So you’re ready to attend your first bodybuilding show! You’re in for quite a treat. Amateur and professional shows are often chock full of some of the most interesting personalities the sport has to offer. Sometimes, the show in the audience will even trump the one onstage. Let’s look at some of the types you will run into at your first bodybuilding contest.

Armchair Judges

This group of fans is perhaps the most amusing. Many of them will actually have a printout of a competitor list spreadsheet. They will attempt to ‘score along at home” and make detailed notes of who they believe will win each class, and why. If you are naïve enough to ask for their opinion, you had better be prepared for a 150 minute monologue on the efficacy of Competitor A’s glutes or Competitor B’s lat improvement.

Schmoes

Affectionately known as ‘schmoes’ in the industry, this group of men doesn’t necessarily work out, but they sure do love to be associated with anything and everything bodybuilding-related. It doesn’t matter who or where – they’re always at bodybuilding shows, looking for a way to get involved. They do keep many struggling bodybuilders in the gym, thanks to their financial donations, so they’re not all bad!

Awestruck teenagers

These are the readers of FLEX and Muscular Development that actually believe the latest protein powder was responsible for their favorite pro’s growth over the last two years, not insulin and growth hormone. This kid believes if he works hard enough and eats enough clean foods, he will one day stand on the Olympia stage. Still, they purchase tickets same as you, and are helping to keep the sport alive and growing. Besides, we’ve all been that kid at one time or another!

Struggling fitness girls

These are the local personal trainers/waitresses that believe they have the potential to appear on magazine covers and supplement ads, if only they get their ‘big break’. Instead of actually competing in a fitness or figure competition, they choose to circulate their resume through the crowd at bodybuilding shows, looking for any ‘names’ they can coddle up to.

Aspiring Pros

This pack of local gym rats believe they have what it takes to stand onstage – but they choose to stay in the audience. They may get onstage one day, or they may not, but the dream is always there. And so are they.

Family members

They come out to support their loved one, and they see no flaws in his or her physique. Don’t stifle their joy and support by pointing out their husband or brother is carrying more water than Lake Erie. Simply tell them he looks great, then work to do everything you can to tolerate the standing, screaming, and videotaping that will inevitably take place once their man takes the stage.

Now that you have a firm understanding of the personalities that you’ll be better prepared for the mixing pot that is a bodybuilding show. Remember to walk through the expo and collect as many free goodies as possible, and take a lot of pictures to share on the message boards. And of course, go shake some hands and meet some pros!

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