Everything Valesco for the month of March!

Coach Tash on Competing!

Competing in this sport can feel like a daunting prospect. Some people prefer not to compete. Their drive and motivation comes from other sources. However, some of us love a bit of friendly competition, or want to get involved but are not sure whether they should take that step.  I wanted to share my experiences of functional fitness competitions; why I do it; the reality of competing and whether it's worth it. If you're contemplating entering a competition, then read on my friend; this one is for you. 

Competing is challenging. It can be exposing, it can make you feel vulnerable and uncertain. There’s something about competitions that never really gets easier no matter how many times you step onto the floor. That being said, would I do it again? My answer is always 100% YES!!

My journey with competitive sport actually started long before I found Valesco. When I was younger, I was a gymnast competing at a high national level. That was my first real experience of competition, and it taught me a lot early on. Competing was a form of reward. If I worked hard, I would be good enough to compete. It drilled in a fundamental key belief that I grew up with; namely if you want to be good at something, it takes consistency and commitment, but these things WILL eventually pay off. Competing in gymnastics was where I first experienced that feeling of everything coming together on the day and there’s nothing quite like it! That feeling of pure joy, your emotions taking over. It's overwhelming but in the best way.

Through school and sixth form, I played netball at county level. That’s where my love for team competition really grew. I realised that while individual success was rewarding, sharing those moments with a team makes them even more special. Winning, losing and pushing through tough moments makes it feel bigger when you’re in it together.

Fast forward a few years where I found Valesco. When I was initially introduced to functional fitness, it was just about a way of keeping fit. I didn't realise that competing was an option in this sport, let alone what it involved. It wasn’t until I was told about an in-house competition that something clicked. There were always those members that I liked being in class with. Mainly because they pushed me to try and get close to their scores and would keep me accountable. But then I entered the gym competition with these members and I was getting that reward feeling again.  I caught the bug pretty quickly after that and I wanted to know how I could start to compete on different levels. So I altered my training to focus on how I could meet standards for certain competitions and I've never looked back.

From there, competing has been one of the main reasons why I train. I’ve always had a competitive streak, and having something to aim for gives my training real purpose. My preference is to compete as part of a team, because for me, this is where most of my enjoyment comes from. The highs are higher when you share them. The nerves feel lighter when you’re not carrying them alone. And when things get tough, having your teammates beside you makes a difference you can’t quite put into words.

More recently, I’ve had the opportunity to compete at events like the Arnold Fitness Games, which was my second time on that stage. Every competition is different and there are always multiple feelings that emerge. In fact, despite all my previous experience, some feelings still show up, which, if we are being honest, we all relate to.

There’s always that voice in the lead-up. The one that tells you you’re not ready. That you’re not strong enough, not fit enough, not good enough. The anxiety builds, the “what ifs” creep in, and suddenly something you were excited about starts to feel overwhelming. That feeling doesn’t go away just because you’ve competed before either and for me, it shows up every time in some form or another. This can be really tough when things don't go your way.

I've had it where workouts haven't gone as expected on the day; where I felt like I could have pushed harder or I missed a lift I usually bank every time. Last year I injured my ankle at a comp badly enough that I had to pull out and so many thoughts and emotions flooded through me; ' I've let my team down; I've let myself down, all that training has been for nothing". But this is where being part of a team has always helped me. You’re not in it alone. Your teammates pick you up, keep you grounded, and remind you that one moment doesn’t define the whole experience. It makes those tougher moments more manageable and reinforces that it’s okay when things aren’t perfect. It was also pretty handy having a medical Consultant in the team to help in that moment...  but in all seriousness, those experiences made me so much stronger than I was before. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. It has taught me so much about myself and how I cope with the difficulties I encounter and how to bounce back from them. We can all ride the positive train when things are always going well. The true test is how you manage when things go wrong.

But competitions are not just about anxiety and nervous energy. The other feelings that come to the fore can be pretty special. We all know the feeling when that workout is feeling "easy" and you're heading for a great score. Well, doing that on the competition floor and it paying off is a feeling of achievement that is hard to match. And when you share that with a team, it’s even better. The buzz, the energy, the pride... it sticks with you.

That’s why I always encourage people who are even slightly curious about competing to give it a go. You don’t have to jump straight into a big external competition. In-house comps are the perfect place to start. They’re supportive, familiar, and designed to be inclusive. You’ll be surrounded by people who want you to do well, and you might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

We’ve got our first "Friday Night Lights" coming up at V2 at the end of April, and if you’ve been on the fence, this is your sign to get involved. Another option for those members with a bit more experience and are curious about competing is to join team training. It’s a great way to get a feel for some workouts at a more advanced level, build confidence, and train alongside others who are in the same boat.

At the end of the day, competing isn’t about being the best in the room. It’s about challenging yourself, stepping outside your comfort zone, and seeing what you’re capable of when it counts;  enjoying the process and if you decide to do it as a team, building strong bonds with like-minded people.