Do BIG scars affect competition

[vincent vega]

Hi, I would like to compete maybe next season but.... i have a couple of BIG scars.

The first is on my right bicep. It covers my complete upper arm and is about 300mm long (from shoulder to elbow). I have a small amount of muscle tissue missing which gives an irregular shape and a lot of lumpy skin grafting which looks a bit like cold pizza.

The second is on my ass to half way down my right thigh. It is also messy with missing muscle tissue and lumpy grafting.

I have some heavy big tatoos to hide other scarring.

The question is will i be able to compete? If so how will the scarring affect the comps?

I have been told that i can cover scarring with make-up but that will still leave me irregular shape.

I do still have excellent strength in both sides and covered up you wouldn't tell the difference when i work out at the gym.

[Darwinstef]

Hey mate,

To start with I wouldn't let anything put you off competing if thats what you want to do. By all accounts there have been people competing with missing limbs so if its what you want to do then do it.

What you may mean is will BIG scars make you less competitive? Scars as such shouldn't affect you to much. As you stated they will cover up with tan/makeup and as long as you can still see muscle definition through them it won't matter.

Actual muscle tissue damage may affect your scoring espically if you are in a close competition.

Judges judge on symmetry amongst other things and a small imbalance may work against you.

There may be some competitors on here who have their own scars, muscle damage who can give you some feedback.(Judges feedback appreciated).

As I said at the start, if you want to do it, do it

[michaelk]

Check out George Farrah who went to the Olympia after being shot several times in the stomach and our own Salah who competed in 2 pro shows last year after recovery from a knife attack, scars may effect your appearance but should not stop your desire to have go.

How many people stand onstage with perfect everything...theres weak arms, underdeveloped legs, soft abs, a few scars shouldn't stop you.

Hell there was a guy in the CNI's some years back with a prosthetic leg, sure he didn't win....but he was in shape and didn't do himself any injustice being up there.

As long as you come in looking like you've done the hard work or dieting and training, you will get all the respect.