Question About Sponsorship (No, not asking for one)

[Webber91]

Hey guys,

I've got a pretty weird question to ask you all. This is mainly aimed the guys that sponsored in one way or another, or some of the more seasoned competitors. Currently as part of my contract I get a set capped amount each month of products that I want. I won't get into full details, but it's enough to cover pretty much everything that I use.

I was talking to my sponsor tonight and he wanted to know what else he can do for me while I'm prepping (he knows I'm starting in 2 months). He's a new franchisee and has never sponsored anyone before me, so it's a new experience for the both of us. We were both stumped, and all I could honestly say was that the number 1 thing I needed from him during my prep was just the support of having him there. He wants to do more for me though and wants to help me out in any way he can.

So I guess my question is...for those of you who are sponsored, what do you think are the most helpful aspects of your deal? For those of you who aren't and would like to be or are actively seeking it, what do you think would give you the greatest help during your prep?

I've only had one competitive season so far, and to be honest when I look back now, the only thing I wish I had more of was outside support. I don't really want to ask for more stuff to be paid for or anything like that as I get most of that, but rather more non-material type things. I hope this makes sense!

[fitcopforlife]

If supps, NPC card, registration, and entry fees are all taken care of and your really not wanting anything else material from your sponsor, I think his support is good enough. I can't really think of anything else I could need or want because usually during prep I am so focused on the show I don't really want any other distractions.

[Webber91]

If supps, NPC card, registration, and entry fees are all taken care of and your really not wanting anything else material from your sponsor, I think his support is good enough. I can't really think of anything else I could need or want because usually during prep I am so focused on the show I don't really want any other distractions.

Thanks for the response mate, good to hear from a rep! Yeah there isn't exactly a whole lot that I use anyway, just whey, BCAA's, fish oil and a multi. Any decent thing that I could take to help me prep anyway would be banned in INBA.

That's pretty much what I was thinking too. There's not a whole lot that I'd really need or want, so I told him that right now I'll just need someone that can help keep me level headed and calm me down when all the "you need to eat more" comments start flowing in haha.

[XCriticalBenchX]

NPC Card
Show Fees
Hotel Stay
Travel Expenses
Multiple outfits and attire to wear around

Those are the main things.. supplements would come last for me.

[JohnBrowne]

Well supplement wise look into

beta alanine
citrulline malate
ALCAR
tyrosine
R-ALA
caffeine
CLA
vitamin D3

Nothing too expensive but it adds up.

[N01SYtZ]

I wish I had a sponsor to get me to a different ****in gym.. !

[fitcopforlife]

I wish I had a sponsor to get me to a different ****in gym.. !

Lmao, i'm with u there^^

[N01SYtZ]

Lmao, i'm with u there^^

sick ab veins bro!
my dad used to be a cop, dont you have a dope gym to train in ?

[iliftpesos]

I'd say coverage and using you as a model for the supplement company. More exposure for you and helps promotes his products. I might never know who you are without it despite him sponsoring you.

[Vaporize]

what do you do for the sponsor? I own a supplement shop and wondering why I would sponsor someone. serious question.

[Webber91]

I wish I had a sponsor to get me to a different ****in gym.. !

lulz I'm lucky with my gym, there's about 6 different ones within a 20 minute from my place and one membership lets you in to all of them. I've had days where it's too busy and I'll just drive 5-10 minutes to a different one, it's great.


Well supplement wise look into

beta alanine
citrulline malate
ALCAR
tyrosine
R-ALA
caffeine
CLA
vitamin D3

Nothing too expensive but it adds up.

Thanks mate, will do. My coach wants me to stock up on some thermo's just for energy and I've been thinking about the D3 for a while now, especially since last prep my test took a major hit.


I'd say coverage and using you as a model for the supplement company. More exposure for you and helps promotes his products. I might never know who you are without it despite him sponsoring you.

That's a pretty good idea, I'll talk it over with him. We were thinking about doing something like a blog on his company's site, with weekly updates and what not during everything. Different to what I do in my journal on here, it would be more just a "how I'm feeling" type thing. Exposure is something we are definitely working on though.

[simpleguy4]

Entry fees, hotel and travel expenses...the most costly and limiting part of competing.

[Barn01]

Hey guys,

I've got a pretty weird question to ask you all. This is mainly aimed the guys that sponsored in one way or another, or some of the more seasoned competitors. Currently as part of my contract I get a set capped amount each month of products that I want. I won't get into full details, but it's enough to cover pretty much everything that I use.

I was talking to my sponsor tonight and he wanted to know what else he can do for me while I'm prepping (he knows I'm starting in 2 months). He's a new franchisee and has never sponsored anyone before me, so it's a new experience for the both of us. We were both stumped, and all I could honestly say was that the number 1 thing I needed from him during my prep was just the support of having him there. He wants to do more for me though and wants to help me out in any way he can.

So I guess my question is...for those of you who are sponsored, what do you think are the most helpful aspects of your deal? For those of you who aren't and would like to be or are actively seeking it, what do you think would give you the greatest help during your prep?

I've only had one competitive season so far, and to be honest when I look back now, the only thing I wish I had more of was outside support. I don't really want to ask for more stuff to be paid for or anything like that as I get most of that, but rather more non-material type things. I hope this makes sense!

Sounds like you've got a great sponsor there. How about you put a twist on it and ask what you can do for him? A sponsorship is not about getting free stuff. Anyone who thinks it is doesn't deserve to be sponsored if you ask me and that relationship likely won't last long. Personally I feel that it should be a give and take relationship. Nothing is free in this world anymore so if you are getting what you want from your sponsor then I think you should ask what you can do to help him out. Advertise, work ... something!

[alex a]

The greatest thing for me..... is that i would have shelled out all my own cash to have done the show... but Iovate paying for my flghts , room for 4 days, cab rides, or rental car and the best was the food allowance... that is sweet... " I think i will take the filet " why not?

I represented! lol...

[Webber91]

Sounds like you've got a great sponsor there. How about you put a twist on it and ask what you can do for him? A sponsorship is not about getting free stuff. Anyone who thinks it is doesn't deserve to be sponsored if you ask me and that relationship likely won't last long. Personally I feel that it should be a give and take relationship. Nothing is free in this world anymore so if you are getting what you want from your sponsor then I think you should ask what you can do to help him out. Advertise, work ... something!

Totally agree! To be honest, it's not really like a sponsor/athlete relationship, he's become one of my closest friends and we do a sh*tload for each other. I always offer my time to go and work in his shop, and he brings me along to certain other local sporting events that he sponsors as well. I write bi-weekly product reviews and training articles for his website and store, and every month we hold a competition aimed towards people that are just starting to get involved in health + fitness, so I'll take each of them through a few PT sessions just to teach them the basics of everything. It's a really fun and rewarding type deal that we have!

Definitely agree with your last point as well. That's pretty much why I don't want anything more material wise from it. It's his business and he's got a family to look after just like everyone else, and even though he's offering I'd still feel bad haha.


The greatest thing for me..... is that i would have shelled out all my own cash to have done the show... but Iovate paying for my flghts , room for 4 days, cab rides, or rental car and the best was the food allowance... that is sweet... " I think i will take the filet " why not?

I represented! lol...

Hahahahaha man that's crazy! Why anyone would ever think of offering a bodybuilder food allowance is beyond me :p

[alex a]

Totally agree! To be honest, it's not really like a sponsor/athlete relationship, he's become one of my closest friends and we do a sh*tload for each other. I always offer my time to go and work in his shop, and he brings me along to certain other local sporting events that he sponsors as well. I write bi-weekly product reviews and training articles for his website and store, and every month we hold a competition aimed towards people that are just starting to get involved in health + fitness, so I'll take each of them through a few PT sessions just to teach them the basics of everything. It's a really fun and rewarding type deal that we have!

Definitely agree with your last point as well. That's pretty much why I don't want anything more material wise from it. It's his business and he's got a family to look after just like everyone else, and even though he's offering I'd still feel bad haha.



Hahahahaha man that's crazy! Why anyone would ever think of offering a bodybuilder food allowance is beyond me :p

I will never forget after the nationals in Atlanta Georgia... right after pre judging.. i walked to this seafood spot and had a feast of seafood... loved it and it was expensive... but yeah.. just expensed it.. hell i would have went anyways...

[fitcopforlife]

sick ab veins bro!
my dad used to be a cop, dont you have a dope gym to train in ?

Thanks man, unfortunatley no!! We don't get any health benefits or deductions off our premiums for staying in shape. I'm trying to get a small one started but it's not going to be anything special, the machines are wore and donated. It will be good for beginners and hopefully motivate some to get on some type of regimen. The gym I workout at now is run down and most of the money goes into raquetball and cardio equipment. The weight needs a lot of work.

[N01SYtZ]

Thanks man, unfortunatley no!! We don't get any health benefits or deductions off our premiums for staying in shape. I'm trying to get a small one started but it's not going to be anything special, the machines are wore and donated. It will be good for beginners and hopefully motivate some to get on some type of regimen. The gym I workout at now is run down and most of the money goes into raquetball and cardio equipment. The weight needs a lot of work.

That blows.. My dad luckily gets reimbursed at the end of the year for our gym membership... at Bally's. Its better then nothing..