Considering Competing (NPC Bikini)

[Cteague1]

I have been training for some time now and beginning to develop a stronger interest in the competition world. Could someone please give me some tips on how to get started? Is a coach/posing coach necessary to succeed? How far out should I really begin 'prep'? Any ideas, suggestions, or insight would be very helpful! Interested in NPC Bikini. Planning to compete in October!

[sdcollier]

I have been training for some time now and beginning to develop a stronger interest in the competition world. Could someone please give me some tips on how to get started? Is a coach/posing coach necessary to succeed? How far out should I really begin 'prep'? Any ideas, suggestions, or insight would be very helpful! Interested in NPC Bikini. Planning to compete in October!

I did my first prep totally on my own. I spent a lot of time reading information online (it can be overwhelming at times) and then watched a ton of youtube videos on posing. My honest opinion is that if you are watching your $$ then try and prep for your first show without a coach there are plenty of other costs (tan, heels, suit, make-up, registration and membership fee's, bikini bite, etc.). I feel like your fist show is kinda about the experience and if after your first show you want to do another then invest in a coach. Here are my recommendations,

1. Have your tan professionally done.
2. If you can do your own make-up well then try and do that on your own.
3. You can get a great suit under $200, but it would be easy to spend way over that and its not necessarily needed.
4. You can post pics on this site and people will give you honest feedback on areas you need to work on.
5. A 16 week prep is good anything longer you might go a little crazy and anything shorter you better be on your game 110%.

With all that said I did two show preps on my own (didn't place) and now that I am comfortable with the experience I have hired an awesome coach that will get me ready for my next one because I want to place. You could end up doing one show and not liking it at all and a good coach is easily going to cost you $1000 or more for your prep. If you do a show and want to take thing farther then a good coach is invaluable. Best of luck!

[Cteague1]

I did my first prep totally on my own. I spent a lot of time reading information online (it can be overwhelming at times) and then watched a ton of youtube videos on posing. My honest opinion is that if you are watching your $$ then try and prep for your first show without a coach there are plenty of other costs (tan, heels, suit, make-up, registration and membership fee's, bikini bite, etc.). I feel like your fist show is kinda about the experience and if after your first show you want to do another then invest in a coach. Here are my recommendations,

1. Have your tan professionally done.
2. If you can do your own make-up well then try and do that on your own.
3. You can get a great suit under $200, but it would be easy to spend way over that and its not necessarily needed.
4. You can post pics on this site and people will give you honest feedback on areas you need to work on.
5. A 16 week prep is good anything longer you might go a little crazy and anything shorter you better be on your game 110%.

With all that said I did two show preps on my own (didn't place) and now that I am comfortable with the experience I have hired an awesome coach that will get me ready for my next one because I want to place. You could end up doing one show and not liking it at all and a good coach is easily going to cost you $1000 or more for your prep. If you do a show and want to take thing farther then a good coach is invaluable. Best of luck!

Thank you for your advise!

[TJP33]

I recommend a prep coach for any first time competitor.. Even if you have a solid plan, things happen and adjustments need to be made, plus its very difficult for some to evaluate their own physique to know when changes need to be made and when not to.

It can be costly, but if you have the means its a great investment- even if you don't compete again, if you take notes along the way you can learn a great deal from your coach, how your body responds and the best approach for you (from a GOOD coach- not one handing out cookie cutter diets).

I used Jason Theobald from Scoobyprep- nothing but good things to say about him, and compared to others Ive seen his pricing is a deal.

[Cteague1]

I recommend a prep coach for any first time competitor.. Even if you have a solid plan, things happen and adjustments need to be made, plus its very difficult for some to evaluate their own physique to know when changes need to be made and when not to.

It can be costly, but if you have the means its a great investment- even if you don't compete again, if you take notes along the way you can learn a great deal from your coach, how your body responds and the best approach for you (from a GOOD coach- not one handing out cookie cutter diets).

I used Jason Theobald from Scoobyprep- nothing but good things to say about him, and compared to others Ive seen his pricing is a deal.

Are online coaches just as effective as in person coaches? Would you suggest a posing coach?

[TJP33]

I think seeing the coaches in person would be great, but its going to depend on your area.. Around here, most coaches are competitors who have only competed once or twice and caught the bug and think they now have what it takes- I'd avoid these guys, realistically your gonna be given a copy of what they did in the belief of what works for one works for all- not the case. A good coach will have an individual plan made just for you, and by monitoring. A coach you see in person will have an easier time monitoring you, online coaches have weekly progress pics, maybe Skype, weight charts, and your feedback. Your feedback is very important- how your feeling, what you see, if your really sticking to the plan. More info the better.
Posing- like above, youtube was a great source. Also asking others who have competed for help.

[kschloem]

I just competed in my first two shows the last two weeks. I strongly suggest getting a coach. You really have to work in posing a lot. I placed second in my first show and third in two classes and first in one in my second show I was too four for pro qualifier. Without a coach I would definitely not been able to do that. The only thing most of the judges said I needed to work in was my posing. Practice practice practice. I also suggest doing an if it fits your macros (iifym) diet because you will not go as insane becaus you can structure your own meals. Competing is extremely expensive so keep that in mind. Between coaching, food, posing, suit, tan, heels, supplements, jewelery, memberships, show registration fees. It's very pricey. I started my prep about 16 weeks ahead of time which was plenty of time. When you do compete be yourself. Don't try to fit in the "bikini" stereotype if it's not you. Be you be confident and be sexy. That's what they want to see. The judges at my one show as well as a couple seasoned competitors suggested I try npc this fall because they look for a more "hard" look in their bikini girls. I just competed in ocb which goes either way. So it's good to try different organizations to see which is best for you and your body.

[ABlack1982]

I am currently working with a "Coach" but I feel like a number. I am thinking about prepping the remaining time on my own. Whatever coach you do chose, learn from my mistake, make sure they are 100% invested in you as well.

[hhshred]

I have been training for some time now and beginning to develop a stronger interest in the competition world. Could someone please give me some tips on how to get started? Is a coach/posing coach necessary to succeed? How far out should I really begin 'prep'? Any ideas, suggestions, or insight would be very helpful! Interested in NPC Bikini. Planning to compete in October!

There is tons of information out there that you can really learn a lot from, but its completely different when you step out on the stage. I have done two preps on my own and I would have done a lot better had I received some coaching. If you have your diet down, that's not too big of an issue, but posing is a different story! I would highly recommend getting a coach. Often times the judges coach, so if you are going to do a local show, look into the judges and see if they are available for coaching. A nutritionist will really help when it gets down to the last final weeks. Knowing how to manipulate carbs, fats, and protein can either help you look full and shredded on stage or flat and depleted. I would not say it is necessary, but you will definitely do better if you have some coaching.

FWI: Bikini is a HUGE division. Every girl that thinks they have a decent body is doing it nowadays. It is very hard to select a top 5 when you have 50 girls on stage that all look the same. I personally think that figure is a better division that really separates those who work hard and those who just look good.

[Champ0512]

i would definitely suggest getting a coach. Even the best competitors have coaches! They help you tremendously depending on the coach you got. It would definitely be more beneficial to have coach you can meet up with as they can help you with your posing and critiquing your physique a lot better. Not only do they help with posing but most coaches also know a lot about nutrition and lifting, so they can normally come up with a diet plan and lifting plan for you to help you look your best on show day. Anyways good luck for the future!