Bikini or Figure?

[SarahB13]

I've been lurking around here for quite a few months but don't really post or respond to much but rather just read and read and read.

I hope this doesn't sound like a really noob question but for someone who wants to get started in competing is it easier to do a bikini comp first?

I really love the look of figure competitors & my goal is to compete in a competition. The reason I ask is because it's my goal to get on stage before the year is over but I think I still have quite a bit of work to go. My logic behind this assumption would be that bikini would be easier to start since figure girls are more lean and muscular and perhaps if I started with bikini it would be at least a good chance to get on stage and give the whole competing thing a chance. I plan to hire a trainer at the end of the summer but just wanted to get some input. thanks!

[Kkel7]

There is a thread in the stickies on this part of the forum titled "Realistic Goals and Competing". I would highly suggest reading it before the thought of competing crosses your mind. There are some very knowledgeable women in that thread! I'm unable to link to it since I have well under 50 posts.

While I'm not an experienced lifter yet, I see the same principles in running. Someone starts running and instantly they seem to think "Oh I need to run a marathon in my first year of running". Sure, you'll probably cross the finish line but you will not have prepared with the proper base.

[SarahB13]

Yea thanks for the input. I will read more into the stickies. I have been lifting 8 months and have made pretty good gains but need to cut body fat desperately. My whole thing is I am motivated by events and the thrill of competition!!

[GypsyLu]

Hey there! I'm in the same position as you are, sarah. I want to be a figure competitor, but I am wanting to compete in Bikini first for the same reasongs you mentioned...the experience of being on stage. I would like to have a more realistic idea of ewhat it's like to be on stage and be more prepared before I do my first figure show. I want to already feel more comfortable with being on stage before my first figure show. Plus, i would think its a good way of proving you know how to gain and transform your body for figure from bikini. But, I could be wrong, I've never competed so I really dont know from experience. Good luck with all your fitness goals!

[TheAmazon]

As a current fattie who has no intention of stepping on teh stage, since ya'll really want to do figure anyway why not just train right now , save up the cash, get your posing together, etc etc, and then go do figure for your first show?

[sy2502]

Yea thanks for the input. I will read more into the stickies. I have been lifting 8 months and have made pretty good gains but need to cut body fat desperately. My whole thing is I am motivated by events and the thrill of competition!!

If you have only been lifting for 8 months, you probably don't have the muscle mass required for Figure.

[Sawa3]

Well what are you doing for training? are you doing cardio and weights? Tracking calories? How much progress have you had in the 8 months you have been lifting?
Figure is more about the muscle tone and so one. Have you spoken with anyone who has done it yet? Either shows?

I've been lurking around here for quite a few months but don't really post or respond to much but rather just read and read and read.

I hope this doesn't sound like a really noob question but for someone who wants to get started in competing is it easier to do a bikini comp first?

I really love the look of figure competitors & my goal is to compete in a competition. The reason I ask is because it's my goal to get on stage before the year is over but I think I still have quite a bit of work to go. My logic behind this assumption would be that bikini would be easier to start since figure girls are more lean and muscular and perhaps if I started with bikini it would be at least a good chance to get on stage and give the whole competing thing a chance. I plan to hire a trainer at the end of the summer but just wanted to get some input. thanks!

[megdaig]

Looking at your avi you'll new a few years of building for figure.

Bikini on the other hand is about being fairly soft, slim, but with just enough muscle to achieve the proportions they are looking for. Just know that bikini is more about the T&A factor rather than exemplifying an athletic feminine physique

[SarahB13]

I started a bulk from oct2011 to Jan 2012. I know it wasn't a long enough period but I have to get weighed for the army and I couldn't weight anymore than 145 so for the next 2 months after(feb and march) I just ate at maintenance and continued to lift heavy. I have been lifting 4 days a week and cardio 4 days a week ranging from HIIT, running, and some low intensity stuff for about 30-45 each session. Now I really am starting my cut. I track my calories about 1500 per day. I aim around 130g protein & carbs and 40g fat. I track my numbers pretty religiously but they aren't always 100% bc I'm in college and eat off and meal plan and my own foods I buy but I try to stick to it as best as possible. I appreciate the advice. I realize I probably don't have enough muscle to be seriously competitive yet but I'm itching to compete! It sounds like I should try out bikini then for an end of a year competition. Like I said, I plan to hire a trainer during the summer but I just wanted to get a feel for what everyone thought on here. Thanks!

[Sawa3]

I started a bulk from oct2011 to Jan 2012. I know it wasn't a long enough period but I have to get weighed for the army and I couldn't weight anymore than 145 so for the next 2 months after(feb and march) I just ate at maintenance and continued to lift heavy. I have been lifting 4 days a week and cardio 4 days a week ranging from HIIT, running, and some low intensity stuff for about 30-45 each session. Now I really am starting my cut. I track my calories about 1500 per day. I aim around 130g protein & carbs and 40g fat. I track my numbers pretty religiously but they aren't always 100% bc I'm in college and eat off and meal plan and my own foods I buy but I try to stick to it as best as possible. I appreciate the advice. I realize I probably don't have enough muscle to be seriously competitive yet but I'm itching to compete! It sounds like I should try out bikini then for an end of a year competition. Like I said, I plan to hire a trainer during the summer but I just wanted to get a feel for what everyone thought on here. Thanks!

I would work on cycles of cutting and maintaining. If you are military they are giving you time for the gym right? If not they should be since you have PT tests to pass for them. Keep lifting and running. It will pay off. It just takes time. I generally work out 5-6 days a week. Good luck!
Are you using a trainer to get ideas for what to do or for motivation?

[SarahB13]

Back in November I had started the Jamie Eason Live Fit trainer. I needed a plan that was simple and basic since I was just starting out. Right now I am just using online resources and bodybuilding.com and hitting shoulders, bis back, tris and chest, and legs throughout the week using about 6-8 exercises 8-10 rep range at the moment and throwing in some compound and Olympic lifts in here and there. I really want to follow a program but the problem is I NEED to run at least 4 days a week to maintain my 2 mile time for the army pt test. SO basically when I have started a program in the past I just follow the lifting portion. But if anyone has a good program please throw it my way! Thanks
For the army rotc here in school we don't use the weight room but do more bodyweight stuff so I don't really count as very substantial into my training.

[Sawa3]

Back in November I had started the Jamie Eason Live Fit trainer. I needed a plan that was simple and basic since I was just starting out. Right now I am just using online resources and bodybuilding.com and hitting shoulders, bis back, tris and chest, and legs throughout the week using about 6-8 exercises 8-10 rep range at the moment and throwing in some compound and Olympic lifts in here and there. I really want to follow a program but the problem is I NEED to run at least 4 days a week to maintain my 2 mile time for the army pt test. SO basically when I have started a program in the past I just follow the lifting portion. But if anyone has a good program please throw it my way! Thanks
For the army rotc here in school we don't use the weight room but do more bodyweight stuff so I don't really count as very substantial into my training.

Running can be very helpful! It's a great calorie burn. The more you lift and the more you run the better your 2 mile time will get!
Keep a variety.. write down your progress so you can see your improvements. Do any rotation you want for lifting. I lift 3-4 days a week.. There are times I do upper body lower body split (2 days each split). I have also split it into days like chest/arms, legs, and back/shoulders. I do core work just about every work out.
Keep it up!

[lSOFit]

Ive competed in a bikini and was actually very suprised at how much of a variety in body types there were, some girls including me had a soft muscle look (i was under the impression thats what they wanted) and the rest of girls looked as if they should have been in figure. The figure bodied girls placed in the top, which i thought didnt make much sense. so in my opinion i would just take your time and really build your body so that you can compete in figure, where the judging criteria is much clearer.
As far as training, it sounds like youve got a good thing going, but it reallly all comes down to diet.
Best of luck to you!

[sy2502]

Ive competed in a bikini and was actually very suprised at how much of a variety in body types there were, some girls including me had a soft muscle look (i was under the impression thats what they wanted) and the rest of girls looked as if they should have been in figure. The figure bodied girls placed in the top, which i thought didnt make much sense. so in my opinion i would just take your time and really build your body so that you can compete in figure, where the judging criteria is much clearer.
As far as training, it sounds like youve got a good thing going, but it reallly all comes down to diet.
Best of luck to you!

I have never competed but I would imagine a good idea would be to check out the top placing contestants from, say, the previous year, and see what the judges seemed to like best.

[AUTiger13]

Have you picked a federation? That will also dictate what look you need to achieve