I understand these things are usually a bit long, but I’d rather give well explained advice than bullet points and let you figure out the rest. Thanks to everyone that clicks ‘continue reading’. Now here’s some more…. **** Actual useful information **** Ok so it’s almost time for comp season round 2 for the year so I thought I’d make this edition of Actual useful information, or Ai for short (the U is silent), about something regarding bodybuilding comps. What separates you from the Pro? Genetics right? I’ll go ahead and probably agree with you on that, there are people out there that say genetics don’t dictate shit and you just have to work harder but they’re probably the ones that stack on muscle mass just by turning up to the gym. You can try and eat like them, try and train like them, try and supplement like them but that doesn’t mean you’ll look like them on stage. Seriously, try all that, I’ll wait for you to finish. Because if you’re not already vomiting from your body trying to reject the sheer quantity of food these dudes eat, you’ll soon be vomiting after one of their several (in some cases) workouts for the day. And if somehow you’re NOT vomiting after that you’ll probably vomit in sheer disbelief at the LACK of ‘supplements’ some of them use to get to that size and condition when compared to what a majority of the amateurs out there take. There’s exceptions to these rules all over but the fact remains even with all that food training and bicycling you’ll probably never get to that size or condition. But what you CAN do is pose and present like a pro. Posing and stage presence can be part ‘genetic’ in that some people are natural showmen (showpeople?) but more importantly, unlike a natural affinity to gain freakish amounts of muscle, you can LEARN these traits. They’re also the ultimate display of hard work over talent because even if you’re a talented poser, someone who’s put in the hours of learning their own body, how it looks, how to position it, how it can move, can easily clean the floor with the competition. And you can’t buy swallow or inject this shit, it’s you, all you. I’m not saying go out there and throw down a posing routine like Kai Greene, but you should at least be capable of coming up with something better than Branch ‘set off the klaxtons and hit most musculars’ Warren. Ok so where’s the advice? How do I do this? Are you SURE I can’t just inject some finesse? Here, Like I’m about to say, and Yes in that order. Posing practice in comp prep: Practice daily. Every day. Even rest days. Yes the whole prep. Start with mandatories and light holds for the first week or two till you get used to it. Hold the poses for a count of 10-20 seconds each and as the weeks progress hold the poses rock hard, pose like you’re up there and it’s your stepping stone from 2nd to 1st. Pose in front of a mirror to begin with every time and eventually go 50% of the time with mirror 50% without. Because you won’t have a mirror on stage so you need to know what the pose FEELS like not looks like. Adjust poses: Hit the pose gently to being with and asses what it looks like, use your common sense, think about what others look like in that pose, get into the mind if the judge and think ‘does this look good’. If it doesn’t, adjust it. Elbows higher, toes out, scapula down whatever. Try different things till you find what works for you. Know you’re weaknesses, strengths and your body shape: It’s all smoke and mirrors up there, you can make small triceps or hammies look big with a little squashing. And the only way a judge will see a weak body part is if you put it on full display. Hiding is sometimes easier said than done but the perfect example is most muscular. Long thin arms? Broad shoulders? Lacking chest thickness? You’re an absolute idiot if you go for a crab most muscular. On a similar note, if you’re 5ft4 and 100+kg with legs like silos, you probably can’t pull off a front facing tri and thigh pose. And as far as knowing you’re body, know how it moves and feels. I’ve seen some truly spectacular physiques place 4th and 5th because they don’t know how to spread their lats……. Know that they’re always, ALWAYS watching: You’re not just being judged on your poses you realise. Judges attention will be drawn to those that show they know what they’re doing. You don’t have to go full show pony mode, but learn to transition between poses, and be confident. You’re only up there for a few minutes, you may as well enjoy it. So, what have we learned? -Practice your posing daily durin prep -Learn what a pose FEELS like not just looks like -Start posing gently then eventually make it like you’re on stage -Customise the poses to suit your body -Customise the poses to show your strengths and hide your weaknesses -Always be holding a pose on stage unless transitioning -Learn to add a little flare to your pose transitions -Act like you belong up there And things we didn’t cover but are just as important, -Learn to hit a pose fast, and transition with flair quickly -And don’t assume you know the next pose, listen to what they request There’s a lot more to know but these are some basics that I’ve learnt along the way. I’m more than happy to help anyone with advice and assistance here or in person. As long as you’re in the WA area for in person. Preferably near Warehouse gym. I take payment in chicken breast and gluten free mint slice biscuits. Also diamonds. I’m not even fussy if they’re conflict diamonds. Credentials: This one time in 2011 I won a best poser award at the NT Saltwater classic state division.
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:58:35 +0000
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