Thinking of competing. . .

[Squat4Life]

If you did not know . . . I have never competed in a body building event, all I have ever done is a few powerlifting comps and was thinking about doing something in the amateur BB route. Looking at the alphabet soup of BB groups almost made my head spin. Which would be a good one for a first time amateur? Is it better to weigh in at the top or bottom of your weight class? If I go into an AAS free group, should I be worried of doing it a few months before hand?

More questions to come. . .

[Alter-Ego]

I personally like NPC. The shows are run very well. There are always Novice/Open Divisions.

As for weight class, the saying is, "get in where you fit in" whatever the hell they mean by that! LOL I would say coming in at the top of your class IN THE BEST POSSIBLE CONDITION. You won't know where you're at until you diet it down. Just get as ripped as possible. Most amateur shows come down to conditioning. A guy with better genetics will get beat by a guy with better conditioning. Now if the guy with the genetics is just as lean its all his.

[Sienna]

i am a fan of npc as well!

i'm not a bodybuilder but the best advice i was ever given regarding competition was: get yourself a coach that you trust 100% to be in the driver's seat. listen to their every word (and NO ONE ELSES!). Everyone becomes a "guru" when you're competing...can't mix theories. plus its nice to have someone do the thinking for u!

[Squat4Life]

well I like what im hearing about the NPC and will check into it. . . can I stay on AAS in the NPC?

[Sienna]

Originally Posted by Squat4Life

well I like what im hearing about the NPC and will check into it. . . can I stay on AAS in the NPC?

NPC is non tested.

(they do host natural shows but they are pre-announced)

[Squat4Life]

I'm down to about 7%bf at the moment, what is the best %?

[Sienna]

wow....impressive.... you're already nice and low bf wise!!!! which is a great starting point!!

is your avatar you now??

the guys that compete can assist you more but i don't think its as much about 'specific numbers' as it is how you look (symmetry, vascularity, striations, etc). everyone looks different at different numbers.

[Alter-Ego]

You could be ready in a month from where you are now. I think for you it will be a short diet, but it will all come down to dropping water.

[Squat4Life]

Sienna, thats me as of last week, I've been cutting for about 5 weeks now from my winter bulk cycle. . . dropped 12lbs of fat, I can keep my mass pretty well when cutting. I have been trying to work on my symmetry by giving my traps a break, those things just wanted to pop right up to my ears for awhile.

AE- any tips on dehydration without death

[Alter-Ego]

I've got what I was advised to do, but its not for the faint of heart and definitely not something I would post. My trainer last year also does the precontest diet and water depletion thing for Iris Kyle MS. OLympia 2004, Frank Roberson, and a few others.

It has caught on with some of the other top guys as well, but I was honestly scared the first time I tried it. It worked though, no problems whatsoever.

I can PM you with it if you're interested. I just don't want some idiot trying to look good for the beach to end up in the hospital, or worse just because I posted it.