Advice for 1st Time Figure Competitors
I have been asked a number of times what advice can I give first time figure competitors? While I am not a “pro” yet there are certain things that I think I have learned and researched along the way that may be helpful.
First and foremost deciding on what organization to compete in is solely on the individual and that is something that you and you alone have to decide. You should weigh out the pros and cons of each organization based on guidelines and personal goals that you are setting for yourself. With that being said, any organization that you choose will be a good one!
It is hard to say what the judges are looking for at each show, sometimes they are going for a softer look and other times a harder look. My advice on this, contact the promoter and ask. There is always a number that is listed along with whoever is having the show. When you contact them tell them you are very excited to do their show and you were just inquiring as to what look they were going for in this show and if they could let you know in terms of bodyfat percentage where you should fall. Once you have this information it should help you in your quest to reach your goal!
For first time competitors it can be overwhelming trying to figure out your diet, your training and your schedule. I strongly advice to get help!! Get a coach, somebody who can take you through the necessary training, the diet that is required of you and most importantly that can monitor you on a weekly basis. It is very hard to do it all on your own (I should know!) and especially when you get down to those last critical weeks…your brain is fried!!! You also need somebody who can look at you, really examine you and see what muscles you may need to bring up for the stage, which ones can stay as is or which may need to get leaner. It is extremely hard to be your own judge and although we tend to always be more critical on ourselves, you need an outside set of eyes looking at you and preferably one who has experience in all of this!
Deciding on a figure suit can also be difficult and costly. My best advice borrow!!! Between all the sites out there now and facebook and twitter network with girls! Ask to borrow a suit you will be surprised at the response you will get!! If you do decide to invest in one, may it just that. After you have competed put it up on one of the sites for sale or rent and make some of your money back.
One other great networking tool for first time competitors are the blogs! Go online to different competitors websites, different forums for the organizations (whichever one you are competing in), look at pictures from the most recent shows and do your research!!! Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to try and contact other competitors for advice, tips, again you will be surprised at the response you may get!!!!
My last and most important tip or advice….HAVE FUN WITH IT!!!!!!! It is so easy to get caught up in all of it, to get rundown from the diet, think you’re not coming in how you should…in the end remember this is a decision that YOU made because you wanted to take part in something!!! Yes you will have tough days, yes you will be so so tired of your food, yes you will want that cheat, that last hour of sleep, not to do that last bit of cardio BUT this is a personal decision that YOU MADE!!!! So make sure you have fun with it or else what’s the point???
Good luck in your prep ladies you will all do AMAZING!!!!!!
