As I contemplate my move up to the pro stage, I realize that I’m never going to have a chance to win another bodybuilding title. I like the way dieting and training for competitions make me look, and I take pride in knowing that I have the discipline to do it. It is a not-for-profit international amateur sport governing body, located in Madrid, Spain, with an Executive Council democratically elected at the IFBB World Congress. Learn what a top competitor goes through in the final days before a contest. When they couldn’t win in the open division, they gave up and quit training completely. He has proven that he is not only an excellent trainer, but also a top competitor to be reckoned with. SSN (Video) - Interview with Hennie Kotze SA’s Newest IFBB PRO, SSN - Catching up with Hennie after being crowned IFBB SA Overall Champion, Muscle Evolution - The Ulitmate Bodybuilder & More, Muscle Evolution - Watch Hennie's Workout Videos. Just because you’re nationally qualified doesn’t mean that you have to compete in only national-level contests. Again, you have to be pretty freakin’ good to place at all at a national-level show. I’ve earned a pro card naturally in the IFBB using Beverly International products. To do that, you have to earn your IFBB pro card at an NPC Pro qualifier. In figure or fitness you go from four or six height classes down to one class. Write and let me know how you’re doing. Only loyal IFBB athletes will be considered for PRO status. Put together killer workouts week after week and month after month, and you’ll certainly make tremendous improvements. It took a lot of hard work and dedication, some blood and buckets full of sweat, but the status belongs to him. I also felt good about how well I’d prepared. I certainly thought I had a good chance of winning it, but placing second to someone of Faildo’s caliber—that’s pretty damn good. Nutrition also plays a major role in strength training. Take the time to enjoy getting to know the other competitors and the bodybuilding fans. I too was nationally qualified in just my second year of competition—that was 25 years ago. The first thing you should concentrate on is improving your physique. Training with Hennie means hard work, but the results are amazing. A lot of great shows around the country have more than enough competition to challenge you, no matter how good you are. Depending on your division and the national show either the division winner or top 2 placers earn that IFBB Pro card and advance to the Pro level. In 2007 I was second—by one point—in the welterweight class at the Team Universe to Overall champion Chris Faildo. Qualifying for national competition in just your second year is quite an accomplishment. Editor’s Note: See Dave Goodin’s blog at www.IronManMagazine.com. The earnings are influenced by location. I felt good enough to go out and celebrate. The IFBB International is always inventing new ways to improve the sport for the athlete. Unfortunately, before I got started on the celebrating, I ruptured a hamstring tendon in my hotel room. Once the bodybuilder places well in the regional contest weight class, the athlete will also have to compete in the National Championships. When you compete in an NPC national-level contest, you’re competing against champions. If your goals include becoming a professional bodybuilder and creating a livelihood from what you love to do, a pro card is something you will need to acquire. I enjoy the competition, and it’s really exciting to be in contention for a title. To contact Dave directly, send e-mail to [email protected] IM, You must be logged in to post a comment Breaking down the steps of qualification, it almost doesn't seem unrealistic or even difficult for anyone to become a pro … If you’re one of those people who get pissed if they don’t win, I feel sorry for you. -Beef up your wallet: Everyone likes having a fat wallet, since no money will ever be in your wallet an IFBB pro card can fill one of the pockets and thicken it up. If you don’t know what a pro card is or how you need to go about getting one, we have some tips to help you out. Most bodybuilders, however, keep focused on this prestigious status because of the recognition associated with such. Because I enjoy the whole process, I don’t have to win to be happy. Put together solid reps, and you’ll have great sets. I’ve embraced it for 28 years, and I’ll continue to do so for many, many more. It takes about ten to fifteen years of dedication to reach the status and few make it to the ultimate top. I was in the best shape of my life. Take a very critical look at your photos, identify your weaknesses, and formulate a plan for improving them. If you endeavour to become an IFBB Pro you will first have to earn the IFBB Pro Card. Even the great Ronnie Coleman competed in 20 IFBB pro shows before ever winning one. A: Wow! All rights reserved. Good luck. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional prior to beginning any diet or exercise program or taking any dietary supplement. Keep in mind it’s the process that’s important. Physique competition has grown so much that in most cases it takes years of serious training to be good enough to qualify for Nationals. I hope that you get your pro card and that we get to compete against each other. By Mike Carlson Most of us have... Click on the link to see all the results: WC_16__Final-Mens Physique Men’s Physique Class A   Men’s Physique Class B Men’s Physique... Click on the link to see all the results:  WC_16__Final-Bodybuilding Master Men’s Bodybuilding over 40   Master Men’s Bodybuilding over 50... A new NPC category will breathe competitive life into athletes who are stuck between divisions. Keeping fit is not just a fad - it's a way of life. 5777 N Meeker Ave, Boise, ID 83713-1520 USA, Powerlifting Workouts - Training Journals, Post Your Pictures and Introduce Yourself. Throughout my bodybuilding career I would say a big challenge for me was to prove that conditioning rules and not size. I’m planning to compete at the national level next year and, I hope, qualify to compete against you and the other IFBB pros. Contests like the Texas Shredder Classic (yes, I’m plugging my own show), the Emerald Cup, the Ronnie Coleman Classic, Lonnie Teper’s Junior Cal [now the NPC West Coast Classic] or any of the NPC state championships are stacked with great competitors. What do you have to do to become NPC / IBFF pro? Hennie goes all out to do the same for other athletes. I’ll tell you right now that if you can’t win the overall title at a national qualifer, you’re not going to have a chance at placing in a national-level show. Contact Hennie Kotze today to help you reach your personal bodybuilding training goals. It is possible for more than one contestant to get the card in a year, but overall the number of bodybuilders getting the prestigious accolade is rather limited. Once the bodybuilder has won on National Level, he or she may go further to also obtain the title of winner at the IFBB World Championship. If I had to guess I would say because it's a symbol of recognition and prestige in the bodybuilding world. I was disappointed that I didn’t win, but I was pleased that I was good enough to place a very close second. I've heard the opposite because Canada don't issue a lot of pro cards compared to the states. Besides gaining the contest experience and learning how to fine-tune your body during the contest-preparation phase, there’s another reason to compete in more shows before you step on the national stage. Bodybuilding.com℠ and BodySpace® are trademarks of Bodybuilding.com. At the end of the day, the winners of each weight class will compete against each other in another contest to determine the winner for the National Contest for the particular year. IFBB SA recently announced that they are working with two very deserving bodybuilders in obtaining their IFBB Pro Card status. I just don’t have the size to win an IFBB pro show. Thanks for the great info! While there are exceptions, very few bodybuilders qualify for IFBB pro status with just a few years of competition under their belts. So, because earning the pro card wasn’t the be-all and end-all to me, I had a blast at all of those contests. Jeff Seid Interview after Winning IFBB Pro Card ( Vid ). Many people thought I should have won that show.