Stop copying your competitor’s prep, it won’t win you a trophy.
In bodybuilding, it’s easy to get caught up in what other athletes are doing. You scroll through social media, see someone posting their macros, cardio schedule, or shredded check-ins weeks out from stage, and suddenly you feel like you’re behind.
But here’s the truth: the competitor who wins on show day isn’t the one with the lowest carbs, the most cardio, or the leanest look at 8 weeks out. None of those things guarantee victory.
What Actually Determines Success on Show Day
The only thing that matters is who has the best physique on stage according to the judging criteria.
Your placing is determined by symmetry, conditioning, muscularity, and presentation, not by how “hard” your prep feels compared to others. Someone else’s extreme diet, high-volume training, or check-in photo doesn’t influence your outcome.
Why Comparison is Dangerous
Comparison is the thief of joy. It distracts you, creates doubt, and often causes athletes to second-guess their own plan. What works for one person may completely derail another, because prep is an individualised process shaped by metabolism, training history, division, and genetics.
Focus on Your Process
Curiosity about other approaches is normal, but if you find yourself questioning your own prep, the solution isn’t to copy someone else, it’s to talk with your coach. That’s how you learn the reasoning behind your strategy, gain confidence in the plan, and avoid unnecessary detours.
Prep isn’t about who starves the hardest, trains the longest, or posts the leanest check-in. It’s about consistency, precision, and trust in the process.
On show day, the athletes who win aren’t the ones who copied their competitors. They’re the ones who executed their own plan with discipline, focus, and confidence.
If you’re preparing for your next competition and want to remove the confusion, our coaching team specialises in evidence-based contest prep that gets results without extremes. Apply today and let us help you bring your best physique to the stage. Reach out below!