Things you should know to have the slight edge in your first competition.

So we all lift, right? Even if you’re not lifting heavyweight – if you’re reading this you probably care about your body and spend more time in the gym than most of the population. Let’s face it, it’s a niche sport.

But does lifting alone mean you can be in a competition? Does having the right muscle mass, taking the right supplements, and eating the right diet give you the ability to step on stage? What many casual lifters don’t know is that there’s much more prep work to entering a competition than just time in the weight room. When you’re competing at a high level you not only have to bring out the best in your genetics but find new ways to set yourself apart. Here are 5 of the biggest nuances many lifters don’t know about entering a bodybuilding competition.

#1. You Need A Posing Coach

Having a training a coach makes a huge difference. We get it – it’s 2016 and all information is readily available on YouTube, but take it from people who have entered competitions with and without coaches – a posing coach is key.

You want to display your strengths and hide your weaknesses – a flick of the wrist one way or another can give you two different lines, and you want to put your best foot forward.

A posing coach can also help you with your nutrition. Yes you have supplements that you know and love but a coach can add new supps and routine that can take your from good to great.

And hey, maybe you don’t need a “professional posing coach” – what’s really important is to get experienced advice and coaching from someone who knows how to pose correctly. Posing is often overlooked when it comes to bodybuilding training. It’s not a simple routine that can be learned in one night. Just like anything else, it takes focus, discipline, and practice to take it to a pro level. Just ask Kai Greene – who recently talked about the realities of pro posing on his Generation Iron podcast.