A bodybuilder’s first time competing in entrance of an viewers will be daunting. There’s loads that goes into making ready earlier than and through a present. Six-time Figure Olympia champion Cydney Gillon shared her notes on her YouTube channel on Might 12, 2023, to assist amateur bodybuilders greatest put together for his or her first competitors. Watch it under:
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Cydney Gillon’s Suggestions for First-Time Bodybuilding Opponents
Right here’s an inventory of issues to think about, adopted by how Cydney Gillon coated every matter to assist greatest put together a brand new bodybuilding competitor for a present:
- Schedule Everything
- Tanning, Makeup, Jewelry, and Suits
- Attend a Bodybuilding Show
- Promoter Website FAQs & Music Guidelines
- Practice Posing & Show Expectations
- Backstage Prep
- Lotion & Exfoliate
- How to Use Pee Cups
- Show Day Tickets and Live Stream
- What to Do On Show Day
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Schedule Every part
Something and every little thing that must be scheduled needs to be a precedence, in accordance with Gillon. Whether or not that’s reserving a hotel or Air BnB, step one each new competitor ought to take as quickly as attainable is their preparation.
Gillon added that the venue a competitor stays in needs to be close to the competitors web site to keep away from delays brought on by site visitors or different transit. It’s crucial for brand new athletes to keep away from stressors that would spike cortisol earlier than or on present day.
Tanning, Make-up, Jewellery, and Fits
The six-time Determine Olympia champ recommends bodybuilding opponents know beforehand which skilled artists on-site they plan to make use of for his or her hair, make-up, and tanning. In fact, athletes can deal with all these elements themselves, but when they’re hiring others for his or her providers, know who and the place they’re on the competitors web site forward of time.
Totally different contests have totally different pointers for every side of make-up, hair, and tanning, so analysis tanning and make-up earlier than the present to know which tones to use. Based on Gillon, utilizing deodorant or moisturizing after showering is a giant no-no — it’s a part of the tanning protocol. Study to be snug with the tanning scent.
Go well with and jewellery designs needs to be deliberate properly earlier than the present. Nonetheless, it’s okay to attend to get fitted for the go well with nearer to the competitors date since cutting can impression the measurements.
Having a gown or tan pullover to place over the garments is important to guard the brand new bodybuilding competitor’s garments. Hand sanitizer is crucial for opponents who’re consuming (to placed on their fingertips) since they gained’t be capable to wash their palms after the tan is utilized.
Shopping for tanning sheets and towels early prevents placing one’s tan physique on white lodge sheets, which the inns will cost for. As a substitute, lay black, brown, or darkish sheets over the bedding the athlete plans to sleep on.
Attend a Bodybuilding Present
For first-time opponents, Gillon recommends spectating a bodybuilding present to study which class is most interesting to compete in. When it’s lastly time to register for a bodybuilding contest, be ready for the registration charges, together with late charges. Promoters implement charge pointers in another way. Set reminders for the costs, which will be upwards of 100 to 200 {dollars}.
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Checking the promoter’s web sites to see their pointers is a precious useful resource for answering questions and gathering data for the designated present. Make-up and tanning professionals’ data, in addition to music pointers, are usually listed on the promoters’ websites.
For instance, some bodybuilding classes will solely enable 45-second songs with no cursing. If the music isn’t turned in by its due date, the competitor will possible solely be allowed to make use of home music, which might negatively impression their posing routines.
Observe Posing and Present Expectations
Understanding how poses look and working towards them beforehand is crucial for scoring properly on the judges’ scorecards. Gillon recommends hiring a posing coach if reasonably priced. Gillon suggests new bodybuilders begin posing apply a yr out from their goal present and carry out no less than one posing session monthly.
New opponents ought to stay aware to mood their expectations of their first present. “You don’t must appear like Mr. Olympia or Ms. Olympia on stage at your first present.” Gillon continued, “The primary present is to get your ft moist, have an awesome expertise, acknowledge if that is the appropriate class for you, [and figure out if] you actually like doing this in any respect.”
Backstage Prep
If a brand new competitor brings their coach to their first competitors, they need to account for the backstage move, which might price upwards of 150 {dollars}. If the coach can’t be there, Gillon recommends organising a tripod backstage or within the toilet to do check-in progress photos with the coach.
Gillon packs as a lot of her stuff as attainable a couple of weeks earlier than leaving for the present to make sure she doesn’t neglect something. Having an additional pair of footwear and tremendous glue is crucial to be ready for something that would occur to the competitor’s shoes on the day of the present. Cones, flat irons, hair spray, and something wanted for hair must also be packed. Having backstage meals packed is one thing to think about as properly.
Lotion and Exfoliate
Gillion believes it crucial to know one’s pores and skin protocol earlier than getting a tan within the ultimate weeks earlier than a present. Gillon exfoliates and lotions two weeks out to maintain her pores and skin moisturized.
“Ensure that the pores and skin is sweet and supple, conditioned and wholesome the complete prep as a result of typically the pores and skin can get slightly dry since you’re taking out fat and macronutrients [that are needed to keep the skin moisturized and hydrated].”
Tips on how to Use Pee Cups
Gillon says a pee cup is used after the tanning, so be cautious when utilizing one to guard the tan. An athlete can purchase a pee cup or use an everyday disposable cup from the lavatory.
To keep away from mishaps, “Sit on the finish of the bathroom, separate the cheeks, after which let the stream pee down that means. Then take the tissue and pat [to prevent the pee from splattering]. Maintain it there, get one other tissue, pat it, and drop it into the bathroom.”
Gillon suggests utilizing headphones that don’t sit on the pinnacle and hair and solely go into the ears to guard the athlete’s hair. Pillows might help some opponents chill out as they sit down and wait for his or her time to go on stage.
Athlete Test-Ins, Present Day Tickets, Dwell Stream Data
The day earlier than the present, the bodybuilder ought to test the schedule for the athlete check-in to make sure they’re eligible for competitors. Athletes not checked in for the present will probably be lower from the roster.
Costs to compete often go up on competitors day. If there’s a reside stream of the competition, that data is often accessible the day of or the day earlier than the present — helpful for any members of the family or buddies to observe the present if unable to attend in individual.
What to Do On Present Day
On present day, the athlete ought to:
- Put on unfastened, darkish garments (gown or tanning go well with)
- Put on darkish footwear (ones to simply slide on and off that don’t intrude with the tan on the ft)
- Have your stage quantity packed and memorized
- Have meals packed
- Don’t stroll round; sit to relaxation the legs
- Know the present schedule; when every division competes
- Arrive backstage early (no less than 30-45 minutes earlier than the present)
- Breathe; deep breath earlier than strolling onstage, shake out the nerves.
- Keep good sportsmanship no matter inserting
Final however not least, Gillon said, “It’s not a golf match. Inform your loved ones they will yell as loud as they need…while you get on that stage, take your time and have enjoyable.”
Featured Picture: @vytamin_c on Instagram
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