Question for the competitors

Shelby · Nov 9, 2009

How long do you guys (and gals) think you'll be competing for?

How many more years / at what age do you think you'll say "ok, I got what I wanted out of this... now I just want to stay in good shape and relax a bit"? (and focus on other endeavors...)

Many will probably say "I'll compete as long as I enjoy it". That's fine, and a good answer.

But do you see yourself competing when you're 45? 50? 60? 70?

You don't need to have an answer.. it's just something to think about.
For most of us I think it does take a toll on our health, even if we're doing everything we can to be safe.

I know some of the competitors on this board are already in their 50s, so I'm interested in hearing their feedback as well.

VTliftVT · Nov 9, 2009

Not sure if doing one show is enough to be considered a "competitor" yet but I'll answer.

I believe I will compete now, early in my professional career, until my career and personal priorities take up more time than my bodybuilding and desire to compete will allow. I figure this window may last another 2-3 years at most.

At that point in time I will then continue to stay in shape and hopefully maintain some size and focus on becoming successful at my job and at being a husband and hopefully a father sometime after marriage.

Once I reach a level in my career that will allow me to provide for my family and live comfortably I think I will continue to pursue my love of bodybuilding and will begin competing again. If things go right, I see this occuring around 35-40 years of age.

pesty4077 · Nov 9, 2009

Funny you mention that. I retired 18 years ago, but decided to compete again for a couple of years. I feel I look good, but I am out looking for better health at this point, then winning.

tkav1980 · Nov 9, 2009

a question for shelby.

i would like to do 1 or 2 competitions but recently bodybuilding( well my horrible attempt at it) has been more of an exercise in dicipline. something i enjoy because it isnt easy. this is what i would like to do until the day i leave this earth. what advice would you give someone like me?

Marshal-1 · Nov 9, 2009

Did my 1st show when I was 27, just did my 15th show last month and I am now 43. I have no plans on stopping anytime soon.

michelin · Nov 9, 2009

Did my first show in June age 40 and loved it, I'm training for my next one in May 2010 age 41, thats as far ahead as I'm looking

Shelby · Nov 9, 2009

tkav1980 said:
i would like to do 1 or 2 competitions but recently bodybuilding( well my horrible attempt at it) has been more of an exercise in dicipline. something i enjoy because it isnt easy. this is what i would like to do until the day i leave this earth. what advice would you give someone like me?

Advice on discipline?

I think discipline really comes down to motivation.
If you want it bad enough, you'll find the motivation.

Like they say - "if you have a strong enough WHY, you'll figure out the HOW".

AWN2004 · Nov 9, 2009

Shelby said:
How long do you guys (and gals) think you'll be competing for?

How many more years / at what age do you think you'll say "ok, I got what I wanted out of this... now I just want to stay in good shape and relax a bit"? (and focus on other endeavors...)

Many will probably say "I'll compete as long as I enjoy it". That's fine, and a good answer.

But do you see yourself competing when you're 45? 50? 60? 70?

You don't need to have an answer.. it's just something to think about.
For most of us I think it does take a toll on our health, even if we're doing everything we can to be safe.

I know some of the competitors on this board are already in their 50s, so I'm interested in hearing their feedback as well.

I don't know if I can answer that question because honestly my views change from year to year.

I like weight training and I will do so for a long time to come but competing is something that I never intended on diving into. It just happened. As I'm coming to the final weeks of my prep, I have really discovered so much about myself that I thought I already knew but didn't. The journey is very rewarding. It's not about the actual contest for me but rather achieving a new personal best. I see myself competing for the next couple of years at least.

w8tlifterty · Nov 9, 2009

I competed several times from 22-24. Taking some time off to get priorities straight and start a family but will make a "comeback" once I feel like I achieved certain other things that I put on hold while competing. I never really enjoyed getting on stage, ... Just like pushing the body to a higher level than previously attained.

BIG-D · Nov 10, 2009

This year I turned 26 and decided that from now on I am going to give 100% of myself to this sport...until I decide its time to start a family. I like to be the absolute best that I can be in all that I do. I know that if I were to continue to compete with a family I would never be the best husband and father that I could be so thats when ill hang it up. Until that day comes I eat sleep and breathe bodybuilding

full_belly · Nov 10, 2009

im 30, and have competed 4 times since age 21. this is my job and passion. my current goal for the future is learning to find balance between the self centred aspect of bodybuilding with all the amazing people i have around me.. I am single no kids, but I know finally that having a family will complement my bb, and visa versa.. its all about compromise and compassion..

I am no longer "just" a bodybuilder, I am a multi faceted fella who has as his main passion the sport of bodybuilding

New_Mass · Nov 10, 2009

I could see myself competing a few more yrs, Its all fun, no need to be all extreme about things just having fun with it and seeing how far i can go within reason with my physique, if that takes me to winning state and national level shows or even being able to snatch a pro card "then stop afterwards" before I hit 40 the latest 45 so be it, on the other hand if not so be it, bottomline its about just having fun and not being caught up and obsessed with shit win or lose, im 34 and currently weighing 240lbs, i've done one show and wont do another until i achieve a certain Balance with my physique, notice i said balance, not biggness(would like to somewhat see a right flow of lines), line it up 1st, being big and Unbalanced is corny as hell, a no no for me, so balance and biggness will follow