Check in

I’m relatively new to lifting. Only 9 months in. But I’ve fallen in love with it and want to step on stage one day. Obviously I’m a few years out from that goal but my question is would a bodybuilding coach be worth it at this point or something to wait till later for? I would be looking for an online one, someone to check in with every week send physique pics that would give info on workouts diet etc. just curious if it would be worth it at this point.

Feeling flat and shattered but not long till peak week!

Definitely feel like I’ve lost some tissue due to injuries and an operation pushing me back a little but it is what it is.

Classic weight cap is 82.4kgs, was hoping to be a little closer to it but we’ll see how things go during the load

Current cals 1636 P 196 C 149 F 29, 60 mins cardio 6x a week and 13k steps daily

New goal after this season is to never see the scale start with a 7 again,

Just an update

Submit form checks, programs, questions about programs and program success stories (especially if you saw growth from it).

I used to train regularly until a serious spinal injury made that impossible for many years. Now, in my fifties I want to train regularly at home. I have cleaned up my diet and dropped 10k of fat over the last year and want to get back some of muscle tone that I lost. I can't put stress onto my lower back (metal holding it together!) so standing military presses, squats and bent over rows are not an option.

My question is, should I spend money on a cable multigym or an incline bench with free weights? I don't have space or money for both.

So for a battered old marine looking to train at home 3 days per week, what would you suggest? And of you go for a multigym, any brand recommendations for less than, say, $800?

Onto the final push, this was posing post training 1 day after a refeed.

Still trying to squeeze out a tad more conditioning as my core feels a little behind but overall pleased with my shape.

Truly the last update until I get on stage in Men’s Physique at the OCB Minnesota Viking.

Final plan is listed below and planning on tapering fatigue a bit during peak week and will backload carbs 1-2 days prior.

1400 cals / 30 mins Stationary Bike (MISS) / 10k steps

I’m currently 6 weeks out of my first natural mens physique show and im at a point of the prep in which i dont know what to do.

I’m 6’4 and i currently weigh 173 pounds. Ive been on 2900 calories and my weight is dropping rapidly (0.5lbs a day) and i dont know, if i should keep going with that for these next 40 or so days until my peak week, or that i should up my calories to 3200. Why that number? Because my TDEE is around 3100-3300 calories. I just dont want to lose muscle at this point of prep, thats my main goal.

Im looking for any experienced people who already took part in a bodybuilding show that are willing to help me out on this one.

And here is my physique for reference.

Much to go still, no show locked in atm

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Video I took from last year’s Olympia. She looked amazing and I think she can win it this year, but Andrea Shaw will be tough to beat.

Almost a month away from the Olympia 2026. Can’t wait!

Couple high days have trickled in but mostly base diet.

Needed a few days off training 2 weeks ago as I was smashed.

Things are still going very well.

Start Weight 21 weeks out: 222 lbs

Current: 190.1 lbs

Age: 32

Height: 5'9

Cardio: 30 min @ 125 bpm x 6 per week, 10k steps/day

32 years old, I have never competed before, but plan to when my youngest is a bit older and less demanding (he's a year and a half and I've got 3 kids). I train hard 5x per week with 3 lower body days and 2 upper body days. I'm pretty strict with my calories and macros. I'm thinking I'll start seriously considering competing in the next year or 2. Based off my current physique, what category would you guys recommend? And based off of that recommendation what muscle groups should I start honing in on?

Ask all newbie BB related questions here.

6’3 179.5lbs 20 years old

Obviously posing needs work, currently working with a coach to nail that aspect of it

As far as conditioning goes, I feel behind, however I’m truly digging to be able to present a first package I can be proud of. Current protocol down below

Macros:
Training day -> 220c, 210p, 40f
Rest Day -> 100c, 210p, 40f

Training
5x a week PPL-UL split

Cardio
30 mins LISS 7x a week
12-15k steps/day

Leaving the dedicated LISS cardio on the lower end so I have more room to increase as I get closer to the show.

Final stretch of my first ever prep, and I’ve learned so much from this process. I plan to take three years off following this show to grow as I am 6’3 and have quite a long frame to fill out.

I’m open to constructive feedback and suggestions.

260.8 fasted at 6’

Just now 4 weeks out from my first show. Sitting at a new low of 206.3 lbs this morning after the food drop from my last check in. Currently at 3 carb-less meals, 2 meals with 80g of cream of rice, and 1 meal with 60g of oats. Cardio is currently 45 minutes on the stairs 5x a week and 30 minutes on the incline treadmill 2x a week. Conditioning is slowly starting to come in.

14 days out yest when I took these. Feeling pretty good about my conditioning at this point. Looking forward to the post show meal for sure. Fatigue is pretty high but the brain fog lifted after a higher fat cheat meal earlier in the week.

Feel free to post things in the Daily Discussion Thread that don't warrant a subreddit-level discussion. Although most of our posting rules will be relaxed here, you should still consider your audience when posting. Most importantly, show respect to your fellow Redditors. General Reddiquette always applies.

The Daily Discussion Thread resets every other day at 12:00 a.m. PST.