How to Do Your First Fitness Competition

Ready to Compete But Feeling Absolutely Overwhelmed?

Getting ready for your first fitness competition can feel overwhelming. There are so many shows, categories, and requirements to figure out, and it’s easy to get frustrated when you’re not sure where to start. It’s more than just working out and eating right—you have to think about tanning, posing, and what to wear on stage. It can feel like too much, especially when you’re doing it all by yourself.

Balancing training and healthy eating with your regular life can seem impossible. It’s tough when it feels like you’re sacrificing too much time and giving up foods you love. You might feel exhausted and tempted to skip workouts. But the good news is, with the right guidance and support, you can handle all these challenges and feel more confident and in control. A great competition coaching program will help you find a way to make training, nutrition, and life work together, so that you’re ready for your show and enjoying the process.

The Most Common Mistakes First-Time Competitors Make

If you’re thinking about competing in a fitness show, you need to know the common mistakes that can trip you up. A lot of people make these mistakes because they’re not sure where to start, or they’re trying to rush things. Here are the most common mistakes you need to avoid:

Not Fully Committing to Competing

Not Understanding the Process of Preparing for a Competition

Rushing the Timeline to Get on Stage

Not Hiring a Coach That Specializes in Competitions

Not Knowing What to Look for in a Coach

Following Unsustainable Plans & Methods in Order to Get a Competition Body

Choosing the Wrong Organization and Show

How iFM Coaching’s Competition Coaching Program Works

Getting ready for your first competition can be confusing, but at iFM Coaching, we guide you every step of the way so you can avoid the common mistakes that most first-time competitors make.

Here’s how we do it:

We Create the Timeline for When You Should Compete

We will find your starting point and help you plan your competition prep timeline so you have enough time to build muscle, lose fat, and get everything ready. This way, you won’t be rushing the process or stressing out.

We Help You Research Organizations and Shows

Not all organizations are the same. Some are drug-tested and others aren’t. We coach drug-free athletes and help you pick drug-free shows, so you’re not competing against athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.

We Help You Research the Divisions

Understanding the different divisions is key to knowing where you fit in. Each division requires a certain amount of muscle and a certain amount of fat which will affect your timeline. We’ll show you what the judges are looking for in each division, so you can choose the right one for your body type and goals. No guessing games here!

We Create the Exact Nutrition and Exercise Plan You Need

Trying to figure out your own plan or following a generic one just won’t cut it. We build a customized nutrition and exercise plan tailored to your body and your show date, ensuring you’re on track to peak at the right time.

We Do It All in a Sustainable Way

By providing a habit and mindset plan, you will keep at least 80% of the results you achieve and you’ll be better off than when you started your journey. No crash diets or extreme measures here—just solid, sustainable methods.

We Provide Regular Progress and Mental Health Check-Ins

Not only do we check in with you to make sure you’re on track to be physically ready, but we put an even bigger emphasis on your mental health. We know what you should be feeling and what you should not be experiencing at every stage of your timeline. You’ll never be alone.

We Teach You Posing for Your Division

You can have the best body on stage, but if you don’t know how to pose, the judges won’t see it. We’ll make sure you know how to present yourself confidently and correctly, so you don’t miss out on placing well.

We Put You on Our Competition Team

Competing by yourself can get lonely. Being part of a team means having people who understand what you’re going through, which makes everything you’re experiencing feel a lot more normal. Sharing the experience with teammates who have gone through this journey with you makes it more enjoyable and rewarding in the end.

We Give You Everything You Need to Know, When You Need to Know It

From registration deadlines to travel plans, to hair, makeup, and tanning tips, we cover it all. You’ll never be left wondering what’s next or scrambling to get things done at the last minute.

We Create an Unforgettable Experience

We organize photo shoots to capture your hard work, the team dinner to celebrate your achievements, and activities to bond with your teammates. This is more than just a show—it’s a life-changing experience.

Imagine what you can achieve with the right knowledge, the right support, and the right program.

With iFM Coaching, you get a complete, all-in-one program that takes the guesswork out of competing. Our goal is to help you succeed, enjoy the process, and come out stronger and more confident—ready to take on whatever’s next. We are here to guide you every step of the way. So, let me tell you a little more about who I am and show you how we can make your fitness competition goals happen together.

About Me

Hey, I’m Aaron Zambrano, the founder of iFM Coaching. I’ve been helping people transform their bodies and lives for over 20 years, and I love every minute of it. 

Fitness isn’t just a job for me—it’s my passion and my purpose. 

After transforming my own body, competing in over 10 fitness competitions and placing in the top 5 twice, earning my degree, and obtaining 10+ certifications, I was inspired to dedicate my life to teaching health and wellness to others.

Since starting iFM Coaching, I’ve coached 35 world champions, had over 100 clients take home first place, and seen 90% percent of our first-time competitors finish in the top 5 in their first year. 

What really drives me is seeing my clients succeed and feel confident, strong, and proud of their progress.

Everyone’s journey is different, so I customize every plan to your goals, lifestyle, and body. 

I’m here to give you the tools, support, and accountability to help you achieve your goals and keep those results for life.