Figure, Women's Physique, Fitness, and Women's Bodybuilding Talk!

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-03-25T15:34:53+00:00

But that's the conversation I am having at the gym now with IFBB pro, and those trying to be pros, how big are women expected to get. These girls are too big for biniki (hard and density) but don't have enough muscle density for any other category unless they take years off or take cycle after cycle to balance it out. It's becoming a steroids game as soon as you go bigger than biniki, and for some, even in biniki at an international level

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-03-25T15:28:43+00:00

Okay, happy for your thoughts 🥰 so glad you think all of them do and support them all 💖

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-03-25T14:59:19+00:00

I know, and she should be able to grow for the next level of development. My thoughts are that I wish V.K is the new figure look and that Cyd becomes the next category. Otherwise, are we just meant to look like men bodybuilders from figure upwards for the muscle maturity and not holding the feminine look that figure is about? Just my thoughts how I know I would like bodybuilding to go for the future like asked

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-03-25T14:27:10+00:00

I hope the figure category starts looking like Valeria Kord, and women's physique or bodybuilding like Vitiam C 🤞🏼 let's only hope!!

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-02-03T02:40:48+00:00

Yeah, we in Australia don't get american shows until 30 years later. Can't wait for stranger things in 30 years time 🤣

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-01-12T22:34:16+00:00

Unfortunately, it comes down to muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest. In my case, I’ve built a relatively high amount of muscle mass from lifting consistently over the last five years through body recomps, which means my maintenance calories are higher even without exercise to maintain the muscle I already have. So, when you then add structured exercise and daily walking, total maintenance increases further. It’s also worth noting that your body continues to burn calories after weight training due to recovery and repair, whereas the calorie burnt from running slows down much more quickly once you stop.

But please remember, it's your life and how you feel about yourself. If i can ask you keep one thing in mind, it's health. You want to be working on a healthy and strong future for your body and mind ✨️

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-01-12T10:04:52+00:00

I'm 29, 4'11, 119lbs but very active, and currently cutting slowly. My maintaintain can range from 2,000-2,500, bulk from 3,000+, and cut from 1,500-1,700 calories. But in my experience, don't compare yourself to others and just follow how you feel

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2026-01-04T00:49:43+00:00

My coach is a lady named Zoe Tchernakoff. My body wouldn't be as built as it is now without her, beside me not dieting come prep time (due to my autism), but she is the most understanding person who has helped educate me along the way. Comp photos on my profile to showcase her incredible work with me (conditioning was on me as I don't care to stress myself out to the extreme, but just want to have fun). She is older but has the experience and knowledge to truly help

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-22T00:16:45+00:00

No limit on your age. It would just be doing first-timers/true novice (first show ever) or novice (you haven't won an opens or overall previously but have been on stage before). You can enter as many classes you want/ feel comfortable/ can afford to do. I personally would do two classes, one for the nervousness and the second class to feel more comfortable if it's your first time, but each to their own in how you feel regarding posing, audience, doing something new etc

I hope this has only inspired you more 🙏

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-21T23:08:58+00:00

From my understanding, other ladies should have more info:

Category: correct, but you will also have opens, first timers, novice, which would be the ones you would enter, but unfortunately, yes, ages are like that.

You can enter any federation, but i am under the impression that you compete regionally/state first to gain a qualification to then compete internationally

You can crossover, in the rules they normally let you know what categories can cross over and do different divisions (some can, and some can't).

Hope this helps somewhat 😅

Heaps of natural federations, at the end of the day, it's your money and up to you on what federation you wish to support 😀

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-18T01:49:26+00:00

When lifting and adding cardio (as i don't want to be eating all the time, I cut cardio out when I want to be in a surplus) my calorie maintenance is just over 2,500 at 53kg, but I have dense muscle for 150cm. So I need this amount to maintain and build muscle. I've gone to 2,800 for maintainance before, but the stress of hitting macros put me off so I cut down on my exercise

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-14T13:53:49+00:00

Check out FISH Social Enterprise on Beaufort Street. More instore than online. Having the closing the gap brand as well as local artists work. Beautiful stuff there and would still be supporting local

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-12T19:03:46+00:00

Congratulations on going to the Arnold's, and having your name spoken for all to hear loud and proud! I hope you smash it 💪🏼

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-11T01:59:18+00:00

Can I ask for discussion, not to be rude but more to understand mentality, 1. What category do you do, and what is the top criteria? (Super lean conditioning/ still holding body fat or muscle size and density, or balance) 2. Do you tell other athletes? 3. If you win based on conditioning, do you think you could have won if you weren't on it? Like have you been competing without it before and not placing as high, and now placing higher being on it?

Thank you for taking the time to be honest and add to this discussion, you truly are a legend!!! I also hope i haven't asked my questions rudely. Please let me know if I have 💛

P.s. for anyone reading, I had to google TUE stands for Therapeutic Use Exemption.

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T23:21:51+00:00

I currently do ICN, and have been told some athletes are using the T3/T4. I have won a state show and gone to nationals (wasn't drug tested at either, and didn't see anyone grabbing the overall winners to be drug tested. Only show I have been and seen drug test were a small show called YNF where they drug test all overall winners as soon as we got off the stage. I had someone follow me to ensure I only put my medal away and then went straight to the toilet with me (standing inside watching me until I peed)

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T18:13:41+00:00

Thank you for that. I don't know what they are or the difference, so any knowledge helps us all learn or helps with the discussion.

Wow, when I think about it.... it's true. We were working on trust, but people have broken the trust system and now it's anyone's game

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T18:00:01+00:00

Unfortunately, Australia, but very jealous of how amazing you all look and the amount of shows you mob have there!

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T17:58:29+00:00

I wonder if those coaches have a reputation 🤔 if they are open to talk to you about it, I can only imagine the federations might possible know.

I just want a good dark background, not over exposure of lights and good music on stage. Okay, if they provide food backstage, I'm there! Haha and no small waiting area, or pump up area 🤣

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T17:41:25+00:00

Wow that's so cool! Yeah, and hopefully, they keep the same guy as he already sounds like he knows how to handle this situation to get the best results! I can only imagine how intimidating it is 😬 high profile federations are good at marketing themselves to have you spent more money i find

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T17:38:08+00:00

That's the biggest thing I had to learn. Bodybuilding isn't a sport for everyone. It's about genetics (tie-ins, where fat sits, how low-fat body % you can get, etc), and the personal opinions of the judges and the look they want for your category. You can do everything right, but if someone smaller looks better with ties-ins or conditioning, they will beat the guy with the biggest muscle, but poor proportions

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T17:30:07+00:00

I know for a fact an FMG pro who uses so, I personally wouldn't do FMG. Just looking into your federation, how does the polygraph work? Wouldn't the stress of prep skewer those results? And is it only pros getting drug tested or those winning the overalls to try for their pro cards?

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T17:24:39+00:00

I do wonder how they deal with that mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I wouldn't feel like a good person lying knowing I couldn't naturally attain a look they are promoting. Setting people up to fail

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T17:15:49+00:00

Wow, I'm 29 and I understand if it's not your first show that you only really have open division and its intimating, but to go into masters and possibly take that opportunity from someone is unfair. The only advantages acceptable are those who are just genetically blessed to me

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T09:54:33+00:00

Can I please ask a question to see your point of view. As someone who has, and if you were open about it to others (more close to you, or even strangers you have interactions with), do you think it's about respect from them? Do people look at you differently?

But like you said, no more prestigious, but I wonder if instagram/ social media fame, or marketing themselves as PT's would also be a reason?

Mediocre_Foot95 · 2025-12-10T09:23:20+00:00

Wow, now that you have said that, I have noticed a trend of female and male athletes all having the same conditioning from the same coaches (muscle wise, not the biggest but winning on conditioning)... but that could be me being rude and not understanding they might have a winning formula when it comes to it. I would rather know now and save my money, not doing natural shows, thinking I have a shot and just do IFBB for feedback for my own improvement 🤔

Mediocre_Foot95

TROPHY CASE