Top 5 Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Score on Stage

I have spent the day watching the novice classes at a show here in Vancouver and I have compiled my top 5 common mistakes that hurt your score on stage. It is heartbreaking to see someone with a great body lose points because of things that are completely within their control.

The biggest issue I see is poor posing endurance. Guys look great for the first two poses and then they start fading and lose their tightness in the legs. Second is the tan being either too streaky or way too dark which hides all the muscle separation. Third is not listening to the head judge during the callouts which just makes the whole process messy.

What are some other avoidable mistakes you have noticed? I think the fourth would be having a miserable facial expression and the fifth is definitely choosing a suit that does not fit your frame properly. I am curious if the veterans here agree with this list or if there are other red flags that judges hate to see.

Spot on, Dave. I’d bet a pint that "shoddy tan" was on your list. I saw a lad in London last month who looked like he’d been dipped in creosote—too dark and patchy, completely hid his muscle separation.

Tan is huge, but don't forget the 'shaking' during the mandatories. If you're vibrating like a leaf because your conditioning is off or you're just nervous, the judges can't get a clear look at your symmetry. It looks amateurish.

I have been looking into this myself and honestly the options are overwhelming. One mistake I keep seeing here in the States is guys 'posing too small.' They crunch down too hard to show abs and end up looking narrow and short. You gotta stay big even when you're flexing.

Totally agree with Mike! It's that 'collapsing' on the abs. Another one for me is the 'dead face.' If you look miserable, the judges feel miserable. A bit of charisma goes a long way in a close call.

In my experience at the Ontario shows, poor oil application is a silent killer. Too much and you look like a glazed doughnut under the stage lights; too little and you look flat. It’s a science getting that sheen just right.

You guys hit most of mine! My list was: 1. Poor Tan, 2. Rushing Transitions, 3. Collapsing the Ribcage, 4. Bad Oil, and 5. Ignoring the Judges' Instructions. I saw one guy today who kept hitting a front double bi when they asked for a lat spread—instant point deduction.

Ignoring the head judge is the fastest way to the bottom of the stack. They have a job to do, and if you're holding up the line by showboating, you're not doing yourself any favors.

What about the 'Novice Walk'? You know, when they walk on stage like they're heading to the shops for a loaf of bread? No flair, no presence, just walking. It kills the momentum before the first pose is even hit.

Yes! The walk is your intro. If you don't look like a champion when you're walking, why should they judge you like one? It’s all about that 'it' factor from the moment you step out of the wings.

I disagree on the oil being a top 5. I think conditioning trumps oil every day. If you're shredded, a little too much oil won't kill you, but being soft will—no matter how perfect your sheen is.

Fair point, Mike, but oil *hides* conditioning if it's too thick. It blurs the lines. I've seen guys lose a place because they looked 'wet' rather than 'defined.'

Another big one I noticed today: holding the breath. Their faces turn purple and their stomachs bloat out. It ruins the aesthetics of the midsection completely.

Breathing through the back is a skill most novices don't practice. They treat a stage set like a max effort deadlift.

Let's talk about the 'standing relaxed' pose. Half the guys let their guts out the second they aren't the primary focus of the judges. Big mistake. You're being judged the entire time you're on that stage.

Proper advice, TX! I call it the 'off-guard' trap. I tell my girls in the flat to practice holding their core tight for 15 minutes straight while just standing. It’s brutal but necessary.

What about the trunks/suit? I saw a guy today whose trunks were so loose they were sagging. It looked ridiculous and totally threw off his quad lines.

Ill-fitting suits are a tragedy. Especially in the bikini/wellness classes where the cut of the bottom can make or break the glute shape. Buy your suit early and adjust as you lean out folks!

Definitely. To summarize the thread so far, the 'hidden' mistakes are often about etiquette and presentation rather than just the muscle. You can have the best body in the room and still lose to a 'lesser' physique that presents better.

That's the hard truth of bodybuilding. It’s a beauty pageant for muscles. If the packaging is rubbish, people won't buy the product.