Fitness Figure Competitions - Learn How To Start Competing

Before you can train, diet and pose you need to plan!

The most common question I get from ladies who are interested in competing is "I don’t know where to start, do you have any advice?" The first thing I always tell them is to pick a contest and date. This gives you a chance to figure out what federation / physique type you will fit into, what the winners body types of your local contest entrants look like and approximately how long it will take you to realistically achieve the chosen physique. Of course you want to look at a body type close to yours for now and work toward a more drastic change at for later dates if you wish. Also know, you do not have to compete if you want to just look like a competitor, you can choose a date a year away and work toward that date to be in contest ready shape be it for a trip, wedding, or personal goal!

Decision Making
So once you have become familiar with your local contest(s) you wish to compete in you can definitively choose where you feel you may fit in with the winning body types. Also consider that most local or novice shows will have less drastic physique. This means less of the enhanced bodies so even for non drug tested events; the local version will most likely be non-intimidating and have a higher number of natural and novice physiques. This evens out the playing field a bit especially if you are a natural and first time competitor yourself.

If you have a very muscular body which is already fit and hard then you would not have to hesitate considering an NPC show. The women just get more muscular and phenomenal as you go up the ladder and this is an organization which you can go pro with if you so choose to make this a goal for the future. This is a non tested federation yet many naturals compete with them although many of the higher end top competitors appear to be enhanced.

INBF and OCB Figure are more comparable to a pageant or FAME Fitness Model event. There is more emphasis on beauty and the judging will consider facial beauty into your scoring system. The women here are very lean but not largely muscled. Longer, leaner, lankier is the look which usually is favored by the judges and overall beauty is of course a major factor because this federation has a magazine affiliated to them which makes some of the judging focus on who would print best!

INBA and FAME/WNSO have a different style of Figure which has mandatory ‘open handed’ posing rounds and a routine round. You are not allowed to go inverted in your routine and it should be comparable to a blend of open handed bodybuilding with non gymnastic type Fitness movements. With these types of Figure contests there is obviously consideration taken toward your posing and routine not just the physique. Great if you love to dance and perform.

In my opinion I suggest that you give yourself a full year to prep, not only because it will help you be top dog ‘body wise’ with the ample training time but also because of the costs that accumulate. Which brings me to the next key point, make sure to budget your contest costs next after choosing a contest a year out. Gals go all out for these shows so you want to be able to get proper suits that are comparable to your competitors even if you don’t spend hundreds of dollars per outfit. Don’t skimp but you can be frugal.

Your Next Step
Commit to your goal. Be prepared to sacrifice certain foods at certain times, get into the gym tired or not, stick to your diet even during social events and be ready for this to be a daily thing with some days being a struggle which YOU have to conquer. This intense pattern is not for the rest of your life and may seem like a long time to prepare but is so worth the effort; you must have a strong mind. You may not get the support you expect and may even find odd reactions to your efforts by friends, family or co workers at certain points during your journey but be prepared to tough it out. You are the one you are doing this for and it is important to achieve your goal. Ultimately you have to count on you and surmount all obstacles to get there.

"Keep them guns loaded and firing!"

To solidify your commitment you will want to write down your goals. As you go on in this eBook I will be telling you to consider a journal for diet, training, mood, measurements, photos and of course you would start with the goals. Look at short term easily achievable goals to list which work up to your ultimate goal of having a stage ready body. Some short term goals would be a pound per week or fitting into some clothing piece within a few months, maybe a few inches lost or gained in certain areas would be your desired goal for short term. You can even set strength goals, rep goals or cardio goals. Either way, these set your motion in stone so that you keep up with the work it takes to get there!

Benchmark things like ‘before photos’, measurements, weight and body fat so that you can compare this to later readings to see your changes or lack off. Do these monthly on average.

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By Linda Cusmano