How Do You Earn Your IFBB Pro Card?

Know how to earn your IFBB Pro card with our comprehensive guide for NPC bikini athletes. Discover the steps, challenges, and financial planning needed to succeed in the competitive world of bodybuilding.

If you have spent years pushing yourself hard at the gym, you can take a step further and earn real rewards for all the tough workout sessions you did. Sure lifting weights and eating the right food might feel good, but some athletes might want more than just that.

You have seen others succeed in the world of bodybuilding, and now you want an in. Your dream of a career in bodybuilding and getting that IFBB pro card can come true. But how do you do it?

Professional cards like the IFBB pro card are no walk in the park, getting this card means you have a free-for-life card of an elite group. At this point, you can make a career out of competing and winning in the competition. But before you start thinking about the dream house or fancy parties, it is important to understand what it takes to go from an NPC bikini pro to an IFBB Pro card holder.

Becoming a professional in the field is a lot of work and incredibly tough. Out of thousands who give it their all, only a handful of athletes win the IFBB pro card. Most athletes also need another job to make ends meet while they train and compete, often working a 9 to 5 job.

Having experience in this field is important, it's not all about having a nice body, successful bodybuilders have a lot of competition experience (I mean that's how they became NPC pro card holders). If you are serious about winning an IFBB pro card, you need to win an NPC card, this can be a long process for a lot of athletes. There is a lot you need to master before and during your competition. There's a lot to master, from perfecting your diet to posing, tanning, and grooming. The more you compete, the more you will learn.

Here’s a breakdown for earning your IFBB pro card:

1. Joining NPC Competitions: First of all, you need to join the National Physique Committee as an amateur athlete. You can get your NPC card for around $100 to $120.
2. Compete in NPC shows: To earn your IFBB card, you need to compete in NPC shows and perform well. We recommend you compete in national qualifiers so you can get to bigger events. There are different categories you can choose from, all of these require you to compete in a micro bikini competition suit that helps increase your overall score.
3. Financial aspects: Competing can also take a big toll on your pocket, there are several registration fees, tanning processes, micro bikini competition suits, and travel costs also for national events. So, make sure to make a budget.
4. National shows: Once you qualify through a national qualifier, you can easily move on to national shows like Nationals and USA championships, this is where winners in different height classes earn IFBB cards.
5. Career: Earning your IFBB pro card means you can now compete at the highest level with the best athletes in the world. Competing in these shows will not only improve your skills but they will also gain points to compete in events like Olympia.

But never forget, the journey to your IFBB Pro card is competitive and challenging. It requires unwavering dedication, a realistic outlook, and careful financial planning.

Very few NPC bikini athletes reach this status, so it's crucial to have a backup plan and approach it with determination.

If you're ready to put in the work, this could be your opportunity to shine in the world of bodybuilding. For more details, be sure to check out our Essential Guide for First-Time Competitors.