Should I Do A Bodybuilding Show?

One of the questions we get asked all the time is, “Do you think I should compete?” Our answer is usually another question. Why do you want to?

If your answer is because you think it’s a weight loss competition, then bodybuilding probably isn’t what you think it is.

A bodybuilding show isn’t about seeing who can lose the most weight. It’s about displaying the physique you’ve spent years building. The diet reveals the muscle. It doesn’t create it. That’s why we always tell people that prep starts long before prep actually begins. Before anyone should think about stepping on stage, they should have a solid foundation of weight training, understand proper technique, and have enough muscle to actually showcase when they get lean.

Can someone compete without years of experience? Of course. Anyone can sign up for a show. But there is a difference between simply getting on stage and being truly ready to compete. The people who do well usually have spent years learning how to train, how to recover, and how to progressively build their physique.

Prep itself is where most people realize what they’re signing up for. This isn’t a six-day-a-week “I’ll do my best” type of commitment. It’s every meal, every workout, every cardio session, every day. You don’t get to skip meals because you’re busy or decide to wing it on the weekends because friends invited you out. Those little decisions add up over months, and they show when you step under the lights.

One thing we tell every competitor is to leave your ego at the door. There are going to be days when your coach tells you to eat more than you think you should, do less cardio than you want to, or hold off on making changes even when you’re anxious. Trust the process. If you’re constantly questioning every adjustment or comparing your prep to someone else’s on Instagram, you’re going to make the journey much harder than it needs to be.

It’s also important to understand the different types of competitions. Some organizations are natural and drug tested. Others are untested. Neither one is right or wrong, but they are different. Know what you’re signing up for and choose the path that aligns with your goals and your expectations.

Another lesson that every competitor eventually learns is that bodybuilding doesn't always feel “fair". You can follow your plan perfectly, never miss a workout, hit every macro, nail your posing, and still not place first. Maybe the person next to you has been competing for ten years. Maybe they have unbelievable genetics. Maybe they simply brought a better package that day. That’s part of the sport.

Your placing doesn’t always reflect your effort. It reflects how your physique compared to everyone else’s on that stage, on that day. If you only compete to win a trophy, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. If you compete to become the best version of yourself, you’ll get something much more valuable out of the experience regardless of where you place. MOST people who sign up for a marathon, go to get their best time in it and cross the finish line. Not to win the entire marathon. Same thing is applied here. Bring YOUR BEST!

At the end of the day, we truly believe anyone can do a bodybuilding show if they’re willing to put in the work. That doesn’t mean everyone should. The sacrifices are real. The time commitment is real. The mental challenges are real. Some people thrive in that environment, and others realize they’d rather focus on getting healthier, stronger, and more confident without stepping on stage. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either choice.

If you’ve been thinking about competing, don’t make the decision because you want to lose weight or because social media makes it look glamorous. Do it because you want to challenge yourself, because you’re willing to trust the process, and because you’re excited about seeing what you’re capable of becoming. If that’s your mindset, then whether you win your class or not, you’ve already accomplished something that most people will never experience!