Have You Ever Seen a Bodybuilding Show?

Most of us go to the gym just with the intention of gaining some muscle and losing some fat in order to look good, feel good and stay healthy. As a matter of fact, for the first ten years of my bodybuilding endeavors, I never even contemplated stepping on a bodybuilding stage. I just practiced bodybuilding as a personal challenge in order to see to what extent I could develop my body and also as an activity that made me more disciplined and focused in all other aspects of my life.

Some of us, after practicing bodybuilding for a few years (and perhaps under the influence of some peer pressure from those around us at the gym) start looking at ourselves in the mirror and think about the possibilities of taking it one step further by testing our mettle and entering a bodybuilding or figure competition. Typically, this is one of those endeavors that you either hate or love. The pre-contest dieting and the rigorous pre-contest training are very demanding physically, mentally and even spiritually. It also takes a lot of time from your day as well and without a fully supportive family that understands the reasons behind what you are doing, your first bodybuilding contest experience can turn out to be quite a nightmare. Add to that the low energy levels that you will undergo on the last few weeks before a show due to extremely low body fat levels and the many times that your mind will start playing games and make you rationalize one thousand reasons why not to follow through. Suddenly you realize that you have entered a challenge and a half. However, once all is said and done, you will know yourself better, know what you are capable of under extreme circumstances and be proud of the fact that even when the going got really tough, you placed your best foot forward and achieved your goal of getting in contest shape. Such an accomplishment will improve your confidence levels dramatically. I always say that if you have the laser focus required to get in contest shape and compete at a bodybuilding show, then you can apply that same focus and discipline to any other aspect of your life and be extremely successful. Would you like be to provide you with an example of that? No problem. I have three words for you: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In any case, if you are contemplating entering a bodybuilding show or are just curious about what goes on in one of them, I just found out that the 2006 IFBB Ironman Pro Bodybuilding Championships will be “webcast live on February 18th”, as stated on a press release by Bodybuilding.com. The Ironman Pro Championships is the first professional bodybuilding show of the season and those who place top 3 will qualify for the “super bowl” of bodybuilding, which is the Mr. Olympia contest. If you catch the webcast, keep in mind that most of the guys competing have been training for years and also have above average genetics when it comes to muscle building and fat loss, so if you fear getting like any of them by accident, you have nothing to worry about. I personally like to watch a high level bodybuilding show for its entertainment and inspirational value. If you catch it, let me know what your thoughts on the competition where by posting on my Competition Forum. Also, tell me if you found someone that inspired you and perhaps even prompted you to get more aggressive about reaching your personal fitness goals.