Fitness/Figure Competitors

[wickham]

Hello! Thought I would try and get a thread going for fitness and figure competitors to chat about training, dieting, the pro girls etc. Myself, I'm 6 1/2 weeks out from my next show-so right into the crunch of everything! I've been competing for six years, this will be my 10th show (I think...!) It gets better preparing for each progressive show-but it's definitely never easy!

Looking forward to meeting and chatting to new people!

[Tryska]

so what is your pre-comp routine anyway? diet, training, etc?

( i realize it's a lot of info, but jsut wondering what your style is)

[nikegurl]

hi wickham. i'm new around here too. i need to add some size to my shoulders calves and hamstrings....and now i'm working on getting leaner. i competed once in natural bb when i was in college. sometimes i think i'd try figure...but realistically i'd be at least a year away. i won't do it unless i know i can be very happy with how i look. it's ok if i don't win but i have to believe i'm ready to do it.

so....maybe?

good luck with your next show!

[wickham]

Originally posted by Tryska
so what is your pre-comp routine anyway? diet, training, etc?

Well, I could go on for hours! A little synopsis though:
When it comes to diet I definitely do not go extreme on the "low carbs/no carbs", I cycle my carbs to keep them fairly high-I cannot afford to lose an ounce of muscle. (it's taken me forever to get this much!!) I am super strict on myself, no little cheats or slips, just stick to the six clean meals per day, each one (except on my lower carb days and at night) having a little bit of fat, some carbs and of course protein. I use alot of PVL protein (uh oh, will I get in trouble for that "plug"? They sponsor me-they're a canadian company) usually post workout and before bed.
Training is quite complex because I also have to worry about my routine. I've had to work super hard on the routine portion since I have no gymnastics or dance background! (that's why it's taken me so long to win a National title-I had to take tons of time to bring my routine up to par) I am only training three days on the weights, 3 days routine. Because I stayed alot leaner off season this year, I am keeping my cardio down as much as possible-again to conserve muscle. I pretty much know what works for me and stick to it. Everyone's different!

[wickham]

Originally posted by nikegurl
hi wickham. i'm new around here too. i need to add some size to my shoulders calves and hamstrings....and now i'm working on getting leaner. i competed once in natural bb when i was in college. sometimes i think i'd try figure...but realistically i'd be at least a year away. i won't do it unless i know i can be very happy with how i look. it's ok if i don't win but i have to believe i'm ready to do it.

so....maybe?

good luck with your next show!

I think figure is a great addition to the competitive scene! If there had been figure back when I started, I may have done it instead of having to work super hard on the routine. (the routine is so much fun though!)
If you're looking to put on muscle, you want to know the most basic thing that has helped me for the past two years? It sounds ridiculous and obvious, but-EAT! I guess as women we're so paranoid about getting "fat" that we usually eat less than we should. But when I started upping my calories (clean ones though!) especially post-workout I really noticed a big difference! (no pun intended!)
Taking the extra time to come into your first show the best you possibly can is always a good idea. You want your first show to be an enjoyable experience; if you know you're at 100% and your proud of your accomplishments, then it will be!

[Maki Riddington]

I'm curious as to who your mentor/s is/are?

[wickham]

Originally posted by Maki Riddington
I'm curious as to who your mentor/s is/are?

I really look up to our Canadian Pros-Kary Odiatu especially-she's definitely my 'motivator' and is someone I mold myself after. Christine Bergeron has a GREAT physique-I competed against her my very first year at Nationals in '99 when she won her fitness pro card (I placed 6th). Stephanie Worsfold is also another pro with a GREAT physique-she has switched over to figure now-she has the same problem as me with no gymnastics background for the routines. Of course the pioneers of the sport-Mia Finnegan, Monica Brant (also no gymnastics background!) are great, and as for current competitors, gotta say I'm an Adela Garcia-Friedmansky fan-she has no gymnastics background either but is doing great in the Pros! (see a pattern in my picks there!!!)
What about you? Everyone else?

[missfit_canada]

Hey Wickham,

Thanks for starting this thread!! It will be a great place to chat with other girls getting ready to compete!

[Savannah]

I think it's great to have you on here and I'm hoping it'll give my motivation a swift kick in the rear.

Are you going to consider switching to Figure now?

[Wolverine]

Savannah, I'll give ya swift kick in the rear!

[Mystic Eric]

Whoa holy crap. Another person from Vancouver. This is crazy.

[Tryska]

kudos to you for winning a fitness comp with no dance/gymnastics background...that's a hell of an accomplishment.

[xraygirl]

No kidding. Fitness comps are turning into Women's Gymnastics comps. Good on ya girlie!

[Savannah]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents in here regarding fitness comps and how much importance sometimes seems to be placed on a competitor's level of gymnastics.

I really don't see anything wrong with routines that emphasize a competitors gymnastics capabilities. Obviously I have a soft spot here but the way I look at it, a females gymnastics career is usually pretty short lived. Most are finished by the late teens and only those who go on to get scholarships keep competing until early 20's but then what??? Women's fitness is the perfect avenue for them to get into.

I just figure the competitors need to work with what their strengths are. If it's not in dance or gymnastics, then go the figure route.... or go the glaxy type competition routes.

[wickham]

Originally posted by Savannah
Are you going to consider switching to Figure now?

I am going to stick with the fitness, now that I have brought my routine up to a much higher level. I absolutely love performing the routine, and learning new moves (like a backhandspring) is just so rewarding! If my bod starts breaking down from attempting the routines, I would think about switching down the road.

[wickham]

Originally posted by Savannah

I really don't see anything wrong with routines that emphasize a competitors gymnastics capabilities. Obviously I have a soft spot here but the way I look at it, a females gymnastics career is usually pretty short lived. Most are finished by the late teens and only those who go on to get scholarships keep competing until early 20's but then what??? Women's fitness is the perfect avenue for them to get into.

I just figure the competitors need to work with what their strengths are. If it's not in dance or gymnastics, then go the figure route.... or go the glaxy type competition routes.

I agree that competitors should use their strong points. It is pretty complicated and controversial when you start to think about "what is fitness?" and what should the routines be? You definitely have to be "fit" to be a gymnast, but just because you're not a gymnast does not mean you aren't "fit". All routines should have strength, flexibility, endurance, personality and entertainment, whether it's done with gymnastics, dance, or whatever else you can bring!

Check out this exerpt from a write up Denyse Johnson did about me on seriousaboutfitness.com:

"Sandra has some great advice for other fitness competitors without extensive dance or gymnastics backgrounds.
'My advice to other girls who are not former gymnasts or dancers is not to let that stop them! Just because someone can do a tumbling line does not mean that they are going to have the best routine! Fitness routines need quality strength moves, overall body flexibility, original moves and a high level of entertainment. All of these can be achieved without being a former champion gymnast. There are so many things that you can do to improve your routine.'"

(the full article is in the people section on that site)

[Maki Riddington]

I like your site.

[Reinier]

I like this thread. i had no idea we had a whole bunch of fitness competitors here

[wickham]

Originally posted by Reinier
I like this thread. i had no idea we had a whole bunch of fitness competitors here

Thanks Reiner-glad to see you here-surprised, after my first attempt at posting, but glad!

[wickham]

Just about to head out for morning cardio *yawn*...it's cloudy, looks chilly, kinda rainy (that's Vancouver for you)...this is when it would be great to have home cardio equipment..!

[Wolverine]

sounds like a lovely day lol

[Christine]

Hi Everyone!

Im competing in my first figure competition in June (thanks to the help of my awsome trainer, Sandra Wickham!!) and Im getting so excited!

[Wolverine]

hi christine!

[missfit_canada]

Originally posted by Mystic Eric
Whoa holy crap. Another person from Vancouver. This is crazy.

Hey! You live in Kits? What gym do you go to?

[Christine]

I work out at Worlds gym in PoCo right now, but Im moving downtown next month (Coal Harbour area), and I'll probably go to the World's on Robson Street, its only like a 5 min walk from my place.

Any one go there?


Hi Wolverine! Thanks for the Welcome