Thread: When do you know you're ready?

Originally Posted by NEO_72

Hi everyone,

Alright, this is probably a stupid question - I was wondering if there was a general rule of thumb to gauge when you'd be ready to start training to compete? Like height-to-lean weight ratios, etc?

Right now I'm 33 and have been training for 3 years. I'm 6'1", and about 222lbs (end of gaining this year) at 19%bf (from my home calliper, could be off ). So that's about 180 lean lbs. Being taller, with small 7" wrists (I was a skinny kid growing up) I'm thinking I need at least a couple (2-3) more years of getting lean gains? I know I need to develop more density. I would think taller people need more mass to compete against shorter people who are more compact?

Anyway, I know squat about the competition side of things, but just the thought of planning to compete down the road gives me a sense of dedication and purpose. I just want to be able to know when I'm ready.

Thanks everyone.

Awwww, something I can actually comment on. I am also 6'1" and right now weight 250-255. Earlier in the year I was at 280 then competed, go down to 230 and gainded some more muscle mass and will be dieting starting July 11. Now for your question. I did my first show back in 1997 and weighed in at about 190-195 and ever since then I put on size but only competed once a year or every other year. And am paying for it now. i have the size just not the thin skin that comes with dieting down for shows. If you are wanting to compete there has to be a desire, a fire inside, and if you'r asking about then it is burning. Look at a show early next year, maybe march or april and start to diet slowly now. Not strict. Just smart. Include a little more cardio, eat smart, stay away from junk food. Over the next 6 month or so you will see that your body fat is decreasing but your staying the same size if not getting bigger. Then in January start a strict diet for a contest. Once you are done with that you can add a few pound of muscle and then diet again. every time you diet and go back to eating you will get more muscle. That is if done properly. I can not say anything about density because I have never seen you but having a hard look helps. I hope this helps out a little.

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, the fire is starting up. Don't know what lit it. I think it just comes from seeing out of shape guys at work fronting behind their sweaters, saying dumb a$$ sh|t in ignorance about what you need to do/eat etc. Resolutioners who get up and and preach for the 2 weeks a year they lift some weights. I want to seperate myself and have a culmination of my efforts. And I want a trophy! A freaking HUGE trophy

Jeez, you're as big as I want to be supersayingoku I find your reply to be motivating! I am going to post some pics of myself in Sept once I shed a few pounds - right now the flash is wreaking havoc on my spare tire And I'll follow your advice on the dieting cycles too.

Geting some critiques here of my weak spots would be awesome.

Thanks again man!!

Hey Neo, Glad I could do some good. Yeah that fire comes out of now where. It did for me and has been lit for the last 12 years. I have had good and bad contest but I do it for me not the trophy. I am just a person that likes challenges, maybe from my time in the military, but each contest brings a new one and that is what keeps me going. Honestly you could do a contest now at your weight ( well weight dieted down ) but I would not expect to win. do it for fun and experience and then everyone you do after that go balls to the walls and shoot to win, do your best, look your best. The only thing you have to watch are all those folks that will make comments, mainly from ignorance. I will keep an eye out for pics, when I see some maybe I could make some suggestions to help you put on some size since I have been where you are.