Bodybuilding is definitely a subjective sport. As I told you in my article “Why I Love This Subjective Sport” the judges make bodybuilding subjective, but the competitors make it a competition. With the right attitude they can compete against themselves and make the improvements needed to place higher in each competition.
How to Compete
When you walk into the gym you have some choices to make every single time. Will you do more repetitions than your previous workout? Will you increase the weight? Will you add more sets? Each decision is aimed at the same thing–to help you compete against yourself.
The way to build a bigger and more asthetic body is to push yourself harder and harder. Compete against yourself in the process. Remember that nobody else is really competing with you. It is all you.
How It Works With Other Sports
In baseball, if the Dodgers are about the play the Angels, they have a recent example of how the Angels played. They have a reasonable expectation of how things will come out. A bodybuilder does not have this luxury. Most competitors don't compete in back to back shows. They take time for improvements between shows. That means that anything is possible. All the competitors have been busting their butts in the gym and the kitchen. The results they bring to the stage will be unknown until they actuall step up on that stage.
The Bodybuilder's Job
Our job as a bodybuilder is to work on our weak parts. I know this better than most because I love the sport and want to compete, but I have some major flaws that need improving. I am expected to figure out a plan to improve the weak body parts and then execute on it. I have to prepare a training plan that works, a nutrition plan that handles the caloric needs for my body, a cardio plan that will condition me and then I have to get my mind in the right place. Each of these things on their own is not easy, but put together as a package and it is even more difficult.
Beat Your Own Training
Always figure out what body parts of yours are lagging. Plan your training to hit them more than once in a cycle. Get the right amount of time in between body parts. Train with intensity. Always beat your previous workout. Never give up. Your bodybuilding career depends upon it.
Be Consistent with Your Eating
Plan what you are going to do for nutrition ahead of time. Failing to plan is planning to fail. It is very true. You have to map out your menu ahead of time. It is the best way to insure you get the right amount of calories into your system. If you want to grow you have to eat. Eating helps with recovery. It helps with muscle building. It helps with keeping fat to a minimum. It just plain helps. It is essential.
Beat Your Cardio Training
Cardio training is no different than weight training. I personally like to push it harder and to higher levels each time I do it. Can I beat the number of calories from the previous workout? Can I go further? Can I go for more time? These variables can be messed with to improve the cardio training. Cardio goes directly to your conditioning, so don't let it slip.
Get Your Mind Straight
Much of what goes on with failing at the other parts of the plan involves mental issues. We don't think we can do it. We are too tired. We don't want to train. The list goes on and on. Get your mind straight and get into the gym. It is not an easy thing, but it is an essential thing. Our mindset is going to determine the success of our program. It effects every single aspect of our program. Take the time to figure it out.
Reach All Your Goals
Put together these elements and you will reach your goals. It is easy in a way, but extremely difficult in another way. Push hard and reap the rewards. Tell us how you beat yourself to compete by commenting below.
