Getting lean while keeping muscle and strength is the goal, not just hitting a certain number on the scale. I'd rather be ahead of schedule than rush the finish.How Many Weeks Out Do You Start Your Contest Prep?
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Paul Carter
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2026 1:45 pm
Re: How Many Weeks Out Do You Start Your Contest Prep?
Exactly! 
Getting lean while keeping muscle and strength is the goal, not just hitting a certain number on the scale. I'd rather be ahead of schedule than rush the finish.
Getting lean while keeping muscle and strength is the goal, not just hitting a certain number on the scale. I'd rather be ahead of schedule than rush the finish.Re: How Many Weeks Out Do You Start Your Contest Prep?
I've seen people do shorter preps successfully, but I think it depends heavily on how close they are to stage condition before they begin. If you're starting farther out, give yourself more runway and work with a qualified coach rather than trying to fix everything with extra cardio.
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Brayden Brunsman
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2026 1:57 pm
Re: How Many Weeks Out Do You Start Your Contest Prep?
I'd say 20 weeks for a first-timer. You have enough room to learn, make adjustments, and actually enjoy the process instead of stressing over every little change. 
