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View Full Version : Your first bodybuilding competition are you ready? Part 1



guardianactual
02-22-2015, 05:06 PM
After many months or years of pounding away in the gym you may wish to compete in a bodybuilding contest. In this article I'll cover some information about competitive bodybuilding that will help you prepare for your first contest. Of course not everyone is interested in competition. In fact the vast majority of people in the gym have no intention of competing. But for those of you who do want to compete in the future, this article is a must read.


Why Compete?


One of the benefits of competing is improved progress. Bodybuilders who compete make better progress then those who do not. One reason is that regular competition forces you to cycle your training. Thus the body is constantly receiving new training stimulus and responds with new muscle growth.

Another reason that competitive bodybuilders make better progress is because they tend to make a great effort to learn as much as possible about the sport. With more knowledge comes better progress. Knowledge is power!

And there is nothing like competition to bring out the best in someone. A fifth place finish last year will motivate you to bust your butt to place higher this year. This constant effort to be the best will only lead to the top.

When choosing your first competition make sure it is far enough down the road that you have enough time to prepare. Deciding to enter a contest that is only a few weeks away is crazy. There is no way that you can get into top shape and have a good posing routine prepared in such a short period of time.

For information about local bodybuilding contests check with the gyms in your area. Most provinces or states have several bodybuilding contests each year.

The best position for your first bodybuilding contest is the audience. It makes little sense to get on stage without learning the finer points of the sport. There is much more to a contest then just getting up and hitting a few poses. Most competitors will admit that preparing for a contest is like a second job.

While you watch your first contest take in the big picture. Watch the judges, which competitors do they call out? What seems to impress them the most? Notice the audience, which music selections get them most excited? Which put them to sleep? etc...


Prejudging


Bodybuilding contests are divided into two phases, the prejudging and the evening show. The prejudging is all business. It is usually in the morning, this is like a rehearsal of the evening show. It gives the judges an opportunity to evaluate the competitors without the distractions of a large audience.

As a future competitor you will definitely need to attend the prejudging. In most cases the judges choose the winner in the prejudging. By attending the prejudging you will learn what is expected of the bodybuilders onstage.

The prejudging is divided into several different rounds:

Symmetry Round
Compulsory Poses
Comparisons
Individual Posing Routines
Men do seven compulsory poses and women do five. Sometimes the individual posing routines are left out of the prejudging and only performed at the evening show. Your posing ability and routine are very important. Posing can make or break your chances of winning the contest.


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Men Do Seven Compulsory Poses And Women Do Five.

Evening Show

The evening show usually starts around 7 p.m. It is similar to the prejudging except there will be a much larger audience. The symmetry round, compulsory poses, comparisons, and individual posing routines are the same as in the prejudging. After the judges have made their decision, the show ends with the "pose down". This is where the top competitors do freestyle posing together onstage. After the pose down the judges announce the placings and award the competitors their trophies and medals.