March 2017 March 2017 | Page 32

COMPETING
COMPETING

14

BODYBUILDING

P E T P E E V E S of competitors , judges and promoters

By : Raphael Calzadilla www . fitbyraphael . com
Last week on Facebook I asked bodybuilding competitors , what ’ s the biggest thing that makes you cringe when you see other competitors doing it on stage ? Number one on my list – during the evening free pose when a competitor asks the audience for applause with the “ come on let ’ s hear it ” hand gesture . I cringe every time . E arn it , don ’ t demand it .
Here ’ s 13 other answers that competitors , judges and promoters answered the question . 1- When you ’ re about to turn around and show your back to the audience , perhaps you should pick your suit out of your butt ������ you turn .
2- B ad tanning and not knowing how to pose correctly
3- The fact that they appear on stage . ( This person was referencing how much bodybuilding has changed in so many ways for the negative )
4- D on ’ t cringe or make faces if you don ’ t get the placement you want or feel you deserve . B e a P ro : step forward give a wave / thank you to the paying crowd ; hit a pose and smile
5- P lease tan your faces
6- Thigh slap
7- Sticking tongue out while doing a crab most muscular while posing to Metallica
8- Sticking the tongue out at all !
9- Looking down at the ground before getting into the pose that was called .
10- R elax and don ’ t try to do poses you haven ’ t practiced . If you haven ’ t practiced then just think of flexing different muscles . It is annoying to see one muscle group flexed the entire routine .
11- Totally whack music that doesn ’ t complement or do anything for the posing routine . You wonder if any thought went into the selection process .
12- D oing the front relaxed pose with arms so far out to the sides it looks like you ’ re holding two watermelons under your arms ( I took this one from a Lee Labrada quote ) .
13- P robably has nothing to do with bodybuilding , so I apologize if I ’ m not on topic , but as far as stage competitors are involved , it ’ s the rear bikini pose where the females stick their butts out at the audience in high heels . ( Not bodybuilding but this one is too good not to post ) .
A ll the points are good ones , and it shows the two things that many competitors miss : Maintain a high standard of professionalism at all times while on stage .
Asking “ why am I doing this ?” Posing should accentuate ���� physi�ue . When acting in some of the ways mentioned above , if the answer is “ because I ’ ve seen other competitors do it ” , then consider whether it makes sense for you , and whether it helps or hinders the art of bodybuilding .
32 Natural Muscle Magazine March 2017