A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Participating in a Fitness Competition

On April 12, 2008, The 11^th Annual NGA Natural Northeast Bodybuilding & Figure Championships was held at the Eastridge High School auditorium in Rochester, New York. Bodybuilding and fitness had never been an interest of mine before, but being best friends with one of the contestants, I got a behind-the-scenes look at many aspects of what it means to prepare and compete for a show like this one.

These competitors train daily for up to a year (and more) before the competition. Their gym routines are grueling and get even more difficult as competition day drawers closer. Three hours of cardio is necessary, as well as a strict diet that changes on a weekly basis to best help the body build muscle and cleanse itself of unwanted toxins.

The show I attended was a "natural" show, meaning none of the contestants have used any muscle enhancing-drugs for the past seven years. A polygraph test must be passed before the contestant can compete to prove the individual is drug-free.

Robert S. Lanier, a bodybuilder currently stationed in Iraq, inspires other troops to improve their bodies through the art of bodybuilding and even holds bodybuilding competitions. He describes the process leading to competition:

"Competition dieting is stricter than normal dieting in that it works to bring body fat as low as possible while maintaining as much lean muscle as possible. The body fat levels in competition dieting reach numbers far lower than an individual would want to maintain normally, with the intent of looking as defined as possible on the day of the competition. These are levels that could be viewed as unhealthy if attempted to be maintained for long periods of time. This diet can also involve dehydrating the body, once again, not a normal dieting method and over a period of time can be extremely unhealthy or even dangerous. A basic strategy for contest diets is to reduce fat and carbohydrate intake to deplete the muscles and force the body to burn the fat that the body has already stored, for energy. This is done in cycling periods to keep the metabolism active and protein intake is also increased to make up for the calorie deficit and preserve the muscle that the dieter has built. The water dehydration comes as a combined process with the raising of the carb intake shortly before the show day to fill the muscles with carbs and water to volumize them and also prevent any water retention. These combined efforts are used to give the most defined presentation of the competitors physique on the day of the show."

Several categories divide the show, placing contestants into weight, height and age classes. The categories for women are: Figure over 35; Figure Short; Figure Medium; Figure Tall; Pro Figure; Women's Teen; Women's Masters; Women's Novice; Women's Open. The men's categories are: Men's Teen; Men's Masters over 60; Men's Masters over 50; Men's Masters over 40; Men's Novice Lightweight; Men's Novice Middleweight; Men's Novice Light Heavyweight; Men's Novice Heavyweight; Men's Open Bantamweight; Men's Open Lightweight; Men's Open Middleweight; Men's Open Light Heavyweight; Men's Open Heavyweight and Pro Men.

The day starts with pre-judging, where the contestants walk out onto stage accompanied by others in their category. They are asked to change places with other contestants in order for the judges to best evaluate and compare two individuals. The contestants pose and flex, and according to Mercedes Murray, that is the most difficult to do because maintaining that flexed position for any amount of time is a strain on the body. I sat in the second row and witnessed many contestants shaking with the strain. They are trained to smile, constantly, which, in light of their body muscles flexing and contorting, can be a difficult feat, indeed. Many of the smiles looked forced and alien, only a couple contestants seemed to be able to pull off a disciplined body with a natural smile.

Behind the scenes, the individuals prepare in one long hallway, tanning themselves with cream or spray to make themselves as dark as possible to allow for the washing-out effect stage lights produce. Special tapes are used to keep bikinis (also custom made for these events) in place.

Preparing for these shows is not just about working out and eating lean. There are other expenses that turn participation into a costly event. Some of these expenses are: Registration; tickets for family members; suits (which can range between $90-$1500 depending on material and accessories like rhinestones); tanning creams, special make ups, hair and nail makeovers, manicures, pedicures, pictures and polygraph testing.

Prizes vary between overall winner, first, second and third places but rarely exceed $500 in cash. Each contestant at the show I attended received either a hefty bronze trophy or plaque.

After prejudging in the morning, the contestants return that evening for individual shows and trophy distribution. This might be the hardest for most because the contestants return the stage one at a time for a minute or two to pose and flex for the audience. This is where their individual styles shine through. For most of us, taking the stage in nothing but 5'' heels and a bikini would prove the stuff of nightmares for eons to come, but these women, highly trained, tone and tan brighten the auditorium where their poise and confidence.

The men, assuming the bulk of the program, were exciting and inventive in their shows as they were allowed to choose their own music and routine. It amazed me how individual personalities shown through on stage as these bodybuilders wowed the audience with their muscle tone and charisma.

Mercedes Murray, first-time competitor in this competition had this to say about the process: "When the moment you've been working so hard for finally comes, it's not as glamorous and euphoric as you imagined the many times you practiced your pose in the gym mirror: with your body exhausted, depleted and dehydrated, you flex your muscles as hard as you possibly can praying that you don't pass out as your body shakes under the strain and your lips quiver as you try to maintain a "natural smile." All the while, there is nothing "natural" about anything you're putting yourself through!

In the end, with your body pushed to its limit is every possible way shaking under hot glaring lights- you strain to hear the voices of friends and family cheering you on- now part of a faceless crowd- and it hits you. It's not about this one moment- but about the journey- the process of sculpting and toning your body, but what you've learned along the way about yourself; how you've grown as a person as you challenged every fiber of your being and pushed it to its limits, and survived."

Fitness training has never interested me much in the past, but after last Saturday's show, I understand better how people might become deeply entrenched in its culture, as it truly does challenge not only the body, but the mind as well.