Three possible contests close together ... can I do them all?

**AnglicanBeachParty** · 07-29-2013, 10:39 PM

OK, bodybuilding friends. I have a dilemma. Or a trilemma, if that is even a thing.

I'm already registered (paid) for a bodybuilding contest on September 28. It's about an hour away from my house. Now I've found one closer on October 5 (one week later). I had also planned to do the Central States show on October 19, also about an hour away. That contest would be 3 weeks after the first contest and 2 weeks after the second.

Can I realistically do 3 shows this close together? Or will I flatten out and look horrible. What about if I just do the 1st and 3rd one, 3 weeks apart?

Any experiences you can share? Advices?

**guruhonza** · 07-30-2013, 12:38 AM

I have similar problem.
30th November - 7th December - 8th December ...
I think I'd do 1st show with normal look just don't drink so much water and then for 2nd show I'd do my best job and I'd like to think that my best would be for 3rd show.

You have it more different. How important are those contests?

**Bronwyn** · 07-30-2013, 01:45 AM

Hi ABP

I had shows exactly like this in 2011 - European Cup, World Championship and Universe - so all world class and very important shows. And true is my prep guy that time told me I am crazy as body is not a machine and I may have problems. Not 2nd show - to do two shows week apart is OK and it will work, but usually the third one is a problem.

What we did - first we switched various types of depletion and carb loading. First show was the mildest one, where I allowed my body to be not that dry, second one was "classical" on carbs and last one was fat-salt kind.

I really had problems as I hold too much water and during the peaking week it looked crazy. I was even gained on Wednesday instead dropping water. However I was able to do it (I did third show on my own) and key was really really change plans according how my conditioning went. What means for example I cut my water 4 hours earlier than I had planed, I added more dry carbs and throw away "wet" carbs, I was not sleeping at all, checking what is going on... it was really very hard, but I was able to come with best conditioning that year at the 3rd show.

So from my experience - yes it is hard to compete at three shows, I am usually even able to improve myself from one to another, but main problem was water retention the third show. Also body may be used to kind of prep you do - so I found out it is better to switch two-three types which are the best for you and well - listen to your body. You may also decide to do no depletion before some show which is not that important.

Good luck!

AVBG · 07-30-2013, 04:09 AM

My advice would be? Treat each show like its the only show. Don't do anything too dramatic leading in (in terms of water depletion) and don't go nuts with the post-contest meal, just treat it as a normal cheat/carb up.

**Matt Porter** · 07-30-2013, 04:54 AM

Yes,

It can be easily accomplished.

Peak 3 times

-Matt

**scottg** · 07-30-2013, 05:45 AM

Agreed, easy done, well not easy done it's never easy but you won't rebound too heavily or hold heaps of water if you don't over dehydrate or binge.

**AnglicanBeachParty** · 07-30-2013, 06:12 AM

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your encouragement and wisdom!

I believe I shall do all 3 contests. If nothing else, it will be a great opportunity to learn how my body responds during a second and third peak week.

**HeavyDutyGuy** · 07-30-2013, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Matt Porter

Yes,

It can be easily accomplished.

Peak 3 times

-Matt

Lol, you make it sound so simple. "Want to go to the next galaxy? - Build a starship capable of intergalactic travel".

**HeavyDutyGuy** · 07-30-2013, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Matt Porter

Yes,

It can be easily accomplished.

Peak 3 times

-Matt

Originally Posted by AnglicanBeachParty

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your encouragement and wisdom!

I believe I shall do all 3 contests. If nothing else, it will be a great opportunity to learn how my body responds during a second and third peak week.

But yes, that's exactly what you do.

**Provo82** · 07-30-2013, 08:27 AM

in my experience ive seen some guys get better from show to show and ive seen guys get worse from show to show. for me i personally always look best the first time out for the year but ive seen quite the opposite in many others

**FLEXR6** · 07-30-2013, 08:40 AM

I have done 6 shows in 6 weeks (one each weekend) in 2011 - I did nine shows in total that year.
This year I have done 4 (21 April - 2 June) and plan to do another 4 in 4 weeks Sept/Oct.
It can be done - just aim to be a little better at each show

**sam** · 07-30-2013, 03:51 PM

hey ABP, best of luck with the back to back to back prep. i'll look for you at centrals. what weight class will you be in?

**sassy69** · 07-30-2013, 06:46 PM

The only additional thought I'd add, is of the 3, is one the more important of the 3, or a hierarchy of importance across the 3? If yes, then maybe if you need to leave room for potential rebound or other points where you may be suffering from the repeated hit of a peak day, maybe pick the one most important and give that precedence where you do need to have more focus or more give to reduce potential impacts (or equivalently, leave that as your "most aggressive" and the others "less aggressive" in whatever dimension that applies).

**AnglicanBeachParty** · 07-30-2013, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by sam

hey ABP, best of luck with the back to back to back prep. i'll look for you at centrals. what weight class will you be in?

Well, I will be in the Grand Masters, and they usually don't have enough for separate weight classes. They usually throw all the 50+ guys on stage in the same class.

Originally Posted by sassy69

The only additional thought I'd add, is of the 3, is one the more important of the 3, or a hierarchy of importance across the 3? If yes, then maybe if you need to leave room for potential rebound or other points where you may be suffering from the repeated hit of a peak day, maybe pick the one most important and give that precedence where you do need to have more focus or more give to reduce potential impacts (or equivalently, leave that as your "most aggressive" and the others "less aggressive" in whatever dimension that applies).

Thanks! Well, the 3rd one should have the toughest competition, so I guess I'd bias things toward doing best at that last show.

**JRob** · 07-30-2013, 08:44 PM

It's actually a great move, at least in my eyes it was.

I did 3 shows all two weeks apart

Few bullet points:

- First show was a nice warm up to the following two more important shows
- It allowed me to shake the cobwebs off and test my peak method
- I had a nice controlled cheat meal post show which filled me out like crazy, a
cheat breakfast and right back on diet, tightened right back up in two-three
days fully charged rocking into my second show
- Brought a much better package, peaked better, great showing
- Repeated above
- Brought an even better package, fine tuned peak again and earned my natural
pro card