First Time Competitor

[lakegirl]

I am about to sign up for my first figure competition on August 1st (the Capital of Texas Round-Up), and I need some help as well, if you don't mind!! =)

Currently my workout schedule is:
Mon - Back
Tues - shoulders
Wed - Legs
Thurs - Cardio
Fri - Rest
Sat - Bis/Tris
Sun - Legs

I'm having a hard time deciding when the best time to do cardio is. In the morning and do 2-a-days, after I lift weights, before I lift weights? What will give me the best results?

I am 5'10" 146 lbs and 16% bf.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Morgan

[Firecracker311]

I have absolutely got to bump this thread!

Same Situation! =]

[Whomper107]

In my experience doing a 2 a day is best. Do your weight training whenever you are at your best (morning or night), and your cardio the other half of the day. Doing them separately prevents the exhaustion you will suffer from weight training to cut into your cardio, and vice versa. I do not have a ton of experience with contest prep, but this is what has worked well for me and left me feeling good all day.

With your split however, you are working out 5 days in a row, and your two off days are stacked (the cardio day and the off day). You will likely need a rest/cardio day interspersed so you are never lifting more than 3 days in a row, as the two a days will be very taxing on your body. Best of luck to you, you look great.

[dvsness]

Originally Posted by lakegirl

I'm having a hard time deciding when the best time to do cardio is. In the morning and do 2-a-days, after I lift weights, before I lift weights? What will give me the best results?

I am 5'10" 146 lbs and 16% bf.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Morgan

Taper up your cardio as necessary or as your comp gets closer. There is no reason to be doing 2 a days now for an August show. Just do your cardio after lifting, and add in AM cardio when you need it.

[lilswollt]

Originally Posted by dvsness

Taper up your cardio as necessary or as your comp gets closer. There is no reason to be doing 2 a days now for an August show. Just do your cardio after lifting, and add in AM cardio when you need it.

i agree there is plenty time before august,but then you dont want to wait until last minute for me 3 days a week until about six weeks out i usually to increase day or two first thing in the morning o a empty stomach

Good Luck

[hbat464]

I feel the same.
cardio in the morning is the best.
but you have a lot of time to dial in.
Cardio 30 mins post workout.

[lakegirl]

Originally Posted by hbat464

I feel the same.
cardio in the morning is the best.
but you have a lot of time to dial in.
Cardio 30 mins post workout.

Thanks. I have changed up my routine quite a bit since you all have made comments.

Sun - Legs
Mon - Cardio (45 min)
Tues - Upper Body (30 min cardio)
Wed - Legs
Thurs - Cardio (45 min)
Fri - Rest
Sat - Upper Body (20-30 min)

When it gets closer to my competition, I will do cardio in the mornings instead of after my workouts.

Thanks for the input!

[Nick Helm]

keep up the good work. I wouldn't start doing lots of cardio until about 12 weeks before the show. If you only want to lose 10 lbs, then it should be easy. As for cardio, I like 2 a days, but if you only want to go once, then do the cardio at the end of your workout. You'll burn more fat, and have better lifting sessions than if you did it the other way around. Good Luck!

[Hotfitmom82]

I am doing my first show in November... my training looks like this;

Mon- Back & 20min cardio
Tues- Chest/Tri's & 20min cardio
Wed- OFF
Thurs- Bootcamp-25min
Fri- Hamstrings/Shoulders
Sat- Quads/Bi's
Sun- OFF

I feel great throughout the week, having wed and thurs off from lifting (for the most part....I do some light weight in the bootcamp on Thurs but nothing major).. I eat well, basic diet now since I'm 35 wks out. I do 20 min cardio 3 times a week, nothing more, nothing less. I don't need anything more or less right now. I think you should be lifting more and bulking up now if your show is in Aug but you know what your body responds too so just go with that. I would reccommend a trainer/coach. I hired one. She just tweaked my workouts a little for now, but when it comes to crunch time, she'll be there to pin point EVERYTHING I need to do. Takes the "newbie" out of competing. I highly recommend hiring someone. It'll make your life easier. Good luck! Hopefully I'll see you at a show.