Competitive Bodybuilding
How To Prepare for Your First Bodybuilding Competition?
Getting ready for bodybuilding competition involves drastic reductions in body fat while maintaining muscle mass. This is typically achieved through a decreased caloric intake, intense strength training, and increased cardiovascular exercise.
Winning or even participating in a Bodybuilding competition will give you a physical and emotional high. It requires great preparation to participate in a bodybuilding competition. It involves careful planning and extensive preparations. Bodybuilding involves both the mind and body. You have to be prepared for a tough battle ahead.
You need to begin your practice and diet 12 months in advance. Take care to maintain your body fat within the proper range. Preparations for the bodybuilding competition become easier if you have maintained your physique well. Then you will be able to prep up for the completion with as little as 12- 16 weeks of preparation. You will have to go through the following steps for participating in a bodybuilding competition.
1.Evaluation
Have a good look at your body. Take a note of your weak areas. Determine how much weight you need to lose or gain.
2.Find a Good Trainer.
A good coach is invaluable in preparing you for the completion. A good coach should be able to solve all your doubts and motivate you.
3.Diet.
You should avoid all junk foods. Participants in such competitions usually follow a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates and fats. Your diet should allow you to lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass. You can get carbohydrates from healthy foods like dark green vegetables, brown rice, oatmeal, whole-grain foods, and slow-digesting fruits. Ground turkey, whole eggs, low-fat cheese, and fish can be good sources of lean protein. All-natural peanut butter, safflower oil, and extra virgin olive oil are all healthy sources of fat.
Some participants prefer to eat every two hours while others eat every 2.5-3 hours. Consume some protein and carbohydrates before your workout. If you can afford a nutritionist then hire one.
4.Exercise
You will need a well-equipped gym to train for the competition. You have to be consistent with your exercise routine. It is necessary to maintain your muscle mass. Don’t make any sudden changes in your exercise routine. If you have to increase your physical training, do it gradually. Listen to your body and develop a training routine suitable to your body. Continue your exercises even off-season so that your body remains in shape.
5.Mental Preparation.
You need to mentally prepare yourself for the rigorous diet and training schedule. At times the changes in your physique may not be visible immediately but you must have the mental discipline to stick to the routine.
6.The Final Presentation.
Bodybuilding competitions place a lot of importance on presentation. Practice your poses properly. Be calm on the day of the competition. Arrive at the venue early. Remember to enjoy the competition along with participating in it.
