Q:
Hi Gina! Like I mentioned before, my goal is to do my first figure competition in june of 2010. I have heard it can be expensive with the training, coaching, purchasing of suits, hair, make-up…etc. I have found trainers in Edmonton, Alberta and their cost is $750 for 16-20 weeks of training/coaching. The required 2 piece for this particular competition is to be plain black and the 1 piece is our choice. What other expenses can I expect and what would be a ball park cost for a first timers competition? Can you offer any other advice for a first timer?
Thank you!
A:
Great question and good to see that you are planning in advance for this investment. As we all know, this sport is not cheap! You are right, in that there are so many different factors and I am happy to see you looking into this far in advance and planning so you can make your prep that much easier. This is quite an investment but as I tell my clients, this is an investment in YOU and YOUR future because once you learn the tricks and trades you can carry them with you for the rest of your life. So over a 16 or so week period you may be spending a few $1000.00 but over your lifetime it is the best and cheapest investment you can make! Also remember when picking a coach, trainer, suit, make-up artist and in everything you do, You get what you Pay for!
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin to plan.
Training/coaching– VARIES AND DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU NEED AND WHAT THE PLAN INCLUDES BUT CAN BE AS MUCH AS $2000/PREP
Posing and Presentation sessions–Varies
Supplements–MIN. $1000.00 (INC. PROTEIN POWDER, GLUTAMINE, VITAMINS, BCAA’S, ETC.)
Suits–RANGE $350-2500/SUIT (DEPENDS ON HOW BLINGY YOU GO…)
Hair & make-up–APPROX $300
Tanning–APPROX $150-$300
Accessories/jewelery–APPROX $100
Not to mention FOOD!!!!!
Keep in mind also your workout clothing, gym membership, Competitive membership cards, Entry Fees, Hotel/lodging, airfare, Rental Cars, ETC.
PLAN AHEAD!
You should expect to pay around $2000-5000 per show prep!! Of course this is a ball Park number and the high end is including all out Swarovski crystaled suits, how expensive the jewelery is, the hair and make up, brand of supplements, etc. This is really hard to give you an estimate as there are so many factors but at least you are considering ALL areas of competiton.
My advice to you is to make sure you have all your ducks in line before you commit to a show. Sounds like you are doing this now. Be sure your schedule (financial, social, family, work, etc) allows for you to dedicate your time to competing. Competing is far too expensive to not be able to give it your all. My other recommendation is to understand that this sport takes an extreme amount of time, dedication, money, social restrains, etc. that you want to be sure that if you commit you are committing yourself 100%. Do not skimp on things that you think aren’t necessary. Be sure that you understand the financial commitment and invest your money where you need to. My theory is that it is too expensive to not do things right. What I mean is pick and choose where you want to save money.
EXAMPLE: store brand supplements vs. most expensive supplements– Go for the Store Brand to save $$ BUT do on the other hand if you are choosing between tanning yourself and getting professionally tanned or doing your own make up vs. getting it done, be sure to invest in a professional and do it right. You need to eliminate any area where there is potential for mess ups. Imagine you spend all this money on all the areas I mentioned above and then you decide to save $100 and do your own make up and you completely mess up and look like a clown!! Your body is rocking but unfortunately you can’t see past that Clown make-up and you don’t even get looked at onstage because the judges can’t see past the horrible make-up job! Imagine all that money, time in the gym, long cardio sessions, countless days of tears and sweat in the gym, missing out on holidays and social events and then it is something as simple as your make-up that alters your chances at a fair look! Food for thought, be smart about where you try to save money. As you get closer and need further help, please be sure to ask! That is what I am here for!
You are so smart to be planning! Hope that helps and didn’t scare you away from competing but rather be honest and realistic!
The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction you get and the investment you put into yourself, the things you will learn and the amount of joy you will get out of the journey is PRICELESS and totally worth it!
-G
