FIRST-TIME COMPETITOR PREP GUIDE
A complete guide for first-time or amateur bodybuilding, classic, and men’s physique athletes who want to step on stage with clarity, confidence, and the right support system.
BY IFBB PRO JOE BALLINGER
STEP ON STAGE WITH CONFIDENCE
The Ultimate Free Guide for First-Time Competitors
Whether you’re training for your first Men’s Physique, Classic, or Bodybuilding show — or just thinking about it — this guide is your complete roadmap. Written by IFBB Pro Joe Ballinger, it cuts through the confusion with real, actionable advice based on over a decade of coaching and competing.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
✅ How to know if you’re really ready to prep — training history, nutrition habits, and mental readiness.
✅ How long prep should actually take (spoiler: it's not 12 weeks)
✅ Exactly what to expect on show day — no guesswork, no panic.
✅ Posing tips, check-in photos, tanning, stage wear, and skin prep.
✅ The truth about PEDs and natural prep — no BS, just facts.
✅ Stress, mindset & support — the underrated keys to not burning out.
SHOW UP READY
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SHOW UP READY 〰️
THIS GUIDE IS FOR YOU IF:
• You’ve been training hard, but don’t know where to start.
• You want structure, not just hype.
• You’re aiming to compete naturally, or want honest insight on PED use.
• You’re ready to do this properly, with no guesswork and no fluff.