So, you’ve taken the leap & decided you want to do a bodybuilding competition - how exciting! …But now you have to decide what federation(s) to compete with…and there’s ALOT to choose from! BUT don’t let this overwhelm you! There is no right or wrong way to choose a federation & you are more than welcome to try them all to see which one is best for you.

Let us ease your mind & help you make your decision a little easier!

Type of federation

The first thing we would recommend you to do is decide whether you are looking for more of a bodybuilding vibe or a fitness/fashion vibe. This will narrow down your federation options & make the decision making process a little easier. Bodybuilding shows tend to be more rigid with mandatory poses, potentially a leaner/harder look (See photo below - Blue Bikini).

Whereas Fitness/fashion shows tend to award sass, confidence, stage presence, overall look etc. more. They allow a little more creativity within a routine & outfit (See photo below - Orange bikini).

First Timer Shows

You don’t HAVE to do a first timers show. This is a great option if it suits your competing schedule but if not some federations also have a first timers category within the main show too. But please bare in mind that you don’t have to do a first timers anything…You can step on stage in an open category for your first ever show if you want to these are just options to consider as it means all of the people in your category are in the same boat!

Do your research!

Don’t get too ahead of yourself with trying to do all the federations at once, it can get overwhelming. We would recommend you do some research to see what federation(s) suit you, your physique & what you want to achieve out of competing the most. You could ask other competitors about their experiences, check out the federations social media & the most efficient option? Go & watch a show!

By attending shows you can see how they are ran, what the judges are looking for in your category, what the prizes are like etc. This will be the best way to get a true feeling of the vibe for each federation. Use our bodybuilding calendar here for the most up to date list of upcoming shows.

Ask your coach

Don’t forget, if you have a coach you can always reach out to them and ask for their opinion. An experienced coach will be able to advise what federation you & your physique will be best suited to. They are also likely to have experienced more federations whether it be through their own show days or their clients, so they can give you their opinion.

What feels ‘right’?

At the end of the day, the decision is YOURS. So just go with your gut. If you really want to try a fed, then do it! What’s the worst that can happen? If it’s not for you then you simply try another one next time! So don’t stress, don’t overthink it…pick one/two & get your sass on!

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to email us info@kompak.store or DM us on Instagram @Kompakwomen. The team have experience with pretty much all of the federations so we are more than happy to advise & answer any questions that you may have!