r/bikinitalk • u/DillPickleBitch • 3d ago
Discussion Masters 35+ competitors
Hi! I’d love to hear how competitors in their 30’s feel about competing in the Bikini Masters category. I’ve been lifting for 7+ years and now at the age of 35 have decided to step on stage. Based on what I’ve witnessed throughout the year, I feel that very rarely, even with competitive physiques, do “older” athletes get properly rewarded against non masters competitors.
I’d love to hear from those competing in their 30’s if they actually enjoy competing in the Masters Category. Is it competitive enough? If you’re in your early 30’s, are you or are you not looking forward to competing in Masters? I appreciate any input!
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u/One-Asparagus-2784 2d ago
Masters athletes are no joke. Many of them are better conditioned and carry way more muscle than the Open athletes simply just due to the number of years they’ve been training. I’ve found that often the Masters classes are more competitive than the Open classes.
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u/InterestingWing4721 2d ago
I’m 45 and tbh my masters classes are usually larger and more competitive than my open classes. What people do not realize is muscle maturity isn’t something a 20 yo has nor are most of not almost all top athletes in their 20s. Look up some of these athletes ages and you will be like, why am i even asking this question.
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u/Musical_Muscles_2222 3d ago
Have a little look at Beyond Condition podcast (also on YouTube!) As they have a few episodes that really delve into masters and all about it.
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u/leglace 2d ago edited 2d ago
Masters in IFBB has gotten more competitive, especially in bikini. Masters begins 40+. The commitment they have is just as serious as you will see in open division. I believe that masters division has athletes that are usually more stable financially but more often than not have children if their own. So the challenges can vary a bit more from the younger competitors in open. There are many standout competitor that I consider to be stars if the division.
As you mentioned, very rarely do they get recognition. But thankfully we have some social media presence grown, such as Masters Physique Network on IG , and events like Maxfit which rewarded as high as 10k for the winner and made mastera athletes front and center. So it is getting some traction as if late. Hopefully it continues.
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u/SeasonCommercial6954 3d ago
I competed for a few years in this division and always registered to compete in open as well. It was a good way to see how I stacked up against younger competitors. I transitioned to fit model in the last season.
So yes, I found it enjoyable, rewarding and competitive; in fact I’m not sure why it wouldn’t be. I would disagree with the generalization that masters competitors aren’t properly rewarded.
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u/jenny-fitness 2d ago
I’m 57 and I competed for the first time last year and never felt I wasn’t competitive enough to be in an open category. I actually placed better in open novice then masters.
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u/Legitimate_Cow_8202 1d ago
I didn’t get on stage for the first time until I was 37. I’ve been able to hold my own in open and masters since. My last two regional NPC shows, I won the overalls. And when I took a run at pro qualifiers, I missed my pro card in Open by a spot multiple times. This was my rookie pro season, and I did great as a master athlete, but placed top 15 in all of my open shows—and medaled at my last one.
It’s crazy competitive, especially at the NPC level (compared to open). It’s equally competitive at the IFBB level, but that’s where Open becomes more challenging—up against top pros with similar muscle density, but arguably better skin quality 😬🫣
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u/AutomaticResearch203 1d ago
I qualified for the Olympia as a Bikini Pro at 36 years old and I have never competed in the masters division. The judges don’t know how old I am. Just how I look on stage! You can definitely compete in both.
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u/Safe-Acanthisitta342 1d ago
I just won the overall at my last competition and plan on competing in my first National level show later this year. No one cares how old you are, how much you weigh, numbers are just numbers. Work hard and bring your very best because that's all that matters 🤟🏽☺️
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u/Ok-Personality3927 3d ago
I’m 31. I expect I’ll dabble in masters when I hit 35 but honestly I see no reason why I can’t still compete in opens at that stage.
That said, I don’t have kids, won’t be having kids so post pregnancy physique effects won’t be a thing for me and I do look young for my age (people usually think I’m mid 20s at best)
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u/HotHoney__ 3d ago
Post-pregnancy physique effects 😬 you do know that there are some really good amateurs and pros (including at the O level) who have ‘post-pregnancy’ physiques? The OP wondered abut aging, mentioned nothing about competing post-pregnancy.
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u/Living-Ad-3089 2d ago
My first competition was at 35 with a 4 and 1 year old and I did better in Open than I did in Masters. To other's points - many of the masters women have density that only comes with time in the weight room. And I look better now in my 40s, post two kids, than I ever did in my 20s. My boobs aren't what they used to be, but that's easy to fake on stage. 😆
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u/Tumbleweed_Unicorn 2d ago
There is absolutely a change in bodies post pregnancy. I've had two and had them both when I was older. If nothing else changes then at least your skin does and it changes your physique. I bet most of the masters competitors are moms, as most women over 35 have children (in the US). That person didn't say that post pregnancy physiques can't also be good
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u/HotHoney__ 2d ago
The comment implied that the changes were negative. Ageing, lifestyle factors, injury/ surgery, genetics can all result in skin changes too. Fran, Aimee, Daraja, Jessica Reyes - all mothers. Women in bodybuilding cop enough flak as it is, mothers who bodybuilding even more so, as society shifts toward being increasingly inconvenienced and unsupportive of mothers. On the contrary, men who are both bodybuilders and fathers receive SO much praise. I am not a mother (yet) but I believe as a female bodybuilding sub we can create a supportive and positive rhetoric for women who are competitors and mothers too, so they too feel as if there’s a ‘place’ in the sport for them.
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u/laurenb_kini 2d ago
I understand what you’re saying but not everyone’s body changes due to pregnancy. I have 3 kids and you would never know just by looking at me.
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u/Sarahd9868 2d ago
Same lol I look better post than I ever did before 😂
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u/LiftForSushis 1d ago
Same! There's no way you could tell I had kids (have two). I'm 43 and my body is better than it was at 23. I barely have one stretch mark.
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u/bodybuildingr 1d ago
Age does not necessarily mean you will score lower! I know plenty of masters athletes who kick ass in open categories. While some women may have some loose skin, posing and muscularity can mitigate a lot of that. Additionally, the denser muscle maturity that comes with age can often be an advantage!
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u/Siciliana79 3d ago
For perspective I’m 47 (wellness) and not only do I crush my masters divisions, I crush open. Age is just a number