Now this is the truth. There is literally nothing you can do once you're there at the show so you just bring your best package and hope it's good enough depending on who shows up. I always tell people that
you have to train to win shows. Change your body to meet the judging criteria. Be honest with yourself on where you're going to fall short in each pose and improve it. It's a points game. Each competitor judged against each other in each pose. Win more poses, win the class or show.
I'm going to go on a tren induced show prep (I'm wired but tired also) rant. Please forgive my lack of political correctness.
Never compare yourself to others specifically. Vascularity looks awesome but that has
never won someone a show. Great body parts are just that, one body part. No one wins a class or show because they just had a great chest.
Same goes for conditioning. 1% body fat or some crazy shit is freaky but not when you look like a stick man. Muscularity (size) does actually matter in bodybuilding.
Shit, how many times have we heard lately about someone posting pics looking unbeatable only to have them show up looking like shit at a show? Happens all the time and it's funny as hell.
Camera angles, lighting, filters, Photoshop and 100 attempts to get the perfect shot make for some great pics but that's not the stage bro. Plus there's no reference for scale. Guys looking huge then you see them in person and realize it's all smoke and mirrors. You can always tell because they never have pics of actual poses. Always the same perfect angle pose. Show me a head to toe straight on front lat spread or double biceps. Hit me a straight on most muscular of your choice. No shirt to cover your weak areas or long shorts to cover those sticks you walk around on. You wanna show me something post some real deal actual poses. Oh and no filters. That just some weak shit too.
Size, weight, off season look are all irrelevant if you do the work and show up on show day looking great in each pose. Balance, proportions, symmetry, conditioning are what wins shows. Big and ripped is great but if your waist is 38 inches and you have no calves a light heavy or heavy weight that's balanced, ripped and 30-50 pounds lighter will smoke you every time.
It may sound shitty but the most satisfying feeling besides actually winning a show is look on the faces of all the other guys when you pull off your clothes for the first time in the pump up room and you know that they just realized they can't beat you. You can literally see it in their face. Months of prep, sweat, hard work and now they get to spend the rest of the day trying to get second place. That's what you want to work for, that, and giving the judges no doubt when you walk out with everyone that you're the winner.
Rant over.
I need a nap before I go train what feels like 14 inch arms at the moment.