The $$ spent to compete in a contest now

[Howard]

I'm guilty of pissing away $$ to compete posing in a thong on stage ,several times .
Yup, been there, done that and like most things it wasn't all good or bad.

Now, I see the avg meathead or bikini babe spending a LOT of $$ just to compete in the "NPC Outer Mongolia" contest.
 Supplements and drugs were always part of the hardcore contest scene. What gets to me is the extreme amount and different forms of drugs and supplements many think are "REQUIRED", just to compete in a local or state contest.

If all these drugs and supplements made them look better on stage, it would make sense.
In my opinion it doesn't. In fact, I think it takes the focus away from the basic , key ingredients of a good contest prep.

In bodybuilding the goal is pretty simple . Maximum muscle mass with minimal fat for a massive, ripped looked body.
The bikini babe just needs to look sexy with firm thighs , trim midsection and toned glutes.

A good old fashioned strict diet and cardio goes a long way to meeting the competitor's contest goals.
I'm not saying they need to be 100% drug free or that drugs don't matter.
It seems to me that the too much emphasis is spent on drug regimes and guru prep coaches.

In my opinion, the avg competitor would look BETTER for less $$ if they put more focus on diet/food and obtaining lower body fat%.
I don't see the need for a paid prep guru and a laundry list of drugs and legal supplements.

[Competitor 9]

Ground breaking principles there Howard. Look for the bodybuilding world to turn upside down

[Howard]

Ground breaking principles there Howard. Look for the bodybuilding world to turn upside down

LOL
The bodybuilding world has been wrong side up regardless of my involvement.
I am questioning the need for exotic dandelion weed diuretic tabs and spending hundreds on a prep guru.

Getting super  lean and having a dark, quality bronzer "tan" is the main deal.

[Competitor 9]

LOL
The bodybuilding world has been wrong side up regardless of my involvement.
I am questioning the need for exotic dandelion weed diuretic tabs and spending hundreds on a prep guru.

Getting super  lean and having a dark, quality bronzer "tan" is the main deal.

Lol well I did my prep last time on my own on very little amount of drugs. I still needed about 5lbs of fat to come off to be in true contest shape.  I bought a coach this time to see what I can learn. The drugs are way different. It's really the peaking that I need the most help with

[Howard]

Lol well I did my prep last time on my own on very little amount of drugs. I still needed about 5lbs of fat to come off to be in true contest shape.  I bought a coach this time to see what I can learn. The drugs are way different. It's really the peaking that I need the most help with

Get down under 5% body fat and you won't need to worry about "peaking".
Get lean and spend any extra $$ on quality bronzer ( tan).

[whitewidow]

It's way to expensive to compete these days just the spray tans and hotel rooms will cost you 300-500$. Then most guys are spending 2 grand on drugs plus money on supplements and food gets too spendy. I'm guilty of spending alot of money on drugs and I don't even compete.I agree with most of what Howard does say. drugs are needed these days though.

[Howard]

It's way to expensive to compete these days just the spray tans and hotel rooms will cost you 300-500$. Then most guys are spending 2 grand on drugs plus money on supplements and food gets too spendy. I'm guilty of spending alot of money on drugs and I don't even compete.I agree with most of what Howard does say. drugs are needed these days though.

The right "look" and freaky mass needed to do well on the national stage, does require a certain amount of drugs.

So, I think most of us should take "going pro" off the table and enjoy bodybuilding as a hobby.
You can compete and do fine in your wt class in most state/local shows without taking a pharmacy of drugs.

I've seen plenty of ripped Middle wts and Lt Hvy's compete and look incredible on small , moderate cycles.

[ritch]

it's just insane.
Add gh and forget about ever having money for anything else...

[Neymar Barca]

I'm guilty of pissing away $$ to compete posing in a thong on stage ,several times .
Yup, been there, done that and like most things it wasn't all good or bad.

Now, I see the avg meathead or bikini babe spending a LOT of $$ just to compete in the "NPC Outer Mongolia" contest.
 Supplements and drugs were always part of the hardcore contest scene. What gets to me is the extreme amount and different forms of drugs and supplements many think are "REQUIRED", just to compete in a local or state contest.

If all these drugs and supplements made them look better on stage, it would make sense.
In my opinion it doesn't. In fact, I think it takes the focus away from the basic , key ingredients of a good contest prep.

In bodybuilding the goal is pretty simple . Maximum muscle mass with minimal fat for a massive, ripped looked body.
The bikini babe just needs to look sexy with firm thighs , trim midsection and toned glutes.

A good old fashioned strict diet and cardio goes a long way to meeting the competitor's contest goals.
I'm not saying they need to be 100% drug free or that drugs don't matter.
It seems to me that the too much emphasis is spent on drug regimes and guru prep coaches.

In my opinion, the avg competitor would look BETTER for less $$ if they put more focus on diet/food and obtaining lower body fat%.
I don't see the need for a paid prep guru and a laundry list of drugs and legal supplements.

howard,i dont remember exactly when,but i always saw big texts on forums and no pics,you said me to find them but i never found them...then here,couple weeks ago you started a long thread where you explained how you were broke and competed and you posted pictures...you looked great,not maybe ifbb proesque but for a normal people great! you are absolutely right,NO MONEY is worth today to be an ifbb pro!!! better save the money and do something else and just train to be in shape...i think that is even better to spend that money on delicious food (and still beeing in shape) than to spend money on chicken red meat etc...in the end of the day you ask yourself "why am doing this,is it worth it"

[Competitor 9]

it's just insane.
Add gh and forget about ever having money for anything else...

That's why this is going to be my last show tell school is done. I need skin and gh to make it to the heavy weights and honestly what's the point? I'm in school to make a career and not waste my time in a thong.
I'm happy being a ripped 190. Im usually the biggest guy wherever I go and that fine fir me. Life is more then just comepting. But to those that chase the dream more power to them. I have other priorities

[ritch]

That's why this is going to be my last show tell school is done. I need skin and gh to make it to the heavy weights and honestly what's the point? I'm in school to make a career and not waste my time in a thong.
I'm happy being a ripped 190. Im usually the biggest guy wherever I go and that fine fir me. Life is more then just comepting. But to those that chase the dream more power to them. I have other priorities

type of phrase would could wake up the trolls here but I hear ya and fell the same man. I got the 6 week out look year round and do it on very low gear. Filling out an xl shirt and not being a fat ass is still pretty damn good.

This is MY contest and well... I won!

Good enough for me. No trophy will change this...

[Competitor 9]

type of phrase would could wake up the trolls here but I hear ya and fell the same man. I got the 6 week out look year round and do it on very low gear. Filling out an xl shirt and not being a fat ass is still pretty damn good.

This is MY contest and well... I won!

Good enough for me. No trophy will change this...

And that's all that matters!! Lol true in off season I'm a decent shape 220 im not always the biggest but Usually unless there is some big fat ass around that thinks he's jay cutler 

[Howard]

type of phrase would could wake up the trolls here but I hear ya and fell the same man. I got the 6 week out look year round and do it on very low gear. Filling out an xl shirt and not being a fat ass is still pretty damn good.

This is MY contest and well... I won!

Good enough for me. No trophy will change this...

This attitude and philosophy x 1000!

[Howard]

howard,i dont remember exactly when,but i always saw big texts on forums and no pics,you said me to find them but i never found them...then here,couple weeks ago you started a long thread where you explained how you were broke and competed and you posted pictures...you looked great,not maybe ifbb proesque but for a normal people great! you are absolutely right,NO MONEY is worth today to be an ifbb pro!!! better save the money and do something else and just train to be in shape...i think that is even better to spend that money on delicious food (and still beeing in shape) than to spend money on chicken red meat etc...in the end of the day you ask yourself "why am doing this,is it worth it"

Thank YOU!

Working out was always meant to be a healthy, wholesome hobby for 99% of us.
Getting into a local or state show 1-2 per year is moderate and can actually be FUN.
Trying to take it beyond that requires incredible genetics and a lot of wasted $$$.

[wes]

I'm guilty of pissing away $$ to compete posing in a thong on stage ,several times .
Yup, been there, done that and like most things it wasn't all good or bad.

Now, I see the avg meathead or bikini babe spending a LOT of $$ just to compete in the "NPC Outer Mongolia" contest.
 Supplements and drugs were always part of the hardcore contest scene. What gets to me is the extreme amount and different forms of drugs and supplements many think are "REQUIRED", just to compete in a local or state contest.

If all these drugs and supplements made them look better on stage, it would make sense.
In my opinion it doesn't. In fact, I think it takes the focus away from the basic , key ingredients of a good contest prep.

In bodybuilding the goal is pretty simple . Maximum muscle mass with minimal fat for a massive, ripped looked body.
The bikini babe just needs to look sexy with firm thighs , trim midsection and toned glutes.

A good old fashioned strict diet and cardio goes a long way to meeting the competitor's contest goals.
I'm not saying they need to be 100% drug free or that drugs don't matter.
It seems to me that the too much emphasis is spent on drug regimes and guru prep coaches.

In my opinion, the avg competitor would look BETTER for less $$ if they put more focus on diet/food and obtaining lower body fat%.
I don't see the need for a paid prep guru and a laundry list of drugs and legal supplements.

[mr.turbo]

Howard is settled into his rhythm

He will not be dissuaded from posting the same nebulous material for an additional decade.

[Teutonic Knight]

China is making very cheap plastic trophies, like Vince Basils Olympia "trophy" 1980 

[stavios]

what pissed me off isn't spening money on food or supps because I would take them and eat anyway.

but fuck, those entry fees and shits.... fuck it i'm never paying that again

[michael arvilla]

Hookers and Blow always money well spent! (imo)

[trapz101]

It's way to expensive to compete these days just the spray tans and hotel rooms will cost you 300-500$. Then most guys are spending 2 grand on drugs plus money on supplements and food gets too spendy. I'm guilty of spending alot of money on drugs and I don't even compete.I agree with most of what Howard does say. drugs are needed these days though.

doug miller doesn't need it though

[Kwon_2]

I'm guilty of pissing away $$ to compete posing in a thong on stage ,several times .
Yup, been there, done that and like most things it wasn't all good or bad.

Now, I see the avg meathead or bikini babe spending a LOT of $$ just to compete in the "NPC Outer Mongolia" contest.
 Supplements and drugs were always part of the hardcore contest scene. What gets to me is the extreme amount and different forms of drugs and supplements many think are "REQUIRED", just to compete in a local or state contest.

If all these drugs and supplements made them look better on stage, it would make sense.
In my opinion it doesn't. In fact, I think it takes the focus away from the basic , key ingredients of a good contest prep.

In bodybuilding the goal is pretty simple . Maximum muscle mass with minimal fat for a massive, ripped looked body.
The bikini babe just needs to look sexy with firm thighs , trim midsection and toned glutes.

A good old fashioned strict diet and cardio goes a long way to meeting the competitor's contest goals.
I'm not saying they need to be 100% drug free or that drugs don't matter.
It seems to me that the too much emphasis is spent on drug regimes and guru prep coaches.

In my opinion, the avg competitor would look BETTER for less $$ if they put more focus on diet/food and obtaining lower body fat%.
I don't see the need for a paid prep guru and a laundry list of drugs and legal supplements.

[Howard]

Hookers and Blow always money well spent! (imo)

You make a great point there.

For all the time, effort and $$ spent on competing in contests, I wonder how much enjoyment many get from it?

[Howard]

what pissed me off isn't spening money on food or supps because I would take them and eat anyway.

but fuck, those entry fees and shits.... fuck it i'm never paying that again

I know of plenty of men that spend a lot of time and $$ on fishing.
I don't like fishing myself. BUT, if you enjoy fishing , it's money well spent .
One dude from my old gym, loved fishing, but hated being part of a Bass tournament.
The entry fee was pricey and he ended up feeling pressure , and not relaxing while fishing.


I know what you mean about feeling fuked from paying entry fees $$ , buying bronzer, posing trunks, etc.
BUT, that's a required part of competing in bodybuilding contests.
It's my observation and opinion that many people don't ENJOY competing.
So why take to the time, $$ , effort and hassle from doing it?

Hmmm, maybe "bragging rights"?

For me, it was a desire to compete and beat others in a sanctioned contest.
So, yes, for me, it was a clear form of "bragging rights".

[whitewidow]

The right "look" and freaky mass needed to do well on the national stage, does require a certain amount of drugs.

So, I think most of us should take "going pro" off the table and enjoy bodybuilding as a hobby.
You can compete and do fine in your wt class in most state/local shows without taking a pharmacy of drugs.

I've seen plenty of ripped Middle wts and Lt Hvy's compete and look incredible on small , moderate cycles.

I agree. I would actually tell any Teen or even a kid in their early 20's being a Pro bodybuilder is the worst goal they could choose. I'm all for professional sports but just ones that pay Millions.Basketball,Baseball,Football but IFBB Pro Bodybuilder NO!

[lilhawk1]

Get down under 5% body fat and you won't need to worry about "peaking".
Get lean and spend any extra $$ on quality bronzer ( tan).

You're exactly right.  Most guys never get close to lean enough, then delude themselves into thinking they just didn't peak right.  What they think is water is actually fat from not dieting correctly or hard enough.  I think it's an absolute joke that anyone that isn't competing as a pro even needs a diet coach.  99% of these coaches don't know shit about anything, and neither does the competitor.  If you can't put together your own contest diet, especially with the amount of info out there for free now, then you have no business competing.  I know guys that have never won a local contest that pay a coach.