Ready to get a Bodybuilding Coach? Here’s what to look for

Bodybuilding coaches can push you further, hone your physique and ultimately help you achieve your goals in bodybuilding competitions. When you’re looking for a trainer to help you compete, there’s a few things to consider. We’ve been coaching bodybuilders for years, and have a unique team of coaches who understand the demands of competition preparation.

Whether you want to compete for the first time or hone your training to level up, here’s everything you need to know about getting a bodybuilding coach.

Why get a bodybuilding coach?

Bodybuilding competition preparation is tough, and a coach will help keep you motivated and focused to achieve your goal.  

A good bodybuilding coach will provide personalised training plans, nutrition advice, and motivation to help you achieve the physique you need to compete. Our coaches who have trained first-place winners know how to win, whilst also creating programs that prevent injury and take care of your body.

With health and fitness always a top priority, a good trainer will never compromise health to achieve a certain look. We’re all about doing things the right way – ensuring proper nutrition, form when exercising and accountability to achieve results.

Ultimately, a good bodybuilding coach will push you to reach your true potential whilst always keeping your best interests at heart.

What to look for in a bodybuilding coach?

Some of the top things to look for in a winning bodybuilding coach are:

• A strong track record with specific bodybuilding experience
• A great studio where you feel comfortable to train at 100%
• Regular support and open lines of communication
• A winning mindset and desire to push limits
• A nutrition focus and understanding
• Reputable reviews that support their track record
• An overall bodybuilding philosophy that’s in line with yours 

Bodybuilding competition training: What does it involve?

If you’re new to bodybuilding, you might not know what it really takes to get super lean and stage ready. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect.

Competition preparation involves:

• Building muscle mass and reducing body fat
• Cardio and weight lifting to shape the body
• Posing practice and stage presence training
• Progressive overload and muscle hypertrophy
• Tailored nutrition with a focus on high protein intake and strict calorie counting 
• Creating a lean and defined physique 

How long does it take to get competition ready?

This depends largely on your physique when you start. Competitors who have trained for a long time and have lower levels of body fat will usually be able to do 12-16 week prep which focuses on building muscle and losing fat to showcase a defined physique. Your bodybuilding coach will create a plan that takes into account your current physique and the time frame you’ll require to achieve results.

For a complete beginner, getting competition ready can take 12-18 months. Building muscle and losing fat doesn’t happen overnight, so it’s sometimes recommended for beginners to spend some time at maintenance calories building muscle before they go into a deficit to showcase the muscle they’ve built.

For a figure competition, 3-6 months is usually adequate competition preparation time if the competitor has a history of building muscle and has a healthy amount of body fat to begin with. Preparing on a longer timelines reduces the pressure to meet a deadline and the stress that can come with that.

Find a bodybuilding coach at DARE

Many people choose to work with DARE because of our track record coaching winning bodybuilding competitors. When you’re about to take to the stage, you want to look your best and test yourself, and a coach with bodybuilding knowledge will be able to help you achieve that.

Bodybuilding competitions involve gruelling prep. People often come to us after experiencing subpar results with a process that didn’t work for them. 

Some of the challenges bodybuilders face include:

• Calorie deficits that are unrealistic
• Low energy and mood due to underfuelling
• Inadequate training routines
• Overtraining or using incorrect form
• Short term solutions like 4/6 week shreds
• Damaged relationships with food
• Insecurities and body image issues
• Working with a bodybuilding coach who isn’t dedicated to their success

But it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re ready for the challenge, there are ways to go through bodybuilding prep healthily and in a way that’s enjoyable.

Want to discuss your bodybuilding goal? Chat to us today.