| Have you ever thought that you'd like to enter a | | | | as the show gets closer, even the bodybuilders will |
| fitness, figure or bodybuilding competition, but you | | | | need to do a little extra cardio to make sure you're as |
| never did because you had no idea how to prepare? | | | | lean as possible on show day. |
| A lot of would be athletes settle on honing their | | | | Step 5 - Get your routines put together. |
| physiques in the gym, not because they don't have a | | | | Bodybuilders need to know how to do compulsory |
| desire to compete, but because they don't know what | | | | poses and they need an individual posing routine. |
| steps to take to get out of the gym and up on a | | | | Fitness competitors need a fitness routine and they |
| stage. | | | | need to learn how to pose for fitness and figure |
| If you're one of those people, you'll find this article | | | | competitors need to learn to pose for figure. |
| beneficial as a starting place for your contest prep. | | | | If this sounds simple, it isn't. Please take this advice and |
| Step 1 - Pick a Show | | | | start early because as easy as it looks, posing is no |
| The first thing you need to do is figure out when you'd | | | | joke and needs to be practiced a lot so you don't get |
| like to compete and what organization you'd like to | | | | nervous and mess up during your contest. |
| compete with. | | | | Step 6 - Order your posing trunks or one and two |
| There are a lot of shows to choose from; however, | | | | piece competition suits. |
| since you're just starting out, I'd recommend finding a | | | | Ladies, get online and research fitness contest suits to |
| local show that might be a little smaller that a national | | | | get the right cut. It doesn't matter how awesome your |
| qualifier or a larger show. This will allow you to enjoy | | | | physique is, if you show up wearing the wrong type of |
| the experience and get a feel for competing before | | | | suit, you won't be given a second glance. |
| moving on to a larger competition. | | | | Step 7 - Do a trial run with your ProTan. |
| When you pick a date, make sure it will leave you | | | | Yes, if you're going to compete and want to do well, |
| about 3 months or more to prepare. | | | | you'll need to use ProTan. This isn't a drug store |
| Step 2 - Begin Your Diet | | | | tanning lotion and no, you can't get as dark as you |
| Once you've set a date, about three months out you'll | | | | need to be by tanning at a salon or at the beach. |
| need to begin your diet. To do this, you'll want to eat | | | | It's good to have a natural base tan and then add your |
| five or six small meals a day (one every three to four | | | | Pro Tan one coat at a time. Everyone reacts a little |
| hours). Make sure you're eating a lot of lean protein, | | | | differently to ProTan. Some people turn a greenish tint |
| complex carbohydrates and green veggies. | | | | some orange some a beautiful tan color. Some people |
| You need to avoid foods that are high in sodium, | | | | need one coat others need up to ten coats. So you |
| simple carbs and fats and you should drink at least 1 | | | | see, you really need to know what works for you prior |
| gallon of water every day. | | | | to the weekend of the show. Don't use it on your face |
| Step 3 - Increase the intensity in your weight training. | | | | and be careful not to put too much on your ankles, |
| About three months from a contest, when you begin | | | | knees and elbows, otherwise you'll just look dirty on |
| your diet, you'll need to make sure you push yourself | | | | stage. |
| during each workout in the first two months. Since you | | | | By the day of the show, you should be lean and dry |
| won't be eating as much as your body is use to, it's | | | | (no water weight); you should be able to pose in your |
| important that you eat a lot of protein and workout | | | | sleep; you should have your competition attire (figure |
| hard so you don't lose muscle. As the show gets | | | | and fitness, don't forget your stiletto heels) and you |
| closer, you'll have to decrease your intensity slightly | | | | should know what you ProTan plan is. |
| because you won't have as much energy to work | | | | If you have all of these things ready, the rest will fall |
| with. | | | | into place. The other thing you may want to do is |
| Step 4 - At the three month mark, you should start | | | | research bodybuilding, fitness or figure competitions on |
| doing cardio every day. | | | | the internet. There are tons of great sites out there |
| Bodybuilders don't need to do as much as fitness and | | | | that have tips and links that may be helpful for you. |
| figure competitors in the first 6-weeks or so, but again, | | | | |