Getting Started

Fitness Performance with Tina Thompson-Pope

Competition Tips, Dance/Fitness Choreography, Training Questions & Competitor Support

Tina Thompson-Pope

You don’t have to be a professional gymnast or cheerleader to be a fitness competitor. Although these skills are an asset, it doesn’t mean you can’t do well in competition. Start out with a simple yet challenging fitness regimen that holds room for growth and development. Then start to challenge your body and place more demands on it week after week. Sooner than you know, you’ll have many of the basic fitness movements mastered, and then your decision to compete becomes much easier!
I have what I call the ‘Basic 5’ steps for starting out in fitness competition.

1. Do your homework first! Attend as many fitness competitions as you can. Watch videos of fitness competitions. Attend a good training camp, and ask other competitors questions. These things can reveal a lot about what to expect.

2. Study your technique. Every competitor should acquire some professional development in her craft. Study with someone who is a professional in the area you would like to get better in and take it to the next level.

3. Maintain a positive attitude. No one wants a person with a bad attitude around. This includes gossiping, complaining, or just not speaking to others at competitions.

4. Be confident, but not arrogant. Be strong and clear about who you are. The minute that you realize you are talented enough to be reckoned with is the minute others will recognize it as well.

5. Keep the passion for what you are doing. You will not always place the highest when you compete. You may feel as if your placing was not very good or you could be totally disappointed after a competition. Grow from it and move on. The most skilled do not always win, those who are skilled at being their best usually do!

It isn’t just having a killer body that makes someone ready to compete. It’s really about giving the total essence in performance. Knowledge, skill, attitude, confidence, and passion… the basic 5!

Send your questions about fitness competition preparation, dance/fitness choreography, or training to Tina at Tina@FitnessandPhysiqueMag.com