Finding Talent at a Bodybuilding Competition

[Hot4latin]

So I did a thing this weekend that took me way out of my comfort zone. I attended a bodybuilding competition and propositioned a competitor for a private posing session. I waited until after the show to make my approach but in the end, was not successful. He was nice about it but just wasn’t into that scene so it wasn’t at all a humiliating moment for me. Still, I’d like to hear from other muscle enthusiasts.  How do you approach a bodybuilder or fitness competitor and close the deal?  With the Olympia coming up in a few weeks, I’d like to get the courage to try this again with a little more confidence and preparation on my side. Providers, please chime in too.  What’s been effective for approaching you “out in the wild”? 

[56harrisond]

34 minutes ago, Hot4latin said:

I attended a bodybuilding competition and propositioned a competitor for a private posing session. I waited until after the show to make my approach but in the end, was not successful.

Did you find him on Grindr first and then talk with him?

[Guest]

Rest in peace Jimmy Z... he could speak on this for days lol ( historically your approach has been a bad idea, but I do commend your courage ) Rob T from muscleworship.com would attend bodybuilding shows to film for his website, but he preferred to contact people via the web, not a surprise tap on the shoulder.... athletes at bodybuilding shows are pretty preoccupied with the task at hand a lot of times they're hungry, they don't have much patience, and for that reason aside from others   its a good idea to give them their space. 

[Guest]

20 hours ago, Hot4latin said:

So I did a thing this weekend that took me way out of my comfort zone. I attended a bodybuilding competition and propositioned a competitor for a private posing session...

Wow. I gotta admire your courage. You get the Golden Cojones award!

I consider myself courageous, but what you did really takes balls! I'd love to know what you said. What were you prepared to offer? The most I would ever dare do is send him a private message on Instagram or something. Hats off to you.

 

Edited September 19, 2023 by Unicorn

[+ DrownedBoy]

Bodybuilders at competitions need sponsors. And gay men are no strangers at such competitions. Nothing wrong with asking.

However, I wouldn't approach a bodybuilder directly at a competition.  Find another way to contact them. They need the money, but they don't want others knowing.

[Hot4latin]

Thanks everyone for the comments so far (especially you, Vin Marco 😍).  To add a little more context; I met this particular competitor on the elevator two days earlier when I was checking in to the hotel so the proposition wasn’t first contact. I also knew that he was 22 and there alone with no family or supporters. I have the gift of folksy small talk, I guess. So in this grand fantasy playing out in my head, I was going to be his supporter for the weekend. 😂  I’m also an amateur photographer and this isn’t my first competition (though the first time I’ve propositioned anyone).  I’ve found that photos are a great gateway to introductions and conversation. So as Competitor X’s self-proclaimed fan club and photographer, I broke the ice by showing him his photos and letting him know how good he looked on stage. Flattery along with a dose of seeing how you looked prior to the official photographer dropping pics can go a long way. I have yet to find a competitor who doesn’t want to see himself and how he compared to the competition in the lineup. The photo sharing happened about two hours after his division so he had time to get something to eat, drink, etc.  I don’t think he was depleted or hangry.  Also, we were having this discussion in an area off to the side of the auditorium lobby so there was no fear of being exposed or overheard.  I was always mindful of who was around us.  When he declined, he said “sorry, but I’m not gay”.  We continued chatting a little more so things didn’t end abruptly so I didn’t crash and burn. Perhaps if I had emphasized $, the answer would have been different. Who knows.  It was a valiant first try. But still, I would like to improve my odds of success. I suspect the Olympia will be a different beast as there will be a lot of non-competing talent in attendance. I’m sure RM and the apps will present many options as well. 

BTW, I got to meet three other competitors whose physiques caught my eye. I shared their photos with them and they were extremely pleased and grateful.  They were all with family and supporters so I didn’t pursue it any further than compliments, photos, and “bruh” stuff. 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Hot4latin

[Hot4latin]

Two more things to add.  I do not have any of the socials for these athletes. There was no program.  I had no idea who would be competing prior to the event.  I had to listen for names during the show and hope I spelled/heard them right.

Also, I did happen to see a couple of the other competitors on the hookup apps.  I attempted contact there but got no response.  It wasn’t that big a deal to me as their stats were not in my target zone (and likely mine were not in their’s either).  

 

[Guest]

42 minutes ago, Hot4latin said:

Two more things to add.  I do not have any of the socials for these athletes. There was no program.  I had no idea who would be competing prior to the event.  I had to listen for names during the show and hope I spelled/heard them right.

Also, I did happen to see a couple of the other competitors on the hookup apps.  I attempted contact there but got no response.  It wasn’t that big a deal to me as their stats were not in my target zone (and likely mine were not in their’s either).  

 

The fact that you're a photographer plays in your favor...that's a perfect way to approach them, ask me how I know lol

Most competitors are going to want to photo document their hard work, again, ask me how I know lol 😂 mad props for your courage. 🙌🏽

[+ DrownedBoy]

22 hours ago, Hot4latin said:

Two more things to add.  I do not have any of the socials for these athletes. There was no program.  I had no idea who would be competing prior to the event.  I had to listen for names during the show and hope I spelled/heard them right.

Also, I did happen to see a couple of the other competitors on the hookup apps.  I attempted contact there but got no response.  It wasn’t that big a deal to me as their stats were not in my target zone (and likely mine were not in their’s either).  

 

On the hookups apps, did you mention you're generous? They probably get regular EDIT propositions every day. 

Edited September 20, 2023 by DrownedBoy

[Hot4latin]

54 minutes ago, DrownedBoy said:

On the hookups apps, did you mention you're generous? They probably get regular EDIT propositions every day. 

Naw, cuz the ones I saw on the apps weren’t what I was looking for.  I have a type. 😉

[CuriousByNature]

I agree that it takes a lot of courage to approach people in that scenario, but you evidently have a way about you that did not cause offence.   I haven't worked up the courage to even arrange a therapeutic massage yet, so perhaps I shouldn't comment, but it's not like you ran up on stage and grabbed the mike away from the emcee to make the proposition - lol.   We've seen that running onto the stage uninvited and taking the mike from the person who is supposed to be speaking does not generally garner a positive response. 😁

 

Edited September 21, 2023 by CuriousByNature

[Phlmuscle]

Suggest you  try a Musclemania competition. I never had any trouble getting guys willing to do photo shoots. 

[Hot4latin]

4 hours ago, Phlmuscle said:

Suggest you  try a Musclemania competition. I never had any trouble getting guys willing to do photo shoots. 

Funny you should mention that. MM is where I got my start in this hobby. Just never had the nerve to advance it further than taking photos. 

[crushme99]

You may run into problems with the event's security guys on the photography.  Increasingly it seems that promoters will forbid any competition photography other than whoever they have officially hired.  "Professional" cameras may not be allowed in the auditorium at all, which poses a dilemma.  The security guys may think that any camera with an attached lens thereby makes it "professional," but a pro-looking camera is more likely to impress and tempt a competitor.  I have seen photographers who just want pictures for themselves be escorted out of an auditorium.  In addition, promoters may likely ban any solicitation of photography anywhere at the venue.  At least that's what I have seen in the NPC / IFBB from the "Camera Nazis."

Edited September 23, 2023 by crushme99

[Hot4latin]

59 minutes ago, crushme99 said:

You may run into problems with the event's security guys on the photography.  Increasingly it seems that promoters will forbid any competition photography other than whoever they have officially hired.  "Professional" cameras may not be allowed in the auditorium at all, which poses a dilemma.  The security guys may think that any camera with an attached lens thereby makes it "professional," but a pro-looking camera is more likely to impress and tempt a competitor.  I have seen photographers who just want pictures for themselves be escorted out of an auditorium.  In addition, promoters may likely ban any solicitation of photography anywhere at the venue.  At least that's what I have seen in the NPC / IFBB from the "Camera Nazis."

That was the case at last weekend’s competition. Most in the audience were snapping pics with their iPhones (including me). As long as you stayed low and didn’t block anyone’s sight lines, security didn’t seem to care. They were more concerned with people capturing videos rather than stills. Knowing this beforehand, I didn’t bring by DSLR camera. Even without it, I was able to capture some good stage stills using the iPhone. Not sure if I’ll bring it along to the Olympia. I doubt it will be allowed in the competition. But perhaps in the Expo?  Could always keep it on-hand for a photo shoot or three with the visiting talent. 

[Rudynate]

On 9/18/2023 at 7:46 PM, Vin_Marco said:

Rest in peace Jimmy Z... he could speak on this for days lol ( historically your approach has been a bad idea, but I do commend your courage ) Rob T from muscleworship.com would attend bodybuilding shows to film for his website, but he preferred to contact people via the web, not a surprise tap on the shoulder.... athletes at bodybuilding shows are pretty preoccupied with the task at hand a lot of times they're hungry, they don't have much patience, and for that reason aside from others   its a good idea to give them their space. 

Right - it's called being "hangry," and it's a real thing.

[crushme99]

55 minutes ago, Hot4latin said:

I was able to capture some good stage stills using the iPhone.

Excellent.  Could you share any photos?  It would be great to see what appeals to you.

Edited September 23, 2023 by crushme99

[Guest]

20 hours ago, Rudynate said:

Right - it's called being "hangry," and it's a real thing.

Unfortunately, that's true, but not for everyone. I decided long ago that when I was in the middle of a long prep, and when I felt the grass  was starting to get thick in terms of being hungry, that it was my own burden caused by myself, and no one else therefore should take the brunt of my mood caused by a caloric deficit lol. I've programmed my mind to love that feeling of somewhat suffering because I know in order for it to work it has suck and hurt a little bit. A lot of times it's just an excuse for people to be assholes lol if we're gonna do this to ourselves, we have to learn to be patient and still be kind and respectful even in caloric deficits 🙂 

Edited September 24, 2023 by Vin_Marco

[Rudynate]

23 minutes ago, Vin_Marco said:

Unfortunately, that's true, but not for everyone. I decided long ago that when I was in the middle of a long prep, and when I felt the grass  was starting to get thick in terms of being hungry, that it was my own burden caused by myself, and no one else therefore nobody should take the brunt of my mood caused by a caloric deficit lol. I've programmed my mind to love that feeling of somewhat suffering because I know in order for it to work it has suck and hurt a little bit. A lot of times it's just an excuse for people to be assholes lol if we're gonna do this to ourselves, we have to learn to be patient and still be kind and respectful even in caloric deficits 🙂 

I'm the same - I have never lost my temper with anyone during a contest prep - but sometimes it takes nerves of steel not too.  My husband's oldest sister drives me crazy sometimes.  He forgot that I was going to be prepping for a show and invited her to come stay during that time.  She got there the night before we were to leave for LA for a national show.  I was so brittle that I didn't feel up to speaking with her when she got there and I asked my husband to explain.  The next morning I was able to be sparkly and nice and tell her how nice it was to see her.