From the category archives:

Figure Competitor Prep

Okay I think I’m probably about 2-3 weeks late writing part 2 of Carb Cycling for Bikini Competitors, but I re-checked and google still has little to offer on the subject.  Not that its google’s fault.  I love google. So I realized after re-reading part 1 that I never really bothered to explain what Carb [...]

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Okay, looks like I’m finally fired up enough about something that I may have to write my first blog post in 5 months.  Every once in a while I like to pretend I’m a bikini competitor (this isn’t going where you think it is…get your head out of the gutter) looking for relevant contest prep [...]

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Q: I just switched to lifting heavier weights a few days ago. Why am I a pound heavier? A:This is a question many figure and bikini competitors have asked after beginning a traditional strength training (i.e. lift a relatively heavy weight for several reps, rest 60 seconds, repeat until muscle group is toast) program either [...]

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While I think most figure competitors and contest prep coaches have come a long way with regard to pre-contest depleting or “drying out” practices, there still seems to be a lot of confusion regarding sodium manipulation. I’ve intentionally left bikini competition out of this post, since depleting is completely pointless, and actually a bad idea [...]

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As a San Diego Personal Trainer to figure and bikini competitors, models, athletes and women wanting to get into peak shape, I’m constantly asked variations of one specific question:  What are the secrets to bikini and figure competition prep?  Given the understanding we currently have of how the body responds to diet and exercise, combined [...]

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As much as I hate some of the recommendations the “eat this, not that” books make, the concept itself is great. The average person with average fitness goals could probably make some measurable improvements in their overall health and appearance by simply referring to these guides whenever they’re thinking about a double bacon cheeseburger (or [...]

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Have you ever thought about all the great opportunities that exist for fitness, figure and bikini competitors?  Think about it: how many industries combine fitness, nutrition, beauty, dance (for fitness competitors that is) and modeling into one? There are so many ways of entering the competition arena and even more ways of using it as [...]

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This post is sort of an expansion on last month’s Do you really need to count calories post. That post focused more on determining caloric need and very briefly suggested a 40/30/30 macro intake (mainly for simplicity since it would allow one to use Zone Diet recipes). Now that I have more time to delve [...]

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Are you or have you ever been so lean that getting those last few pounds of fat off seems nearly impossible? If so, you’re not alone…and there is nothing wrong with you. Even the most advanced athletes and competitors have this to deal with, and they deal with it as a matter of routine. So [...]

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The Inverted Row is a great exercise for Bikini Models and Figure Competitors wanting to strengthen their entire posterior chain in one movement. The upper back and biceps are the muscles most challenged during this movement, but the glutes, hamstrings and abdominals are called on to maintain proper alignment. The height of the bar can [...]

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