There are levels within a health and fitness journey, and competing in bodybuilding is near the top.
Levelling-up (and being able to handle new levels) doesn’t count if you failed and skipped levels prior.
This implies that while it can be tempting to jump straight into a prep, it’s crucial that you first prove to yourself that you can handle the ground floor.
Only then can you work your way up to the penthouse.
Please recognise that those who experience the greatest long-term success and enjoyment in this sport have spent many years prior learning, practicing, and refining the art of training and sports nutrition. They have developed the skills, discipline, routines, habits, and mindset attributes associated with being a great bodybuilder.
There are many factors to consider before entering a comp prep, and we highly recommend that you tick these boxes below well-before you think about booking your stage tan.
▪️ You have experienced a dieting phase before and have demonstrated adherence and discipline while maintaining a healthy relationship with food & your body before, during, and after
▪️ You have a minimum of 12 months of consistent resistance training under your belt and have allocated sufficient time to building your physique
▪️You are working alongside an experienced, evidence-based coach who will support, guide, and educate you throughout the entire journey while keeping your health in check
▪️ You have ingrained yourself with the habits of the bodybuilding lifestyle and routinely train, nourish yourself, obtain adequate sleep, and look after your health
▪️ You have been well-informed of what to expect and endure during a comp prep, both mentally and physically
▪️ You understand the principles of progressive overload and know how to train with intelligence and intensity
▪️ You have an understanding of nutrient quality and know how to calculate the energy and macronutrients of various foods
▪️ You are financially capable of supporting yourself through a competition prep
▪️ You have a good support network of family, coaches, friends
▪️ You’ve been taught how to pose with confidence and skill
▪️You are not competing for external validation