Age you first started competing

[alex2678]

I'm currently 27, have never competed before, but it's always crossed my mind. Nothing huge or anything. Just some local shows someday. Having been "the fat kid" growing up, being in a show would be the ultimate goal for me just for personal satisfaction. Anyways how old were you when you first started competing? Considering it'll probably be a couple years before this ever happens do you think getting started in your late 20's is a bit of a stretch as far as age is concerned? I read in magazine about someone who started competing at age 24 and they were said to have gotten a "late start" so I was just wondering.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

It's never too late bro... don't do that shit to yourself mentally.

I call it mental masterbation... it may take up time and be "fun" to do, but it gets ya no where.

Your dreams of competing are still very possible and real if you make them!

- hehe... a fellow fat kid, who has contemplated it... not for 3-4 years, depends on life's path by then anyway.

 

[alex2678]

LOL. Hey, it took 2 months to get a reply. Thanks Sarge.

I set a goal to do one local show before I'm 30. Even if I come in last place. And I'll make sure to send out a flyer with my picture on it to everone I went to middle school with that still remembers me as the "fat kid". I think I'll make the postal service have them sign for it too.

 

[Dabeastx]

I'm 17...i just did my first in December...

 

[Sassy69]

lol several weeks later...

I did my first 2 shows at age 35. 3rd show at age 40. I think for women BB is probably a more forgiving sport as we get into our late 30s & 40s. Beyond that it gets much more difficult. The guys I've seen who compete over age 40-45 start to have to deal w/ andropause and the estrogen related to that - so you start to see less of the tight striated legs. That's somethign that really blew me away at the last show I attended - watched mostly the men's master's levels competitors because they were scheduled closer to my friend's stage time w/ the women's BB -- they all looked pretty good on top, but none of them had good cuts in their legs - sort of reminded me of women's bb where the biggest challenge is the estrogen pattern fat areas ..

The point where age probably matters more is what you intend to do w/ your competition - are you looking for a career in it or a pro card? Otherwise I know guys who just started competing in their 30s and guys who have been competing as amateurs since the 80s.

 

[alex2678]

Hey Sassy,
It looks like I'm getting a new reply every 1-2 months now. lol

I'm in no way looking for any career to come out of it. (I have far from great genetics) Just some local competitions I've been thinking of for some time. More of a personal goal I've alway set out to do since being really out of shape growing up. And I've always hated public speaking and being in front of large crowds so if I can do this, there really shouldn't be anything else I couldn't do. lol.

Just curious, on ESPN a while ago they had a bodybuilding competition on and one of the competitors was 6'1 190 lbs. most likely in the 4 % bodyfat range. Approximately how much do you think this guy weighs off season with out the water loss and at a higher bodyfat percentage? (Not sure if that made sense) If I'm 6'1 around 230 at 12% bodyfat how far down in weight would I have to go (fat and water loss) to be presentable at a local show? I know this is small compared to most competitors so I'm planning on adding some more size to my frame over the next year and a half.

Anyways, it's good to hear there's some guys who started competing in their 30's. I have an uncle who started competing in 1969 when he was 19 so he always held it over my head saying that it's kind of too late at 27 to get started.

 

[Sassy69]

Hey Sassy,
It looks like I'm getting a new reply every 1-2 months now. lol

I'm in no way looking for any career to come out of it. (I have far from great genetics) Just some local competitions I've been thinking of for some time. More of a personal goal I've alway set out to do since being really out of shape growing up. And I've always hated public speaking and being in front of large crowds so if I can do this, there really shouldn't be anything else I couldn't do. lol.

Just curious, on ESPN a while ago they had a bodybuilding competition on and one of the competitors was 6'1 190 lbs. most likely in the 4 % bodyfat range. Approximately how much do you think this guy weighs off season with out the water loss and at a higher bodyfat percentage? (Not sure if that made sense) If I'm 6'1 around 230 at 12% bodyfat how far down in weight would I have to go (fat and water loss) to be presentable at a local show? I know this is small compared to most competitors so I'm planning on adding some more size to my frame over the next year and a half.

Anyways, it's good to hear there's some guys who started competing in their 30's. I have an uncle who started competing in 1969 when he was 19 so he always held it over my head saying that it's kind of too late at 27 to get started.

If you are not a "public person" then yes, getting on stage is really a breakthrough in personal accomplishments. I was painfully shy as a kid but when I worked as a teaching assistant in college I pretty much had that beat out of me as far as public speaking. But getting up on stage in a skimpy bikini and prancing around to music takes a different sort of comfort level. The secret - I got mega loaded on red wine prior to stage time (plus it helps increase vascularity!) Once you've done a show, its much easier, but it is definitely something to get used to.

As far as how big guys are off season - you can get an idea of how big the competitors are in each weight class - I'll give you a comparison with Quadsweep --- he's 5'7" and competes at 198 lbs. Off season - I suppose you could imagine these guys get up to 220+. To get an idea I'd say go see some shows this summer & check the size of the guys and even talk to them about how long they've been competing & what their off season is like. I don't think its ever "too late" to get into BB if its a personal goal. I do think if you are serious you need to be "ready" to go on stage tho -- it seems at every show there's at least one goofball (and always at least a couple female goofballs) who like, lost weight but really arent' stage ready. I think its harder for guys because of the size & hardness and particularly hard for the guys over say 5'9" because of the size required for the larger guys but still get cut up. Women have been told to come in 20% "softer" so you see less of that crazy size on the women, but still the taller girls are friggen big.

As far as pursuing BB, get a couple shows under your belt & see how you like it -- its a huge commitment - you are training literally 24/7. It impacts your personal & professional life a lot and is a real test of your time & mood management.... Who knows, you may not feel its worth it to do all that crazy stuff, or you may find you are made for the stage...

 

[alex2678]

LOL. I've heard about the red wine for vascularity, never knew it was used before a show! I imagine it gets easier after the first time. At work I usually go out of my way to pass up any type of opportunity to speak or give powerpoint presentations. I might have to start there to get used to it a little. (Maybe I'll wear some sans speedos while I'm up there. )

I might check out some local shows coming up and ask some questions regarding off season weight and the amount of dieting needed. I'm 6'1 so I definitely need at least another 20-30 pounds to feel somewhat comfortable. I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions once I get closer and have an idea on what I'm doing. Thanks again Sassy!

 

[promet1]

My first show is Less than two weeks away May 27 2006 and I'm 44 YEARS OLD

stats Started the life style 7 yrs ago I was 225 with a 42" waist went as low as 160 a skinny runt added muscle for about 4 yrs..... Then started conetst diet 16 weeks ago @ 196 16.7% bf, each week dieled it in slowly

NOW 5'-6" 173lbs 5.7% df ....never thought I'd have a six pack in my life !!!

 

[Sassy69]

CONGRATS promet! Make sure & post up pix will you? That's fantastic! I did my first 2 shows at age 35, 3rd at age 40!

My first show is Less than two weeks away May 27 2006 and I'm 44 YEARS OLD

stats Started the life style 7 yrs ago I was 225 with a 42" waist went as low as 160 a skinny runt added muscle for about 4 yrs..... Then started conetst diet 16 weeks ago @ 196 16.7% bf, each week dieled it in slowly

NOW 5'-6" 173lbs 5.7% df ....never thought I'd have a six pack in my life !!!