepping on stage at 37, from there I hope to just do it till Im tired but maintain a great physique. Good Luck and God bless.
matt1005
05-28-2009, 07:48 PM
I say compete. Do your research and get to it. You can find a lot of good stuff on here. My advice about a trainer, is that if you are really going to get one, research them too. Much sure they can spend the time on you and with you.
It's a tough question knowing wether you could/should compete, particularly if you havent done it before. Find out who won/competed in the shows in the past so you can compare wether you have enough muscle to be competitive.
Jeepgcboy97
05-29-2009, 10:23 AM
I am new to the boards and have caught the bug to compete. I am 41 6'5" 305 pounds at roughly 25%. I am looking at possibly entering a natural show in late September in the masters division but I have no idea how to determine if I am ready. I know it is one of those things that you either do or don't but I do not know how to assess my body right now, what I would need to do to get ready for the show or if I should wait. Just hoping some of you who have gone through the process can lend some of your helpful tips.
you only live once so you might as well try it. i went to a show 3 years ago and decided then to compete the following year at that same show. there is nothing like going up on stage presenting your finished product...its a personal accomplishment that i cannot put into words...
JaimeSandovalJr
05-30-2009, 12:40 AM
I am in the same scenario, I was told to compete against my self and myself alone. Go for it man.
dajossel
06-11-2009, 11:53 AM
if you can get around 10% 16 weeks out you can come in looking good. I dont think anyone should ever tell themselves they cant compete. I was just actually reading Arnolds book he wrote and he said its all about your mindset. If you believe you can compete and train like your going to win the show the sky is the limit.
serratus
06-12-2009, 08:59 AM
A lot of good replies so far.
I agree it's tough to put your finger on some reason why a person would be "ready" to start competing or not. And I agree it's a good idea to hire a trainer, but one you've looked into before choosing. If they are right there at your gym, great. They can help you keep track of the diet, cardio, bf% changes, etc and might have training ideas as well.
I think it's possible that if you're 25% at about 4 months (16 wks) out from a proposed first contest in September, the dieting curve could be a little steep. If that does turn out to be the case, you can use it to your advantage - by starting a gradual cut now, looking at hitting say 10-15% by fall, then hover there over the winter. This wouldn't interfere with great training, and at the same time you can be starting to learn posing. Then you could start a contest prep in January for one of the spring 2010 shows. Of course it's also an option to start a contest prep diet now and do a show this fall to get your feet wet, then use that experience toward your next contest.
I don't think comparing against pics of other class winners etc is a litmus test of whether or not you're ready to be competitive b/c who's in your line up at any given time is a total crap shoot. You never really know what kind of competition you'll have.
Best of luck, keep us posted!
AFTazz06
06-15-2009, 11:48 PM
I dont personally trust trainers at gyms, most are really expensive, and they dont really know how to train well. If you have the money, try and become a client of Dave's, thats somebody you can trust and will help you through. I'm saving up for the fall to become a client of Dave's so he can guide me through to put on size.
miamibodybuilder
04-20-2011, 09:41 AM
honestly, if you've caught the bug and have been training for years now, i would definitely recommend you give it a shot man. why not? better now than later right? if you have someone who has the knowledge to get you ready, then i say go for it man. good luck keep us posted.
daft205
04-20-2011, 11:48 AM
honestly, if you've caught the bug and have been training for years now, i would definitely recommend you give it a shot man. why not? better now than later right? if you have someone who has the knowledge to get you ready, then i say go for it man. good luck keep us posted.
Gotta love the 2-year-old-thread- bump, lol... Good advice though.
Lean Physique
04-21-2011, 12:03 AM
I would suggest finding a trainer who has competed themselves and has more than "gym science" background. A good coach can be invaluable in the pre contest prep phase.
John
Dadup
04-21-2011, 12:08 AM
well its been 2 yrs since this thread got started, does anyone know if he ended up competing?
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