While in the past fitness was largely a personal pursuit, fitness competitions have become popular in recent years. These contests give you the chance to show off the results of your hard work and possibly win cash awards or other prizes for your efforts. Here's what you need to know about fitness competitions to decide if entering one is a smart idea to help you achieve your fitness goals.
How Fitness Competitions Work
In a bodybuilding or fitness competition, you'll perform a variety of poses to show off the different muscle groups in your body. Each pose is designed to accentuate various muscles, and you'll need to move through several to show the complete picture of your fitness. The overall winner will take home the grand prize. Oftentimes, there are additional prizes based on gender and age, so you could still win something even if you don't have the highest overall score.
Benefits of Entering Bodybuilding Competitions
When you know you have an upcoming fitness competition on the calendar, it can give you the extra motivation you need to get to the gym when your resolve is lacking. You'll also have a better sense of what to do in the gym each day as you'll have specific muscle groups you wish to target with your exercises. As you work toward your goals, you'll have benchmarks against which to compare your progress. It can be especially motivating to see your strength and body measurements improve with each passing week, making you even more likely to continue working out on a regular basis.
Drawbacks to Entering Fitness Competitions
While there are numerous benefits to fitness competitions, there can be some drawbacks as well. For starters, you'll typically have to pay an entry fee in order to compete. If you plan to participate in fitness competitions frequently, those entry fees can add up over time. You'll also be tailoring your training to improve specific muscle groups, which can make it more difficult to maintain your overall fitness. When training for a fitness competition, it is important not to focus so much on bodybuilding that you neglect other aspects of your overall fitness level, like your cardiovascular health. Finally, you'll need to carefully monitor your diet throughout the process, which can be challenging, especially if you enjoy dining out at restaurants.
Making Your Decision
Only you can decide whether entering bodybuilding or fitness competitions is right for you. Think about how you like to work out to help guide your choice. If you enjoy working toward a specific goal, training for a fitness competition can help you monitor your progress. If you prefer to work out based on how you feel on a particular day, on the other hand, you may not enjoy the rigors of bodybuilding and fitness competition training. If you are still unsure, try following along with a training regimen for a competition, even if you don't actually enter. This will give you a better sense of what the training involves before you make an official commitment.
Prepare for Your Upcoming Bodybuilding Competition
If you plan on entering a bodybuilding or fitness competition in the near future or are simply interested in learning more about what they are and how they work, we invite you to get in touch with us or stop by our gym any time. Our expert personal trainers are highly experienced in training for and participating in bodybuilding competitions, so you can count on us for expert advice and guidance as you prepare for your event. When you work with us to achieve your fitness goals, we'll ensure you are getting a well-rounded fitness plan so you can perform at your best in competitions and daily life. Reach out to us today to request an appointment with a personal bodybuilding trainer.