Fitness Competition Debating On Trying

First, you need to figure out what category you will be trying (I'm going to assume bikini).
Second, go to a show. Find a nearby NPC show and check out the pre-judging so you can see what the judges are looking for and what the other girls look like in your category. You'll get an idea of how many women typically go for your selected category (bikini always has the most women). Pay special attention to the girls that get first call-outs, these are usually the girls that will get the top 3-5 spots in the evening judging.
Third, Bikini is all about the glutes, hamstrings, and shoulders. Judges typically want to rounded shoulder caps, lifted glutes and defined hamstrings. No Sagging in the glutes, no jiggle in the belly.
Fourth, find a fitness coach, nutritionist, posing coach. Ask around your local gym and make inquiries about competitions. It's very helpful to speak to someone at your local gym that does competitions and pick their brain about coaches and nutritionists.

I won't sugar coat it, there is a lot of research involved and even more hard work involved. If you set your mind and are very determined you'll be on stage in no time. Best of luck!

You don't need a personal trainer but a coach is invaluable to a first timer IMO.

And to be honest, my coach was the cheapest part of this whole process.

If money is an issue, I'd do some research on what total cost is going to be. I bought my suit from a new suit maker at Less than half of what a new one would be and it was still cheaper than renting one. Shoes. Tan. Waxing. Jewelry. Entry fees. Do you have to travel? Food for meal prep. Some girls go all out get nails, hair and makeup done.
You can save money but get a good idea of what you can spend and where you can cut money. Maybe you have someone who can help you, loan you things, etc.

Posing is huge. Practice pratice practice. Again, having someone to give you pointers and feedback goes a long way which is again where a coach comes in.

As for the hard time sticking to a meal plan - for me, the competition and the fact that I had to report to someone made a huge difference. I followed it to a t where in the past I struggled. But that doesn't mean everyone will be like that. It might help you. It might not.

There is a real good thread on bodybuilding.com in the women's section about thinking about competing. I can't find it on my cell right now but it's worth a read.

If you decide you can't compete right. Is it is still something you can work towards. A lot of people will suggest having several years of lifting behind you before getting on stage.

Define "fitness" competition. Are you talking about an NPC show? Or a WBFF show? (assuming you're female)

What category? What class? How much money do you have to spend?

I just want to say that competing is an incredibly expensive hobby. You can spend hundreds (if not 1,000$+) just on your suit, tan, nails, makeup, hair, etc. not to include accommodations, cost of entry, the cost of prepping, potential posing classes, a coach, etc.

In my opinion you should not try to compete until you're ready to invest the time and money it requires. Not to mention the fact that your physique should actually be worth showing off (AKA, i don't think people who haven't been lifting consistently for atleast 1-2 years should try to diet down and step on stage).

i want to add that if this is something you really wanna do you should absolutely 100% pursue it and do it! IT might seem intimidating and scary at first, but you will grow so much for pushing past boundaries. Getting on stage is scary and takes courage! Start going to competitions and watching as a spectator, you will learn so much just watching. Follow your favorite girls on instagram, eat what they eat, train like they train, send them messages and ask them questions. Make friends in the sport., most of the girls loving encouraging and helping people get into the it. Like others said you can spend a few years training and gaining knowledge while you are saving money for when you are ready to jump into it.

As many here stated, it's more than just getting in shape and stepping up on a stage. IMO, you should first go and attend one and look and see the conditioning of the competitors. And also understand that it takes up to 6 months, to just prep for a show. That's NOT including the consistent effort of improving your body during off season.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition