Why do you (or dont you) compete?

[Josefein421]

I have struggled with this for the entirety of my training career. I want to want to compete but every time the same things happen 1) I just can't bring myself to care about the pageantry of the stage so things like posing never get practiced 2) Genetically it seems very hard for me to hold sub 8-10% for a length of time without feeling the effects on energy, motivation drops, cravings hit hard, guilt over not pushing harder, etc. 3) Number 2 brings about negative mental health stuff and relationship with food.

I know these things are common and hit everyone to some degree. I have struggled with it lately because I enjoy pushing, living the lifestyle daily, being locked in but I guess I crashed out after dieting since Jan. AJ said I was holding 8 weeks out for months and my body just couldnt sustain it any longer. That I pushed through medication adjustments, hypothyroid diagnosis, starting a job that had me up at 3am... and I loved it and felt great... until I didnt. But I feel mentally weak and like I failed myself. Which I dont know why. I love all things being a meathead... training hard, phasing... growth vs diet, having a meal plan, locking down routine, etc. The best feeling is smashing a crazy back or leg workout and then hammering a brunch or sushi feast feeling jacked and locked in. Why do I feel less than for living that lifestyle like it isnt as valid or not a "bodybuilding" unless you compete?

Again, I know this hits everyone to some degree during hard diet or prep but I just dont seem to tolerate it well at all... Or even as I type that I think "or am I being a pussy?" lol. And that really bothers me. I feel mentally weak. Like I must be missing a gear that those that push through have. But why do I care? Why do I need the stage to validate myself? I really dont care about it other than to say I did it.

I was in my early 20's when I found Dante and DC training and I think of him... a guy who lived the life every single day. Go massive, immersed himself totally in bodybuilding, training, competitive bodybuilding, business, etc. Never stepped on stage. But he is as bodybuilder a bodybuilder as anyone or more so than the genetically elite that put half the effort in. I dont look at him as unproven or less than. So why do I do that to myself?

I guess this isnt so much a "Why do you or dont you compete?" vs a crash out/existential crisis from me about what's next lol

 

[traininsane11]

To win

It’s a good question but I honestly think there’s only 1 correct answer and that’s the above

Of course we only only really have control of our own journey and doing all we can to be the best version of ourselves whether or not that wins in the eyes of judges in competition is totally out of our control

But for people who say it’s me vs me and just bettering myself and don’t care about where I place STFU if that was the case then you can just finish the prep, take some pics and go about your day NO ONE gets on a stage, spends all that money etc and doesn’t care about winning/losing

The clue is in what you’re doing COMPETING

it’s fine to get beaten, everyone will at some point but own it and don’t pretend you’re not bothered

(Not directed at you just in general)

Also not competing absolutely does not make you any less of a bodybuilder not every one has a competitive nature to the extreme and that’s not a problem it’s just who you are

In my opinion of course

 

[luki7788]

Honestly, looking back and comparing the way I lived when I was competing to the way I live now, my lifestyle today is actually much more disciplined.

If I remember correctly, I first competed in bodybuilding in 2014, and my last competitive season was in 2020. I haven't competed since. But don't get me wrong. What I do now doesn't feel restrictive at all. Years ago it probably would have, but I've been living this way for so long that it has simply become my normal life. I genuinely love it.
For example, I do at least 15,000 steps every day, including an hour of fasted cardio every morning. These days I usually just walk on the treadmill, or during the summer I go outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. It has a huge positive effect on my mental health.
When I first started bodybuilding, an hour of cardio felt like torture. Back then we sat on a stationary bike, stuck indoors, getting uncomfortable, and every minute felt like an hour. Now it's completely different. Some people answer emails or work while doing cardio. Personally, I prefer to leave my phone alone, not check social media, not even wear headphones. I just go outside, enjoy nature, clear my mind, and start the day that way. Honestly, one hour feels too short now. I'd happily do two, lol.
The same applies to my diet. I stick to it 100%. No cheat meals, no deviations. And I genuinely enjoy eating this way. It doesn't feel like a sacrifice anymore.

As for competing, I eventually realized that I simply don't need it. The contests themselves were never my favorite part. They were just the cherry on top. Now that I'm 38, I don't have that ego anymore. I don't feel the need to prove that I'm better than anyone else. I just enjoy getting a little better every day than I was yesterday, last month, or last year. That's enough for me.
The only reason I might compete again one day is because I enjoy the whole experience around bodybuilding. If it weren't for the damage I did to my arms with seo, and my current shoulder problems which prevent me from even hitting poses like the front and rear double biceps or front and rear lat spread I might actually do another show someday, especially in the Masters division, just for fun.

My Anna is an IFBB Pro, She's also 38 and still competes actively. In fact, she's looking forward to turning 40 so she can compete in the Masters division as well. We both genuinely love this lifestyle. I used to hate traveling, but now I actually enjoy going to competitions together, visiting new places, and finding new gyms. That's our version of tourism. We're not really interested in sightseeing or lying on the beach.
One of the best parts has been meeting people in real life who I first got to know through Instagram or bodybuilding forums.

Looking back, that's probably the biggest reason I'd ever compete again. Not to beat someone else. Not to prove anything. Just to enjoy the lifestyle.

 

[primobolan]

I can take my family on a weeks vacation pretty much anywhere in the US for a week for the cost of an npc card, travel, hotel, entry fee, spray tan, trunks. No thanks. The beauty is in the discipline, not the pageantry.

 

[Fleezy]

if i had infinite money, ligaments and tendons that weren't brittle as sheetrock, and a liver that doesn't grow tumors


then i'd consider it.. lol

 

[ThatGripGuy]

I have done. To the point of being 4x British and 2x European champ in my niche (Grip). I competed in Sweden, Germany, Spain and the US (inc the Arnold in 2010). Fun times

 

[ThatGripGuy]

I can take my family on a weeks vacation pretty much anywhere in the US for a week for the cost of an npc card, travel, hotel, entry fee, spray tan, trunks. No thanks. The beauty is in the discipline, not the pageantry.

This becoming a bigger issue. Eps so if you, as many do, compete in more than one class

 

[specter]

I dont compete, i love eating to much

 

[Josefein421]

Great post @luki7788. That all makes great sense. A lot to take away from that perspective wise. Thank you for taking the time to type it.

And yes obviously to win @traininsane11. That wasnt what I was getting at though. I meant what makes someone care about even getting up there let alone winning? There are lots of things we dont compete in because they arent important to us like they are others.

 

[qbkilla]

Never been interested. I think a person can be into healrh/fitness and use weight training and dieting and even drugs as tools to create the body they want without necessarily being into bodybuilding as a hobby.

As I get older I become less concerned with muscular size and more into health, longevity, performance goals, etc.

 

[traininsane11]

Great post @luki7788. That all makes great sense. A lot to take away from that perspective wise. Thank you for taking the time to type it.

And yes obviously to win @traininsane11. That wasnt what I was getting at though. I meant what makes someone care about even getting up there let alone winning? There are lots of things we dont compete in because they arent important to us like they are others.

You kinda answered it yourself - because it’s important to us I guess to go deeper some chemical process within the brain

Some people are naturally very competitive and some just aren't at all and it’s very hard to explain to someone who isn’t because they just wouldn’t get it kinda a IYKYK

Just gotta follow your own path laid out to each and everyone one of us in this life… gods plan if you will

 

[traininsane11]

To poke fun at it to a degree but also most likely cause it’s true

Probably linked to wanting some form of validation to make us momentarily feel good about ourselves

“Yay these people who I don’t know say I’m better than these other people who I don’t know life’s good”

That desire can be an extremely strong driver though for better or worse

We would probably find much longer lasting and healthy mental happiness if we tried to work on our need for this than to just chase “another win”

There of course can be many other contributing things

To achieve a better life
To prove things to yourself
Fame
Fortune
Etc etc

But that pure competitive nature stems from a need or lack of validation I believe at least

At some point I think we need to do it for more than just ourselves though whether that may be for a religious purpose or family etc because that’s deeper than just our own somewhat selfish reasons

Again just my perspective at this current time

 

[massephase]

I haven't ever competed, so I can't really speak on whether I would enjoy it or not. But from my perspective, I don't really care about it. It's not what attracted me to bodybuilding in the first place.

To me the thought of competing is only attractive because of the challenge of getting in that kind of shape, putting myself through such a hard diet and achieving the look of a lifetime. So even if I never decide to actually compete, I am definitely going to get into contest shape "just for fun" and live the rest of my life like a competitive bodybuilder for now.

 

[hawkmoon]

I started competing because when I began in the late '80s, so many of us did. Every hardcore gym in my area was full of competitors.

People much older and more experienced than me at the time strongly encouraged me to compete. Back then all the gyms were full of competitors, all the bodybuilding books were about competition, all the magazines were about getting on stage. Competition was part of the culture.

Honestly, I never really liked competing. I'm not at all competitive by nature always perfectly content where I am. That drive to chase it, to want it badly, I get why it matters so much to people, it just was never really my engine. I guess I fit in wonderfully with the zen Buddhist undertones of where I live now .

I stepped on stage to measure my work and effort, along with my genetic dice roll.
There's something in the culmination of work where you have to stand before others, regardless of rank or accolades.

It's been an on-again, off-again thing for me since 1988.

 

[Josefein421]

To poke fun at it to a degree but also most likely cause it’s true

Probably linked to wanting some form of validation to make us momentarily feel good about ourselves

“Yay these people who I don’t know say I’m better than these other people who I don’t know life’s good”

That desire can be an extremely strong driver though for better or worse

We would probably find much longer lasting and healthy mental happiness if we tried to work on our need for this than to just chase “another win”

There of course can be many other contributing things

To achieve a better life
To prove things to yourself
Fame
Fortune
Etc etc

But that pure competitive nature stems from a need or lack of validation I believe at least

At some point I think we need to do it for more than just ourselves though whether that may be for a religious purpose or family etc because that’s deeper than just our own somewhat selfish reasons

Again just my perspective at this current time

Definitely tied to a need for validation on some level or I think the dopamine hit. Which is crazy bc it’s a whole lot of suffering and work for a short lived dopamine spike.

Funny bc as I age and especially this year I have stopped caring so much about what others think. But I guess this is one area I still struggle with comparison/imposter syndrome.

Lots of good and interesting insight

 

[hawkmoon]

Definitely tied to a need for validation on some level or I think the dopamine hit. Which is crazy bc it’s a whole lot of suffering and work for a short lived dopamine spike.

Funny bc as I age and especially this year I have stopped caring so much about what others think. But I guess this is one area I still struggle with comparison/imposter syndrome.

Lots of good and interesting insight

For many, it's a dopamine hit, like so many other things in life. The desire to compete is driven by that neurochemical reward, the chase for the accolade or the status.

It's why I don't care lol, despite what @traininsane11 may think

 

[traininsane11]

Definitely tied to a need for validation on some level or I think the dopamine hit. Which is crazy bc it’s a whole lot of suffering and work for a short lived dopamine spike.

Funny bc as I age and especially this year I have stopped caring so much about what others think. But I guess this is one area I still struggle with comparison/imposter syndrome.

Lots of good and interesting insight

100% bro you’re absolutely right I don’t think I could ever rationalise or justify enhanced competitive bodybuilding (outside of top level) to anyone who’s not into it once they know what goes into it. They just think we’re insane and they aren’t wrong

Very interesting that you mention that and I think it’s in some way a key to true happiness and I feel the same in day to day life as time passes but I’d be lieing if I said I was fully able to accept that mentality as I probably wouldn’t have the same drive to compete also funny cause because I hear so often in this industry people say they don’t care what anyone thinks of them and they just live life on their terms etc but at the same time putting massive effort into getting on a stage to literally ask a bunch of random people to judge them and then very often before during and after posting pictures on their socials very often for some form of validation but remember “I don’t care what anyone thinks of me”

We’re a very very weird bunch who probably spend our time on some level of consciousness trying to figure out if we live this life because we love it or because we’re to scared to stop it

 

[traininsane11]

For many, it's a dopamine hit, like so many other things in life. The desire to compete is driven by that neurochemical reward, the chase for the accolade or the status.

It's why I don't care lol, despite what @traininsane11 may think

I believe you lol you said you don’t like competing and aren’t competitive by nature I still think you can prep and get on stage having done as much as the guy next to you who’s fully driven by winning but I think whilst the definition of what you’d be doing would be the same “competing” I don’t think your main drive would be that of competing if that makes sense

I think the drive to be the best at whatever it is that you can be VS the drive to be competitive differ on some level

Kinda hard to get across but hopefully that makes sense

 

[hawkmoon]

I believe you lol you said you don’t like competing and aren’t competitive by nature I still think you can prep and get on stage having done as much as the guy next to you who’s fully driven by winning but I think whilst the definition of what you’d be doing would be the same “competing” I don’t think your main drive would be that of competing if that makes sense

I think the drive to be the best at whatever it is that you can be VS the drive to be competitive differ on some level

Kinda hard to get across but hopefully that makes sense

It makes perfect sense.
I posted that half with a wink and nod

 

[tommyguns2]

Looking back, that's probably the biggest reason I'd ever compete again. Not to beat someone else. Not to prove anything. Just to enjoy the lifestyle.

This is a good summary of how I feel about the entire topic. Competing can be fun, if it's fun for you. I see it as a helpful way to set a goal and stay focused, but lots of the guys here don't need that, and don't care to compete. I get that entirely.

I'd say go ahead and compete one time and see if you like it. If not, no harm done. You just like the lifestyle.