COMPETE ON THE CHEAP
by Meagan Hesham appeared in Oct./Nov. 2009 INSIDE FITNESS Magazine For more info on INSIDE FITNESS check www.insidefitnessmag.com Competitors are always discussing the problem of how expensive competing can be. I’ve heard quite a few of my fitness friends say they wouldn’t be competing, or that they’d have to pick only one competition per year instead of doing a few, because of the cost. I’ve read various articles quoting costs of $3000+ to compete in one competition! Often we get the idea to compete without thinking through all the expenses, which seem to mount bit by bit. For some this might be a saving grace, because if we all knew from the get-go what we were getting into financially, competitors might be few and far between! Most things that we spend the big bucks on leading up to our competitions are fun things, adding to the excitement of the whole experience, and helping us feel that much more glamorous and taken care of - so try not to cut back too severely! I’ve come up with lots of ways to greatly reduce the cost of competing – set your priorities, tailor your own plan, pick and choose where you’re going to spend or splurge ... |
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Personal Trainers/Nutritionists/Posing Coaches/Choreographers
These are all really helpful to the competitor, but can be very costly. You can research workouts, diets, posing, etc. online. There’s tons of info out there – free for the taking – for anyone with computer access. You just have to be more disciplined to seek it all out rather than having someone tell you everything you need to know. Another idea is to gather a group of like-minded competitors and train together (see my article on ‘Starting Your Own Fitness Competition Training Crew’ for more on this). Get together weekly to compare notes, swap diet secrets, critique each others’ posing, and practise strength moves for your routine. Not only will each person have different expertise and experience that the group can draw on, but also, sharing training costs can save everyone a bundle. Paying a fraction of what solo training would cost is possible when you organize group sessions with posing coaches, gymnastic teachers, nutritionists, etc. Beyond the monetary advantages, you create an awesome, supportive network of people with common goals and often friendships that last long past the competition date!
Bikini/Routine Costume and Heels
The price of fitness/figure bikinis is getting ridiculous! My advice here - and what I always do - is either buy second-hand (check out e-bay or sites that specialize in selling second-hand competition wear) or order a very plain suit with little or no stones, then bling it up yourself. You can usually have a decent plain velour or lycra fitness/figure bikini made for between $50 - $100, then just buy rhinestones and crystals from a beading or fabric shop and either sew or glue them on in a pleasing pattern. For routine costumes, think about buying ready-made pieces like booty shorts and a bra-top, to which you’ll add fringe, stones, sequins, and accessories to match your theme. Make sure to get yourself a good pair of the standard clear Lucite platform stilettos – how to save here? Check e-bay for deals! I found some for $35 on ebay compared to $100 in a shop here in T.O.
Gym Membership
An easy way to get free gym membership is to work there! If you are a personal trainer or group fitness instructor, try to pick up a few hours a week at the gym of your choice. If you don’t have those qualifications, apply for part-time work as a cleaner or front desk clerk - generally this will give you a complimentary membership - as well, you’ll have space to practise your routine, posing, etc. in the aerobic or yoga room! Next option: approach gyms to sponsor you – they provide a free or discounted membership, and in return, you advertise that you trained at their gym for your competition, mention them whenever you’re in the media, perhaps even volunteer to be a model for their brochures, posters, or print ads. Community or recreation centres that have gym rooms and cardio classes are another low-cost alternative. Or how about looking into setting up your own home gym with a few dumbbells and a cardio machine? And running or biking outside is … free!
Food
It can be expensive to eat so clean, so often, and get lots of protein. Watch for sales on mainstays like chicken breasts, tuna, egg whites, etc. and consider buying in bulk and freezing to cut costs. You might also try eating cheaper proteins (egg whites, cottage cheese, tuna, protein powder, etc.) more often than the more expensive ones (chicken breasts, fish, etc.)
Supplements
I don’t believe you need supplements to succeed in fitness or figure, but sometimes they can make things easier. I personally don’t take many supplements so I cut costs here big time. If you consider certain supplements necessary, either buy in bulk or try to get sponsored by these companies so they supply you with their product!
Entry Fees
Enter as early as possible – usually there is some sort of early-bird discount.
Travel & Accommodations
This is a no-brainer: pick shows that are in your city, or at least close by, so you don’t have to spend on transportation and hotels.
Tan
There are now people who will spray you to a competition dark tan in one session for about $40 – $90 the day of your competition ... some even set up shop right at the competitions. This is much more time- and cost-effective than buying all the products, gloves, sponges, etc. and struggling through days of applying these yourself (and often not coming out with the perfect, even tan you hoped for). I think tanning salons are a bad idea – no competition is worth the risk of skin cancer! If you do feel you need to get a base at a tanning salon, buy sessions in bulk to save or try to get sponsored by the salon.
Hair/Nails/Make-up
Here’s a fun place to treat yourself after all the hard work you’ve put in. Try not to skimp too much here – you’ll want to feel like a queen for the day of your competition - it will definitely help you shine on stage. But if it’s a matter of doing a show or not because of these costs, or if you’re planning on doing a few different shows in one season, there are a few ways to cut back:Do your own hair and make-up – look on the internet and in magazines for ideas on how to achieve the look you want. Experiment beforehand to see what you can do and practise your technique – remember, practise makes perfect! Another idea is to ask a friend who you think is awesome at that type of thing to volunteer to be your personal stylist and get you beautiful on competition day. You can also put the word out to beauty schools whose students who are often looking for opportunities to do entertainers’ hair and/or make-up in exchange for photos to build their portfolios. Make sure whoever does your make-up realizes that you need extreme show make-up (brighter and bigger than an everyday look), and that you also need the base colour on your face to match your fake tan flawlessly.
Just because almost all competitors have those fake long French-manicured nails, it doesn’t mean you have to rush out and get them yourself. Though it could be just the finishing touch to make you feel pampered, it’s definitely not necessary. You can do your own mani/pedicure: try a French manicure with a kit from the drug store, or just paint your nails and toes a nice pearly light shade.
Photos
I like to pay to have the official competition photographer shoot me. To me, it’s worth the expense to get quality shots for my portfolio. Also, you want the big fitness photographers to know who you are and have shots of you on hand. You can choose not to go this route, however, and have a friend or family member who’s handy with the camera take your pictures. Be sure to confirm whether this is allowed at the show – find out beforehand, as different shows and organizations have different policies. And free – but fun! – be sure to pack your digital camera to capture those memorable backstage pics yourself!Whether competing in fitness is a personal goal, a hobby, or part of your career path, there’s no denying that expenses can add up quickly. Now you know there are ways to tame the cost-monster so you can reap the rewards of competing without feeling guilty about your wallet!
These are all really helpful to the competitor, but can be very costly. You can research workouts, diets, posing, etc. online. There’s tons of info out there – free for the taking – for anyone with computer access. You just have to be more disciplined to seek it all out rather than having someone tell you everything you need to know. Another idea is to gather a group of like-minded competitors and train together (see my article on ‘Starting Your Own Fitness Competition Training Crew’ for more on this). Get together weekly to compare notes, swap diet secrets, critique each others’ posing, and practise strength moves for your routine. Not only will each person have different expertise and experience that the group can draw on, but also, sharing training costs can save everyone a bundle. Paying a fraction of what solo training would cost is possible when you organize group sessions with posing coaches, gymnastic teachers, nutritionists, etc. Beyond the monetary advantages, you create an awesome, supportive network of people with common goals and often friendships that last long past the competition date!
Bikini/Routine Costume and Heels
The price of fitness/figure bikinis is getting ridiculous! My advice here - and what I always do - is either buy second-hand (check out e-bay or sites that specialize in selling second-hand competition wear) or order a very plain suit with little or no stones, then bling it up yourself. You can usually have a decent plain velour or lycra fitness/figure bikini made for between $50 - $100, then just buy rhinestones and crystals from a beading or fabric shop and either sew or glue them on in a pleasing pattern. For routine costumes, think about buying ready-made pieces like booty shorts and a bra-top, to which you’ll add fringe, stones, sequins, and accessories to match your theme. Make sure to get yourself a good pair of the standard clear Lucite platform stilettos – how to save here? Check e-bay for deals! I found some for $35 on ebay compared to $100 in a shop here in T.O.
Gym Membership
An easy way to get free gym membership is to work there! If you are a personal trainer or group fitness instructor, try to pick up a few hours a week at the gym of your choice. If you don’t have those qualifications, apply for part-time work as a cleaner or front desk clerk - generally this will give you a complimentary membership - as well, you’ll have space to practise your routine, posing, etc. in the aerobic or yoga room! Next option: approach gyms to sponsor you – they provide a free or discounted membership, and in return, you advertise that you trained at their gym for your competition, mention them whenever you’re in the media, perhaps even volunteer to be a model for their brochures, posters, or print ads. Community or recreation centres that have gym rooms and cardio classes are another low-cost alternative. Or how about looking into setting up your own home gym with a few dumbbells and a cardio machine? And running or biking outside is … free!
Food
It can be expensive to eat so clean, so often, and get lots of protein. Watch for sales on mainstays like chicken breasts, tuna, egg whites, etc. and consider buying in bulk and freezing to cut costs. You might also try eating cheaper proteins (egg whites, cottage cheese, tuna, protein powder, etc.) more often than the more expensive ones (chicken breasts, fish, etc.)
Supplements
I don’t believe you need supplements to succeed in fitness or figure, but sometimes they can make things easier. I personally don’t take many supplements so I cut costs here big time. If you consider certain supplements necessary, either buy in bulk or try to get sponsored by these companies so they supply you with their product!
Entry Fees
Enter as early as possible – usually there is some sort of early-bird discount.
Travel & Accommodations
This is a no-brainer: pick shows that are in your city, or at least close by, so you don’t have to spend on transportation and hotels.
Tan
There are now people who will spray you to a competition dark tan in one session for about $40 – $90 the day of your competition ... some even set up shop right at the competitions. This is much more time- and cost-effective than buying all the products, gloves, sponges, etc. and struggling through days of applying these yourself (and often not coming out with the perfect, even tan you hoped for). I think tanning salons are a bad idea – no competition is worth the risk of skin cancer! If you do feel you need to get a base at a tanning salon, buy sessions in bulk to save or try to get sponsored by the salon.
Hair/Nails/Make-up
Here’s a fun place to treat yourself after all the hard work you’ve put in. Try not to skimp too much here – you’ll want to feel like a queen for the day of your competition - it will definitely help you shine on stage. But if it’s a matter of doing a show or not because of these costs, or if you’re planning on doing a few different shows in one season, there are a few ways to cut back:Do your own hair and make-up – look on the internet and in magazines for ideas on how to achieve the look you want. Experiment beforehand to see what you can do and practise your technique – remember, practise makes perfect! Another idea is to ask a friend who you think is awesome at that type of thing to volunteer to be your personal stylist and get you beautiful on competition day. You can also put the word out to beauty schools whose students who are often looking for opportunities to do entertainers’ hair and/or make-up in exchange for photos to build their portfolios. Make sure whoever does your make-up realizes that you need extreme show make-up (brighter and bigger than an everyday look), and that you also need the base colour on your face to match your fake tan flawlessly.
Just because almost all competitors have those fake long French-manicured nails, it doesn’t mean you have to rush out and get them yourself. Though it could be just the finishing touch to make you feel pampered, it’s definitely not necessary. You can do your own mani/pedicure: try a French manicure with a kit from the drug store, or just paint your nails and toes a nice pearly light shade.
Photos
I like to pay to have the official competition photographer shoot me. To me, it’s worth the expense to get quality shots for my portfolio. Also, you want the big fitness photographers to know who you are and have shots of you on hand. You can choose not to go this route, however, and have a friend or family member who’s handy with the camera take your pictures. Be sure to confirm whether this is allowed at the show – find out beforehand, as different shows and organizations have different policies. And free – but fun! – be sure to pack your digital camera to capture those memorable backstage pics yourself!Whether competing in fitness is a personal goal, a hobby, or part of your career path, there’s no denying that expenses can add up quickly. Now you know there are ways to tame the cost-monster so you can reap the rewards of competing without feeling guilty about your wallet!