How to Win a Bodybuilding Competition

Bodybuilding is not for everyone; however, for an individual that is determined to compete, the rewards are great. One obvious reward is good health, but according to the competition level, the actual monetary winnings can really pay well. There are secrets to winning a bodybuilding competition.

1. Select a bodyweight goal to achieve a lean body regardless of a particular weight class. An average-sized male must lose down to around 165 pounds to develop abs like a winning competitor. Muscles are more impressive on a leaner person. 


2. Lose the excess bodyweight. Many heavyweight contenders need to lose another 20 to 30 pounds. The extra weight is a stumbling block to building the body that is required to win bodybuilding titles.


3. Diet slowly to shed fat, not muscle mass. Crash-dieting to reach a target weight class will result in loss of muscle mass. Branch-chain amino acids are critical to muscle size, but are burned for fuel when the body switches to starvation mode. 


4. Attend competitions to take note of the physique and poses of other contestants. Specific poses are required for some competitions; however, many competitions allow contestants to choose poses.  


5. Ask the trainer to comment on posing flaws and suggest posing tactics. Perfect posing highlights muscle definition. 


6. Listen to other bodybuilders discuss competition strategy. Oils, tanning, protein mixes and diet are all important factors in a competition.


7. Compare the reflection in the mirror with professional contest winners. Are the abs, biceps and leg muscles defined similarly to contest winners?


8. Ask someone to take a picture every two weeks to compare physique changes. Seeing the change will provide motivation for a bodybuilder. 


9. Hire a trainer to assist in reaching peak development by competition time. A trainer will assist a bodybuilder to obtain adequate weight loss early on in the season, so that food intake can be increased in the two to three weeks before a competition. When a bodybuilder is hard early in the season, the person can gain size and maintain a hard body for competition.