Body Building Resources




Should You Compete? Eight Things to Consider Before Joining a Body Building Competition
By Jean Lam

Do you have what it takes to win at a body building competition? For many people, a desire to win can be a great motivator-and for others, just the thought of having to stand up on stage in a skimpy outfit can be enough to make them work out harder. Participating in a competition can be a great experience for any body builder-it gives you the opportunity to meet other enthusiasts, show off your progress, and work toward a specific goal.

But it's not all fun and games. To succeed in a body building competition, your body needs to be in top shape. Here are a few factors for success in any body building contest.

No distractions. Getting in shape for a contest requires intense concentration and commitment. If you have a lot going on in your life-a demanding work or school schedule, personal drama, or other distractions-you may not be able to focus a hundred percent on your fitness efforts. Many body builders fail to win because outside pressure from other areas of their lives interfered with their workout schedule, their diet restrictions, or their mental concentration.

Dietary discipline. To get into competition shape, you need to burn more calories than you consume. It's that simple. You'll need to commit to a "clean" diet and a more frequent eating schedule than most people are used to, without slipping or missing a meal, for weeks or even months on end. If you don't stick religiously to your diet, you'll undermine all the hard work you do at the gym.

Physical toughness. When you burn many more calories than you consume, your body takes a beating. Stick to a restricted-calorie diet while performing intense weight and cardio workouts, and you'll be more prone to injury and strain. You'll need to be careful-but you'll also need to keep going. The body builders who can keep motivated are the ones who succeed on stage.

The right lifestyle. Lifestyle can make all the difference. To succeed at getting your body in top form for a competition, you'll need to plan your day strictly from multiple workouts per day to the time you get to rest. You'll have to stick to a regular eating schedule as well. If you've got a lot of unpredictable factors in your life, from work or family or school, your lifestyle may simply not allow you to do what you need to do to get into top shape. Training for a competition is an all-day commitment, even when you're not at the gym.

Compete for the right reason. Keeping motivated may be the single most important factor in deciding who shows up prepared to compete-and who doesn't. There's no right or wrong reason for joining a competition; there are only reasons that motivate you and reasons that don't. Winning may not be your most important goal; you may simply seek self-improvement or a chance to gain recognition from family and friends. But whatever your reason for joining a competition, it had better be a compelling one. Otherwise, you'll have a tough time sticking to the strict dietary restrictions and grueling exercise routines you'll need to get your body in competition shape.

Mind control. Every body builder hits plateaus. When training for a competition, it's important to keep your outlook positive. Are you a naturally optimistic person, or are you a pessimist? If you're the latter, you may have a more difficult time keeping motivated through the tough periods. Experienced competitors will often say success is more about controlling their thoughts than anything else-making sure their outlook stays positive and hopeful, no matter what.

The right look. It's not just about fitness-it's also about presentation. Tanning can make muscles look more defined, and most successful competitors tan regularly. For women, the right makeup and hairstyle can help create a good "look" for competition. You'll need to know how to pose to show off your muscle definition to best effect, as well.

Experienced help. Most people who win body building competitions get help from those with expert experience. These people can include physical trainers, but they can also include posing coaches; nutritionists; choreographers if you need to perform a fitness routine; and even costume, hair, and makeup consultants. If you have the time and financing to hire a professional to help you out, you have a good shot at winning. If you don't, bear in mind that you will be competing against those who do. If you have any friends with competition experience, take advantage of all the free advice they're willing to offer.

Success in any body building competition depends on commitment, mental and physical toughness, and a lifestyle that can accommodate a strict workout and diet schedule. If you have all these things, you've mastered the toughest part.

It often takes competitors many tries to win their first competition, and winning isn't everything when it comes to body building contests. You'll get a lot out of preparing for a contest, no matter how you do on the big day. If you don't win first place on your first try, don't worry-you'll still have learned a great deal. Preparing for a competition shows you what your body and mind are capable of. With this knowledge, you'll be even better prepared to succeed in your next competition.

About the author

Jean Lam is the webmaster of Body Building Resource which provides articles on weight training, nutrition and fitness, body building book and DVDs.


Body Building Articles - Weight Training, Proper Nutrition and Fitness

Recent Bodybuilding Articles and Resources
Best Thermogenic Whey Protein Powder

16 Cold Processed Whey Protein Isolate Powder Grass Fed Cows

Best Meal Prep Bags With Portion Control Food Storage Containers

25 Best Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate

Best Manuka Honey To Buy

Best Power Racks Under $1000 For Your Home Gym

Best Blenders to Buy to Make Protein Shakes

Best Calcium Magnesium Potassium Supplements For Sore Muscles

Best Home Gyms For $2000

24 Best Natural Protein Bars Without Sucralose

Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate

31 Best Vegan Protein Powder Without Stevia

Best Kettlebell Weights To Own For Workout

Best Whey Casein Protein Powder Blend

14 Best Natural Testosterone Booster Supplements For Working Out

Top 5 BCAA Powder Without Artificial Sweeteners/Sucralose

Best Fat Burners That Work Amazon

Best Branched Chain Amino Acid BCAA Supplements For Building Muscle

Best Fitness Watches With Heart Rate Monitor

Best Fish Oil Supplements For Bodybuilding

Best Spin Bike On The Market For Home Use

Best Stair Climber To Buy For Home Use - StairMaster SM5 StepMill

37 Best Grass Fed Cold Processed Whey Protein Concentrate

29 Best Whey Protein Powder For Building Muscle

Top 7 Pre Workout Without Artificial Sweeteners | Sucralose

7 Healthiest Whey Protein Powder On The Market

Is Turkey Good For Building Muscle?

Is Whey Protein Good For Building Muscle?

Is Salmon Good For Building Muscle?

Is Chicken Good For Building Muscle?

Are Hamburgers Good For Bodybuilding?

Battle Of The Sexes — The Difference Between Male And Female Fat Metabolism

12 Best Foods For Bulking Up For Bodybuilding

9 Best Protein Foods For Bodybuilding

How To Bulk Up Fast Hardgainer

Is Oatmeal Good For Bodybuilding?

20 Best Glutamine Powder Supplements On The Market

Are Kidney Beans Good For Bodybuilding?

7 Natural Ways To Lose Stomach Fat

Can You Build Muscle Mass With Calisthenics?

How To Get Big Muscles Fast Bodybuilding - 7 Tips

Skinny Guys Guide To Getting Big

Are Protein Shakes Necessary After Workouts?

Are Bananas Good For Muscle Recovery?

12 Muscle Building Mistakes To Avoid

Overtraining and Muscle Growth

Tuna Burger Recipe Using Canned Tuna

What Supplement To Take After Workout?

Are Eggs Good For Building Muscle?
Jay Cutler Bodybuilder Supplements

Keto Collagen Protein Powder With MCT Oil

Best Natural Gas Grills Under $1000

Top 10 Supplements For Muscle Cramps

Best Super Greens Protein Powder

Best Dextrose Powder Supplement For Post Workout

Best Fermented Cod Liver Oil To Buy

Best Deep Tissue Massage Chair

Whey Casein Egg Protein Powder Blend Without Sucralose

Best Whole Food Vitamin C Supplement To Take

Best Home Pull Up Dip Station

Best Canned Protein Foods For Building Muscle

Best Paleo Protein Powder

High End Treadmills For Home Use For Sale

7 Best Time Release Protein Powder

11 Natural Whey Protein Sweetened With Stevia

6 Best Natural Post Workout Supplements For Muscle Gain

Best Omega 3 Supplements To Buy

Best Nitric Oxide NO2 Pre Workout Supplements On The Market

Best Liquid Egg Whites To Buy

Best Shoes For Weight Training and Cardio

8 Best Weight Gainers On The Market With The Most Calories

Best Folding Treadmills For Home Use Under $1000

The Best Protein Powder For Muscle Gain

6 Whey Protein Without Sweeteners

15 Best Egg White Protein Powder Unflavored | With Stevia

Weight Gainer Without Sucralose

Top 5 Whey Protein Isolate Without Sucralose

Top 20 Casein Protein Without Artificial Sweeteners | Sucralose

Natural Protein Powder For Muscle Building

Is Casein Protein Good For Building Muscle?

8 Simple Tips To Lose Weight In 10 Days

Is Pasta Good For Bulking?

Are Fruits Good For Bodybuilding?

How to Get Ripped and Big in 3 Months

3 Cardio Machines That Burn The Most Calories

Are Muscle Building Supplements Good or Bad?

Are Drop Sets Good To Build Muscle Fast?

Eating Whole Foods vs Supplements

10 Ways To Increase Muscle Mass

Bodybuilding Supplements For Sale

Are Carbs Good For Muscle Building?

Is Red Meat Good For Building Muscle?

6 Meals A Day For Muscle Gain

15 Best Creapure Creatine Monohydrate Powder On The Market

Best Home Gym For The Money

Bowflex Revolution Home Gym For Sale

Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbell For Sale

What Whey Protein Is Best For Me?

What Supplements Should I Take To Build Muscle Fast?

Building Muscle Without Weights Workout - 12 Exercises

Body Building Products