Search Results

Updated for 2024 A beginners Guide to choose your first Competition Bikini If you are doing your first Fitness Competition, getting the right bikini is essential to your show experience and placement. So before you start hunting for the perfect bikini read my list of 5 things you should be considering before you purchase. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a competition virgin it is always worth doing your research. Bikini fashion and federation rules can change from year to year so stay ahead of the competition and read up on the rules before you order. TIMEFRAME BUDGET STYLE COLOUR FIT TIMEFRAME When should I order my bikini? Order your bikini as far in advance as you can, as many bikini making companies get booked up fast! Get your bikini sorted up to three months in advance of your show. Never leave ordering your bikini to the last few weeks. Contact the company you want to make your bikini to check their lead in times, and schedule in fittings to work with your prep schedule and real life. Don't leave anything to the last minute....it will only stress you out. And the last thing you want to be during prep is stressed! Make sure you pay your deposit as early as possible to ensure your order is placed. Do not assume your order is in until you have at least part-paid for your designers services. Like most service industries bikini designers expect part payment before starting your order, and will make your bikini from scratch after your order is placed. If you have chosen to get a custom (bespoke/couture) competition bikini made to your specification order well in advance so your designer can complete the bikini in plenty of time. TAKEAWAY: Decide which show date you are heading to compete and start thinking about your bikini 12 weeks out. Make sure you order at least 8 weeks out or you may not get the choice you want. What to do if you miss the lead time deadline? Many designers are very accommodating if you just miss the lead time deadline, so give them a call or message to see if they have any ready-made bikinis that are acceptable, or can be altered to fit your needs. BUDGET How much does a Competition bikini cost? Like all things in life, expect to get what you pay for. Internet store bought bikinis are the cheapest option for a new bikini. Price could be anything between £225 and £1000 depending on the brand. You pick your bikini, send in your measurements and pay....simples. Each bikini company charges different amounts for their services. Expect to pay more for bespoke, one off bikinis tailor made for you than those you would buy from an online store. Be aware, especially if you are competing for the first time that your body is going to change dramatically as you get closer to your competition, so your bikini will need to be fitted near your competition date to fit your new body size. Make sure your bikini company accommodates altering your bikini within the price stated or be prepared to have the bikini altered at your own expense. If you are finding yourself a bit strapped for cash it is always worth checking out Kompak marketplace and Facebook groups for ladies that are selling their used bikinis. I would also advise contacting companies to see if they have any sample or clearance bikinis from the previous season available at a discounted rate. TAKEAWAY: Decide your own budget and keep it realistic to your lifestyle and resources STYLE What style Competition Bikini do I need? Three things should decide the style of your bikini. Which show you are doing What category you are competing in Your body shape, personal style and preferences Each federation has different rules and expectations when it comes to bikini design. When you pick your show get clued up on the full rules and regulations before you fall in love with a specific bikini. For fitness shows almost anything goes in terms of design and style, so long as your bikini is decent and in good taste but for bodybuilding competitions it is very important to turn up in the correct style for your category and with the correct coverage or it will effect your score or you could even be asked to change your bikini by the organiser. Next think about your shape, and order a bikini that maximises your winning qualities and balances out anything that may be judged unfavourable. Think about your overall proportions, and area's of your body you would like to highlight or hide. A well fitted bikini should enhance your figure without popping the judges eyes out. Let your bikini designer know if you have any particular issues that need to be raised about the style and fit of your bikini, you will be glad you did. TAKEAWAY: Research your show and category to make sure you are within the stated rules of the competition, also be aware of 'unwritten rules' such as what fashions the judges are tending to choose and pick a bikini cut that shows your body to it's best. COLOUR What colour competition bikini should I choose? Just so we are totally clear...there are no winning colours. The colours that the winners wear have these things in common...they compliment them and their personal style and look great on stage. Bold colours tend to look better under the glare of the lights, and pale colours can wash out. Your crystal choice and decoration can also effect how your bikini looks from a distance. While it is true that the more crystal you have on your bikini the more shiny it will look, this is not a necessity for winning. TAKEAWAY: You should love the colour of your bikini, it should enhance your overall look and compliment your colouring and features as well as looking great on stage. FIT -how important is the fit of the bikini? Your bikini should fit like a second skin on show day, allowing you to step on stage in total confidence. A poorly fitted bikini can really let you down on show day. You don't want it to gape, move around or create unsightly bulges. That's quite a lot to expect from four bits of lycra and some elastic! Everyone looses weight differently, and at different rates according to their specific training. This is one of the reasons that final fitting 2-3 weeks out from your show is critical, between ordering and wearing your bikini your body will go through many changes so don't expect to whip out the bikini on show day and have that perfect fit without that final fitting. Check out the bikini brands company policy on alterations and fitting services and what is included in the price of your bikini. TAKEAWAY: Try on your bikini 3 weeks out to do a final fit check, and if you are still dropping body fat at this stage be prepared to get a last minute alteration. It is a common misconception that if you have more elaborate or highly crystalled bikinis you are more likely to score high....do not fall into this trap! Most federations score your bikini within a stage presence mark which also includes how you conduct yourself on stage, your posing and your overall appearance. I always tell my clients the bikini is just icing on the cake, and it should reflect your personality and taste...the judges don't care how much you spent on your bikini...they want to see you on top form, however you wish to express this. Enjoy your bikini hunting. #bikinibuyingguide #fitnessfashion #fitnesscompetitiontips #whatbikinishouldIwear #bikinicompetitiontips

Updated for 2024 We all know how distressing it is if you have had a bikini slippage on stage, and no matter how much you want to pull that wedgie out of your bum and re-position your boobs...you must resist! Bikini disasters on stage, with ill fitting bikinis and all sorts of gaping and slippage is becoming a thing of the past. With every year that passes the standard for bikini and fitness competition goes up, and as you invest your time and money you want to look absolutely tip top on stage. So to avoid the dreaded wardrobe malfunction read on and discover the benefits of body tape and bikini glue. Of course the most important way to avoid bikini slippage is making sure your bikini is the right size and shape for your body, even if that means having it adjusted in the last few weeks of your show. Your body will be dramatically different from the start of your training so make sure you have a final fitting and try on within the last few weeks before your competition. The next step is to get aquainted with some artificial aids: namely bikini glue and body tape. STICKY SOLUTIONS Depending on the type of fix you want; whether you need to keep the bikini bottoms in place, or also to keep your boobs and bikini top in check you may need different products and solutions. Types of product to stick down your bikini: roll on glue sticky strips/ body tape tit tape Bikini Glue The tried and tested method among fitness competitors to stick down a bikini is glue. The most popular product by far is Pro Tan's Bikini Bite, although other products are available. APPLICATION Apply when your skin is completely dry, roll it on to the skin area you want to stick down. Apply a single layer to the bikini area you want to stick, it is best to stick to the edges of the bikini where there are many layers of fabric and do not put too much on, it will damage your bikini. Wait until the glue goes tacky and then stick it on your skin and hold until it is completely dry. From then on in DO NOT TOUCH, otherwise you risk releasing the bond and having to start over. REMOVAL Putting on bikini bite can be messy and fiddly. To get the suit off, just gently seperate your bikini from your skin. The glue will come off your body with a bit of soap and water and a bit of a scrub. Getting it off your bikini suit is another matter. You will be most successful getting the glue off your suit if you clean it as soon as you take it off. If you forget to clean it promptly you may stain your suit and the sticky residue will in turn pick up dirt. Gently clean with a soft toothbrush, a super mild fabric detergent, running cool water and gentle persuation. One of my clients religiously cleans her suit after a show and her bikinis are pristine. Remember not to scrub the outer fabric of your suit as it destroys the shiny fabrics and crystal finishes. DOWNSIDES The bottle is big, so if you're only planning on doing one show there's a lot of waste. Easy to over apply, and apply incorrectly, so be patient. Body tape Sticky strips and double sided body tape have become very popular in the last few years. There are branded products such as Bikini bum tape, but you will find that any strong double sided body tape or toupee tape is pretty much exactly the same product. This is not the same as tit tape, which is only single sided. APPLICATION Make sure your skin is clean and dry, with no lotion or moisturizer as this will affect the adhesion of the tape. Cut the tape to the size you want and fix it to the edges of the bikini you want to stick down. Then put on the bikini and place it correctly where you want it to sit before you take off the backing tape. Start with one leg edge and whilst holding the bikini in place unpeel off the backing and stick to the body with a little pressure. Then repeat on the other side, remembering to hold the bikini in place and make sure that both sides are mirrored and symetrical. If you are also sticking top edges do those last. If the tape has come unstuck, or the surface you are applying it to is damp, or dusty it will not adhere correctly so best to go for a new strip and start over. REMOVAL Do not pull the tape straight off or you could literally lose some skin. Apply a little clear oil such as coconut or baby oil to the edges and let it work for a few minutes. You could also use a medical adhesive remover such as Appeal, and then gently seperate the tape from your skin and bikini. Glue Removal is time sensitive and necessary to keeping your bikini in tip top condition.Dealing with glue as soon as possible once you have finished your show will prolong the life of your bikini suit. If you leave the glue on too long it could be very difficult to remove it from the fabric. Remove it from your bikini using clear oil to break down the adhesion and then washing the bikini to remove any residue with running water and mild clothing detergent and gently rubbing it away. Do not forget the washing part, it's really important to remove the residue glue before new particles stick to it. DOWNSIDES It's a one shot method. If you mess up the tape on first go, take it off and start fresh with a new bit. Don't forget to take adhesive removal with you or you could damage your skin. WHERE TO STICK IT! BUMS With bikini bum coverage getting smaller and smaller it is increasingly difficult to keep those little bits of lycra from making their way into your bum crack. No matter how great us bikini designers are at fit your peachy bum wants to eat that lycra. The struggle is real! Here's a handy little diagram to show you where on your bikini you should stick your bikini glue. Tit Tape If it's good enough for Kim Kardashian, it's good enough for you! Tip tape is literally the stuff that will help lift and shape your boobs. It's extra helpful if you have lost a lot of breast mass but still have sagging skin left over and is a godsend for those of us that are mature and natural, it sticks and tucks it all neatly under your bikini. Hurrah! It is not the same as body tape, as it is only single sided. APPLICATION Make sure your skin is clean, dry and free from oil, lotion or moisturiser before you apply. Stick on some nipple covers to protect your most sensitive areas and do a patch test by cutting off a bit and sticking it on, proceed if no allergic reaction occurs. You can either build up strips of tape to build a cup or use the readymade shapes like the product illustrated above, start underneath and work your way up, slightly stretching the tape as you go. It is always best to experiement prior to the show to see what works best under your bikini. REMOVAL Apply a clear oil like coconut oil or baby oil and let it soak in for a few minutes before peeling it off. DOWNSIDES Will rip the top layer of skin off if you rip it straight off. It's a one shot deal, you won't be able to reposition your tape once applied, start again with a new strip. Top tips for Show Day Put glue on after you put on your bikini, but make sure you do it in sufficient time for glue to dry before you start moving about. Let your tan dry completely, otherwise nothing will adhere correctly Do not use moisturisers, lotions or oils where you plan to use glues or tapes Clean your bikini as soon as after the show so the glue doesn't damage your expensive suit. So there you have it...the secret to keeping your bikini in place and on point as you hit the stage.

How to make your tits look great in a competition bikini Updated for 2024 Let's face it, boobs are one of the first casualties whilst training for a fitness competition, so naturally they need a bit of care and support to look their best on competition day. You can't train your breasts into shape, but there are things you can do to minimise the unsightly volume loss and sagging skin that rapid competition weight does to your breasts. In this article I will go through how to make your breasts look their best, by making careful choices in your bikini design and good preperation. As a bikini designer I have had to figure out how to get the best look for every individual body, and I find breasts are the top concern to my clients. The process of preparing for a fitness show makes you focus on your body's in minute detail, often focusing on singular area's of contention, which can cause extra stress. Athletes judge their own bodies as they imagine the judges will do when they finally reach their goal of stepping on stage, and the area of the body that tends to throw fitness athletes into most consternation is breasts. Women with small breasts worry they don't have enough, and women with large breasts worry about how to keep them perky and in place. First lets bust some myths.... Do you need fake boobs to win in fitness? No, no you do not! It may seem that everyone has had a boob job on stage, but there are plenty of champions who are natural breasted. The judges mark you on your symmetry, condition, balance, confidence and stage presence. In the stage presence mark your bikini and how well you fit in it, and have chosen a fit and design to suit your body ...the judges don't care about the size of your breasts. Cup Bikinis look better Not necessarily, it depends on your breasts and your bikini style It is important to manage expectations, and work with your bikini designer to get the best look for you. We expect an underwired cup to provide more support, but the fitness bikini design is fundamentally different to a traditional bra design, and the usual rules don't apply. The cupped design has specific fitting problems which I explain later in the article. Click here to read which bra top style is best for your boobs. Padding solves all fitting issues Sometimes padding works, sometimes it creates more problems. How you pad your bikini, where you pad it and what you pad it with will all effect the outcome of your final stage look. Take some time before the competion to experiment with different padding types and placement so you know what you are doing on show day. Top Tips for Competition Show Day Come competition day just remember the judges don't score your boobs, they are concentrating on proportion, balance, symmetry and stage presence. Those are the things on which you should focus on. Take extra pads on show day Try a few dry runs before the competition to get the pads in the right place and stitch them in for a hassle free day. In the last few days before a competition your body could still change so be prepared and take a few spares with you. Pads are best used to lift the breast higher than push it to the middle for cleavage. Use foam pads, they are light and can be cut to size and shape and avoid heavier style pads such as gel filled as they only increase the weight the bikini has to deal with. Utilize nipple covers and body tape A bit of body tape can make a huge difference. First use nipple covers to protect your sensitive parts, and then use tape to get perky. This can be applied differently depending on your bikini size and style so experiment a little before the show to see what works best for you. Put your bikini on correctly You may well giggle at the obviousness of this statement, but give it a go! To put your bikini on correctly first tie the back strap as tight as you can without discomfort or beakage, then lean over slightly and tie up your shoulder straps tight enough without causing discomfort at the back of the neck or forcing the bikini underband to rise up. Then stand up straight and lift your breasts one at a time to place padding underneath and to the outside, being careful not to push padding beyond the underband. Then drop and nudge your breasts into place on top of the padding. Use a regular triangle pad to create a profile shape on a soft triangle bikini Adding simple padding to a triangle bikini gives your bikini the best profile shape, even if you don't need it to support your breasts. Not only does it stop your nipple showing through the bikini, but it gives a great profile look and gives symetrical shape to the bikini. Use body tape for lift and to keep the bikini in position Celebrities have been using body tape to strap themselves in and lift themselves up for decades...and you could use it too. There are now some amazing products to take advantage of, just do a trial run before showday so you know what you're doing. Fitness competitors have been using body tape and bikini bite to keep their bikini bottoms in the correct place...but you can also use it on bikini tops to stop them shifting around and keeping loose skin under control. What Actually Happens to your breasts during Fitness Show Preparation? Show preparation is unlike any other kind of weight loss program. Weight loss is incredibly rapid because of the progressive calorie reduction through dieting and increase in training. Let's wind the clock back to show preperation. Everyone's prep is different, and every body reacts differently so there are no hard and fast rules that apply to everyone. Whether your breasts are natural or have had breast augmentation surgery you will find that they lose volume, and can sag after rapid weight loss. The loss of breast volume in itself doesn't cause the sagging, it's actually the ligaments and skin in the breast area being unable to retract as fast as your weight loss. What you can do to help your boobs during prep Wear the right bra Even though show prep is a relatively short time you should continue to provide your breasts with as much support and care as you did before, don't just let your reduced boobs knock around in your old bra...chances are you need a whole re-fit. Get re-measured and treat yourself to a new bra. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just needs to fit really well. Your breasts have changed size, shape and consistency and your back may have broadened as you have built your muscle. Get yourself re-measured by a professional and try on different styles and a size up and down from your new measurements to see what works the best. After your competition as you reverse diet your breasts should return to their normal size, but you should keep the bra for use on your next competition prep if you choose to do it again. Keep skin supple Make sure you keep moisturising and taking good care of your skin. Skin on your neck, chest and breasts is some of the most delicate and thin on your body. As breasts lose volume your skin cannot keep up with the rapid change , so keep it supple and moisturized to maintain elasticity. You can also take suppliments or apply topical creams high in collagen. Collegen is a complex molecule, and research is patchy and speculative but claims that collagen can temporarily plump up and assist moisture retention and elasticity of the skin are somewhat proven. Use your best judgement though, claims that they will reverse skin damage long term are far fetched and untrustworthy. If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is. Specialised Upper body exercise Upper body exercise can help support your breast tissue. Your pectoral muscle sits right underneath your breasts, and strengthening that muscle can help pull up the tissue above it. Stick to the regime you and your trainer have worked out to achieve your desired body shape but don't skimp on your upper body. What bikini style is best for your boobs? Careful choices made when buying your bikini will give you the best look for your breasts. A competition bikini is not like a normal bra or bikini top...the engineering is fundamentally different and cannot provide the support you have come to expect from a good well fitted bra. First decide whether you want a triangle or a cupped bra design. Then start thinking about size and scale according to your own body proportions. If I was styling all these ladies I would advise the lady on the left swap bikini top with the lady on the right. They are both wearing the classic triangle, but see how the size of the bikini looks too small on the tall lady (to the left) and the lady on the right is totally swamped by the size of her bra. There are pro's and cons for both bra styles, so it pays to try on a variety of designs to find the right one for you. Triangle Bra's The triangle bra is the fitness standard. It is shaped like a triangle with either soft cups that gather with a string at the bottom, or a moulded triangle with a fixed bottom strap. Both styles have shoulder straps that tie behind the neck. Best for small to medium breasts Triangle bra shapes, either soft or rigid moulded work really well for small breasted ladies. They look better in profile than a cupped bra, especially when competitors transition into side poses. Soft cups look excellent on smaller breasts, and can be adjusted for your unique body proportions. The soft cup look is completed with shaped triangle pads and as much stuffing as you need to give the look that you want. A rigid triangle cup is great for maximising cleavage for small to mid breasted women ( A-C cup) but cannot be adjusted in size. This design will squash and lift smaller breasts and you can always add more stuffing or padding as required on the day. Make sure all your straps are done super tight as you step on stage for maximum impact. Rigid cups are not advised for large fake breasts, as the underband tends to lift off the body at the ribcage, leaving the underbust exposed. The fixed underband simply does not have the flexibility to stay put as you move through your posing routine. Triangle bikinis for large breasts A classic gathered triangle is best for large fake breasts as the cup can be adjusted and moulded around your breast. The straps will provide little support or push up effect for very large and heavy breasts, the garment simply can't be relied upon to do this. Large natural breasts that have reduced down can wear this style, but are rarely as flattering. I would recommend cup styles wherever possible for larger natural breasts and if you have sagging skin, it needs to be hidden and lifted with some stealthy body tape application underneath. Cupped bra's Underwired styles are great for mature and large breasted women, especially women who have lost a lot of breast material but still have extra skin to deal with. They are designed to separate and create shape and lift but provides nominal more support than the non-wired variety. Cupped bikinis for small to medium breasts I tend to steer clear of cupped bikinis for small breasts as they tend to gape at the upper strap no matter how much padding you use. If you really want a cupped bikini and are small breasted make sure you get the correct size and opt for a full cup rather than a demi cup to avoid excessive gaping. Never buy a bigger size and stuff it with padding, the cup will gape horribly as you go through your posing transitions. Cupped bikinis for large breasts Cupped bikinis are the best for natural big bosoms, they will give shape and definition and some support which is hard to acheive otherwise. Have your designer use thicker straps at the back and shoulder for extra strength, and use body tape/ nipple covers to hide excess skin or bring the breasts closer together prior to putting on the bikini. For augmented breasts choose a bikini top without moulded padding and get the correct size if you don't want to spill out of the top. Much of my job is about managing expectations, We all want high up, perky looking breasts...but sometimes that is more than a bit of lycra and some elastic can literally do, you need to be realistic about what can be acheived. So, no matter how much breast you lose during your competition fitness journey there is always a way to improve the look of your boobs on show day. By making careful choices in the style and size of your bikini, using appropriate padding and taping methods and preparing well in advance you too can make your tits look great in a competition bikini! #advice #fitnesscompetitiontips #bodyconfidence #bikinidesigner #competitionbikini

Updated for 2024 Figure Competition suits are a little bit different to your average bikini. In this article I will show you what bikini style of bikini you should be wearing to compete in Body Fitness, Physique or Figure categories in the UK and advice on how to make sure it fits on show day. FIGURE BIKINI STYLE The Figure Competition Bikini is specifically designed to maximise the amount of body on show, whilst remaining decent. The figure bikini has these specific features: Two piece bikini crossover back that attaches to the bottoms V-shaped bottoms The style of bikini top, and the glute (bum) coverage can vary across federations, so check the rules before you order your bikini. FIGURE BIKINI BOTTOMS The bottoms are shaped into a prominent V-shape front and back and should be worn to sit high on the hip or waist. This allows the legs to look longer and gives the judges the opportunity to see your muscle definition and striation in the upper legs and buttocks. Figure Bottoms and Glute Coverage Choose the cut that suits how much glute coverage you want. This suit bottom should sit flat across the cheeks and not scrunch into the centre like a classic bikini. Many figure competitors use body tape or bikini bite to keep the suit bum in position. For more information on how to stick your bikini so it doesn't move check out my related posts and find out how to stick your bikini down. * Don't forget to check how much glute coverage is allowed for your federation, the UKBFF are in particular specify that the bottoms should cover half the glutes. For more information on glute coverage and why it matters check out the related posts and find out what glute coverage is and why it matters. The back bottoms have hooks along the waistline to attach the top straps. Straps should be positioned somewhere mid back to avoid pulling the bottoms too much out of shape. You may need to find the perfect strap position through trial and error, as I have found that tensions across the figure suit can vary greatly between clients. FIGURE BIKINI TOPS The bikini top can be triangle, moulded triangle or cupped. Pick the best style to suit the size and shape of your breasts. Classic Triangle Tops The classic triangle top is adjustable and can slide along the under-band to shape around the breast as you desire. The top is lined, and padding can be placed inside this lining to accentuate size and shape. This bikini top style gives very little support to large breasts, especially from the sides. This will be less of a problem for ladies with implants, but could be difficult for women with naturally large breasts. Moulded Triangle Tops Moulded triangle style tops are fixed in their front position and cannot be adjusted along the under-band. They provide excellent push up and shape provided they are tight to the body. Cupped Tops Choose moulded or cup shaped bikini tops to support large breasts that do not have implants, and keep the straps tight, but not so tight that they pull the bottoms up and give you a wedgie. Large breasts with implants can look overwhelming in bra cup designs, so if you choose these make sure the underwire doesn't lift off your ribcage as you pose. The best shape for smaller breasts is a triangle or moulded triangle, and use padding to help push up and give you shape. The figure bikini top is finished with adjustable back straps that cross at the back and attach to the bottoms with How to get the perfect fit Getting a correctly fitting bikini depends very much on the accuracy of measurements and your overall body type. As you get nearer to your show day you will probably find that your bottoms will need adjusting to make them smaller at the sides, this is totally normal in the industry. If your bikini is completed more than a month before your show you should try it on again and arrange to have it altered if necessary. If you choose to wear your bikini bottoms high on the waist you will also need some additional grip on the side of the bottoms with the use of bikini glue or tape. I also recommend that you don't have connectors on the bottoms as they are very difficult to keep high in the right position. The figure bikini bikini gives little bust support due to the specific engineering of the bikini as a whole....but at such a low body fat it's likely that most of your natural boob will have reduced considerably compared to your off-season body. If you have all natural large breasts and are competing in bodyfitness, toned figure or physique you will find that at such low bodyfat you have more skin than breast tissue. What can we do to make the most of your boobs in the figure bikini? I have 3 idea's for you that don't involve surgery: 1- STRAP IN! Yes...you read that right! The easiest way is to use bodytape or a silicone tape to lift the upper part of the breast. For years celebrities have been using body tape to keep their boobs up and in garments...but beware this beauty accessory does not come without pain as removal of tape can literally take your skin off! Body tape is often used around the sides of the cups to keep it close to the body or on underwires to stop the cup lifting off the body. 2 - AVOID BRA CUPS (please note: figure bikini only) Most competition bikinis are made from moulded bra cups and have absolutely no flexibility or give. Plus the bra straps are pulled down towards the bottoms denying you the ability to tighten up the back strap and provide support around the body. So when you do that cheeky side pose and twist on stage no amount of padding will fill the gap at the top of the bikini. If you have fake big boobs the more padding you put in the cup the further it will sit away from the body and you may need additional body tape to stop the cup lifting away from the rib cage while you pose. 3 - GO UP A SIZE AND USE INSERTS If loose skin is a real problem you can hide it by going for a slightly bigger bra size that will cover you up and then use bra inserts to create shape. Even if you have big boobs the overall shape of your bikini will be improved with the addition of some simple triangle inserts. They will smooth the profile of the bikini and give it just enough shape so you can tighten up those back straps so the bikini is as tight to your body as possible and then tape down all three sides of the bikini around your breast skin and tissue.

Updated for 2023. If you are competing in Sport Fitness Federations and Bodybuilding Competitions pay special attention to the size and style of the bikini bottom. Glute coverage could be a critical factor as to whether you are permitted on stage or not. Today the IFBB, governing body of the UKBFF announced new rules changes with regard to glute coverage and the style of bikini bottom allowed. You can read the coverage on Evolution of Bodybuilding. In essence the IFBB have announced that bikini bottoms will no longer have connectors but must have fabric sides and that the bottoms must cover 1/3 of the glutes. Here in the UK this only effects competitors entering the UKBFF, but it is a good opportunity to explore the subject. What is glute coverage? Glute coverage literally means how much of your bum is covered by the fabric of your bikini. How much bum you should be covering will depend on your competing federation, your own personal values of modesty and comfort and of course the shape of your bum. Let's first have a look at the 3 different bikini bum cuts that I recommend for bikini categories. I call them Pro cut, Brazilian and Moderate cut, but other bikini companies may call them something else. The same model is wearing all 3 cuts to demonstrate how much of the glute they cover. Moderate cut covers 1/2 glutes Brazilian covers 1/3 glutes Pro covers 1/4 glutes Moderate Bikini Cut Moderate cut covers half of the glutes, and is considered the largest cut for bikini and fitness competitions. If you are competing in 2Bros Pro or PCA I would not recommend having this much glute coverage on your bikini, it will count against you and look too big for stage compared with your peers. Brazilian Bikini Cut The Brazilian cut covers one third of your glutes, and is the most popular cut from Miss C across all the federations. If you are competing in the UKBFF this is the perfect bikini cut, anything smaller than that is not permitted. Most popular cut for Fitness Model Federations Prone to the "hungry bum" effect if worn very high on the waist Pro Bikini Cut The pro cut covers a quarter of the glutes. The cut is specifically designed for the scrunch bum to sit close to the skin between the buttocks and curve gracefully towards the sides. Perfect for 2Bros Pro and PCA Do not wear this cut for UKBFF/ IFBB shows Gives the most peachy look to the glutes Other cuts available The great thing about having a bikini made bespoke is that the bikini bottom will be tailored precisely according to your requirements. I can design and make your bikini as small or large as you want, from a thong to granny pants...but do check out the rules if you are competing, they are important. What is the Hungry Bum/ Wedgie Effect? Hungry Bum is when the bikini to bunches inwards and gathers between the buttocks. Why do you get Hungry Bum? Hungry bum is the unavoidable side effect of wearing bikini bottoms that are too small and narrow across the bottom and worn too high on the leg. There simply isn't enough fabric tension across the body to hold the bikini bottoms in place. The higher you wear your bikini bottoms on the waist the narrower the fabric will be as it tries to achieve correct fabric tension. Or you have an exceptionally peachy bum, in which case congratulations. How can you fix hungry bum? You can choose a bikini with more bum coverage, or you can accept the limitations of the design and use it to your advantage. Or you can wear a style smaller like a pro cut (if Federation rules allow) and avoid the wedgie issue all together. The only way you can stop the bikini moving is literally to glue it to your bum. Gluing your bikini down with either tape or glue is one of those secrets that is quite specific to the bodybuilding community. To learn how to glue down your bikini read this related post:

Updated for 2023! Fitness Federations Explained Doing the right fitness show is critical to your success. With so many federations now competing for your attention, figuring out which show is right for you can be overwhelming and confusing. If you're not sure who to compete with, or which Federation suits you this article will give you an overview of each Federation, what to expect and how much they cost to enter. When you first start on your fitness competing journey it can be hard to know where to start. Competing in fitness is a very costly enterprise, and with a new Fitness Federation popping up in the UK every year it pays to do your research to find your right fit. Start by discussing it with your coach, other competitors and search out on social media to get an idea of what each one is all about. Which federation you pick will determine how you train, what style of bikini suit you need to wear and how to pose and walk on stage. With the benchmark for entry standards high it pays to think carefully about where you want to start, and get the best out of the experience. Skip to a Section Sport Federation Overview Fitness Model Federation Overview How much it costs to enter Final Thoughts List of Sport Federations with links List of Fitness Model Federations with links UK FEDERATION STYLES There are two distinct styles of fitness show in the UK, the modelling (or pageant) style and the sport style but there are some hybrid shows that try to blend both audiences. The key things to ask yourself: What are your goals Does the federation fit your personality How much money do you want to spend SPORT STYLE UK FITNESS FEDERATIONS Sport style shows have evolved from traditional Bodybuilding Federations. The show is structured like a tournament where competitors are organised into categories and compared directly by a panel of judges. Competitors are required to meet the competing category, usually organised by size, age and gender and rigidly follow the directions of a compere through a set of strict front, back and side poses. The poses are designed to emphasize muscle structure, size and balance. Category winners are usually announced at the end of the category display. All formal rules for posing, competition attire and expected body and muscle structure are declared and rigidly defined by each federation. Competition is fierce, with many competitors using every advantage available to them to make gains on their competitors. The use of supplements and steroids is frowned upon...but also rife, so if you prefer your prep to be clean you can opt to go for a Natural Bodybuilding Show where you will only be competing with a natural drug tested Federation. Click here for a full list of Sport Federations MODELLING STYLE FITNESS FEDERATIONS Fitness Model / Pageant shows are all about the glitz and glamour, with more of a focus on fashion, glamour and the commercial qualities of it's athletes. They put on a more entertaining show, with compere's being there to keep the audience warm and attentive between categories. The show opens with an athlete parade, where all the athletes, men and women get to strut their stuff before the real judging begins. Rules are more loose than the sport style shows with more emphasis on expressing yourself on stage. It's more freestyle in how you can present yourself on stage and less strict in their bikini rules as long as you remain feminine and decent in both your attire and your presentation. Competitors are required to do an individual T-walk on stage and remain on stage while all contestants in the category do theirs and then come to the front for a more formal front and back pose where the judges will make their decision. Category winners are announced at the end of each round, and (in some shows)an overall winner is declared at the end of the show. Click here for a full list of UK modelling Federations As fitness shows become more popular some organisations try to cover both ends of the competing spectrum, incorporating both sporty and pageant style categories within one show. The great thing about the expansion of the fitness competition industry is that no matter who you are and what your style is there will be a federation, or federations that will suit you. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER? Fitness competition is not a cheap hobby. There are many things to budget for, some are fixed expenses and some are things you can decide your own budget. One of the fixed prices is Fitness Federation fee's, which I have compiled for you in the list below. Most federations charge a membership fee plus a charge per category that you compete in. Please note prices may change according to each federation, they are correct at date of publishing article. ? = no information published on website, federation application required before disclosure * = members can compete in as many shows as desired, no entry fee charged for first category per show Final Thoughts Check out the competitions It's a really good idea to go along to the shows and get a feel for them, nothing beats first hand experience to see how a show is run and what to expect. You can go and speak to competitors and spectators if you are feeling brave and you can literally check out your future competitors and get a grasp of what you are letting yourself in for. Failing that Youtube and Social Media has a vast array of content that you can use to research. Each Federation has it's own personality and you might find that one of them fits you perfectly...or it might take a bit of trial and error to figure that out. Check in with yourself Standing on a stage in a bikini and heels can be daunting, even if you are a raving extrovert. Smaller or newer shows are great if you are just starting out and are suffering a bit of nerves and just want to get some experience under your belt before you get serious about competing. UFE, Fitness Physiques and Gymbodyz are good entry level shows to get you started as the venue's tend to be smaller and less intimidating, but if you love the stage jump right in to one of the major shows and go strut your stuff! Get your ducks in a Row Once you have figured out which show you like the most you can start going about the preparation to get you at your competition best. This will probably include a prep coach, who will cover your exercise training programme and diet, a posing coach with a proven track record in whichever federation(s) you have chosen and a bikini designer (so that's me) that can create a bikini that you love and that fits you properly. Again...it's all about research. The best way to search for your competition crew are to ask for personal recommendations from athletes you trust and then book an appointment to meet whichever expert you are interested in to see if they are a good fit for you. Whichever federation that you choose to compete in make sure you observe the rules closely. All the federations publish their category rules on their website somewhere and it is worth hunting them down to make sure that you are picking a suitable bikini cut for your show and category. List of Sport style Fitness Competitions Click on a link to go to the federation home page PCA UKBFF UKUP NABBA GPO-UK NAC UK 2 BROS PRO FIT X BPA NFMUK Drug Tested/ Natural Sport Style Fitness Competitions WNBFUK BNBF UKDFBA List of Modelling style Fitness Competitions Miami Pro Pure Elite Glifting Girls Miss Fitness Angels FMC UFE #bodybuildingcompetition #fitnesscompetition #UFE #UKBFF #PCA #fitnessfederations #2BROSPRO #NABBA #FMC #Pureelite #WBFF #fitfam

Case Study: Jeanette Sudlow Competition: Southern Pole Championships 2021 Online Position : 1st Place Beginner Pole The best performances are when everything comes together in synergy: the concept, music, dance and costume all work together. *TOP TIP* Costume design is only one part of the mix...but it is heavily informed by the music and dance itself so always give your designer as much information as you can to get their creative juices flowing. 1:Conceptualise the Theme Jeanette was very clear about her theme right from the start: retro sci-fi. She sent me some reference images so I could visualise the tone of what she wanted to achieve. This was really helpful from a designers point of view because it created a specific visual concept to refer to. From there I made myself a mood board to focus on the key ideas. The costume had to be kitsch, playful and non invasive to the dance itself. This meant having open shoulders at the back and hip for floorwork. 2: design Jeanette knew she wanted her costume to be a 2-piece design. I sent her 4 design variations and she selected the one that she liked the most. Having some kind or ornamental shoulder piece that echoed the outlandish fashions of 70's sci-fi was very important and some sort of quilted look was also predominant in the style of the era. After initial designs were decided by Jeanette we looked at colour way and texture concepts. I didn't want the base polewear to look like it had been shop bought so decided to put in some triangle shapes as mesh inserts to add some variation to the pole wear top and bottoms. Silver was very important in the costume reference so we had our colour. I sent over 2 colour concepts, one a bright silver and one more platinum. Jeanette liked the lighter one the most. The centrepiece of the costume were the metallic shoulder and hip harness so the 2-piece polewear garments needed to be understated...but still have complementary design and have some detailing so not to make the costume dull and boring. 3. construction Going through the nitty gritty of costume construction can be utterly boring unless you are a maker, so I will spare you the details. Have a look at these nice photos instead. The hip and shoulder piece was done completely by trial and error, built directly on the dress form. I must have been completely zoned in on doing that because I didn't document the process at all, sadly. 4. FINISHED COSTUME

Need to know how to budget for a bikini competition? Read on... Are you a first time competitor, or just researching how much it will cost you to compete in a fitness competition? If you have answered yes to either of these questions then you have come to the right place. This article will give you an overall look at what you will need to pay for, and how much to expect to pay for it and where you can save money. Straight out of the gate : fitness competitions are not cheap. Even before you get to show day there is the prep, an average of which is 16-24 weeks. During this time you will be paying for the gym, a specialized diet and dietary supplements so you can achieve that stage ready figure. For the purposes of this article I have not included the resources needed to support the training such as diet, supplements, gym membership etc because prices vary so much. I have focused on the products and services required specifically for the competition itself. To find out information on something specific you can jump to each section: Preparation Federation Fees Tanning Bikini Hair and Make-up Travel and Accommodation To help you with budgeting for your competition I have included a checklist you can download and keep so you can keep track of your expenses. Fitness competitions have been exploding in popularity over the last five years. The rewards for winning can be high...both personally and professionally... but to compete in fitness requires a high level of commitment of time, energy and money. Of the women I surveyed for the data in this article 66% of women had little to no idea how much money it would cost them to compete when they got started. So here is my summary infographic for some of the information I learned from my research. Read on to learn more... preparation costs Prepping yourself will definitely save you money, but if you are a serious athlete with your eyes on a prize you will need an army of niche experts. These will include: Prep coach Posing coach Bikini designer PREP COACH A Prep Coach specializes in competition preparation rather than long term health and fitness, it is their job to guide you safely through the preparation process and most will give you an individualized plan and adjust it as appropriate . They will assess your health, look at what you want to achieve and plan your diet, nutrition and exercise regime to meet those goals over a prescribed timescale. Whether you are coached online or in person it usually requires regular check-in's to assess progress. Prep coach's fee's vary greatly, and you can find both in-person and online prep coach's...so do your research to find your best fit within budget. POSING COACH The posing coach's role is to get you looking confident and at home on stage, even if you are nervous as hell. They will teach you how to walk, pose and use transitions to effortlessly glide around the stage in heels as if you were born to it. They will also help you bring out your own unique style to your stage presence. The poses can be very specific in certain federations so it is really worth it finding a posing coach who is fluent in all federation styles or someone who specialises in the particular style of the show you are entering into. You can save money here, should you wish, by attending a posing camp. Many federations hold their own posing camps so you can drill down on their style of walking and posing and are an absolute must if you can't stretch to hiring a posing coach and practice, practice, practice. BIKINI DESIGNER The mainstay of your stage look is the bikini. This is another area in which you can make savings, but be sure to select the correct style of bikini for your federation and category which I go into in more depth elsewhere in my blog. There are now many bikini makers in this specialist niche and prices vary greatly from £200 - £900 depending on the designer and how much crystal is on the bikini. An average bikini will cost in the region of £300 for standard designs, with custom designs and fittings usually costing a little more. Of course you can also buy a bikini second hand, there are plenty of facebook groups that you can find bikinis and other stage accessories and it is always worth contacting bikini companies to see if they have any left over stock from a previous season they are willing to discount. Your bikini designer's job is to make you sparkle on stage. You can choose a bikini online or get one made bespoke and unique to you. The most important thing about selecting your bikini is that it is the correct cut for your category, size, body shape and federation and that the designer or company will re-size it near show day. The overall amount of money that each competitor spends varied greatly. It depends on which federation you compete in, how far you need to travel to compete and which services you choose to employ to get show ready. I found that an average spend on things specifically for one show, competing in one category with one bikini was £1300. It is certainly the case that you can spend a great deal more than the average, especially if you have themewear costume and eveningwear to take into consideration. That could easily add an extra £300 - £1000 plus for costumes as well as the additional category fee's. I found that even ladies who were on a tight budget and saved money doing things themselves spent at least £500 getting ready for show day. essential costs This section covers unavoidable show expenses. Federation Fees To compete in any federation you must register. Many of the larger competitions, especially those affiliated to international judging bodies, also require that you are a member of the governing federation to compete. How much you need to pay in fees to the federations is not always clear and straightforward, but (after some digging and form filling) here is the latest information as published on the internet today. The fees in the table above are how much it costs to compete in one category. To register for more than one category at the same competition there may be further charges to take into consideration. You can register online to any of the federations, I have included links to all of their websites at the bottom of the article. The fitness model style federations, such as Pure Elite and WBFF tended to cost the most money, with all their costume changes and backstage services coming in higher than the more sport orientated federations. WBFF was the show that was the most expensive to compete in overall. They do one show in the UK for the entire year and costs a staggering $345 to register to compete. Tanning services Trophies have been lost with a streaky, misapplied or incorrect colour tan so this is not worth skipping to save some money. Professional tanning is available for most shows, either the services are provided by affiliate company's or you can book your own. Make sure you book a competition tan specialist as a standard tan is not appropriate and you may not be allowed on stage. Similarly there is a lot of variation in preferred tan colour across the federations, so if you are not using in-house tanning services it is worth doing the research to get it right. Some federations even insist that you only use the tanning company affiliated to them so they can ensure consistency across all athletes. Prices vary depending on which tanning company, federation and show location so double check with your specific federation services to get the right one booked (federation links at the foot of this article.) Travel and Accommodation Don't forget to factor travel and accommodation costs into your competition budget. Your travel costs will vary greatly depending on how far you live from your show and how you plan to get there. You can save money by carpooling and sharing rooms with other competitors or spectators that you know but don't leave it to the last minute as hotels near the venue's get booked up fast. optional costs This section focuses on things that are absolutely necessary, but if you do enough research and have the skills and time you can shop around to find a bargain or do it yourself. * Average spend on show essentials was £675. This includes bikini, make-up and hair services, shoes and jewellery* Show essentials make you look tip top on the day, so you can step on stage in total confidence. Ranked from highest to lowest priced item for show glamour... Bikini Hair Extensions Shoes Make-up Jewellery Bikini The highest price item on the list of things to buy exclusively for the show is the bikini. Bikini prices vary greatly, but a good rule of thumb is that the more bling and crystal on the bikini the more expensive it will be. Online bikini shops tend to be a cheaper option than having one specially made. Hair Think sleek cover model when you think of how you should wear your hair for fitness. Hair is usually worn down and flowing and away from the face and body. Adding hair extensions gives you volume and lift. Most make-up artists and sometimes the tanning companies also provide hairdressing services so if you want a stress free life on show day you should book these well in advance. Make up Doing your own hair and make-up is one of the places where money can be saved if you feel comfortable doing so, but like everything else...do your homework. Show make-up tends to be heavier than normal make-up, you don't want it to slide or get rubbed off as you sweat under the hot stage lights. Most of the shows offer affiliated make up and hairdressing services should you require them. Make sure you book these services nice and early as they tend to get filled up way before show date. Shoes and accessories Finishing off your stage 'look' are shoes and jewellery, which are usually understated so the judges can focus on the 'whole package'. The transparent heel is pretty much a standard of all fitness shows, it does a great job of making leg muscles more pronounced and makes your legs look longer. Do double check the attire rules for your federation as some specify no platform or maximum heel height. Jewellery again, has a general standard in fitness shows....stick generally to crystal diamante cuffs, simple rings and dangly earrings....all of which you can find for a few quid if you hunt on e-bay. after show extras Photography/ videography After all your hard work in prep and getting on stage and strutting your stuff you need to get some cracking photo's to celebrate and commemorate! I know lots of clients who, at the time, didn't want to pay out extra for professional photo's of the show and then regretted that they had only fuzzy mobile shots and video to remember their day. Many federations no longer allow SLR's into the show so they can sell their own affiliated (sponsored) services so if you do plan to use your friends and family to take video and photos make sure they are good and close to the stage and have a good camera on their device. Take Away research carefully all the services/ professionals you will employ. Check out their prices, location and touch base to make sure you are a good fit before taking them on. budget for everything, and then check off where you can compromise. Asses your own skills and time, bother your friends, hunt down second hand if you simply don't have the money to go all in on everything. stick to the plan. "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" (Benjamin Franklin) says it all. book services early. Tanning, Hair and make-up and Accommodation are all things you should book asap, leaving it late will mean they could no longer be available to you, leaving you stressed and hunting for solutions when you should be training. So now you have the lowdown on how much it will cost you to look the part on show day. You know where you can compromise and save money and where you cannot depending on the skills you have as an individual or who you can pool to assist you. For some people doing a fitness show is a one off thing, uniquely satisfying as a moment of achievement....but for some it is the start of an exciting rabbit hole of crystal bikinis and trophies. Whichever one you turn out to be, I hope you have a great time in fitness. To help you with budgeting for your competition I have included a checklist you can download. Use it to keep track of your expenses and plan your budget. All facts and figures were compiled by Chrissie Nicholson using a questionnaire and first hand research. I would love to know of your show experience, and to keep this research as fresh and up to date as possible. If you would like to lend your knowledge and experience click the button below. Online information sources: Fitness Model Federation - Pure Elite (pure-elite.com) Welcome to UFE | Bodybuilding | Physique | Figure | Bikini | Fitness | Fitness Model | Classic Physique | Glamour (ufeshows.com) UKBFF PCA Home | Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation | United Kingdom (pcaofficial.com) 2 Bros Pro Events (2bpevents.com) Fitness Model Competition UK | GymBodyz BNBF - British Natural Bodybuilding Federation official website Home - UKDFBA (drugfreebodybuilding.co.uk) World Natural Bodybuilding Federation UK (wnbfuk.com) Miami Pro Events | Fitness Modelling Championships in UK FITNESS COMPETITION — BODY BY CATHY FMC (fmcofficial.com)

Leigh amazes me...Single mum, self employed and nailing her fitness goals one show at a time! "...It is not just the physical toll it takes...its the emotional side of the journey that is the hardest part; However that is what makes stepping on stage such a huge achievement, not many people can do it because it really isn’t easy..." Leigh Clarke I first met Leigh at a posing workshop in Hove run by Livia Francis, that was just over two years ago. In those two years Leigh has competed in several fitness competitions, finally finding her comfort zone with the 2 Bros Pro Federation. Last year she achieved 2nd in masters at the 2Bros Pro Women's Finals and 6 weeks later 1st in Masters Bikini and 1st in your height class at the 2Bros Pro Natural Classic. So 2019 was your first year competing, but you had been thinking about it for a while...what made you finally take the plunge? I had followed and watched Bikini Athletes for a while, admiring how they looked, in awe of the work they must have dedicated to get to the stage however at that point in my life I didn’t have the confidence or belief that I could ever achieve anything for myself. I had a competitive background in the fact I would compete regularly with horses (this was my field of work at the time) but after separating from my ex husband I eventually left this line of work and I missed the goal driven lifestyle that competing brings. I spent two years thinking about ‘giving it a go’ until one day it sounds cliché but something in my head shifted and I decided I would go for it! How was your first show experience? It was amazing, I loved every second, it was a huge learning curve and life experience I will never forget, from registration, to tanning, hair and make up and the stage! Did it meet your expectations? It exceeded my expectations in so many ways, mainly due to the people I have met along the way. I can honestly say I have never met a more supportive community of people, something I am so grateful for. I have made friends for life through the sport and love that everyone is so driven by improving themselves rather then competing with each other. Do you have any golden advice for new competitors? Try to enjoy each part of the journey. Again it sounds cliché but getting to the stage is a roller coaster, you learn things about yourself constantly. Prep can be tough and there will be times you want to quit, it can be very lonely as generally the majority of your friends and family have no idea what it involves. It is not just the physical toll it takes (that’s the easy part haha) its the emotional side of the journey that is the hardest part; However that is what makes stepping on stage such a huge achievement, not many people can do it because it really isn’t easy. Last year you began training Phoebe Hagan, who is a very successful athlete and trainer...how do you feel she helped you achieve your A-game? Phoebe is one of the nicest people I have met and she deserves all the success she has. I feel like the confidence she gave me within myself had a huge part in my achievements. I am a really small person, I will never be the most muscular or jacked girl on stage but she helped me present myself in the best possible way to the Judges, she was very knowledgeable in relation to what the judges were looking for in relation to balance and angles so this definitely helped with how I trained. How did you fit training into your schedule as a single full time Mum and work? There is no point in sugar coating it, its tough, there were times when I was so tired I didn’t want to train, times I felt terrible guilt for having this sport in my life, times I wanted to see my friends instead of going to the gym but if you want something enough then you do whatever it takes. I want my son to grow up seeing that whatever circumstances you find yourself in if you work hard you can achieve anything. Practically my parents are my life savers, they help me with my son so I can train. As a single parent you can’t be picky with times you train, if he is with his Dad and 5am is the only time I can get to the gym that day then I’m there at 5am, if 11pm is the only time I can train then that’s when I do it. So what has it actually cost you to compete this year? Oh I dread to think of the exact cost but I guess around the £3500 mark, that’s without gym membership, supplements, travel, accessories, food, NPC membership. The cost of the sport really surprised me and this is one of the main reasons why I don’t compete in more competitions over the year. How has the pandemic changed how you trained year? I was on prep over the first lockdown which wasn’t so bad, I had some dumbbells, bands, a small barbell and minimal weight which I made use of. However this current lockdown I have been in off season which has been more frustrating as I really want to be pushing my weights up. I have recently managed to buy an Olympic bar, more weights and a squat rack, so my training is based around this. What competitions are you doing this year? I have qualified for Amateur Olympia by competing in the Naturals last year, so i am buzzing for this! I am keen to do the naturals again as well. Recently you started Anabolic mums club on Instagram with Caroline and Dee on Instagram, what's the idea behind that? We met at The 2 Bros Pro British Final as we were all competing in Masters, we got chatting back stage and just clicked! The back stage chat between the masters and other categories is very different, if I remember rightly we were discussing mum issues, supermarket temperatures and health and safety (all very glam haha) In all seriousness we all had the same vibe and it was so lovely to have girls a similar age, who have children and understand the different struggles of the sport with these circumstances. We all stayed in contact and chatted about how helpful it would have been if we had known each other when we first started out and how different it would have been if we had known certain things or had an open, honest account of what it is like to juggle everyday life. It was over lockdown 2.0 we thought why not start an IG page to help other women in the same way? So that’s what we did 😊 Honestly Dee and Caroline inspire me everyday, they are absolute grafters and I love having them to inspire me – they keep me focussed and tell me to get on with it when I need a talking to 😊 What would you like to achieve next time you compete? Simple, I want to bring a better package to the stage, placings are the icing on the cake. After judges feedback I know what needs improving and my goal is to do this. Leigh will be continuing her competition journey later on this year with a new prep coach, a new bikini and her sights on the next goal.

For the first time in bodybuilding history you can watch two natural bodybuilding shows at the same time, from your own armchair! Today 2Bros Pro and the UKDFBA are live streaming their all natural bodybuilding shows. It is the first time one of the larger bodybuilding show franchise's has endorsed it's very own natural athlete competition, but natural bodybuilding already has an established presence here in the UK. The UKDFBA, BNBF and the UFE have also been drug testing their athletes here in the UK for many years. Interestingly 2Bros Pro have chosen to host their event the same weekend as the UKDFBA are also hosting their main event for the year. What is natural bodybuilding? Natural Bodybuilding is defined as a drug free bodybuilding, using diet and training to build the physique without the aid of steroids, performance enhancers or cutting agents. Aside from changing the physical body drugs have many side effects such as mood swings, aggression and other hormonal changes in the short term. Over the years with many hero's from the bodybuilding Hall of Fame, both male and female suffering heart attacks, early death and the other long term health conditions by taking steroids and testosterone enhancements many athletes have become much more mindful of the long term price of enhancements . If you want to train as a natural athlete make it very clear to your coach, who will advise you on how to do this. It's also very important for you to be clued up and well read and check your supplements and medicines for any of the banned substances....there is no good claiming ignorance after the fact. Natural Bodybuilding Shows While all federations should follow the WADA banned substance list, to comply with International Sports standards, it is well known within the bodybuilder community that some federations are more flexible with enforcing these rules than others. The BNBF, UKDFBA and UFE stand alone as federations that are strong in their mission to promote natural bodybuilding and with 2Bros Pro putting on their own natural only show this shows that there is a growing movement of athletes who buck the enhancements available and choose to stay natural. These shows pride themselves on being drug free and testing is mandatory for winning athletes. As well as winners being tested, some athletes can be flagged and tested and sometimes random drug testing is deployed to ensure a sample cross section of competitors are tested throughout the year. Usually the test will be a urine sample, to ensure they comply with the rules and are very strict with their application. Winners have been stripped of their titles and competitors are banned from organisations if they are unwise enough to flout the rules. Each federation has differing rules, and their rules are published on their sites, UFE rules BNBF rules UKDFBA rules Whether you are a fan of bodybuilding natural, or otherwise, it is clear that the movement of Natural Bodybuilding is here to stay, and growing every year. It will be interesting to see if the other large Federations follow 2Bros Pro into adding Natural Bodybuilding to their rostrum. SOURCES UKDFBA BNBF UFE Brandon Wadas IFBB Anti doping pocketbook #naturalbodybuilding #bodybuildingcompetition #livestream

You've trawled all the online bikini companies for an exciting design that just exudes your look and personality and come up short...you know what you need....you need to have one designed and made especially for you! This I call a custom bikini, but is sometimes also referred to as bespoke or couture bikini but the basic idea is exactly the same; it is designed and tailored to your specific requirements and body. There are many advantages to having a custom bikini designed and made just for you. It fits you perfectly No one else on stage will have the same bikini The bikini cut is the best for your body TIMESCALE: 6-8 weeks minimum BUDGET: £350 upwards Emma's story My client Emma Varley (pictured above) competed at Pure Elite in 2019 stage super confident and feeling ultra glamorous. She won 1st Fitness Model Masters and got a PRO card at Pure Elite, as well as bagging 5th Bikini over 45 and 5th Fitness over 35. Here is what Emma said, I had the pleasure of meeting Chrissie in 2018 when I went for a fitting to wear one of her bikinis for a shoot with Susan Grace Hinman. I’d done a few fitness shows and never felt my bikinis fitted my body properly, as soon as I put one of Chrissie’s on I could feel the difference even though these weren’t made for me. The quality and workmanship was incredible. I promised that if I ever went on stage I would definitely come to her. Roll on 2019 and I decided to compete with Pure Elite I contacted Chrissie and we got to work. I went for a couple of fittings so that the final piece was going to be a perfect fit. It was beyond perfect it was AMAZING quite simply the most beautiful bikini I have ever owned designed to fit my final shape, I wore it all day and it was so comfortable no jewels digging in I didn’t even know I had it on whilst we waited backstage for results. With Chrissie’s help I won!! I highly recommend her to anyone wishing to compete her service is on another level as are her masterpieces. CUSTOM DESIGN- HOW IT WORKS Consultation First consultations are free, and you have an opportunity to see if I am 'the right fit' to make your bikini. Clients that come with idea's are the easiest ones to work for. If I can get a good grasp of what you need it makes my job so much easier. I always start by asking questions and finding out a little bit about you, things like.... what colours do you like what is your budget what's your personal style what inspires you This will give me some idea of exactly what you want your stage presence to be like and your preferences for design. From there I can start putting a mood board or design plan together for you. I may also seek further clarification if I'm not sure I nailed it. design planning After initial consultation you will be invited to place a deposit and book your next meeting. The deposit is non refundable, and commits you to your bikini commission, after all...the time and effort that goes into designing and making a custom bikini is far greater than one you just order online. Once the deposit is placed your bikini place is booked! I only make a maximum of 10 custom bikinis per month, as my goal is to make each bikini as fabulous as it can be, so early booking is essential. Measurement The next step is to have accurate measurements, you can either come into the studio to be measured (Covid restrictions apply) or I will contact you via e-mail and request your current measurements and some reference pictures. Signing off on the Design Once you receive your design flats you have the opportunity to make decisions of how we will refine the design. If you are happy with the design as is I can start pulling in materials and making. Sometimes the design needs some work and tweaking to make it perfect, or a particular material selected isn't quite right...sometimes your idea's change and the whole thing needs to be started from scratch. This is totally normal for some clients during the design process. But beware....if your design is started from fresh because your idea's are constantly changing you will incur extra design charges as it takes, on average, three hours to research materials and put together a design sheet. Once the design is finished (signed off) and both parties agree to the design spec and budget the making will begin. (that's my favourite part) Making/fitting There are two ways fitting goes: in studio or remote. It's pretty obvious that doing it in studio is the best way to get the prefect fit but sometimes that just isn't possible. In Studio During an in-studio fitting you will be temperature tested before you enter to comply with new studio protocols and I will be wearing a face covering and gloves. Then you will try on your undecorated bikini to assess the cut and size. I always ask my ladies to wear their heels for fitting as it dramatically changes how you stand and pose in front of the mirror and gives a better account of how the bikini will sit on your body. The bikini will be decorated as per design, and then you will have a final fitting three weeks out from your show when you will be almost at stage weight and size. The final fitting is very important to get the final bikini perfect for the show, you will be likely be very different size, shape and body fat consistency to when I see you earlier in the process. By remote appointment For remote fittings you will be sent a 'mock-up' bikini within two weeks to wear for a Whatsapp video call to discuss the fit and size. You will then send the mock up bikini back with your actual measurements at that time so we can make any changes as discussed. The bikini is then completed according to the design. Three weeks from your show date I will ask you to send in your final measurements and the final bikini will be fine tuned to these measurements and completed. Getting your bikini Bikinis must be paid in full before they will be finished and released. Your bikini will take one week to complete after your final fitting is done. After a remote final fitting is done the bikini will be ready one week after it is received back into the studio, any delays in final fitting or the return of the mock up will result in delay. Once your bikini is finished to perfection I will send it out to you by next day guaranteed post. Showing it off Woo Hoo! You are all set to storm the stage in your fabulous bikini. Don't forget to tag Miss C Bikini in your photo's on Instagram because I love sharing how fabulous my clients are!

Before you started competing the idea of spending £300 upwards on a bikini seemed like a crazy notion. Once the competition bug bites you may not have thought twice about having a new bikini for every show, but post the covid-19 pandemic most of us have had to tighten our financial belts and re-think how much we spend on competing. You might want to look into getting a second hand bikini to save costs, and there are some great facebook groups that specialize in this area. With the fitness and body building competitions only just kicking off in September this year, leaving us with only three months left of the competition season it is now time to think about sorting your competition bikini out. If you are on a budget, and dead set on a new bikini or are a first time competitor, it is time to think about making your bikini last for more than one show. Not only does it make financial sense, but it's more environmentally conscious too. With that in mind I have some top tips on how you can make your bikini last more than one show, all it takes is a little planning before-hand. Things to consider before you buy First you will need to look at the competitions you want to compete in and if the styles and rules are compatible. For example your 2BroPros bikini bottom is too small for the UKBFF federation rules but fine for the PCA. You can check out my blog that specifically discusses the shape and size of the bikini bum here. Next you want to design your bikini with the 'upgrades' in mind. So this means starting simple. Your designer should be able to advise you in this regard, and give you a clear indication of the bikini for each show. It is way easier to add things onto a bikini than remove anything...especially if the thing you want to remove is glued on. Not only is glue really hard to remove but you may damage your bikini trying to rip crystals or trimmings off. Lastly, you will need to clean your bikini really well as soon as you can after you take it off. The longer you leave cleaning off that nasty tan the less likely it is to come off. Also think about the colour of your bikini before you order, as a general rule darker colours will hide tan stains better than paler colours so you will get more use out of a darker bikini than a light one. If you are planning to use the same bikini for more than one show, not only are you saving yourself some cost but also being ecologically responsible. Upgrading your bikini without breaking the bank Now for the fun stuff...getting into the nitty gritty of what you can do from one competition to the next. Some of these are structural and will require more than a basic knowledge of dressmaking, you can either plan the changes over the competition season with your bikini designer, employ a local seamstress to alter the bikini for you or if you are a keen dressmaker why not get crafty yourself ( if you have the time and energy). For competitions on the sporty end of the spectrum you have two options to change the look of your bikini... 1 Adding extra crystal Adding in crystal works better for more simple crystal designs rather than complex ones. Here are two examples of forward planning, in one I added an extra colour and the next filling in a simple design. You can also add crystal to a complex design if you generally stick to filling in the base or background colour, it's hard to add design features and details to a complex design....but with some serious thought and planning a great result can be achieved. 2 Changing the connectors For a quick change you can just change the connectors for a different design. By searching ebay you can come up with a variety of different connector designs to choose from, then all you have to do is unpick the old ones and sew in the new ones. Or if it has fabric straps you can cut or unpick the sides and insert whatever connectors take your fancy. If you are competing in the pageant style shows such as WBFF, Pure Elite, Diamonds and cross-over shows like FMC or UFE you can really stretch your creativity even further: 3 Add some lace details Lace can be a fabulous edition to a bikini, if that's your style. If done correctly you can actually embellish the lace itself so it can be sewn on or removed from the bikini with almost no damage whatsoever to your bikini base. 4 Add a collar For a full re-style you can even change the style of the bikini. You can add a collar, multiple straps, take off the straps and put see through ones on...just make sure you don't mess with the basic engineering of the bra structure, especially if you have large boobs, keep the back strap strong and parallel to the floor and the shoulder straps supportive at the side. You can even change the bottoms in a similar way if you wish. 5 Get strappy Following the current trend in lingerie design for cage and strappy styles you can add a little extra sex appeal to your bikini. You can add straps to the top and the bottoms depending on your final design. So there you have some great idea's to help you save some cash this year by making your bikini work for you over a few different shows, while we all look forward to a more normal life and competing season in 2021! #bikinidesigner #fitnesscompetition