Eventually wanting to compete

[Brick]

Okay first off my stats

Age: 26
Weight: 214.5
Height: 6'2.5"
BF %: 15-16

Okay, so I am not ready to compete, not even close, but I want to eventually compete. I am thinking anywhere from 14-18 months depending on when competitions are. I am looking into when and where they will be and the rules for them. I live in BC, Canada so somewhere near me is best.

I am wondering where I would need to start to accomplish this goal. I know that diet needs to be spot on but how about the training and style of training. Currently I am doing baseline's power/hyper program. Should I switch it up off this?

Also is it better for me to get down to 11-12% and then lean bulk up?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as my first ones get answered. Thanks in advance!

[bigZthedestroyer]

Okay first off my stats

Age: 26
Weight: 214.5
Height: 6'2.5"
BF %: 15-16

Okay, so I am not ready to compete, not even close, but I want to eventually compete. I am thinking anywhere from 14-18 months depending on when competitions are. I am looking into when and where they will be and the rules for them. I live in BC, Canada so somewhere near me is best.

I am wondering where I would need to start to accomplish this goal. I know that diet needs to be spot on but how about the training and style of training. Currently I am doing baseline's power/hyper program. Should I switch it up off this?

Also is it better for me to get down to 11-12% and then lean bulk up?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as my first ones get answered. Thanks in advance!

Your at a good starting point now. You want to compete! The best thing to do is pick a show and pay your dues to the show and organization so you have some motivation. Once thts done decide how long you want your prep diet to be. I did 12 weeks for mine but everyone is different. Train according to what works for you. Concentrate on form an contraction..Most important thing IMO is POSING! Start posing now..in between sets and after your workout. YouTube an bodybuilding dot com have some good guides. Ask questions. If you don't know ask..there are several people here who will help you get where you want to be..I would start spending some time in the nutrition section with the pros. They can help you with diet! Congrats and good luck!

[Brick]

Your at a good starting point now. You want to compete! The best thing to do is pick a show and pay your dues to the show and organization so you have some motivation. Once thts done decide how long you want your prep diet to be. I did 12 weeks for mine but everyone is different. Train according to what works for you. Concentrate on form an contraction..Most important thing IMO is POSING! Start posing now..in between sets and after your workout. YouTube an bodybuilding dot com have some good guides. Ask questions. If you don't know ask..there are several people here who will help you get where you want to be..I would start spending some time in the nutrition section with the pros. They can help you with diet! Congrats and good luck!

Thanks big z!

I have been focussing a ton on form. Especially eccentric control and contraction.

I am looking at the CBBF and the latest Event that have posted is next August. So maybe that one. It says 'more information to follow' so I will just end up contacting them myself.

16 week cut vs 12 week cut. 16 week either drop more weight OR drop same amount but it is less strenuous?

Is it better to do a 4 week cut and drop 10lbs now to get to 12-13% and stay there or continue on path and just worry bout muscle building?

[Dpyle]

Best of luck on your journey. I to am looking at entering my first comp ( aside from the bulk classic) next august. My advice would be to pick a weight class for your goal that way you have a target and not just whatever you happen to weigh in at. That alone should give you an idea of whether you need to bulk, maintain, or cut then bulk before prep time.

As stated before start working on posing. 15-20 min practicing and holding poses leaves me as winded as the same amount of cardio.

Definitely look forward to following this thread.

[Brick]

Okay so I read into and according to this...



http://npcnewsonline.com/npc-bodybui...petitor-rules/

I think I should compete at 198.25 (light heavyweight). So with a 12 week cut I should be able to get up to 230ish I think. That way I could come in as a huge 198.25

So I think I will diet down to 200 right now and lean bulk for at least 10 months or so then cut down

[bigZthedestroyer]

Okay so I read into and according to this...

<img src="http://forums.steroid.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=128630"/>

http://npcnewsonline.com/npc-bodybui...petitor-rules/

I think I should compete at 198.25 (light heavyweight). So with a 12 week cut I should be able to get up to 230ish I think. That way I could come in as a huge 198.25

So I think I will diet down to 200 right now and lean bulk for at least 10 months or so then cut down

Awesome dude.. I was a lt heavy in my comp photos..I weighed in at 192..

[Brick]

Awesome dude.. I was a lt heavy in my comp photos..I weighed in at 192..

checked out your album, nice work man!

How tall are you and what BF% were you in those pics?
trying to gauge where I am now with where you were there so I know where I am at to compete!

[bigZthedestroyer]

I'm 6ft. I'm not sure what my bf was at the time. I measured it with an electronic handheld(I don't trust these at all). It said I was at 8ish. I always get different readings with those though so I'm not sure.

[Brick]

Okay. If I use 8% as a baseline that puts you at 176.94 LBM. Gives me an idea with where I would like to be

198.25 at 8% is 176.87 LBM. Less then what I have now unless my bf% is incorrect (15%)

[bigZthedestroyer]

Have you looked into clen or any other chems to help with fat loss?

[Brick]

Have you looked into clen or any other chems to help with fat loss?

I have clen on hand. I'm in PCT right now though so I don't think I should be cutting just yet?




There's me from today

[bigZthedestroyer]

Nice man. You got a great base to start prep with. It's cool how it all works out. I never felt like I was ready to do the show. Mostly because I was pretty critical on myself. You'll be good to go when the time comes

[Brick]

I think I am goin to wait until after PCT to cut. Then get down to 195-200. Lean bulk after that

[Far from massive]

I have not competed, however I am old as dirt and have been around both Pro and Am bodybuilders and have judged and agree with the posing deal 100% in amatuer shows its amazing the difference in the posing ability of contestants.

To that end if you have the funds for it you would do very well to hire someone to help you on your posing as well as changes to your cycle and nutrition as contest time draws near. Keep in mind that you do not need to employ this person full time for the next year (unless you are filthy rich then by all means do so) By having the person watch you do your poses soon they can provide feedback on your routine and how to change both how you pose as well as taylor your workouts to cover up any weakness. If there is no one in your area available or if funds do not allow it then simply have a friend video your routine from the angle you would expect to be seen from on stage, then either self critique or show the vids to others to get feedback on your routine.

At a minimum I would seek out someone who you trust to oversee your nutritional plan as well as cycles and during the last month every detail of your diet/workouts/compounds, this is an area where sooo many amateurs miss the boat. Just think of how many people you have seen show up at a show flat only to look great the following week, or conversly look great the days before the show only to spill over. There can not be anything more discouraging than putting in all that hard work and knowing you could have won if you had not missed by a day or two.

Also one last point, in most amateur shows they are very forgiving of lack of muscle mass, but are very hard on conditioning so you would do much better to arrive a little smaller and shredded than big and wet.

Anyway best of luck.

FFM

[Brick]

I have not competed, however I am old as dirt and have been around both Pro and Am bodybuilders and have judged and agree with the posing deal 100% in amatuer shows its amazing the difference in the posing ability of contestants.

To that end if you have the funds for it you would do very well to hire someone to help you on your posing as well as changes to your cycle and nutrition as contest time draws near. Keep in mind that you do not need to employ this person full time for the next year (unless you are filthy rich then by all means do so) By having the person watch you do your poses soon they can provide feedback on your routine and how to change both how you pose as well as taylor your workouts to cover up any weakness. If there is no one in your area available or if funds do not allow it then simply have a friend video your routine from the angle you would expect to be seen from on stage, then either self critique or show the vids to others to get feedback on your routine.

At a minimum I would seek out someone who you trust to oversee your nutritional plan as well as cycles and during the last month every detail of your diet/workouts/compounds, this is an area where sooo many amateurs miss the boat. Just think of how many people you have seen show up at a show flat only to look great the following week, or conversly look great the days before the show only to spill over. There can not be anything more discouraging than putting in all that hard work and knowing you could have won if you had not missed by a day or two.

Also one last point, in most amateur shows they are very forgiving of lack of muscle mass, but are very hard on conditioning so you would do much better to arrive a little smaller and shredded than big and wet.

Anyway best of luck.

FFM

Wow, great advice man! I had not thought about any of that. I have a business card of a former IFFB pro that now trains/nutrition/prep contest. It would serve me well to get ahold of him!

[Far from massive]

Thats excellent, lots of them offer different levels of prep to fit different budgets, hopefully you and him can work out a plan that fits your needs and budget.

[bigZthedestroyer]

Thats excellent, lots of them offer different levels of prep to fit different budgets, hopefully you and him can work out a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Definitely a good idea.

FFM, you aren't by chance on the west coast and looking for business are you?!

[Brick]

Definitely a good idea.

FFM, you aren't by chance on the west coast and looking for business are you?!

Pacific NW? As in BC or Washinton?

[baseline_9]

I will give it to you straight...

If I wanted to complete in 14 months time I would adopt a high intensity training program and a high intensity drug program also ...

I would periodized my training and gear usage.... 6-8 weeks blasting, 2-3 weeks deload and about 1 week off and then repeat.... During the deload and rest phase I would add extra cardio and reduce carb intake slightly to help lean out a little and would probably use clen during this phase... 10 days on 5 days off is what I have found 'feels' best for me...

I would stay on gear the whole time and cruse during the 2-3 week deloads and 1 week complete rest phase.....

I would start off with a moderate to high dose of AAS for the 6-8 week blasts and I would gradually increase the dosage after each deload depending on sides....

[Brick]

^^^thanks baseline!

I'm not sure I want to blast and cruise though. I don't know a lot about it but I don't like the idea of being shutdown that long.

I'm not against cycling but not that aggressive.

Perhaps a longer goal date (24 months? 30 months?) would be better? Then I could have 4-5 cycles with proper pct?

[bigZthedestroyer]

Pacific NW? As in BC or Washinton?

Oregon!

[Brick]

Oregon!

Ah darn. Was hoping was nearer to me! BC

[Far from massive]

Definitely a good idea.

FFM, you aren't by chance on the west coast and looking for business are you?!

No I am on the east coast. As far as business if you mean contest prep I appreciate the compliment but I definately lack the knowlege to help you there. I have good common sense and know some people who have competed at high levels but I have nowhere near the experience needed to advise someone on all that goes into good contest prep.

PS while I agree that Baseline's approach would yield good results, with all due respect to Baseline, I definately would not suggest you adopt it at the present time, if you do this for another couple of years and decide that its the life for you then it would be something to consider but to do so on your first contest before you even know if you are willing to commit to the whole deal fully would be very reckless IMHO.

FFM

[bigZthedestroyer]

Yeah that's what I was getting at. You've always got some good knowledge posted up!

[bigZthedestroyer]

Ah darn. Was hoping was nearer to me! BC

Ya not to close lol..I have some family that have a cabin up in the mountains somewhere in BC. I'm gonna try to make it up there one of these days.

[Brick]

No I am on the east coast. As far as business if you mean contest prep I appreciate the compliment but I definately lack the knowlege to help you there. I have good common sense and know some people who have competed at high levels but I have nowhere near the experience needed to advise someone on all that goes into good contest prep.

PS while I agree that Baseline's approach would yield good results, with all due respect to Baseline, I definately would not suggest you adopt it at the present time, if you do this for another couple of years and decide that its the life for you then it would be something to consider but to do so on your first contest before you even know if you are willing to commit to the whole deal fully would be very reckless IMHO.

FFM

I agree. It is to an aggressive an approach. While it is sound and backed up it is not for me, I do not plan on doing a career out of it. Perhaps doing the summer cut classic on here is a better idea!

[baseline_9]

I agree. It is to an aggressive an approach. While it is sound and backed up it is not for me, I do not plan on doing a career out of it. Perhaps doing the summer cut classic on here is a better idea!

Yeh I agree it is a big commitment to take the approach I outlined.... That's why I'm not recommending you do it, just stating my opinion on what I would do if I wanted to compete...

It depends what u want out of this show..... If u want to do it just to say you have done it then carry on as 'normal'.... If you want to do it to win I can assure you there will be guys who are taking that approach and therefore will be at an advantage straight away.... It's sad but it's true...


Either way you can still adopt the style of program I have outlined, you will simply need to do a PCT instead of a cruise and then have a short recovery period post PCT to ensure bloodwork is is good order.... However I would still rather stay on for a bit longer and maybe do a few blast cruises and then come off completely and do a PCT and repeat....... Its really your call... I don't think shutting down the HPTA and then restarting it is the most productive route if you have a clear goal in mind TBH....