Want To Start Competing : Help Me Get On Track?

[InItForFitness]

Okay, so I've decided I would really like to try my hand at competing.

However I'm completely new to this whole process, the different divisions, what the competition level is like, what's typical physiques are like at each level, etc. and could use A LOT of help in deciding which level/division would best suit me, and the steps to preparing for my first contest.

I asked this in the contest section already but have received no answers, so hopefully some of you guys have experience competing and can offer some advice.

My stats :
5'6"
151 lbs
I'd have to guess around 12% bf (can post pics if you guys would like/it would help)

I'll be competing in North Carolina (don't know if anyone here is from NC or has experience competing here)

I'm looking at the NPC site, upcoming competitions, criteria, etc.
From the looks of it, I feel like I'd be best competing either Open Fitness or Open Men's Physique (up to 5'7")

My questions for you guys :
1. What is the best division/level for a beginner to competition?
2. Should I do an open level or stay in a weight/height range to restrict my competition?
3. If in a certain weight class, what weight class would be best for a guy my height?
4. What is the average body type/physique for Open Fitness or Open Men's Physique levels?
5. How far out do you guys start cutting?
6. If I was to consider a BB division would it be best to compete at Bantam (up to 143lbs) or Light weight (143-154)

[TomBremner]

just being honest, i dont think you have enough LBM and would look to small at contest lean. i would say bulk for another year or so

[psychodiver9]

just being honest, i dont think you have enough LBM and would look to small at contest lean. i would say bulk for another year or so

This was my initial thought as well but hesitated to post as I have 0 experience in BB.

[InItForFitness]

just being honest, i dont think you have enough LBM and would look to small at contest lean. i would say bulk for another year or so

This was my initial thought as well but hesitated to post as I have 0 experience in BB.

Any suggestions are appreciated and taken into consideration.
I also felt I was still a bit small, however after looking through the rules and regulations and judging criteria there were just a few reasons I took into consideration staying around this weight.

BB Bantamweight class is up to 148lbs

Or for physique/fitness they say that over muscularity is cause to be marked down, now I'm not saying I'm overly muscular, just wouldn't wanna push the boundary since I am only 5'6.

Thanks for the suggestions though, I will most likely be waiting until spring/summer '14 before I go for my first competition.

[TomBremner]

Any suggestions are appreciated and taken into consideration.
I also felt I was still a bit small, however after looking through the rules and regulations and judging criteria there were just a few reasons I took into consideration staying around this weight.

BB Bantamweight class is up to 148lbs

Or for physique/fitness they say that over muscularity is cause to be marked down, now I'm not saying I'm overly muscular, just wouldn't wanna push the boundary since I am only 5'6.

Thanks for the suggestions though, I will most likely be waiting until spring/summer '14 before I go for my first competition.

you do realize from 12% to contest lean you are going to lose about 15 pounds right?

[Lvisaa2]

You need mass. Getting contest lean will make you look awful. Your short term goal should be your weight now in contest shape. That means you need at least an offseason or two. A physique is a long term process. You can't just jump in and expect to look respectable shredded. It takes building up a muscle base and muscle quality - that simply takes time

[TomBremner]

You need mass. Getting contest lean will make you look awful. Your short term goal should be your weight now in contest shape. That means you need at least an offseason or two. A physique is a long term process. You can't just jump in and expect to look respectable shredded. It takes building up a muscle base and muscle quality - that simply takes time

forever on spread

[MASSter]

You need mass. Getting contest lean will make you look awful. Your short term goal should be your weight now in contest shape. That means you need at least an offseason or two. A physique is a long term process. You can't just jump in and expect to look respectable shredded. It takes building up a muscle base and muscle quality - that simply takes time

God has spoken. OP....good luck in your journey. Gonna take a bit but still an achievable goal if you stick to it.

[InItForFitness]

you do realize from 12% to contest lean you are going to lose about 15 pounds right?

I was actually wondering how much weight I'd be looking at losing to drop to competition BF% thank you.

You need mass. Getting contest lean will make you look awful. Your short term goal should be your weight now in contest shape. That means you need at least an offseason or two. A physique is a long term process. You can't just jump in and expect to look respectable shredded. It takes building up a muscle base and muscle quality - that simply takes time

Seems like this is the common thought, and as arrogant/stubborn as I may be I can at least see when an obvious answer is in front of me, so Ill to your guys route and not even consider competition until the 2014 season (probably mid summer or fall). Hopefully this should give me enough time to build a solid muscle base to cut.
I understand completely this won't be an overnight process and wasn't looking to compete next month or anything, just wanted to start getting my information together on it so when I feel like I'm ready I at least have a basic understanding of what's going on.

God has spoken. OP....good luck in your journey. Gonna take a bit but still an achievable goal if you stick to it.

Appreciate it man, I'll be doing plenty of updates and will probably be in and out asking questions throughout the process.

[Lvisaa2]

I'd consider starting a log. If you aren't familiar with them then browse some other ones and find what type of log is your style. IMO, logs are great tool especially for getting your feet wet, getting some good tips, and staying accountable/motivated. Later you may decide logging isn't for you, but I think most can benefit from keeping an active log at least for a little while

[InItForFitness]

I'd consider starting a log. If you aren't familiar with them then browse some other ones and find what type of log is your style. IMO, logs are great tool especially for getting your feet wet, getting some good tips, and staying accountable/motivated. Later you may decide logging isn't for you, but I think most can benefit from keeping an active log at least for a little while

Yeah I tried logging for the CelluCor challenge, but got inactive and lazy with it (no excuses).
Im going to wait until the contest is over and I start on my goal to NPC Competition (3 weeks until contest ends).

[snorkelman]

BB Bantamweight class is up to 148lbs

This is an example at an international level of what wins that weight class.




Here is an example of what places #1 in the midwestern states, junior USA, junior nationals, and in the NPC nationals he placed #6 and #10 in that weight class:

[Lvisaa2]

Can I ask why you chose NPC? Are you planning on doing what is required to be competitive in the NPC? If not, I think you could find a more suiting fed

[InItForFitness]

This is an example at an international level of what wins that weight class.




Here is an example of what places #1 in the midwestern states, junior USA, junior nationals, and in the NPC nationals he placed #6 and #10 in that weight class:

Holy ****...well thanks for the idea of where I need to be at least
However I'm strongly thinking of going physique/fitness not BB.

Can I ask why you chose NPC? Are you planning on doing what is required to be competitive in the NPC? If not, I think you could find a more suiting fed

It just seems like NPC is the big name out there, would be the toughest competition, and I take pride in never settling, I wouldn't want to win against anything less than the best competition available.
Of course ill be putting in all the effort required for this.

[Lvisaa2]

Holy ****...well thanks for the idea of where I need to be at least
However I'm strongly thinking of going physique/fitness not BB.



It just seems like NPC is the big name out there, would be the toughest competition, and I take pride in never settling, I wouldn't want to win against anything less than the best competition available.
Of course ill be putting in all the effort required for this.

I wasn't talking about effort

[InItForFitness]

I wasn't talking about effort

What so you mean than?

[Lvisaa2]

What so you mean than?

Unless you plan to juice then find another fed. Look at the above physiques. Do you think those are natty?

[InItForFitness]

Unless you plan to juice then find another fed. Look at the above physiques. Do you think those are natty?

Oh okay, definitely not planning on taking that route, I was wondering how in the hell they could look so big at 148, unless they're like 5'1 or something.
So what are some good Feds you'd suggest looking into?

[Gxp23]

would sub to your log, interested in progress you can make men.

[InItForFitness]

would sub to your log, interested in progress you can make men.

It'll be up soon.
Once I hear back from Lvisa on these other Feds to look into and make a more educated decision than I'll get underway.

Edit : The INBA or PNBA look like they could be good. Thoughts?

[Leprechauns1021]

Unless you plan to juice then find another fed. Look at the above physiques. Do you think those are natty?

u dont know that for sure. When you kill it in the gym every day, eat perfectly clean every meal and give it 100% for a decade u will be surprised what u can get natty.

[Lvisaa2]

u dont know that for sure. When you kill it in the gym every day, eat perfectly clean every meal and give it 100% for a decade u will be surprised what u can get natty.

Cam, we can't all be genetic freaks like you.

As to Feds, I'm not sure. Others would be better equipped to answer. No matter what, people can slip through the cracks, but there are Feds with more rigorous testing. I do know the NPC, though, and don't think it is a good choice

[InItForFitness]

Cam, we can't all be genetic freaks like you.

As to Feds, I'm not sure. Others would be better equipped to answer. No matter what, people can slip through the cracks, but there are Feds with more rigorous testing. I do know the NPC, though, and don't think it is a good choice

Thanks for the advice.
I'll keep searching around for a different Fed to compete in, the PNBA looks a little better, even the BB division competitors aren't very big (in comparison to the NPC).

[psychodiver9]

It'll be up soon.
Once I hear back from Lvisa on these other Feds to look into and make a more educated decision than I'll get underway.

Edit : The INBA or PNBA look like they could be good. Thoughts?

Stop worrying so much about which fed. You have a minimum of 1 year to bulb before you are even close to thinking about starting to cut for a show

[germaine07]

Matt Ogus is your height. Started his cut at ~190lb and competing ~155-160lb. You could use that as a reference.