As fun as it may seem on social media, competing in a bodybuilding competition for the first time should be viewed as a very serious decision.
There are key considerations to bear in mind before committing to a prep and prematurely announcing how many “X” number of weeks out you are. And yes, the importance of these heavily outweigh the colour of your stage bikini/trunks or whether you carb-up on rice cakes or cereal.
Swipe through the above to read our five top-tips for first time competitors! Here you can ponder upon the questions and discussion points of:
▪️Why do I want to compete?
▪️Do I already live and enjoy the bodybuilding lifestyle?
▪️Do I fully comprehend what to expect before, during, and after a prep?
▪️Am I working alongside a reputable coach who will keep me safe?
▪️Am I willing to speak up and communicate clearly with those around me? As passionate physique athletes and coaches ourselves, we by no means want to deter others away from experiencing the joys that a comp prep can bring. However, we see it as our responsibility to uphold a duty of care and fully inform first-timers what they’re getting themselves in for. Let us know in the comments below, what do you wish you knew before you competed for the first time?