PREP COACH SERIES: Why you should get a comp prep coach
Me and the big man himself!
If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re considering prepping for a bodybuilding competition. If that’s true, then congratulations! Very exciting and rewarding times lay ahead for you.
A few people had asked me recently whether or not it was worth getting a coach to prep them for a show. The short answer is YES! However, the real answer is much longer. Shortly after I set out to write about my experiences finding a great coach and what I learned from the experience (after writing about 2,000 words and realising no one is going to read that in one go), I came to the realisation that there’s three very distinct parts;
1. WHY you should get a comp prep coach
3. What defines a GREAT prep coach
2. Finding the RIGHT comp prep coach for you
Here, I’m going to cover off the reasons I believe your should engage a proper comp prep coach if you’re thinking about competing. Next, I will cover off why it’s vital that this coach is the RIGHT one for you.
Getting started
Knowing where to start can be the most daunting thing. If I’m honest, that’s one of the things that gave me an idea for this blog. When I first set out on my mission to compete, I was starting from absolute ground zero. Aside from knowing a few people who had competed before I knew very little about all the different federations, what was required or involved, even how much it would all cost (a lot).
It’s important to note that some people choose to prep without a coach, and have been very successful in doing so. It takes some pretty in-depth fitness and nutrition knowledge, as well as a certain amount of personal trial and error to do this. For the first eight weeks or so (about 30 weeks out) I started out on my own. However, I did NOT have any in-depth fitness or nutrition knowledge, and definitely wasn’t taking enough measurements to carry out proper trial and error. I quickly realised that I had no idea what the hell I was doing and after a few weeks, I knew it was time for me to call in the experts if I wanted to succeed. That’s when I found my coach, Jared Hustler. The rest, they say, is history!
I believe that whether you’re a pro athlete or an absolute beginner, it’s important that you work closely with a great coach. Here’s why!
They are the expert in your corner
This is especially vital for people like me who, despite training for a number of years, still knew bugger all about proper training and nutrition. A coach is going to provide you with all the tools necessary to succeed, whether that’s nutrition, training or mindset. It’s not as simple as dieting down. There is another level of specific knowledge needed to get you ready for stage, so having a coach that is well versed with what is necessary is vital. They are also going to know exactly what you’re going through, especially if they compete themselves (I would HIGHLY recommend going with a coach who also competes). In addition, through their own experiences, they can also provide you advice on things such as posing coaches, bikinis, tanning, hair and makeup and, if you’re travelling interstate, travel and accommodation.
They can remain completely objective
Your coach has the ability to see things that you can’t. When you’re deep in prep, your mind starts playing tricks on you. You will think you’re not lean enough. You will see what other people are doing on social media and become certain you’re not doing enough. Your coach is able to make objective changes to your plan based on how your body is responding to it. What you need to do is know that they are there to make the necessary changes trust them. And, if they say you’re doing enough, then you’re doing enough!
They can relieve the pressure from you
Towards the pointier end of prep there’s also a lot for you to deal with. Emotions are running high and you’re tired. Very tired. On top of training, there’s posing, mobility, recovery and (lack of) food to deal with. As I mentioned before, you’re starting to question everything any way, so the last thing you want to be doing is trying to make decisions about your diet or training. Trust me, you’re going to have enough difficulty making the most simplest of decisions in the last couple of weeks.
They are your main support system.
The mark of a good coach is that they are there for you. It doesn’t matter if it’s in person at your weekly check in, or a random Monday, four weeks out from stage when you’ve demolished a packet of lolly snakes (I will be forever grateful to Jared who, while in Vegas, not even 24 hours after stepping off stage at Worlds, called me to reassure me everything was OK after I had done just that – sorry Jared!), your coach is there throughout the whole process. They understand what you’re going through, whereas friends and family may not, having never been in that situation before.
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Prepping for a competition is not cheap. On top of all the fun things like the glitzy bikinis, tan, hair and makeup, and heels is the food, the supplements, the posing lessons and, most importantly, your coach. Your coach is the most integral part of you process. As such, you should view them as an investment. At the end of the day, they are the person that is going to guide you through the whole process and get you in stage-ready condition.
What you don’t really know when you start, is that sadly not all coaches are created equal. I have heard the horror stories of girls being put on 1,000 calories 20 weeks out from stage. Or coaches who don’t turn up to the competition and disappear from the face of the earth post show when a client needs them most.
Stay tuned for Part two on what defines a GREAT prep coach.
Robyn xxx