Hey hun
Well here is the info and previously asked questions below!
I'm personally not going to pose. I want to sit and learn as i'm def not ready to get my kit off , so contacted them and they said thats fine! So you can just listen and get a feel for it, or you can join in :)
See you there! :) x
FAQ's...... I'm not sure if I'm competing yet, am I still welcome to come to the clubs? Anyone, regardless of whether you're competing or not, or what federation you do compete with. Everyone is welcome! Supporters and new comers are encouraged to come along too!
How often are they held? Clubs usually start around Feb and we generally try to have one every 4-5 weeks, depending on interest and studio availability. Details will be posted on FB and the BNBF forum
http://www.bnbf.co.uk/forums/ I've got a busy schedule.....what time do the clubs start and how long do they go for? The club will start anytime between 10am to midday and usually go for 2-3 hrs. Timings will be confirmed closer to the date. But you are always welcome to come and go as you please if you can only stay for an hour or so. We usually have a meal and a chat at the chill out area after too.
How many people attend the clubs? When we started running the clubs 4 yrs ago we sometimes only had 5 or 6 people come along. Now days we will have anything from 10 - 30 people attending. We will generate interest on Facebook and the BNBF forum before we confirm dates to be sure we get adequate numbers and don't waste anyone's time as some people travel a fair distance to attend our clubs.
Is there a fee to attend the London Club? There is no fee to attend the club but we do ask for a £2.00 donation which goes to Monster Gym for use of the studio facilities. The London club itself is run by BNBF volunteers, experienced bodybuilders and successful Pro bodybuilders. It's very rare to be offered free advice in this day and age!
Do I have to train at the gym? No, but why wouldn't you??? This place is amazing! If you want to train you can do so either before or after the club session. Don't forget it's £5.00 if you want to train.
I''m new to this crazy sport.....what happens at the clubs? The clubs are very informal and we always have a few laughs. We generally start off with a quick intro of everyone and see why they've come along and what show's everyone's looking at doing. Then we have a open discussion about diet, training, tanning, bikini's, drug testing, membership and entry requirements, federations, class requirements etc...pretty much anything bodybuilding related ask away. There's no such thing as a stupid question at our clubs.
Then the hard bit starts when we begin the posing session......
What's involved in the posing session? Will it help if I watch Pumping Iron before coming along? Not necessarily, but you can't beat watching a classic bodybuilding video! After the intro session, we break out into two groups, ladies figure and physique classes. Men and women doing the physique classes will practice the posing together. Figure ladies will practice in a seperate area. The posing session usually lasts between 1 - 1.5 hours depending on the time and numbers.
I'm carrying a few extra pounds....do I have to take part in the posing session? We encourage everyone to take part in the posing session as the earlier you start the easier it is closer to your competition. If you don't feel confortable posing in trunks or a bikini that's fine, but do wear shorts and a t-shirt or vest. As you gain confidence and start getting leaner, it is recommended that you pose in trunks or a bikini so you can see your shape and symmetry properly. It's hard to critique when you can't see someone's symmetry.
Are there any 1:2:1 sessions done at the clubs? The clubs are group participation and numbers will determine how much help we are able to give anyone. Most of the people who run the clubs are personal trainers by trade and may offer bodybuilding nutrition/advice so if you are interested in having individual sessions you are welcome to ask the question at the club. You are not obliged to sign up to anything at the clubs but if you're looking for 1:2:1 help there will always be someone willing to help or refer you onto someone.
Where else are the clubs held? Scottish club - The Body Academy in Perth (Hosted by Vicky McCann)
Northern Club - Olympic Gym, Eccles, Manchester (Hosted by Paul & Tania George and Dawn Roberts)
Yorkshire Club - Evolution Gym, Rotherham (Hosted by Jon Clark & Rachel Hayes)
Northern Ireland Club - Sports Connection Gym, Bangor (Hosted by Eric Dowey)
If you are interested in holding a club or have a recommendation then please let us know!
What do I have to bring? Your food for the day if you want to, otherwise these a full kitchen facility at Monster.
Suitable clothing for the posing practice.
High heels for the ladies if you're doing the figure class.
Your £2.00 or £5.00 for the gym.
There are showers if you need them but you'll need a towel.
Make sure you take down notes, websites and phone numbers at the club so you can keep in contact and swap ideas/questions.
So where to from here....... Once you've got home and recovered from the posing session, and gone through your phone trying to remember everyone's name, start doing your research. Set a goal, write down what you need to do to get there and start making a plan of attack.
Swap numbers with people from the club and hook up for a training session or a chat over coffee. Nothing beats conversation with like minded people!
Take before and after photos......
Take your weight a measurements so you can monitor your progress
Review your training and diet and see if they need tweaking or if you need further guidance
Search the internet for further info on the federation and class you are entering
Make sure you read the rules for the federation especially the drug testing rules
If you are taking supplementation and aren't sure if a product is okay, get it checked out first
Buy DVD's so you can see how a show is run and what's required
Go and watch some shows to get you motivated and fired up!
But most importantly, keep coming to the clubs. This is FREE honest advice from FRIENDLY, EXPERIENCED, KNOWLEDGEABLE competitors. and practice, practice, practice! It will only make it easier on the day! Please note London Club studio fees for 2012..... From 2012 we will be asking for a donation of £2.00 if you come to the clubs but aren't training. This is the 4th year running that we have been using Monster gym for our clubs and Steve has never charged us so all donations will go directly to Monster Gym for use of the studio and facilities. Please note this decision was not requested by the owner, but was a suggestion made by the volunteers who run these clubs and is seen to be a gesture of goodwill for Steve allowing us to use his facilites for future clubs. He has always looked after us and we need to recognise and be appreciative of this.
It is still £5.00 if you want to train.
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The BNBF shows will be shown in bold. London club date will be added as they are confirmed. Here are the dates so far......
1st club Saturday 11th Feb, start midday - 3pm: London Club, Monster Gym, Cheshunt (CONFIRMED)
2nd club - ***TO BE CONFIRMED*** 10th, 11th March, 17th or 18th March depending on interest and who can help out
London Club, Monster Gym, Cheshunt