So, you’re going to be competing in 2024? Whether it is your first of fifteenth season, there are some things you could begin doing now to ensure that you are the best you can be in 2024.

Reflect

What went well in 2023? What things, habits, attitudes etc can you bring into 2024? Similarly, reflect on the things that weren’t so great. The things that can be left behind in 2023 and don’t have a place or serve a purpose for your personal growth into 2024. Do a self-audit and be brutally honest with yourself. Set some goals (short & long-term). They don’t have to be to get a pro card or win a show. Your goals are personal to you and your journey.

Get into a good routine

We’re not talking getting up for fasted cardio, super strict meal times etc. But we do mean things like; getting used to meal prepping (if this is something that you like to do), hitting a daily step goal, going out for daily walks, checking in regularly, focusing on sleep etc. All of these things will benefit you from the get go and will ensure you are already used to doing them as part of your routine when the new year hits.

Start skin prep

The tanners can tell who has followed a good skin care routine & who hasn’t. Start early & get used to regularly exfoliating & moisturising, that way it won’t feel like a chore the closer you get to your shows & it will be easier to maintain & slowly increase the frequency.

Start sticking to a plan

Much alike getting into a good routine, this will just get you into the mindset of following a prep plan. You can begin by tracking food (macros, calories, meal plan - whatever works for you). Tracking steps, logging workouts, tracking steps etc. This will give you a good understanding of where your food intake is at, how high'/low is your starting point for expenditure, where are your energy & strength levels at etc. Understanding all of these things will make it easier to begin prep & know what changes need to be made whilst cutting out the guesswork.

Use the budget planner

Competing can be expensive. Start looking at your finances as early as possible. Map out a rough guideline of how much money you will need so that you can budget out how much money you need to save, what items need to be purchased & when they need to be paid for. This will allow you to split the costs each payday rather than panicking last minute and having a big bill suddenly sprung upon you!

Go to some shows

Get a good feeling and understanding of the federation(s) that you are thinking of competing with. By going to shows you can learn about the posing, what the judges are looking for, what category you fit into etc. This takes some stress away when prep can already feel alittle overwhelming.

Practice posing

As soon as you know you want to compete you should begin posing practice. If you have competed previously keep practicing and refining. If you have never competed we reccomend doing some research, going to shows, taking a look at the federation(s) pages for a good idea of the poses you need to learn. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and seminars that you could attend. Find a good posing coach & get practicing!

Set a plan

This doesn’t have to be set in stone, but having a good idea of how you want your season to go can be helpful. A rough idea of when you will start prep, how long you may need to prep for, potentially some shows you have your eyes on, how much money you need to spend/save, if you have to book your work holidays in advance etc. Reduce any potential stressors as early as possibly by getting organised.

Learn

Theres lots of useful platforms out there now where you can get educated. Understanding the basics of prep, competing, dieting, training etc can be helpful to ensure you understand why you have to do things a certain way. Researching what the judges are looking for, understanding your class criteria is so important as it will likely alter the way you train, diet, pose, your competition attire etc.

Invest in yourself

Become a master of your craft. Learn and then learn some more. To be the best at what you do, you have to do research, apply it to your life & find what works the best. We have countless blogs on all things bodybuilding, but if you are looking for more in-depth information we recommend you head over to our sister podcast ‘Not Just A Bikini Girl’. The founder of KOMPAK Jasmin talks all things competing from competing to mindset. Bringing on special guests who will give you an insight to their journeys & all of the things that they have learnt along the way. Whether you are a first timer of a seasoned competitor there is likely an episode that will resonate with you.

Last but not least, give yourself a god damn break. Whether that be a mental break like switching off social media for a while or physically needing to take a deload earlier than planned. You are not a robot, you are a person with thoughts and feelings. Listen to your body and the signs it may be giving you.

If there is anything that you feel we have missed or you would like to add, please do let us know!

As always our DMs are always open @kompakwomen & you can reach us via email too at info@kompak.store.