How much do amateur and professional bodybuilders spend?

[Figue]

Hey guys, just out of curiosity and for the sake of debate, I wanted to get your point of view on how much an amateur vs. a professional bodybuilder spends.
Assuming both are currently active, and depending on the country they are based in.

I know there's a difference because of the standard economy in the US vs. Europe, as well as the level of reach and impact it has within the sector.

 

[FrenchBench22]

I'm not a professional or high level amateur, but here's my breakdown. I'm not a coach or trainer, just someone that enjoys lifting and improving my physique and well-being. I simplified some costs (all rice instead of [rice cakes+rice flour+jasmine rice], no breakdown for supplements because that's on subscription, cheapest options of groceries instead of organic, PEDs are not "high").

Monthly groceries $500
Monthly supplements $100
Monthly gym membership $100
Monthly PEDs $150
Monthly coaching $100-200

So at least $1000/month if being as cheap as possible. But I do buy some organic groceries, have several gym memberships, etc.

A better breakdown:
Weekly groceries
1750g egg whites (3.8lbs, $3.50/lb) $13.30
14 eggs $3/dozen, $6
840g oats (1.85lbs, $0.70/lb) $1.30
350g blueberries ($3.50/450g) $3.50
1kg sourdough $10
700g banana (1.5lb, $0.79/lb) $1.2
3.2kg chicken breast (7lbs, $3/lb) $21
3.2kg rice (7lbs, $1/lb) $7
3kg potato (6.6lbs, $3/5lbs) $6
200g peanut butter ($3/400g) $1.5
800g Greek yogurt ($7/900g) $6
600g whey isolate (1.3lbs, $5/lb) $6.50
40g salt ($1,50/60g) $1

These are using the cheapest options at the grocery store. After spending time in Europe, I absolutely believe there is something wrong with American ranch and agriculture, and I do opt for higher quality food options when possible. Organic, free range, GMO and pesticide free, local farms, etc. High quality whey like True Nutrition, not just whatever is on sale at Costco.

Monthly A vial of test, a vial of eq, 3 kits gh, one peptide, some insulin $400.
There are cheaper options, but using a trusted supplier, and knowing exactly how much of what is in everything (including carrier oils, preservatives, solvents, etc.) I have found does make a difference with inflammation and eventually performance and recovery.

Supplements/vitamins:
Omega 3 Fish oil, vitamin D, vitamin K, citrus bergamot, magnesium, glutamine, vitamin c, NAC, tudca, zinc, nattokinase, astragalus, curcumin, milk thistle, CoQ10, PPQ, digestive enzyme, creatine, taurine, cyclic dextrin, EAAs.

That's not including physiotherapy and chiropractic work, psychologist, initial cost of a walking pad, three different gym memberships, etc.

The total monthly cost is probably closer to $1500-2000.

 

[cm]

just for a different perspective

Monthly supplements $100 estimate @15$ worth of protein powder and free multi vit that my parents get from medicare that they cannot use due to medications. dont use protein powder often, mostly food and I do buy what is onsale online. Never bought expensive whey
Monthly gym membership $100 32.00$
Monthly PEDs $150 depends
Monthly coaching $100-200 0.00$

food kind of the same. I dont eat potato too much. lots of rice/rice cakes for me too, other then that Same.

Omega 3 Fish oil, vitamin D, vitamin K, citrus bergamot, magnesium, glutamine, vitamin c, NAC, tudca, zinc, nattokinase, astragalus, curcumin, milk thistle, CoQ10, PPQ, digestive enzyme, creatine, taurine, cyclic dextrin, EAAs.

none of these. one item is melatonin if that counts for Supplements

That's not including physiotherapy and chiropractic work, psychologist, initial cost of a walking pad, three different gym memberships, etc.

no physio, no chiro, no psych---- I see the 3 memberships- but earlier you mentioned, and lastly said not including so I dont know if its 100$ plus the additional or 100$ total.

I write this not to conterdict, but to pose a different approach. I got my pro status 11 years ago, and I didnt use any of the supps, docs, coaches then either.

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

I'm not a professional or high level amateur, but here's my breakdown. I'm not a coach or trainer, just someone that enjoys lifting and improving my physique and well-being. I simplified some costs (all rice instead of [rice cakes+rice flour+jasmine rice], no breakdown for supplements because that's on subscription, cheapest options of groceries instead of organic, PEDs are not "high").

Monthly groceries $500
Monthly supplements $100
Monthly gym membership $100
Monthly PEDs $150
Monthly coaching $100-200

So at least $1000/month if being as cheap as possible. But I do buy some organic groceries, have several gym memberships, etc.

A better breakdown:
Weekly groceries
1750g egg whites (3.8lbs, $3.50/lb) $13.30
14 eggs $3/dozen, $6
840g oats (1.85lbs, $0.70/lb) $1.30
350g blueberries ($3.50/450g) $3.50
1kg sourdough $10
700g banana (1.5lb, $0.79/lb) $1.2
3.2kg chicken breast (7lbs, $3/lb) $21
3.2kg rice (7lbs, $1/lb) $7
3kg potato (6.6lbs, $3/5lbs) $6
200g peanut butter ($3/400g) $1.5
800g Greek yogurt ($7/900g) $6
600g whey isolate (1.3lbs, $5/lb) $6.50
40g salt ($1,50/60g) $1

These are using the cheapest options at the grocery store. After spending time in Europe, I absolutely believe there is something wrong with American ranch and agriculture, and I do opt for higher quality food options when possible. Organic, free range, GMO and pesticide free, local farms, etc. High quality whey like True Nutrition, not just whatever is on sale at Costco.

Monthly A vial of test, a vial of eq, 3 kits gh, one peptide, some insulin $400.
There are cheaper options, but using a trusted supplier, and knowing exactly how much of what is in everything (including carrier oils, preservatives, solvents, etc.) I have found does make a difference with inflammation and eventually performance and recovery.

Supplements/vitamins:
Omega 3 Fish oil, vitamin D, vitamin K, citrus bergamot, magnesium, glutamine, vitamin c, NAC, tudca, zinc, nattokinase, astragalus, curcumin, milk thistle, CoQ10, PPQ, digestive enzyme, creatine, taurine, cyclic dextrin, EAAs.

That's not including physiotherapy and chiropractic work, psychologist, initial cost of a walking pad, three different gym memberships, etc.

The total monthly cost is probably closer to $1500-2000.

$100-200 a month on coaching is impressive, I don't know anyone that is that cheap, but that is awesome if you have the arrangement worked out.

 

[luki7788]

$100-200 a month on coaching is impressive, I don't know anyone that is that cheap, but that is awesome if you have the arrangement worked out.

I thought I was too cheap lol

 

[massephase]

This is just a reflection of my personal shortcomings, but in another way, it's a coping mechanism to not stress out too much and feel bad ... I stopped calculating it.

It's a lot, similar to French Bench's calculations. Food and gh are the biggest items, then coaching, gear, meciations, supplements, gym membership and stuff like bloodwork. I've also been to private doctors and paid out of my own pocket here or there because I wanted to visit a good doctor within a reasonable time frame, not some random one my insurance pays for and wait 6 months.

 

[massephase]

Man it's an insane "hobby". The first advice to anyone looking to be a bodybuilder should really be career advice

 

[traininsane11]

On average roughly about 100% more than any of us will ever make back out of it that’s for sure

 

[FrenchBench22]

$100-200 a month on coaching is impressive, I don't know anyone that is that cheap, but that is awesome if you have the arrangement worked out.

I thought I was too cheap lol

Yeah, I've been with Luki for several years. I don't know his current rates, but I believe I'm "grandfathered" into the rate he had when I first contacted him.

I put a range because I pay him in euros from USD, and the exchange rate changes constantly.

I've heard some YouTube and Instagram people say they charge $300-1,000/month USD, and they don't have people competing at the national or professional level but are somehow always "only a few spots left! Sign up now!". Yet some more experienced, established coaches charge the same or less. The coaching industry is all over the place.

 

[FrenchBench22]

Monthly gym membership $100 32.00$

... I see the 3 memberships- but earlier you mentioned, and lastly said not including so I dont know if its 100$ plus the additional or 100$ total.

To clarify, I pay for 3 gym memberships.

$100/month is my primary gym, pricing includes membership for myself and my wife.

$30/month for a gym near one of my jobs, I use that location sometimes to train or just shower.

$50/month for a gym chain, so when I'm traveling I can always find one nearby.

My wife pays $60/month for another chain, so I have access to that as well.

 

[luki7788]

It always makes me wonder if people actually keep track of all their expenses.
Honestly, I never done that in my life, whether it was bodybuilding-related expenses or just normal living costs. If someone asked me how much I spend on all my bills each month, I honestly wouldn’t know. And it has been like that my whole life.
I just pay them and move on

 

[d4ve]

It always makes me wonder if people actually keep track of all their expenses.
Honestly, I never done that in my life, whether it was bodybuilding-related expenses or just normal living costs. If someone asked me how much I spend on all my bills each month, I honestly wouldn’t know. And it has been like that my whole life.
I just pay them and move on

NGL I do the same.

I don't necessarily think it's an irresponsible way to manage money, just depends on how you manage your saving and budgeting in other areas.

I make sure I'm saving aggressively into a few buckets, and then I make sure my checking account is consistently above X amount. Checking account steady, savings and investments going up = we're good.

As to the bodybuilding expenses...yes, food is expensive, but y'all realize you'd be buying food regardless, right? It's much harder and more arbitrary to determine the delta between your current food spend and what it would be if you weren't bodybuilding...but that's the real cost here.

 

[d4ve]

Yeah, I've been with Luki for several years. I don't know his current rates, but I believe I'm "grandfathered" into the rate he had when I first contacted him.

I put a range because I pay him in euros from USD, and the exchange rate changes constantly.

I've heard some YouTube and Instagram people say they charge $300-1,000/month USD, and they don't have people competing at the national or professional level but are somehow always "only a few spots left! Sign up now!". Yet some more experienced, established coaches charge the same or less. The coaching industry is all over the place.

$1000 per month sounds absolutely wild if this is "just" bodybuilding coaching...are people paying that much for diet, supps, and gear? Maybe training? That shit had better be incredibly hands on.

 

[d4ve]

On average roughly about 100% more than any of us will ever make back out of it that’s for sure

100% of $0 is still $0

Idk how much the amount is for me, but it's a shitload more than zero.

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

$1000 per month sounds absolutely wild if this is "just" bodybuilding coaching...are people paying that much for diet, supps, and gear? Maybe training? That shit had better be incredibly hands on.

Yeah, people are paying that. I trained at a gym in Columbus for a few years where Mike Francois trained people at. This was in 2011-14, and a 12 week prep package was like $3500. I'm not really sure what all came with that price tag, but seemed high, and that was 15 years ago.

Obviously he was a former pro and a good one at that, so some of that fee is probably just name recognition, but he could command it.

 

[traininsane11]

Yeah, people are paying that. I trained at a gym in Columbus for a few years where Mike Francois trained people at. This was in 2011-14, and a 12 week prep package was like $3500. I'm not really sure what all came with that price tag, but seemed high, and that was 15 years ago.

Obviously he was a former pro and a good one at that, so some of that fee is probably just name recognition, but he could command it.

I remember many years back on I believe a British forum someone posted the prices of Hany Rambod and a “prep” was about $8k from memory so I assume 12-16 week and this was probably 10-15 years ago

 

[traininsane11]

Tbf none of these coaching prices seem that crazy when Vigorous Steve charges $50 per minute for a consult call

 

[luki7788]

Tbf none of these coaching prices seem that crazy when Vigorous Steve charges $50 per minute for a consult call

If someone is actually paying him that much money, then hats off to him and respect to this guy for how well he can sell himself - it really shows how excellent he is at marketing

 

[traininsane11]

If someone is actually paying him that much money, then hats off to him and respect to this guy for how well he can sell himself - it really shows how excellent he is at marketing

Apparently he has to keep putting his prices up because he has more bookings than he can handle so he tries to lessen it by raising the costs

Truly remarkable how he’s managed to create such a market for himself incredible achievement

But I’m sure I remember him saying some time ago you need $20 million in the bank to be financially free so he has big financial goals clearly

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

Tbf none of these coaching prices seem that crazy when Vigorous Steve charges $50 per minute for a consult call

This statement is not a "why do people need coaches when there is so much information available posts", I use a coach when I prep, and hell I coach guys, but what knowledge could this guy possibly possess that could command that kind of price. I can understand a high ass price tag for a complete prep that comes with diet, continuous adjustments, training, PED guidance, emails, calls, peaking etc. the whole shebang. I can't fathom getting 1500 dollars worth of information from a 30 minute call.

I have never really listened to any of his content, I am aware of who is, and iirc he is just a drug / longevity "guru" type ?