DanTheManB
02-19-2005, 11:19 AM
I'm 22 (I know age isn't a factor) and I've been seriously training for only about 2 years now, although I've lifted since I was 11 I've only done it for baseball and only during about 6 months out of the year. I'm 5'10" and 178-180lbs Measurements (not pumped): Chest: 43.5", arms: 15.5", waist: 32", forearms: 13 1/4", thighs: only 23.5", calves: 16.5" and about 7% bodyfat...Not sure if these measurements matter, but I was thinking if I can get my legs a little bigger at least maybe I could enter my first amateur competition? I know I have lots of other areas to work on though such as getting my outside pecs bigger, my arms bigger and my delts and back but can someone give me their honest opinions?
beerman_420
02-19-2005, 11:33 AM
i`m also considering competing so I have basically the same question
youi09
02-19-2005, 03:12 PM
you can enter a competition anytime of your lifting career if you have the discipline to diet down. There is no specific weight height ratio, etc.
beerman_420
02-19-2005, 04:00 PM
i really want to compete but i have no clue where to start lol i mean no one in this area is really fitness minded its just a bunch of farmers
Ivey_Itch
02-27-2005, 06:43 AM
I am in a hurry to compete myself, but i've been told you really need to wait until you are finacially and emotionally ready. For one, I don't have enough muscle built up myself, so that ends that.. for another, I'll be moving in a few months, graduating college, looking for a job.. so things like that are going to be key in determining competition times for me in the future. I recommend you read some of the articles on the main page about what to expect when you compete, because there are a lot of fees and products and things like that, that you will need that you might overlook.. i never realized just how much goes into it all! :) Good luck!
As Ivey said, there is a LOT more to it than some people realize.
First, you have to honestly assess your physique and determine if you have the necessary muscle, shape, and overall development for the type of competition you want to do.
Now, this doesn't mean you have to be Ronnie Coleman. If we all waited to compete until we had our absolute perfect physique, there wouldn't be a lot of people on the stage.
However, it does mean that you want to make sure you have the development necessary to look your best on stage and to achieve your goal for competing.
It's important to realize that the look and level of development necessary to do well can vary greatly depending on the competition you enter.
The next step is to go to watch a competition put on by the organization that you are considering. Different organizations judge different looks differently. You really need to go see for yourself the the way the competitors look in the organization and show where you want to compete.
Once you have chosen an organization and decided that you do have the development necessary to compete in that organization, you need to look at your life and see if you can fit contest preparation into it.
Successful contest preparation is a life consuming process. It takes far more time than most people could ever imagine. If you also work a regular job, as most of us do, then you have to find the time to fit in all your necessary training and posing practice around your regular work hours.
This means you may have to be up and in the gym before dawn, and back at the gym after work. The training schedule you have to follow may mean you have to find different ways of getting food prepared for your family, or it may mean that you have to cook two completely different sets of meals everyday. One for you, and one for your family. ( this of course depends on your particular family situation ).
Anyway, long story short, you have to be able to get the things done you have to do in your regular life, and still be able to devote the time necessary to training.
If you have decided that you are in a place that will allow you that type of dedication, then you have to make a list of everything you have to have and do.
If you are a male competitior, luckily, the expense for clothes isn't that bad.
A decent pair of posing trunks will cost you $30-40$. For the women, it's a WHOLE different story.
If you are a Figure competitor you are going to have to get shoes, and two posing suits. If you haven't priced them, posing suits AREN'T CHEAP.
Kendra's suits that she wears now typically cost about $450 - $550 EACH.
Now, when you are starting out, you can usually find someone to make them for less. However, you should plan on spending at least $250-$300 for entry level suits. If you are a Fitness competitor, don't forget you have to have a third Fitness routine suit, which will run you at least as much, depending on your preference. ( Note - You will probably need to contact the person making your clothes AT LEAST 3-4 months before your competition in order to get them made in time )
Don't forget finding the right shoes, which will probably run another $50-$75. ( Maybe less depending on where you get them, but don't buy them too cheap. You don't want the strap to break while you are on stage - This happenend to Kendra in her first show )
OK, so once you are lined out as far as clothes go, you need to look into the fees required to enter the competition.
Many organizations require you to join their organization before you can enter one of their competitions. The NPC charges $65 for one calendar year membership. Remember that means if you buy your NPC card in October, it expires 2 months later, and the price isn't pro rated. So, be sure not to buy your NPC card until the beginning of the year that you are going to compete.
Then there will be an entry fee for the competition. Most organizations charge about $50-$75 per class that you want to enter. Sometimes they give you a price break if you enter a second class, but it usually isn't a big break.
Alright. Now you have decided you have the body to compete in your organization, you have your clothes on the way, and you have entered.
Let's look at the rest of the costs associated with competing.
1) Food - Although less expensive than eating out everyday, food items like boneless skinless chicken breasts can get expensive when you are eating 6 times per day, everyday.
2) Supplements - This can vary widely depending on what supplements you use. Normal OTC supplements get expensive. There is a whole other level of expense for those competitors who, shall we say, decide to use "additional supplementation".
3) Coach - If this is your first time competing, you definitely need to work with someone who can teach you the proper way to stand, pose, and handle yourself on stage. This is completely separate from the need for a traininer in the gym. You need someone with competition experience who can teach you what to do. You may be able to find someone to help you for free, but you might also have to pay for this.
4) Gym Trainer and/or Nutritionist. - You can learn a lot from reading these boards, but depending on your level of experience in the gym, you may need someone to help you develop your training and nutrition plan, and tweak it as necessary as you go along.
5 ) Tanning. I recommend getting an all over base tan before applying the necessary tanning products to compete. I know some competitors don't do this, but I feel most people look better if they have a good natural color before applying the necessary tanning products.
As for tanning products, make sure you order these far enough ahead of time to be sure you have them. Your color is very important, and whichever product you choose to use, make sure you have it, and enough of it, at least a month before your competition.
6) Travel costs. - You may be fortunate enough to have your contest in your home town, but often you have to travel to your show. Don't forget to budget in the cost of your hotel, food for the weekend, travel costs to and from the destination, etc.
Also remember that even though the contest may only be one day, you will probably be there at least two nights. There is almost always a required competitors meeting that occurs the evening before the show, so you need to get into town a day early. Also, you will probably be pretty tired after the evening finals on show day, so don't assume that you'll just be able to get in the car and drive home 3-4 hours after your show. Best to get the hotel for at least 2 nights so you can relax and have fun.
Well, hopefully those things can help you make a determination of when you will be ready to compete. There really is a LOT more to competition than simply doing some extra cardio and practicing your posing. It's a very time consuming, and sometimes exhausting process, but for those of us who enjoy it, it's also incredibly rewarding.
Good luck with your training and I look forward to hearing about your future competitions! Please let me know if you need any additional information.
- EME
www.MichaelElias.com
www.KendraElias.com ( New Updated Site! )
I am in a hurry to compete myself, but i've been told you really need to wait until you are finacially and emotionally ready. For one, I don't have enough muscle built up myself, so that ends that.. for another, I'll be moving in a few months, graduating college, looking for a job.. so things like that are going to be key in determining competition times for me in the future. I recommend you read some of the articles on the main page about what to expect when you compete, because there are a lot of fees and products and things like that, that you will need that you might overlook.. i never realized just how much goes into it all! :) Good luck!