10 Experts Give Tips On Bodybuilding Competition

10 Experts Give Tips On Competition Prep Just Days, Hours, Or Minutes Before Stage Time!

Are you ready to step on stage? Are you sure? Don't let stress turn your hard-earned physique soft! Read the best advice from the experts on how to prepare for those final days and minutes before you go for the win! Article Summary:

Remember, if you're stressed, your body will physically change your look in only minutes.

Too many times competitors run out of food and are at the mercy of whatever is available.

Athletes need to have a support team, family supporters, hair dressers, make-up, and more.

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. -Benjamin Franklin

Are you scared to step on stage? Are you sure you're ready? Being nervous is common for many athletes, but it not only hinders your performance, it directly affects your lean look. It only takes minutes if you are upset about something for it to have a profound effect on your stage look. Once it happens, the damage is done and it may take hours or days for it to correct. You have spent a long time getting ready for literally just minutes on the stage, so don't blow it.
This article is geared to help you prepare for a competition. Not the training, not the diet, it is geared at the million other things you need in order to step on stage. Lots of athletes are trying to make their mark, but you only have a few seconds for a judge to see the final package. Do you stand out? Do you have the look for the first call out? Do you have the confidence and poise to stand there against all the odds?
I have assembled some of the best people in the world to offer you advice. They are current and former professional athletes or have trained more people to win more physique competitions than any other group in the world.
Given their past records, they have a keen lock on what it takes in the fitness industry to make it to the top. Some of their points may be repetitive, but on your low carb brain, if you heard it a hundred times...well then...you just might start listening. This article is likely more important than any training or diet article you will ever read for your competition preparation whether you are male or female.

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Being Nervous Is Common For Athletes, But It Can
Hinder Your Performance And Affect Your Lean Look.

Why Have A Team Of Experts?

Mike Davies (Fitness Factory), Kim Oddo (Oddo's Angles), and Carla Sanchez (Team Sanchez) are the top three trainers of females in the entire female IFBB/NPC. Along with their suggestions are also top IFBB professionals to offer their own personal advice. If the comments are short, it is likely because it is important to them.
This article is only the start and is in no way a substitution for the actual trainers. Many athletes are afraid to take the step and financial burden to use these experts. The truth is that this article will only point out a few of the more common mistakes, but as I said, there are millions of scenarios and I hope you brought your "A" game.
Remember when you are low carb, under pressure, dealing with the unpredictable events of a competition, you need to search your soul for the strength to complete your goal. Ask yourself, "Am I sure I am capable of taking the final step? Can I make all the right choices?"
Think about the following situations you could potentially have to handle minutes before getting on stage. Will you be able to remain calm if your suit is lost, your heel of your shoe breaks, your suit drops a critical piece of rhinestone, your color starts to fade, your boyfriend is sitting next to some flirty girl in the audience, your dad dies (ask Arnold), your entry form has been lost, they shipped your bags with your food to another airport, the windshield of the airplane cracks and you are set down in the airport for literally hours while it is fixed without water (ask Karen Patterson, it happened to her before she won her pro card in NYC)? I could continue forever.

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In the final days and moments lots of things can go wrong. Stop and think about it right now, plan, get organized. It only takes a little preparation to correct the common mistakes. When you decide to compete and "fly by the seat of your pants," it will likely result in added stress.
Most male bodybuilders live paycheck to paycheck, deal with what is right in front of them, think that only big muscles matter and think about their color for tanning only a few days before competition. They stress out at the last minute when something goes wrong.
Remember your body will physically change your look in only minutes and you will become flat or washed out. Not a good look to have on stage with lights set at F8 and all the judges eyes are on you and hundreds of people just looking for something to laugh at.
Read these comments two or three times each. Learn it, know it, live it, that is a great statement to live by in the arena of pre-contest preparation.

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Most Male Bodybuilders Think About Their Color
For Tanning Only A Few Days Before Competition.

Expert Opinions


Kim Oddo: Oddo's Angels, Personal Trainer and Competition Expert

Your contest prep motto: Be Prepared!

Sometimes in our haste to reach the stage, we forget to properly prepare ourselves for the weekend of chaos!! You need to make sure that all your contest prep appointments like tanning, make-up and hair, are scheduled with enough time so as not to be in a rush to get to the venue. Once you're running behind schedule, the day quickly turns into a whirl wind adventure.

Bring Plenty Of Food

Make sure to bring plenty of food with you! Too many times competitors run out of food and are at the mercy of whatever is available, which may have hidden sodium in it and boom - water! If you can't bring food with you, as soon as you arrive at the show location, go out to the nearest grocery and pick up your food needs.

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Too Many Times Competitors Run Out Of Food And
Are At The Mercy Of Whatever Is Available.

Keep The Essentials Close

Pack your suits and shoes in your carry on with you on the plane trip, if your baggage is lost, you can still compete as long as you have your shoes and suit. Bring extra sheets and pillow cases to cover the hotel bed. Hotels sometimes charge for cleaning services now, and the bill is not cheap, usually hundreds of dollars!

Have Some Extras

Always bring a couple of extra photo shoot outfits; you never know when a photo opportunity will present itself. I have created a check list for both myself and my clients of everything needed for the show. It's a great way to remind you of all necessities. As we all know how scatter-brained we get during those last couple of days.

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Reservations

Try to book all your reservations in advance as that is the best way to get the best deals, and be sure to ask your hotel if they have microwaves and refrigerators in the rooms as well as an exercise room.

Be Aware Of The Time

Very important: be sure to know all the check in times for your contest and pay close attention to registration deadlines and eligibility rules!

Many competitors have missed check-in opportunities, not had proper id on hand, or no current NPC card and as a result, they arrive unable to compete. Please be sure to check all the above to make sure you have all your bases covered!

Smile

Lastly and most important, be sure to bring a smile and lots of patience! Shows are very intense and hardly predictable, but they are very rewarding when you carry that smile around and just have fun!

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Shows Are Very Rewarding When You Carry
A Smile Around And Just Have Fun.

Corry Mathews: IFBB Pro Figure/Fitness Athlete

If you can afford to have your hair and makeup done by a professional then do it! It is the best $200-$300 you will spend for your competition. It takes away all the frustration and worry of getting ready the morning of your competition! Let others worry about getting you ready, all you have to do is just be there. Think of it as a "Day Spa."