CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE AUGUST || ISSUE 37 | Page 65

What division are
you looking to
compete in?
Preparing for bodybuilding or a
physique division is a much more
aggressive process than preparing
for the bikini division. Bikini is
definitely not easier to prepare for,
but for bodybuilding, you will have to
take your body to a much higher
level of conditioning to be
considered competitive. So,
because it takes longer to achieve an
ultra-shredded condition, you will
generally need more time to prepare
for the bodybuilding division versus
bikini.
Where are you
starting from?
If you are a first-time competitor and
only have a few months of serious
weight training under your belt, don’t
decide at 12 weeks out to compete in
the bodybuilding division. Let me tell
you straight up - you will not be stage
ready. Chances are you will need 12
months to prepare. I’ve had clients take
as long as two years before they were
ready to hit the stage. I may be known
as the “Freak Maker”, but I am no
magician! Your body can only lose body
fat so fast without sacrificing muscle or
risking your health.
On the other side, if you have an athletic
background, have a few years in the
gym and have been able to build an
adequate muscular base, and now want
to compete in the bikini or figure
division, it’s quite possible to start your
first contest prep at 16 weeks out and
be successful.