The Real Co$t of Bodybuilding

Often I’m asked how much it truly costs to do a bodybuilding competition.  Below is an excerpt from my memoir, She’s Losing It! (available on Amazon.com) with an itemized breakdown.

The Real Co$t of Bodybuilding

*If you are my husband please don’t read this post.*  While preparing my personal taxes I stumbled across all the receipts from my first bodybuilding competition and thought you might be interested in knowing the true costs of this sport.

One of my annoying endearing personality quirks is that when I have a very strong idea in my head to do something (i.e. – run a marathon, put on a fundraiser for 700 people, lose 50 lbs via entering a bikini competition, etc.) I tend to jump right in doing very little no research first.  This annoying endearing quality drives my very budget-conscious analytical husband crazy.

Here’s how this works:

• Chris (a very fit personal trainer):  “I’m going to enter a bikini competition in April.”
• Lisa (BMI=borderline obese):  “I’m in.”

That was my research…

In defense of myself,  I knew the results I wanted – a bikini body.  I had no idea what was involved getting there.  Perhaps if I had known I never would have done it, and that would have been a shame, as the results went well beyond a nice physique.  I learned about nutrition, gained self confidence and started a new career path as a personal trainer.  Plus, I’ve gained so many new friends from this sport!

But if you are curious, and more analytical than “I’m in,” below is a cost breakdown for you.  ***Again, if you are my husband stop reading right now.  Ends justify the means!!!***

1st Competition Costs

• Personal training sessions at commercial gym for 6 months  = $1,700
• Gym membership fees = $180
• Supplements = $900
• Weird-top-secret-bodybuilder-stuff my trainer had me buy but I’m not allowed to post details about it = $350
• Weird-top-secret-gluten-free-bison-meat-type-food above and beyond “normal” healthy food = $200

  

• New wardrobe ’cause I lost 50 lbs = $200 (I shop at Walmart)
• Posing classes (yes, you need them) = $280

  

• 2 posing bikinis = $210  (I got off kind off cheap on this one used I bought off E-bay.  Some women spend $300-$600 per suit.)
• 5″ heels = $70*  (I bought the wrong shoes so add another $90 for a total of $160)
• Tanning salon – base tan + bronzer = $190
• NPC card = $100

  

• Entrance fee for competition= $85 per division (I just did Bikini Masters Division – that’s fancy for “old chicks”)
• Manicure/Pedicure = $92 (Did you know that “gels” cost a bazillion times more than just a regular manicure?  Here’s where that “research” thing might have come in handy…)
• Wax Eyebrows = $17.  (This was totally unnecessary, but when you just put $92 on your credit card to get gel nails, why not go for pretty eyebrows too?)
• Photo shoot for the blog 3 weeks before the competition = $0.  Sponsored!!  THANK YOU CAROLINE POE PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

  

• Spray on tan night before the competition = $150
• Hair and make-up day of the competition = $150
• Tickets for my husband to see the pre-show + night show = $135
• Total cost first competition:  $5,099 = $849/mo.
  
• Having a bikini body without plastic surgery?  Priceless!

  

  

  

2nd Competition Costs

• Personal training sessions at small gym for 3 months  = $1,350

  

• Gym membership fees = $115
• Supplements.  I had some left over; did not need weight loss ones anymore; bought online for better pricing= $200
• Weird-top-secret-bodybuilder-stuff – N/A.  I already lost the weight = $0
• Weird-top-secret-gluten-free-bison-meat-type-food above and beyond “normal” healthy food = $75
• New wardrobe.  N/A.  How many jean shorts does a girl need? = $0
• Posing classes (did not need as many) = $180
• 2 posing bikinis.  (I wore the same ones) = $0
• 5″ heels (I wore the same ones) = $0
• Tanning salon – base tan + bronzer (only did it the month before the show) = $95

  

• NPC card – N/A.  Good for the year = $0
• Entrance fee for competition (entered 2 divisions this time “Masters” and “Open”) = $170
• Manicure/Pedicure.  Kept my own nails on and just painted them = $35
• Wax Eyebrows – N/A= $0
• Spray on tan night before the competition-included in hair/make-up cost this time = $0
• Hair and make-up day of the competition = $150
• Tickets for my husband to see the pre-show + night show = $135
• Total cost second competition:  $2,505
• Keeping the weight off even after my high school reunion?  Priceless!

  

And hey, at least this sport’s cheaper than golf.

Lisa 😉

If you like this article, check out the minute trailer for my book:

Lisa Traugott is a Mom’s Choice Award winning writer, fitness blogger, wife and mom of two. You can read more about her in her new book, “She’s Losing It!” available at Amazon.com.

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