Become a Women’s Figure Bodybuilding Competitor
You know you want to, but where do you even start?
If you’re like me, you have come across hundreds of images of beautiful ladies, in peak physical shape, all glittered and shined up, with sun-kissed spray tanned skin, and abs for days, and wondered… how can I get there?
My name is Jennifer, and I’m so excited to share with you my journey. I have been actively competing in women’s figure bodybuilding competitions over the past 5 years. I was overwhelmed when I first knew I wanted to get into this “world”, so I did what you’re doing now and started my own internet research. I cyber-stalked successful competitors I felt I could relate to, and shared similar physical traits with. Thank goodness many of them had videos and blogs and shared with me what they’d learned along their journey. I knew even back then, that one day I would want to be able to pay it forward, in hopes to share what all I have learned along the way myself. So the idea of “Bench Press Betty” was born! To me, the term “Betty” was synonymous with the Pin-Up Era. It meant a woman was pretty. To me, it also meant these women were strong, the whole package. Think Rosie the Riveter. Also, more near and dear to my heart was the fact that Betty was my Grandma’s name. She had always been my biggest supporter, cheerleader, and confidant growing up. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t do in her eyes. Sadly, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and ultimately lost her battle a couple days before my birthday 5 years ago. She would never get to see my success as a figure competitor. I wanted to find a way to honor her in my fitness journey. She was someone I always relied on when I needed help, tips, advice, or motivation. Now I hope I can offer all of that to you!
Always remember, I believe in you!
Now full disclosure, I’m not a personal trainer or coach in any way… that is where I differ in many respects to most of my idols and fellow competitors. And the great thing is, you don’t have to be a personal trainer or coach to compete! There are so many people who work every day 9-5 jobs, and were just looking for a way to challenge themselves. That was me! I have a career, and work Monday thru Friday 8-5… and have found a way to adapt my fitness and nutrition goals to my lifestyle. And most importantly, still have a life!
“You don’t have to be a personal trainer or coach, to compete!”
So my advise won’t come in the form of “subscribe and send me money and I’ll share with you my advice”. I’ll be honest, some people I followed turned me off to them when they started that. But they’re certified and that is how they earn a living, so I can respect that. For me, I lack the time in my busy day to devote to training and coaching others, let alone take care of training myself! I’ve also spent many years in the gym overhearing people’s multitude of excuses to their trainers. If you want it bad enough, you’ll find the time and put in the effort. Period.
“If you want it bad enough, you’ll find the time and put in the effort. Period.”
Instead, I merely want to share with you what I have learned along the way, how I got started, and where I am currently at in the process, in hopes that some of my advice, tips, or experiences will help you reach your goals! I will share some of the articles and research I’ve gathered to support my opinions. I have set up “Betty’s Besties” as a way you can subscribe to my site and receive notices of my latest posts and videos. I won’t spam you, we all get enough junk mail nowadays as it is. But my goal is to hopefully offer you some support along the way. You’re not alone, we’re in this together!
“You’re not alone, we’re in this together!”
It was almost 15 years ago now when I first saw a figure competitor in person. Her sculpted shoulders and strong stature dominated the gym floor. I’d never been athletic growing up. It wasn’t for a lack of trying. I tried dancing as a toddler, then cheerleading and basketball in middle school, but to no avail. I did however have a love of music. I’d taken years of basic piano lessons during elementary school, and so when it came time to audition for the middle school band… I went in desiring to be a trumpet player, but they ended up handing me a french horn. And I did really well! I was even drum major my senior year of high school and got to march in London for a New Year’s Day parade and a U.S. President’s inaugural parade. I played in bands and orchestras and ensembles up thru a couple years in college. But I always desired to look like those athletic girls. I was skinny as a bean pole. Barely broke 100 lbs.
Everyone has to start somewhere…
Years came and went, and it wasn’t until I traveled to Lubbock TX in 2013 to have one of those “dunk tank” body fat scans for fun, that I ran into a women’s bodybuilding coach. It seemed like fate! I hired her, and together we mapped out a workout schedule and meal plan. She gave me guidelines on what to eat and what not to eat. I would check in with her periodically for weigh-ins and fat caliper measurements. I knew I wanted to compete one day, but I had a lot of work to do.
“You have to have patience!”
Years of random “fad” diets over the years had wasted my muscles away to a state of “skinny fat”. I may have only weighed 115lbs, but my body fat % was 25%. But, I was a blank canvas. You have to have patience. I worked for a year solid to “bulk up” and gain muscle. Then when I finally decided it was time for me to do a show… I weighed 142 lbs and my body fat was close to 30%. It was discouraging to say the least. You have to understand how the cycle of training for bodybuilding works. You have to have patience. When you train in the “off season” (meaning outside of the 16-20 weeks prior to a competition) you will gain weight a little as you put on muscle. An unfortunate side effect is that you’ll increase your body fat slightly, within a reasonable amount (depending on how strict you are on diet and if you perform cardio during the offseason).
You have to trust the process!
Here’s where you have to trust your training and the process. By working with a coach like I did, you will be able to use caliper body fat measurements to ensure that the additional weight you see on a scale coincidences truly with muscle gain and not unreasonable fat gain. When you begin to train for a show, on average 16-20 weeks before the date of the competition, your focus will shift from “bulking” and gaining muscle mass, to “cutting” and trimming the extra body fat. In my personal opinion, losing the body fat is easier than gaining the muscle. At least that was my experience.
“Losing the body fat is easier than gaining the muscle!”
Now I do recommend working with a coach, trainer, or nutritionist. Check in to local gyms or Google and see if you can find one near you. Be sure if you are wanting to compete that you find a trainer who is skilled in the world of competitions. Now, if you aren’t looking to jump up on stage, but would still like to look more sculpted and athletic, that is perfectly fine too! In either case, it will take a lot of stress off of you. They can help you with your meals and nutrition, as well as your workouts.
I’m excited to share with you my fitness journey, and the tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way to balance it with my busy schedule, work, family time, and still have a full and happy life!
Stay tuned for more!
