Here’s What I Wish I Knew Before My First Bodybuilding Competition

Preparing for and participating in a bodybuilding competition builds more than just muscle

Last week, I was thrilled when a friend expressed interest in competing. I always say I think everyone (who can) should compete at least once in their lifetime. Why? Because it builds character.

In July 2019, I stepped on stage as an amateur Figure competitor in a National Physique Committee (NPC) show in Vegas. Here are a few things I wish I knew before I dove in headfirst that January.

Research coaches on social media.

Start with the big guys like Team Pro Physique and click your way through the people they tag and give shoutouts too. Soon you’ll find yourself deep in the bodybuilder’s side of the internet on YouTube, Reddit, and some old school forums too with all the recommendations you need.

Find competitors that look like you.

Many coaches have a one-off regular person whom they trained to competitor status. Don’t be fooled. Find those with numerous “average” clients or generally those that look like you. It’s easier for a full-time personal trainer or college athlete to transform their physique.

Interview a few coaches.

Your coach will be your fairy godmother. Their word is gospel, so you want to be able to trust them with your body. Think of what your top priorities are. A team with a Facebook Group for motivation? Cheap price? A local coach to check in in person? Someone who can compassionately push you? A militant? Mickey Goldmill? What categories do they specialize in? What is realistic for your body type?

Only listen to your coach.

Congratulations! You found a coach. Now listen to them. There’s too much information out there and once people find out you’re training to compete, they’ll happily offer unsolicited advice. “cut”, “shred”, “bulk”, “water depletion”, “macros”, so many buzzwords. Skip the bro-science YouTube videos and any shortcuts, tips, and tricks from anyone but the one you’re paying and checking in with weekly.

If coach says carb-cycle, then you carb-cycle. If not, don’t.

Know that many people are on steroids.

You don’t have to be on performance-enhancing drugs but know the playing field isn’t leveled. (Unless you enter a natural “natty” show where competitors are tested). Don’t feel discouraged on show day when you look around you. Your journey is yours.

You need more time than you think.

I thought 7 months was enough, but in hindsight, I probably should have prepped for at least 9 months. It takes a few weeks to get your mind right and rid yourself of your emotional crutches and vices (e.g., alcohol, ice cream, DoorDash entirely). You also don’t want to rush your body and take extreme measures that could lead to burnout.

Even black people need a tan.

Consider it getting “glazed” the night before the show and again the morning of. It’s to showcase your muscle definition and even out your skin tone, rather than a “tan” per se. Don’t forget NOT to wear deodorant or lotion before your tan. #AshyWelcomedHere

It won’t resolve disorderly eating.

In fact, it could make it worse when you look back at old pictures of how fit you were on stage compared to what you see in the mirror. The images don’t tell the story of you being “glazed”, dehydrated, famished, and posing in a very strategic way for the judges.

It’s an optical illusion.

Nevertheless, your standard of “fit” and “fat” will likely become a tad unhealthy, and body dysmorphia* is right around the corner if you aren’t careful. Therapy is highly recommended to focus on developing a healthy relationship with food, especially around hormones and emotions. Whatever is keeping you from being fit now will likely keep you from hitting peak physique.

It will cost you financially.

Consider the following in the months leading up to show day:

• Training + nutrition coach (My coach was ~$1800 for 16 weeks)
• Protein powder
• Pre-workout
• Supplements (whatever your coach says)
• Food scale
• Meal container set and accompanying bag (think 6 meals a day)
• Water bottle (yes, you’ll be one of those people lugging around a ginormous bottle everywhere)
• Show Registration (separate cost per category you register for)

Consider the following in the weeks leading up to show day

• Posing coach (if your coach doesn’t include in offerings)
• Hair
• Makeup
• Tan
• Nails
• Shoes
• Bikini ($250+ just to rent)
• Robe you’re OK getting tan residue on
• Hotel
• Transportation

In total, it cost me about $5,000 over the span of 7 months to compete.

It will cost you mentally.

Pushing yourself when you physically and mentally hit a wall is not for the faint of heart, especially during “Peak Week”. Yes, I cried on the treadmill. Many times. Spotify’s motivational speech playlists are truly the best — as well as the audio version of The Alchemist. Meal prep Sundays, hours at the gym, and weighing and measuring every single food item that you consume gets exhausting after a few months. There was a time I could not be in the same room as a string of asparagus or a fillet of tilapia.

It is really hard.

It’s new and unusual. What’s really hard is going against the grain in your habits and social culture.

Think happy hour with colleagues where you don’t drink, brunch with friends where you order egg whites and spinach “no butter, no oil, no salt”. Think about packing your meals with you everywhere you go. Afternoons at a coffee shop and you don’t even get a bagel.

Society socializes around food and competing can make you some kind of outcast.

It’s REALLY rewarding.

There are not a lot of opportunities in modern society for us to push ourselves and see concrete input of hard work and output of progress. You can’t guarantee a raise or promotion, or that the universe will be kind because you are a kind person. But one thing you can guarantee is that if you trust the process, you will see results.

Once you’re done — whatever the result, as long as you stuck it through to the end — you would’ve built confidence in your ability to do whatever you set your mind to.

*Still recovering mentally and physically, but writing this got me energized. Hope to compete again someday! Thank you for reading!

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