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what exactly are your stats now?
How big do you need to be to compete in bodybuilding at the local contest level?
- Thread starter Fast Twitch Fiber
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Fast Twitch Fiber
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I'm a short 5'9" (meaning that I'm a little closer to 5'8" but I don't like to admit it. LOL) I'm at 180 and 15% (measured in Bod Pod) right now. I'd like to be able to compete within a year or so. Some of the bodybuilders that I saw pics of were weighing about 165-175 but they looked like they were about 7 or 8% BF.
bravo7555
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Bro, all you need to do is have someone who knows something about bodybuilding and has been in a show or two to look at you and critique your physique and give you an honest opinion about what you need. Than you need to look at yourself in the mirror and be blunt with your appearance and say, "shit, what do I need to fix to get my ass on the stage".
I am currently preparing for a show. I have a friend who is a judge for bodybuilding shows critiqueing me and he is so friggin blunt and critical that it pisses me off have the time. But you know what its what you need to be successful in this business.
I am currently 6'4 , 280 pounds and I need to be down to 250 at 5%. Thats a reality check for me.
I am currently preparing for a show. I have a friend who is a judge for bodybuilding shows critiqueing me and he is so friggin blunt and critical that it pisses me off have the time. But you know what its what you need to be successful in this business.
I am currently 6'4 , 280 pounds and I need to be down to 250 at 5%. Thats a reality check for me.
Fast Twitch Fiber
New member
SeanHolmz said:
I think this depends on the method used for the BF test. I use the Bod Pod which tends to be higher than other methods by a few percentage points. Calipers and the Tanita BIA have me at about 10-11% right now but the Pod has me at 15%. By the Pod standards 7% is pretty damn ripped. 7% in the Pod is probably equal to 4-5% by calipers. (the Pod measures visceral fat as well as subcutaneous)
Listen to Stillgoing
Lot's of good advice here....BUT, stop worrying about your bodyfat percentage. The mirror is your guide. (If there is anyone under 10% bf at the Novice level it would be an exception) Most people, I believe, even with devices are way off on their bf %.
Just go to a show and watch. Enter one, that's the best way to learn. Your real goal is to be your best. I've done 9 shows over the years for the same reason you're thinking. A goal to inspire training, diet, appearance and health. I've done everything right and wrong through trial and error. At one show the competition sucks, at the same show next year, I thought I had gone to State level by mistake because the comp was so good.
You don't say how tall you are but StillGoing's giude is good for approximate bodyweights. In your picture, you look okay at the Novice level, go for it...
By the way, at any show I've been in, the top couple of placings were always juiced, maybe not significantly, but enough to see the difference in the classes. If it ever came down to size or conditioning, being is shape seems to get the edge.
Good Luck, working hard and then comparing the results against peers for an audience is exhilarating!!! You'll love it!!
Lot's of good advice here....BUT, stop worrying about your bodyfat percentage. The mirror is your guide. (If there is anyone under 10% bf at the Novice level it would be an exception) Most people, I believe, even with devices are way off on their bf %.
Just go to a show and watch. Enter one, that's the best way to learn. Your real goal is to be your best. I've done 9 shows over the years for the same reason you're thinking. A goal to inspire training, diet, appearance and health. I've done everything right and wrong through trial and error. At one show the competition sucks, at the same show next year, I thought I had gone to State level by mistake because the comp was so good.
You don't say how tall you are but StillGoing's giude is good for approximate bodyweights. In your picture, you look okay at the Novice level, go for it...
By the way, at any show I've been in, the top couple of placings were always juiced, maybe not significantly, but enough to see the difference in the classes. If it ever came down to size or conditioning, being is shape seems to get the edge.
Good Luck, working hard and then comparing the results against peers for an audience is exhilarating!!! You'll love it!!
Stillgoing is just about right on with this:
6'0 or taller; you need to be a heavyweight to do well (198lbs and up)
5'9 to 5'11; lightheavy (I forget the cutoffs now, its been 7yrs since I competed) (176 - 197lbs ?)
5'6 to 5'8; middleweight (? to 175lbs)
I'm about to do my first show, health permitting in June. I did a lot of research on local venues. If you are under 6' you want to be in the high 190's and over 6' it is good to come in at 210 or so which is my goal as long as you are shredded and vascual. The things I noticed in local shows is many guys come in with "beach bodies" they are cut and have big arms and chest and that is it. They are not vascular or balanced with muscle. The winners are not huge like you see in the MR.O or anything like that but they are all cut. Honestly it looks more like a professional natural show when you compare the sizes.
6'0 or taller; you need to be a heavyweight to do well (198lbs and up)
5'9 to 5'11; lightheavy (I forget the cutoffs now, its been 7yrs since I competed) (176 - 197lbs ?)
5'6 to 5'8; middleweight (? to 175lbs)
I'm about to do my first show, health permitting in June. I did a lot of research on local venues. If you are under 6' you want to be in the high 190's and over 6' it is good to come in at 210 or so which is my goal as long as you are shredded and vascual. The things I noticed in local shows is many guys come in with "beach bodies" they are cut and have big arms and chest and that is it. They are not vascular or balanced with muscle. The winners are not huge like you see in the MR.O or anything like that but they are all cut. Honestly it looks more like a professional natural show when you compare the sizes.
Just go and compete !
What's the worst that can happen ? No one that's competing will laugh at you....hell you have to start somewhere.
90% of your first show is just having the balls to get out there and get it done. Learn your mandatory poses, that's were you win or loose, get comfortable being on stage and have fun.
Do not under estimate the energy required during judging....it is very hard work.
You'd be surprised how you look as compared to other novices, there is usually no rhym or reason to who wins at that level.
I'm 5'9" and if I remember I won my first show at 185.
Good luck
BPP
What's the worst that can happen ? No one that's competing will laugh at you....hell you have to start somewhere.
90% of your first show is just having the balls to get out there and get it done. Learn your mandatory poses, that's were you win or loose, get comfortable being on stage and have fun.
Do not under estimate the energy required during judging....it is very hard work.
You'd be surprised how you look as compared to other novices, there is usually no rhym or reason to who wins at that level.
I'm 5'9" and if I remember I won my first show at 185.
Good luck
BPP
To a certain point LBM does have a role at the elite level of competitive bodybuilding however at the local level the name of the game is having the "total package" rather then trying the be the biggest guy.
For what it's worth , i took the overall at a local contest weighting 170lbs....at 5'11"" !!!
That's right , i was a very tall middleweight but I won because i not only was in the best condition but my presentation was excellent. I stood on stage like i was the winner , smiling , posing with precision and never stopped flexing or showed signs of fatigue.
Of course my shape helped since i have broad shoulders and a small waist but the point is weight is not that critical. Keep in mind: the judges DO NOT base their scores on your bodyweight but on how good you LOOK at that bodyweight.
I'm entering a national qualifier and to reach my full potential i needed more size and this year i will compete as a light heavyweight , but at the local level it would not be as necessary.
And Dail tone is right.... I have never seen anyone laughed at who was ripped no matter how much/little size they had.... but believe some guy who is huge and soft will look REALLY bad on stage if he is standing next to someone with less bodyfat.
You wouldn't believe it until you see it ... you might look great in the mirror with bathroom light or on a beach but that means sweet F!#* all until you have the stage lights blazeing down on you with EVERY imperfection displayed in front of hundreds of people.
For what it's worth , i took the overall at a local contest weighting 170lbs....at 5'11"" !!!
That's right , i was a very tall middleweight but I won because i not only was in the best condition but my presentation was excellent. I stood on stage like i was the winner , smiling , posing with precision and never stopped flexing or showed signs of fatigue.
Of course my shape helped since i have broad shoulders and a small waist but the point is weight is not that critical. Keep in mind: the judges DO NOT base their scores on your bodyweight but on how good you LOOK at that bodyweight.
I'm entering a national qualifier and to reach my full potential i needed more size and this year i will compete as a light heavyweight , but at the local level it would not be as necessary.
And Dail tone is right.... I have never seen anyone laughed at who was ripped no matter how much/little size they had.... but believe some guy who is huge and soft will look REALLY bad on stage if he is standing next to someone with less bodyfat.
You wouldn't believe it until you see it ... you might look great in the mirror with bathroom light or on a beach but that means sweet F!#* all until you have the stage lights blazeing down on you with EVERY imperfection displayed in front of hundreds of people.
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