I found out this week that this particular competition does not have a Masters category so I will be competing against all ages, 14 to whatever, in the Figure Competition. My suit arrived, YIKES!!!, in a 3X5 envelope.

It is very small. Smaller than I ever imagined. Shoes, 5 inch heels, that have to be clear, should arrive today. This will be my greatest challenge, since I have not worn high heels since 1982. I am more comfortable in flip flops and tennis shoes.
 

This week, I have been learning quarter turns.

These are positions that you get into to show judges your body. There are four positions, front, left side, rear, and right side. They are looking for symmetry, the right amount of muscle definition for the type of competition that you are entered in and performance of the moves. On the day of the show, in the morning, you have to perform these positions by yourself and again with the other competitors next to you so judges can compare. They will make their decisions about who are the winners at this time. At the night time show, this is when  competitors  perform a t-walk which is a walk across the stage that includes all of the 4 positions for an audience who has come to encourage people they know in the show or that just have an interest in body building.

I have about 6 or 7 weeks to start tweeking some muscles, especially in my back and butt. My coach (Joe) thinks my back needs to grow and butt needs to get smaller.

Well, got to go cut the grass.



 

What is a Figure Competition?

A Figure Competition is relatively new. It started in 2002. It was created for woman who were interested in body building but not to the point of creating hugh muscles and looking like men. Not, that anything is wrong with that. To each her own.

Figure competitors may be slightly muscular, have low body fat but still present a shapely look.  Ladies who have a more naturally muscular body would best compete in Figure while those with a softer but still toned body best compete in Ms. Bikini. More about Bikini contests later.

For anyone interested in competing here are some general guidelines for Figure. http://fitnessuniverse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=68

Since my husband Joe is a bodybuilder and has competed and won contests he is helping me by checking out youtubes of competitions and coaching me.

Here is a picture of a basic figure competitor:

 

A figure competitor can be any age. You are placed into age groups and height groups. Information about what poses are needed are on the internet and books that you can borrow or purchase or just asking other woman who have competed.

There are all kinds of people who compete. College students, doctors, moms, people who have lost weight, old people (ME) and disabled people.

Figuring out how to compete in a body building show.

OK, so today I ordered a figure competition suit so there is no turning back now. I found a used one on e bay out of North Carolina. It is a teal color and I got it for a reasonable price of $150.00. It is handmade and was custom made for someone who is the same size as I needed. Looking for a suit, you would not believe the prices!! Some were over $1000.00.

 You also have to have a pair of very high heels. They require shoes that are a clear acrylic and you can get a used pair on e bay for $20.00 or again pay thousands to new ones with a lot of bling. These shoes also have to have very high heels. 

 

Last week, I knew nothing about the sport of woman's body building. I have been to a couple of shows but is was kind of hard to figure everything out. There are so many categories. There is figure, bikini, physique and fitness. Weight classes for physique and height classes for figure, fitness and bikini.  As I figure it out, I will let you know the differences. My plan is to compete in Masters Figure over 35 or 45 years of age, whatever they have and the over 5'2" to 5'4" division. I am 5'3 1/2. I probably will be the oldest in the show at 61 and looking forward to it.