Right time to start competing?

[antihero]

To all current competitors:

How did you decide that it was the right time to step on stage and begin competing. It is a dream of mine to get up there and walk away with a trophy, but I honestly don't think I'll ever be ready and have the confidence to sign-up for a first competition. I doubt that I'll get to the point where I feel I am big enough and have brought up certain weaknesses enough to do it. So how did you decide that you were finally ready to go through with it? How long had you been training, and what weight did you feel it was appropriate to try it at?

[CTri17]

i think you have to just set a reasonable date...and go for it....if you dont you will always find a reason to wait until the next comp
pick one that is about a year from now...and set your sights on it!

[PTAaron]

I haven't competed yet... but my old training partner and I have decided to just pick a date and see if we can pull it off.
We've decided on a local contest in 2009 ... since we are both getting married in 2008.

[PTAaron]

I wanted to also add that I don't think I'll ever feel 'big enough' because I'm kind of tall, but I know I'm packing on quality muscle, and have been for 15 years... so I know it will look great n contest shape even if I'm not the biggest guy on stage. Only person I need to beat is my old training partner ;)

[GenePool]

I was egged into doing a contest this year. figured after 14 years of training I should try

[Squatch]

Was going to do one last year but was assraped with injuries. Will be doing one next fall.

[antihero]

so basically, just sign up and do it?

[laurie]

just do it baby... you only live once. set your mind to it and go for it......

[PTAaron]

That's what I would say! If you think you may be ready, then you have nothing to lose by trying. If you don't do as well as you expected, at least you'll get some valuable feedback from the judges and know that you were able to push yourself to a level many people couldn't achieve by getting into contest shape.

At least that's how I see it. For myself I also look at it as something I need to do to prove to myself that I can - and I need to do it befor I start having a family of my own ;) ... luckily you are young and don't have to think about that part ;)

[jody the trainer]

Just pick one and go for it. I decided to do my first as a challenge to myself. It is an incredible journey. the second one was more fun. I am working towards number 3 and 4 in May!!!

[antihero]

That's what I would say! If you think you may be ready, then you have nothing to lose by trying. If you don't do as well as you expected, at least you'll get some valuable feedback from the judges and know that you were able to push yourself to a level many people couldn't achieve by getting into contest shape.

At least that's how I see it. For myself I also look at it as something I need to do to prove to myself that I can - and I need to do it befor I start having a family of my own ;) ... luckily you are young and don't have to think about that part ;)


see, thats just it, you've known me for how long now? i just dont think ill ever actually be ready, i think that ill always be nit-picking little things about myself that i dont like and i dont think are good enough....but i think you guys might all be right, i might need to just say fuck it and do it.

[Shawty]

I'll be stepping onstage this fall as well. November 1 is the plan.

[LadyZ]

I'll be stepping onstage this fall as well. November 1 is the plan.

wooo hooo... That's awesome.. :thumb:

[antihero]

ok, so ive decided that im going to do a competition in 2009, but none of them are listed yet, so how do i pick which one im gonna do?

*i want to compete in NPC*

[jody the trainer]

Jumping into the NPC is pretty ambitious. They have both tested and non tested shows.

[Trish]

I am there with you, I think about it too. I think I may wait until my body fat is at least 19% to consider it, but I have seem many just pick a date and boy do they bring a nice package to the stage.

[SarahPT]

I just picked a date and went for it the first time. I knew I wouldn't have the most prize winning physique, but having that date picked made me work harder and my progress came faster.

If you want to compete in 2009 just pick a 2008 show because most of the time they are about the same day each year.

I agree that jumping in to NPC is a lot. You may want to consider a smaller federation first.

[antihero]

I just picked a date and went for it the first time. I knew I wouldn't have the most prize winning physique, but having that date picked made me work harder and my progress came faster.

If you want to compete in 2009 just pick a 2008 show because most of the time they are about the same day each year.

I agree that jumping in to NPC is a lot. You may want to consider a smaller federation first.

why should i go with a different federation first?

[Squatch]

why should i go with a different federation first?

NPC is the most popular amateur federation, and the only fed that the IFBB recognizes. It is usually stiffer competition than smaller feds.

[SarahPT]

Yeah, you certainly don't have to, but usually at NPC you are going to see bigger guys than other federations. It tends to be tougher competition, though that's a generalization.

[PTAaron]

ok, so ive decided that im going to do a competition in 2009, but none of them are listed yet, so how do i pick which one im gonna do?

*i want to compete in NPC*

I would go to as many of the shows as you can in 2008 as a spectator to see what the field looks like... that will give you a decent idea of what you can expect to be up against next year. I know that when I've gone to watch local shows the level of competition from year to year seems similar at each show.

NPC shows definitely bring out the bigger/better guys in both the tested and untested categories.

[Shawty]

Jumping into the NPC is pretty ambitious. They have both tested and non tested shows.

The one I'm looking at is the NPC Ironman in Chicago............I'm plenty big enough, my only worry is getting LEAN enough! But....................if you're gonna do it, do it up BIG!!! That's my motto! All or nothin baby!

[antihero]

NPC is the most popular amateur federation, and the only fed that the IFBB recognizes. It is usually stiffer competition than smaller feds.

thats why i wanted to compete in NPC, work toward one day getting a pro card.

[antihero]

I would go to as many of the shows as you can in 2008 as a spectator to see what the field looks like... that will give you a decent idea of what you can expect to be up against next year. I know that when I've gone to watch local shows the level of competition from year to year seems similar at each show.

NPC shows definitely bring out the bigger/better guys in both the tested and untested categories.

i think thats what ill be doing, ill check for some shows out here, but i dont think that there are too many in vegas...and ill just plan according to that..thanks for that man

[antihero]

if you're gonna do it, do it up BIG!!! That's my motto! All or nothin baby!

EXACTLY...love the way you think...

[antihero]

well, as it stands now, it looks like ill be doing an ALL-OUT-MASS race against myself to pack on as much as humanly possible in as little time as possible...i better start eating...

[PTAaron]

Good luck bro!

[Mahaffje]

When I decided I wanted to compete, I picked the closest show and did it. Don't be concerned at all about the little things and nit pick yourself to death, just go out there and have fun. When I did my first show, I had 0 intentions of placing, all I wanted to do was to go out there and have fun. When the day of the show came and I didn't place, I wasn't dissapointed in the least bit because I had an absolute blast doing it.

My first show was an all natural NPC show and after reading through this thread and seeing that the NPC brings out stiffer competition, I feel even better about getting 6th place.