Things to consider when picking a bodybuilding show in the Philippines to compete in.
When it comes to picking which show you want to participate in here in the Philippines, there are a lot of factors to consider and nothing is actually guaranteed that it will go as planned. But to try to break it down for you and help you better select, let’s talk about it in terms of the why, who, what, when, where and how that you should consider.
WHY - What do you want to get out of participating
There are many reasons why athletes participate in a bodybuilding show. For many, it’s the experience of a lifetime that they’re looking for, for others it’s perhaps the cash and prizes, potential sponsorships, combining your interest for travel and sports, or podium status bragging rights. Whatever your reason is, be sure you first know what it is and then search out a show that will potentially fulfill this.
But if getting your pro card is your goal, you’re going to want to read the next paragraph – The Who. Some shows offer pro cards but many don’t and this is where it’s important to note who is hosting the actual event.
WHO -- Federation hosting the show
There are many organizations and federations but we’ll quickly touch bases on the IFBB (International Fitness and Bodybuilding) and the WFF (World Fitness Federation) because they are the two most active federations here in the Philippines, hosting numerous shows every year. But they aren’t the same nor are their pro cards. If you get a pro card at WFF, this doesn’t give you access to participate later on in an IFBB Pro Show because their pro cards aren’t recognize by each. If your dream is to go pro and score the opportunity to compete at the highest international professional level, at Mr. Olympia, you’ll need to get your IFBB pro card first. IFBB is sanctioned by NPC, the largest amateur bodybuilding federation in the world, and it's the only one that will get you a pro card that will give you potential to compete in Olympia.
One of the loop holes with competing here in the Philippines is that there are shows that offer you the chance to win your pro card without requiring you to win at a national show first. Meaning you could win your pro card at your first ever competition. Where as in many other countries, you’re expected to win at a national qualifier show before then competing in a show for your pro card. That second step is omitted here.
Another organization you could also compete in is NBA (Natural Bodybuilding Australia) and ANB (Australasian Natural Bodybuilding). These are both natural bodybuilding organizations so they solely focus on natural bodybuilders.
I’m going to stop right here and teach you some lingo -- “natty” and “gear”. To be a natty bodybuilder, it means you’re not taking performance enhancement drugs, aka steroids, aka “gear”. If you’re natural, the NBA (Natural Bodybuilding Australia) and ANB (Australasian Natural Bodybuilding) are two federations who’s categories are all natural. Other federations or shows sometimes offer a natural category in it. Please note, unless it’s NBA, ANB, or the category is called natural, those participating in any category not labelled natural could be either natural or non-natural. This is definitely something you should consider when deciding what show to compete in.
Some organizations that offer the natural category work on an honor system, meaning they’re trusting their athletes to be honest that they’re all natural as oppose to doing expensive drug testing. As a natural athlete, it’s up to you if you want to go by that or if you want to be part of a guaranteed honest competition with an organization that does drug testing. My recommendation, participate in a show by NBA or ANB. Last year I went to a show hosted by NBA and in addition to their production team being next level impressive, the place was packed and it was very inspiring to see a full show dedicated solely to just showcasing natural bodybuilders.
WHAT - Categories offered & size of the show
Not all shows offer the same categories. The top three main categories almost always offered are Men’s Physique, Men’s Classic Physique, and Women’s Bikini. Additional categories include Men’s Bodybuilding, Men’s Jean Model, Men’s Sports Model, Woman’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Figure, Women’s Wellness, Women’s Sports Model, Women’s Fitness, Women’s One Piece, and Women’s Glamour.
If you’re a natural, you’re more than welcome to enter any category, you don’t have to compete in the natural category in a show that’s not hosted by a natural federation, but keep in mind that competing with non-naturals is a whole other level. And, despite what people may say or think, one is not better than the other; they’re just different. Oh, and sorry ladies, there is never a natural category offered for you outside of the natural federations, NBA and ANB. I don’t know why but they only just seem to only have it for the men.
More often than not, the more categories offered at a show means a longer show and bigger show but that doesn’t mean it’s better than one with few categories. It may mean more sponsors and better prizes but it does not guarantee it. What it may mean though is more wait time backstage for the athletes, which could really jeopardize your show day condition and pump, even if properly planned and anticipated. At one of my shows, I was told to arrive at 7am. This meant I had to get my makeup artist to come to my house at 3:30am so that I could leave at 5:30am. I arrived at 7am but because how many bodybuilders were participating, I didn’t get on stage until after 10pm and by then I was exhausted and many of the audience had gone home.
WHEN - Time frame needed
The typical prep time for a show is 12-18 weeks so step back and look at what possibly might interfere with your prep in those weeks leading up to your show. Things to consider include work trips, school exams, holidays, and any planned events.
WHERE – Show location
Local shows led by local gyms or clubs are much more affordable and accessible to not only you but your friends and family who want to come and cheer you on but the prizes may not be as good and there may not be that many athletes participating. I think this, like most of the factors at play here, leads you back to your why – why are you participating in a show and will this give you what you’re looking for out of participating.
If getting in some traveling is part of your why you’re looking to compete, keep in mind traveling to a show also mean added expenses, like hotel, gas, and food. It also means potential difficulties if you’re looking to hire someone closer to the show location to do your hair and makeup.
HOW - Your finances
In addition to the chunk of time and effort to support your prep, your prep requires a chunk of cash too. From buying groceries, gear and supplements, to paying for your gym membership, transportation, posing practice and coaching, make sure you have enough money set aside or at least coming in to cover your expenses for the X number of months leading up to show day.
Show day expenses to expect include your registration fee, tanning, competition suit, any needed shoes or jewelry, makeup, and hair. Keep in mind, if you’re competing in more than one division or category, there are additional registration fees for each additional.
The IFBB shows are the most expensive but they also often offer internationally recognized pro cards and function on an internationally respected level, meaning they’re often very well organized, adhere to a strict show day schedule, and have official, legit judges.
Regardless of what show you pick, if you want to have fun, you’ll have fun. No one federation, club or show will give you exactly what you’re looking for but you’ve trained so hard for the show so go out there and make the most of it. My suggestion is to make sure you have friends snapping a ton of pictures because not always do the show organizers do this, nor do many of them do it well, and you’ll want to have them for your own keepsake and for sharing.
In an earlier posted article here on Coach’s Corner, I wrote a list of show day necessities to prepare, for the ladies, so be sure to check that out. Men, I’ll make a list for you soon too.
Personally, I think the two biggest factors at play with regards to picking a show come down to your why and when. Make sure you give yourself a realistic time frame to work with so that you can bring your best body to the show and make sure the show will satisfy your why. I know my first bodybuilding show gave me much more satisfaction than any of my others even though my second one was with IFBB and on a whole other level. Honestly, I could have stood on a sketchy, dirty stage in the province and still had as much as an awesome time and it’s because it was my first show. I just really wanted the experience so I went into it full force, expecting and wanting to just really enjoy my journey to the stage and I definitely did enjoy it.
I hope this article helps you better pick out your first show. I’m no pro star at bodybuilding and I too am super new to this sport, but in the year that I’ve been in it and my 26 years of being a competitive athlete leading up to it, I can honestly say that in bodybuilding, you get what you give. Enjoy the journey, trust the process, and shine on show day.
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