Among the comments was this exchange:
"They are figure competitors."
"Figure competitors [meaning] they have a FIGURE? Like waist, hips, boobs? Aren't all women figure competitors, then?"
Let's talk about how difficult it is to get up on stage in a bikini in front of hundreds of people with intentions of being judged against other women in bikinis. That takes some serious guts.
Additionally, having been to quite a few local shows I can tell you firsthand that not everyone on the stage is chasing a pro card. At most of the shows I've attended, at least a quarter of the competitors are strutting their stuff on stage after losing tremendous amounts of weight - 50, 75, or 100 pounds.
Besides, contest prep doesn't always go perfectly. We typically only hear about the success stories, but plenty of men and women sign up for shows and then either back out or show up not looking their best. Some people peak too early, stall out a few weeks out, or simply can't get down to that unnaturally low body fat percentage. That certainly doesn't mean they didn't work hard or don't deserve a spot on stage.
Chime in! Tell me your thoughts.
you know,athletes come in all shapes and sizes,and figure athletes,while a different type of athlete,are similar in that aspect.
ReplyDeleteive been to several amature shows as well where i have seen at least a fourth of competitors on stage for the sake of not earning a pro card,but rather for showing off all of their hard work.
EVERYONE has a story getting to stage,whether it was a 100lb weight loss,an effort to heal and recover from a painful tragic life event (divirce,death of loved one,etc)....or simply just chasing the pro card.....
-we all may have different reasons for being on stage,but one common thread is that we ALL work hard to get there!!!!!
I definitely 100% agree with you! ALL athletes come in different shapes & sizes - from NBA players to NFL quarterbacks to figure competitors =)
DeleteI have no waist, huge hips and certainly no boobs. Does that make me less of a figure competitor??? hahahah
ReplyDeleteA pro card would be badass, but it's NEVER been about that for me. I'm one of those 100lbs dropped chicks up there just feeling awesome about accomplishing a goal, anything else is just gravy
And I think that attitude alone makes you an AWESOME figure competitor. Seriously. You have SO much to be proud of!
DeleteOn a tangent, it really riles me when people (often other women) say figure or bodybuilding competitors look like "trannies". Really? REALLY? Hey, what's a little transphobia between friends, huh? *eyeroll*
ReplyDeleteSeriously, these people need to STFU. So you don't find ladies with this kind of physique attractive or (your definition of) "feminine". Do you think that's the reason these ladies worked so hard - to visually please anyone other than themselves?
Grrrr.
UGH yes exactly. I think those comments come from two places - jealousy and intimidation. A lot of people are jealous of muscular physiques because they don't think they can get there themselves (even though they definitely can), and others are intimidated by strong-looking ladies!
DeleteMy body likes to hold onto body fat...especially in the lower half. The back of my arms still like to jiggle no matter how hard i train them. but i still busted my ass my last 2 shows and im looking better everytime.
ReplyDeleteSome people can step on stage their first show and look amazing, lean, perfect v taper and shoulder cap. others it takes years of work. thats me. and im okay with that.
I admire those women. The determination!
ReplyDeleteFor some women getting on stage and strutting their stuff comes as easy as a six pack of beer and a wet teeshirt. Just thought I would mention that. Mostly because my fingers cannot find the edit button for my brain.
I am starting to see some good improvement in my arms (not very even, but still). I am THRILLED. Muscles don't like to hang out on my arms.
I second what Melissa said - athletes come in all shapes & sizes. You don't know the journey a person has taken to get to the stage!
ReplyDeleteT.
It definitely takes guts to get up there! Do you find that most people tan who enter or are they getting spray tans? Just wondering because those ladies all look very tan. I think fair skin is really pretty too. Does it have to do with darker skin showing muscle definition better? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteThey do all tan! =) The reason doesn't have anything to do with skin tone per se, though - it's because the stage lights really wash you out. Kinda along the same lines as why stage actors tend to wear reeeally heavy makeup. And the tan does help out with showing better muscle definition too =)
DeleteI agree with your post 100%, Sable. I just watched my first fitness, bikini, physique, and female bodybuilding competition this weekend. I tip my hat to these women. That takes hard work, courage, and determination. I could never get up on that stage, no matter what I looked like. Not brave enough. Keep speaking out, Sable.
ReplyDeleteThe sport of figure is always changing. It's what first attracted me to competing in figure, and what keeps me pushing forward in wanting a pro card in the sport. I love to meet the other competitors backstage and learn their story- Sable, you are so right, everyone has a reason they're competing!
ReplyDeleteEach show is different, which makes it so subjective. Each group of girls and their training and diets that show up initially dictate the rankings, as well as the specific judges. While judges follow some guidelines, I remember one judge marking a friend of mine lower because her toes hung off the front of her shoes (and anyone who has worn those heels knows they're hard to fit!)- talk about subjective! In the NPC, the sport of figure has changed a lot this year with the addition of the physique category. Judges are favoring more streamlined and soft physiques to the hard physiques we've seen in years past.
But, it's this constant change that keeps me competing. I competed this weekend in a fairly large show. Every show I do better, and every show I'm closer to my end goal. My trainer said something to me that rings true: "One day people will ask you how did you keep going and you will tell them you were always committed and in it for the long haul. This is what we do."