I’m writing this introduction and giving you a little bit of background on myself so that the Illinois athletes who read this will know where your Chairman has come from and what I’ve lived through. I’m also writing this because some of you weren’t even alive yet, or were crawling around in diapers when I was competing. This is not meant to sound like bragging at all, but the road I’ve been on has been long and was seldom smooth. I thought it might help to recap my experiences, talk about some of the things I’ve done and share some of the highlights of what’s happened to me over my career.

When I first started competing, I was in the AAU, or the Amateur Athletic Union, an organization that is no longer around. I started competing at 19 years old, did a few shows in Illinois with the AAU and did place well. But it wasn’t until I went out of state to Ohio as a teen that I took first place and overall. I came back in to the State of Illinois and completed for a few years in the open division, always placing, but never winning. That’s when I decided to take a few years off to take a close look at myself, figure out why I wasn’t winning, set new goals and then dedicate myself to working toward those goals in bodybuilding.

After winning every open show in the State of Illinois with the AAU, I started competing at the National level. After placing consistently in the AAU at the National Level, it wasn’t until I took second place in the Mr. America contest and then three weeks later taking second in the Mr. Universe Contest that I was buying into the excuse that I was a victim of politics. Feeling I had been cheated in the AAU, I moved over to the NPC. Despite my misinformed motivation for making the switch, this ended up being one of the best moves I could have made and really jump-started what turned out to be my bodybuilding career.

Once in the NPC, I started at the State Level again, won everything in Illinois, won in Wisconsin and won in Minnesota. And when I say winning, I mean like as in California Chrome winning the Kentucky Derby. It wasn’t even close…that’s when I knew I was ready for the national level.

I spent 16 years at the national level, trying to get my IFBB Pro Card. And mind you, this is at a time when they gave out 5 or 6 cards a year at most! I found myself always placing, which means getting a trophy, but never getting the elusive Pro Card. Sometimes I felt overlooked, and sometimes I got what I deserved, but I never went and cried about it. I took a look at where I thought I should improve, went back to the gym and worked to get better. When I was at the national level, there were maybe 2 or 3 times I thought I should have gotten the nod, but didn’t. But that’s the nature of the sport and of competition in general. We don’t always win or place, and there are a lot of reasons why that happens.

In 2005, I won the Masters Nationals overall and was awarded my Pro Card. While that was a great victory, it was also a loss, because in obtaining that goal and getting that Pro Card essentially put an end to my competitive career. Because at 42 years old I was past my prime and not able to compete among the “A List” pro bodybuilders in The Olympia, The Arnold, and guys like that. Now that I had my pro card, the only thing left for me to do at this level was to complete for the fun of it.

In writing this, I’m hoping to give you a sense of where I came from, what I went through, what I did and give you an understanding of how sometimes even the best laid plans seldom work out the way we want or hope.

I also want to emphasize the point that complaining about it doesn’t help the situation. And whining and crying and blaming other people for your place, doesn’t help you either.

The next time you go to a show, or don’t do as well as you thought you should in a competition -- instead of looking for someone else to blame -- take a close and honest look at yourself in the mirror and accept the fact that it was not political and that maybe….it just was what it was…

As you read the next article, I want you to keep in mind that I’ve “been there and done that” too. And I hope that you read the following article and take it in the spirit in which it was written, for you all to become better competitors.

Sincerely,

Chuck Sanow, IFBB Pro
NPC Illinois Chairman

Are You A Contender Or A Pretender At The National Level ?

I am writing this article to convey my perception of the direction of the competition at the NPC and National levels and to hopefully encourage competitors to take a different approach to accomplishing their dreams and goals. My suggestions are based on my expertise and years of experience as a bodybuilder competitor, IFBB Pro, NPC Chairman, Judge, Emcee and trainer. I hope that you read this with an open mind and understand that the views, perceptions and recommendations come from a good place.

It’s been disheartening over the last several years to see a dilution of quality competitors at the National Level Shows. Unfortunately, some of those competitors are from our state. As the Illinois NPC Chairman, I feel a responsibility and obligation to be candid. I’m interested in seeing our athletes excel. I do want to see superior competitors from our state at the national levels. That being said, I believe it’s time to give some honest feedback about what I see, and how we can all do better as a state.

Reality Check

Sometimes, the desire to be a competitor at the National Level clouds our better judgment and willingness to be honest. While it’s important to be confident about your conditioning and ability to compete, a lot of us let our ego get in the way of our ability to see reality. There are a lot of participants that do well at a state show, rank in the top 5 and then qualify to compete at the Nationals. However, the true meaning of that achievement misleads their vision. Just because you do well does not mean you are ready for the national level competitions right away. The written qualifications of the top 5 are set to open doors for competitors to proceed to the national level. But here’s the fact, and probably what you don’t want to hear…Just because you qualify, does not mean you should go to the Nationals or, even more important, that you are ready to compete at the National level.

If you do not dominate in your state, within your class (meaning first or second place) and place first or second in states within your region, or in states with large competitor classes (NY, CA, FL, PA), then you should not go to the National level. If you do decide to go and ignore this advice, you should plan a vacation at the same time because the odds are that it will be a short trip on stage.

Control Your Own Back Yard Before Moving to Greener Pastures

Trying to grow in any sport has aches and pains and ebbs and flows. This sport is growing at a rapid rate, and, as a result, there are more people who are qualifying for the national level shows. If you place in the top 5 in a state show, you have qualified for a national level show. But what makes you think you can win at a national level if you have not won at a state show. If you seriously want to compete at the national level, you should have a proven track record in Illinois and in your neighboring states first. Otherwise, you really are not doing yourself or the sport a favor at all. One state show win does make you a seasoned competitor. If you win at a state show, you should continue to go to larger state level shows and progress from there. To be the best you must compete against the best and continue to hone your experience, posing skills and physique. Don’t be one and done at the state level and then get discouraged when you don’t succeed at a national show.

But I want to get my Pro Card!

I understand that a lot of people want to move up to nationals, so they have the chance of receiving their IFBB Pro Card. And it is true that the chances of getting one are better than ever before. Not too long ago, it was common that maybe 6 pro cards were given out in a single year! Unfortunately, it seems like today IFBB Pro Cards are given out like candy on Halloween- sometimes 60 or 70 are given out at just one National Show alone. This fuels the desire to compete at the national level. As a result, many do not want to spend time growing at the state shows working their way up through the ranks, so they actually have the experience and physical conditioning to have an honest shot at placing and winning at the nationals.

When you go to the Nationals, it’s like going to the Oscars. You’re on the red carpet and you’re shining; if you can’t do that…do not go.

Dominate at the State Level

Many newly minted competitors are in a rush to get to the Nationals. But unfortunately, they are not giving themselves enough time to mature at the state level. When you look at many of them side by side with those who have competed at the state level consistently and ostensibly done their homework, it is evident that they are not good enough to compete at a national level.

Oftentimes, it is not their fault really. They have not had enough time in the sport to be ready to compete against the much more seasoned, well-prepared athlete. When you do go to nationals, if you haven’t done the work at the state level shows, then make sure you go somewhere warm so you kill two birds with one stone- enjoy a vacation and get something out of the $3,000+ you may spend to compete.

We are taking first year competitors from the state level, who may have one show under their belt, and then are talking about going to nationals and getting a pro card. By way of example, on Facebook or any social media outlet, this very same competitor is bragging two days before the show and there is radio silence when they return. I wonder why? That was unheard of before, and with good reason. It’s unrealistic…plain and simple.

When I’m speaking with competitors before a state level show, I tell them they are all champions for getting on stage. But I also tell them to remember, just because you qualify for a national show doesn’t mean you’re ready to go there. You should stick around and sharpen your conditioning, muscle and posing at the state level before moving on. So when you go to the national level, you are really ready and have the potential to win. People are unrealistic about their own conditioning, knowledge, etc. and a lot of them come back with their tail between their legs and victim mentality after trying to compete at the national level. If you do 3 or 4 shows, and take an overall or first or send place, then maybe you should compete at nationals. Do not practice at the national level. Practice at the state level. Very few people can achieve the paths of a Kevin Lerone or Phil Heath. Practice makes perfect.

Do Not Listen To Your Family, Friends or Trainer

Family can be wonderful by giving you the support and encouragement you need to compete. But many times, although their intentions are positive, they are either not being 100% honest or simply lack the skills to provide an honest assessment. Frankly, many of them do not really know how to be objective and give feedback that will be useful to identify weaknesses and strengths.

Even our coaches and trainers keep feeding that fire by telling the athletes “I can make you a pro in a year. Train with me!” But they should not sell the athlete a bill of goods they can’t deliver on. Reality dictates that no one can guarantee you that. If you hired an internet trainer, you need to have your head examined. Internet trainers do not see you in person and only receive the best of the best photos that you are sending to them. Further, Internet trainers do not have a vested interest in your success and will treat you as if you are merely a number. Internet trainers are sending you and 100 other people the same generic email instructions and diets that they send to their other athletes. Save your money. Internet training is a farce.

If you really want to know where you should improve, ask an NPC Official or a trainer who knows what they are doing and has competed or trained numerous professional athletes at the national level. Only they can speak from experience and years of knowledge. Do not underestimate the value of practicing your posing and the impact it will have on your scores.

“But, I Got Screwed!”

If I had a dollar for every time, I’ve heard someone say that after a show, or heard someone say that about a competitor, I’d be a billionaire…I am not joking. We all want to believe that it was “them” not “me” or the judges, promoter, expeditor, concession worker, janitor, blah, blah, blah. It all goes back to not wanting to hear the truth. You may not have been at your best that day or the competition was better than you for one reason or another (posing, presence, condition, symmetry, etc.)

What you may not realize is that a lot of criteria and variables go into judging. While the judges do their best to be objective, there is an element of subjectivity that comes into play that can make a difference in where someone places in any given show. As a competitor, you must be realistic and exercise sportsmanship no matter what happens. Of course, your family, friends and trainer believe you should win. But the judges do their job to the best of their ability. Several judges score each competitor to arrive at the composite scores. This is done intentionally to give each competitor the best shot at scoring fairly.

The trainers who are encouraging you to proceed to the national level after placing at a state show (or two) have their own motives which may not serve your best interests. Their purpose revolves around the almighty dollar. If you are going solely “to be seen,” it is a waste of time. Nobody will remember you and the judges will not either. At the nationals, the top 15 will compete in any class, but only the top 5 will pose on stage and are actually “seen.”

If you really want to know what your strengths and weak points are, ask a head judge, judge or the chairman what they think about your ability to make it at the national level. They have been doing this a long time and will be honest with you. The difference between them and your trainer is that you are not paying them.

The Proof is in the Statistics

We do not allow first year medical students to perform brain surgery. Why do first year competitors think they are ready to compete as IFBB Pros?

The statistics for the 2014 Jr. Nationals Bodybuilding Show say it all. Illinois had 114 athletes competing at the Jr. Nationals. Of the 114 that competed, only 10 competitors placed. Allow me to define “placed” for you. “Placed” means that the athlete came in first through fifth place and received a trophy. Our success rate at the 2014 Jr. Nationals was approximately 9%.

That means that roughly 100 athletes should have stayed at the state level and competed at the state level for a while before attempting another national level show.

Ask yourself: Are you going to be a contender or a pretender?