Flex 2018-03-01 Flex Magazine | Page 157

I’m an NPC amateur trying to win my IFBB Pro League card in the open bodybuilding class. Is it a better approach to do as many pro-qualifying shows as I can, or to do only, say, one national-level show per year? It is very much up to the individual to decide how many shows he or she can prepare for, and how long he or she can stay in contest shape. Bodybuilding prep is very taxing on the body physically, mentally, and emotionally, and bodybuilders typically need a minimum of eight weeks to properly prepare for a show. Sometimes it can realistically take up to 16 weeks to end up where you want to be on contest day. I would advise attempting one—or at the most two—pro- qualifying shows a year. This allows time in between contest prep to let the body recover and grow. Constantly competing can break the body down, and the loss of muscle size, associated with dieting too frequently, is detrimental to the chances of performing at top form. Your look isn’t complete without the appropriate shoes. They say timing is everything—and it sure is when hitting your poses onstage. For bikini, are there rules that dictate the type of heels to wear? FLEXONLINE.COM 155