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Common Misconceptions About Competing
Many
people shy away from competition because they think they have to be
huge, or have to have years and years of weight training experience.
These are common misconceptions that are due in part from supplement
company ads and many of the more popular magazines primarily showing
professional level athletes who aren't drug-free. Many people think
these images are what it takes to be a physique competitor. These
people are often surprised by the difference once they actually see
a local drug-tested competition. A wide variety of physique types
and conditioning levels can be seen at local drug-free shows. Some
athletes compete after only a few months of weight training
experience too. It doesn't take years of training to compete.
Drug-free competition is more about conditioning (lowering body fat)
to show more detail in the physique. When more detail shows in the
muscles, a person appears more muscular. Natural bodybuilders look
like regular people with their clothes on, but when the clothes come
off… look out! They look much bigger, especially under the lighting
conditions on stage.
Many figure
and fitness competitors think that they need to be at a certain low
body fat percentage before even beginning their contest prep. This
is untrue. A competitor simply needs to allow enough time to lose
the desired amount of weight. For some this is 8 weeks, for others
it is 16 weeks. Another misconception with the fitness division is
that a competitor must be a gymnast in order to do well in the
routine round. This is not necessary. While gymnastics skills do
enhance a routine as they display moves of both strength and
flexibility in one, if a competitor masters several strength and
flexibility moves, has a well-choreographed routine to well-mixed
music and is poised and perfected, she can place very well in this
round.
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