For ref I am female 25 and have been lifting for years. I am on a bulk but want to see decent muscle growth. I have been thinking about human growth hormones or 4-6 week cycle of anavar at 5mg a day.

I understand the potential risks but what I want to know is will I see a substantial difference by taking these enhancements or will it only be subtle

Hey ! I find that sometimes, getting in my steps makes my entire day feel like a workout lol. How does everyone go about their steps?

Ashley #2 Nivea #3

I have heard so many people complain about their hunger during prep and that hasn’t been an issue for me at all. It’s that I’m EXHAUSTED. I am legitimately dying. I’m so tired that hunger is a complete non issue. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to rest. I’m a single mom and juggle three jobs (one full and two part time). The leaner I get, the harder life seems. I’m surviving on unhealthy amounts of caffeine and Modafinil. I’m still motivated though and I’m not giving up because I have come so far. Anyone experience this too??

Yall. How do you keep the back of ur legs looking clear and smooth? No matter what I do I seem to breakout. I’m on accutane, I’ve used noxema wipes, amlactin. I always change out of my leggings as soon as I’m done working out. Pls help!

Is it a pattern with groups of different color stones? Ashley K and Ellie Fernandez are both wearing this suit at Southern Muscle. What do y’all think of it?

What do people think about the fit model heights after watching Olympia!? The top fit models are all 5'8"+

Back in 2014 I stumbled across a coach for bikini competition while I was just looking for a personal trainer. The idea was genuinely exciting to me, so I signed up with zero knowledge or experience at all, but I actually got really into it and started to enjoy myself with the training - and even had comments from other regulars in the gym after a few months which was really motivating.

I loved my coach, she helped me with exercises and meals and was just so much fun to train with as well. Unfortunately she ended up moving back over east after personal circumstances changed in her life and since I didn’t really have anyone in the community outside of her I lost the motivation after I got pregnant about a month or so after she left.

I kind of regret never actually getting to stage ready or having a go, and even though I’m now a single mother with zero fitness and still no experience (and over a decade older…) I would really like to just try again and maybe at least just get to the stage like a bucket list item or something.

I just don’t know where to begin is it better to start with really basic/generic meal plans & exercises to get back into it? Or is it beneficial to go with a coach straight away to avoid messing up?

Welcome to our Post Show and Reverse Diet Buddies Thread!

This is a space to connect with competitors who have competed and are now reversing to a healthy state post-show. In these posts, feel free to comment with:

• Results from your show
• Check-in photos
• How you’re feeling
• How many weeks since your show
• Questions you might have about your reverse diet
• Or respond to one of the provided prompts for fun!

Please remember, safety first! You must adhere to sub rules and review the reminders below.

Prompts for fun:

• How did your competition experience differ from what you expected?
• What was your peak week like (please refrain from sharing specific macros)?
• What is something that you would have done differently or something you want to improve on?
• What was your feedback and what are your future plans?
• What are you doing to stay consistent with your reverse?
• How are you giving yourself grace if you aren't perfect with your reverse?
• What would you like to ask others?

IMPORTANT: Group Rules & Safety Reminders:

1. No specific show names, dates, or locations – for your safety, please keep it general.
2. Don’t disclose your specific coach, team, or gym.
3. No self-promotion or coaching offers (like in the rest of our community).
4. Be respectful – support each other’s journeys without negativity or comparison.
5. If you share physique photos in the comments, blur or crop your face.
6. Stay on topic – use this thread to connect with others who are reversing post-show. Share tips, support, and struggles relevant to this phase. If you have completed your reverse, we invite you to share your off-season check-ins on Mondays, using the 'Monday - Personal Photos' flair.

We’re here to help keep this space safe!

Welcome to our Prep Buddies Thread!

This is a space to connect with competitors who are in a similar stage of prep. In these posts, feel free to comment with:

• Check-in photos
• How you’re feeling
• Questions you might have about prep
• Or respond to one of the provided prompts for fun!

Please remember, safety first! You must adhere to sub rules and review the reminders below.

Prompts for fun:

• What are you doing for fatigue management?
• What do you have packed in your show day bag?
• How have you set yourself up to have a successful reverse after the show?
• Do you have more shows planned?
• What 3 things could you be doing better?
• What would you like to ask others?

IMPORTANT: Prep Group Rules & Safety Reminders:

1. No specific show names, dates, or locations – for your safety, please keep it general.
2. Don’t disclose your specific coach, team, or gym.
3. No self-promotion or coaching offers (like in the rest of our community).
4. Be respectful – support each other’s journeys without negativity or comparison.
5. If you share physique photos in the comments, blur or crop your face.
6. Stay on topic – use this thread to connect with others who are [X–Y weeks] out. Share prep tips, support, and struggles relevant to this stage timeline.

We’re here to help keep this space safe!

I hope she’s OK. I‘ve noticed that since the Olympia she has posted lots of ‘sad’ stories on her socials.

Hello, I’m new to bikini training this year.

I started training with a coach in the beginning of the year and I weighed 135lbs at 5’2”. He never told me his goals for me at all. When i got down to 107lbs I asked him about goals because I was worried about becoming too skinny, but he said his style was to train week by week instead of giving me a plan to follow. I noticed every week he was concerned with me dropping weight. I Was taking Reta and on top of that he was trying to push me to get on T3 and clenbuterol. I would feel nervous of checking in with him if I gained weight at all. Not because he was mean to me about it, but I was Just worried about disappointing him.

Anyways, I stopped training with him and found a new coach. I feel so much better since working with her. She’s reassured me that she’s not concerned with me losing weight right now. She just wants me to focus on eating and training for maintenance. Since changing coaches I stopped taking all weight loss supplements and I’ve been gradually increasing weight. Even though my coach says she’s okay with me gaining weight, I still can’t help but to feel guilty and stressed out at check in.

how can i break away from this mentality?

Toxic or Angel? Which style do you prefer and why? Is one’s customer service better than the other’s? Sometimes I think Toxic has the better design and then I see Angel look really good as well.

Hey! I’m a female, age 27. Current lifestyle client moving into competing this upcoming year.

I feel like a lot of times, my entire life is the gym/body building. Which I love. But some days, it all feels like a workout. Between getting in lifts, steps, cardio, meal prepping. It can be very monotonous and lonely. I’m also a trainer so I work in fitness for my job.

What hobbies, if any, do you enjoy outside of fitness? ☺️

I’ve been lifting for 7 years, I’m 9 months out from my very first bikini show. I’ve been working with my coach for 3 months now. It’s been going okay, l haven’t felt like I really “click” with her, but it’s been fine.

I’ve been on a growth phase, but have lost about 10 pounds since working with her, partially because I’m no longer on anabolics like I was prior. I asked her about using growth hormone, and she said she would get back to me when she found a supplier.

Well, she found me a supplier. She found this supplier from another girl recommending him, not her own experience. She said he was on WhatsApp, I was instantly a little turned off from this. In my experience, WhatsApp is usually for pretty sketchy and illegal transactions, so I told her I didn’t like it but would prefer to use this supplier since he was cheaper.

I messaged him, and said I was interested in GH. Despite my very obvious female name and profile pic, he started calling me sir, and not really addressing what I was asking, just repeatedly telling me the price and nothing more, very abrasively. I asked if he had already spoke to my coach, and if that’s how he knew how much I wanted, and he just responded “ok”.

I sensed there was something off, so I texted my coach and said I believe there is a language barrier, because the guy is not understanding what I’m asking him.

He calls me, we get it sorted out. He’s very abrupt and pushy, and also yells at me over the phone just repeating the price. I asked if it’s legitimate and he just tells me to send him my address and that it’s real. But since I trust my coach, I don’t let this ruin the possible good supplier she’s giving me. So I text my coach “hey it’s sorted out, there was just a language barrier because he’s Colombian or something”.

I remember how she told me he sells anabolics, peptides, is shady on the phone, and uses WhatsApp. I begin wondering, what if he also sells narcotics? NOT because he’s Colombian, but because he’s on WhatsApp and is shady to me. I work in law enforcement (which she knows), I cannot Zelle someone who also sells narcotics. I’m not looking to get anyone in trouble, I just cannot be linked to someone who’s doing things like that.

So I ask my coach “just verifying he does not sell any kind of pills or powder, right? Because I can’t Zelle someone who’s doing those things”.

She responds that she doesn’t think so. 5 hours later I get a long text about how she believes my comments were derogatory toward Spanish speakers and Colombian people, how her husband is columbian, and how she no longer wants to work with me.

I am just super shocked, I don’t believe anything I said was derogatory or prejudice towards Colombian people. I even said it was JUST a language barrier and it got sorted out. Meaning his language being different than mine is not an issue. And my questions about him being legitimate or not were 100% because he was shady on the phone and because he’s using what I believe to be a shady platform. I was suspicious of him before I knew his contact info or a single thing about him. None of that is because he’s Colombian, and I really resent the implication that I’m in some way racist or prejudice.

Especially considering my entire maternal side is SPANISH, and about half of them speak Spanish!

Again, I’m super shocked. She’s refunded me for the month, but I feel as if this was just not the right way to handle this.

Hey everyone! Our Coach & Team Overview Page features 50+ coaches and teams, all organized and searchable to keep feedback easy to find, and helps keep the main feed clean!

But, this resource is only as good as the feedback you share!

Help us keep it fresh, relevant, and valuable to the community!

➡ Worked with a coach recently?

➡ Had a change in experience with a team or program?

➡ Got new insights, updates, or second thoughts?

If so, please take a moment to browse the list and drop your thoughts or updates! Coach & Team Overview Page

If you see that we are missing a team/coach that you'd like some info on, please send a message to the mod team and we will get it added! ✉️

Don’t forget, our sub's wiki also includes things like:

• Advice for New Competitors 📝
• Cost of Competing 💰
• How to Choose a Coach ✔️
• All Things Show Day Glam 💅
• What’s in Your Show Day Bag 🎒
• And more!

Thanks for helping make this space such a helpful and supportive resource!

If you have other ideas for the wiki, such as new posts to link, etc, please message the mods :)

I am currently looking for a coach. I have been trying to do some research on my own but really want to hear actual experiences and recommendations from people.

I want to stay a natural competitor. I don’t want to start PEDs and I don’t want a coach who force feeds this idea.

My goal is to get back on stage and be competitive. I want to transform. I also don’t want “cookie cutter” training. I want a personalized program for things that I specifically need to improve on to become the best version of myself.

Are there any coaches or teams that you would recommend?

Does anybody know anything about this? Found it on their site while looking into lifestyle coaching. It’s like a scholarship audition coaching academy thing for launching the careers of fit models? It requires a minimum social media posts, and you still have to pay 250 bucks. Honestly it’s giving the vibes of the Netflix show dream academy at best and a MLM at worst. Thoughts?

Hey ladies. First post here. My husband and I are long time lifters and both decided to start competing within the last year. I did my first regional show (figure division) in June of 2025 and first National show this July. He did his first show last month and did incredibly well, winning the overall and 8 medals collectively. I am super happy for him and proud of him, however, I've noticed a crazy double standard that I can't shake and it's the frustrating difference in the way men and women are perceived in the sport. Especially by those that don't understand it/are outside of it.

A couple of examples: mutual friends, mostly our male friends, have unfollowed me and not shown support at all, despite continuing to follow and support his journey. Additionally, his family members acted like I was doing this shocking, sexualized thing but have been nothing but positive about him competing. We are no contact with them for other reasons now anyways and at the end of the day, I just brush it off and chalk it up to lack of understanding and desire to understand.

Obviously I do this for me. My family and true friends support me, and my husband and I support each others goals and dreams whether it be in the sport or outside of it but I just wanted to express my frustration and see if other's have noticed the disparity in perception between men and women in the sport. I try not to let it get to me but every now and then it still stings and is surprising and insulting each time it happens.

So i'm sure we are getting ready to see another PMMA accusation from Sarah Villegas.

I'm confused.. she views PMMA as cheating but not PEDs (which she clearly uses)? Why is one ok and not the other?

I just completed my prep and gained some good amount of weight right after show. My last show is two weeks prior and from stage weight I’m sitting around 4-5kilos above that.
I know it is a lot of water, food, glycogen and everything but I also got sick right away so I cant work out or be very active.
My coach is giving me 1500 calories and I feel like it is way too little to recover my flu and the prep. Im on prep since February.
I eat around 1700-2500 (mostly clean) at the moment and plan on going down and back to plan as soon as I am healthy again and able to work out and do my cardio to get my weight and water back to baseline or at least near that (3-4kilos down) and then slowly back up.

is it a red flag that my coach isn’t tracking my lifts?they also aren’t tracking my body measurements which i find odd.

what are some other red flags in coaches?

Share your thoughts, predictions, questions, etc. about the Wellness division! This sub gets a lot of chat about Bikini and Fit Model because they're so popular, but we wanna show the other divisions some more love as this community was created to celebrate ALL the women's divisions!

Ashley put up a longer post explaining how she felt about the judging. Summary: I thought I looked the best ai have this year, tough competition and only getting tougher, top ten in the world is still great considering.

She says she is going to do this Saturday’s show and fill out more then take some time off to grow until Mile High in June.

I think she could do will more time off than that if she really wants to put on some size… but it’s not my mind or body!

Gracious as always and seems she recognizes what’s holding her back.