Bodybuilding Stage Wear and Show-Day Prep Apparel

Bodybuilding stage wear breaks into two categories: posing suits (the actual on-stage competition wear: trunks for men, bikinis for women's bikini/wellness, figure suits, physique board shorts) and prep apparel (training and warm-up apparel worn during the final 8 to 12 weeks of contest prep). Bear Grips Pro Shops does not make competition posing suits, trunks, figure suits, or bikinis. Bear Grips does make the prep apparel and stage-day support apparel that bodybuilding gyms typically run as part of their team apparel program. This guide covers what fits the platform and what to source elsewhere.

What Bear Grips Does and Doesn't Make for Stage Competition

Bear Grips does not make:

• Men's competition posing trunks (NPC, OCB, INBF)
• Women's bikini competition suits
• Women's wellness or figure competition suits
• Men's classic physique board shorts
• Custom-built crystal-bedazzled posing wear

Bear Grips does make:

• Stage-prep training crewnecks, joggers, hoodies worn during the final prep weeks
• 'Prep Squad' or 'Stage Team' merch for the gym athletes competing
• Coach polos and embroidered support staff apparel
• Gym-branded warm-up apparel worn at check-in, pump-up room, and post-show meet-and-greets
• Athlete-name personalized support tees for spectators and family

For posing suits, source from a specialty competition wear vendor (Angel Competition Bikinis, Body Beautiful, NPC-approved trunks vendors).

Stage-Prep Apparel for the Final 8 to 12 Weeks

• Crewneck sweatshirts. Most-worn piece during the final prep weeks. Provides warmth without the hood profile (helps athletes mentally visualize stage proportions). Perfect Soft Crewneck Sweatshirt ($34.88 VIP base) or Unisex Champion Crewneck ($41.88 VIP base).
• Premium fleece joggers. Loose-fit joggers worn over posing trunks for warm-up and walk-throughs. Unisex Premium Fleece Joggers ($48.88 VIP base) or Men's Pocket Sweatpants ($40.88 VIP base).
• Stage-prep tanks. Worn during posing practice in the gym. Mens Cut-Off Tank ($24.88 VIP base) is the standard.
• Long-sleeve performance shirts. Sport-Tek Long Sleeve Moisture Wicking ($29.88 VIP base) for outdoor prep cardio sessions.
• Cold-weather joggers and crewneck combo. Standard prep-week uniform for athletes preparing in cold-weather regions.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Stage-Day Support and Warm-Up Apparel

• Warm-up crewneck and joggers. Worn at check-in and during the pump-up window before going on stage. Stays on until just before the athlete steps to the curtain.
• Robe or robe-style cover-up. Worn between pre-judging and night show. Bear Grips does not stock dedicated stage robes; many athletes use a Comfort Soft Hoodie ($36.88 VIP base) for the cover-up role.
• Athlete-name back-print tank. Worn by the athlete at meet-and-greets and after the show. Personalized tank with the athlete's name and competition class.
• 'Prep Squad' supporter tees. Worn by family, coach, gym crew, and supporters in the audience. Builds visible audience support for the athlete.
• Coach polo. Worn by the athlete's coach at check-in, pump-up, and post-show. Sport-Tek Men's Performance Polo ($34.88 VIP base) is the standard.

Standard Pricing for Stage-Prep Apparel

Piece	VIP Base	Standard Retail	Margin
Perfect Soft Crewneck	$34.88	$56-$62	$21-$27
Champion Crewneck	$41.88	$64-$72	$22-$30
Premium Fleece Joggers	$48.88	$72-$80	$23-$31
Men's Pocket Sweatpants	$40.88	$62-$68	$21-$27
Cut-Off Tank (stage practice)	$24.88	$34-$40	$9-$15
Coach Polo	$34.88	$48-$54	$14-$20
Prep Squad Tee	$23.88	$32-$38	$8-$14

How a Gym Runs a Stage-Team Apparel Program

1. Build a dedicated 'Stage Team' or 'Prep Squad' design separate from the standard gym member design. Color-distinct (often the gym primary color in a high-saturation version).
2. Open the stage-team apparel as a limited-time drop 12 weeks before each major show. Close after the show.
3. Include: prep crewneck, prep joggers, prep tank, athlete-name personalized tank, coach polo, support tee for family.
4. Athletes order their full prep kit. Family and supporters order their support tees.
5. Treasury margin from stage-team apparel funds the gym's competition team travel (coach travel, athlete fees, show registrations).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bear Grips make competition posing trunks or bikinis?

No. Bear Grips does not make competition posing suits, trunks, bikinis, figure suits, wellness suits, or classic physique board shorts. For competition posing wear, source from specialty vendors (Angel Competition Bikinis, Body Beautiful, NPC-approved trunks vendors).

What should a competition athlete wear during the pump-up window?

Most athletes wear loose fleece joggers and a heavyweight pullover or crewneck over the posing trunks. The warm-up apparel stays on until the athlete is called to the curtain, then comes off backstage. Bear Grips Premium Fleece Joggers and the Perfect Soft Crewneck Sweatshirt fit this use case.

Can the gym personalize a support tee with the athlete's name and competition class?

Yes. Personalized text fields at checkout. Standard layout: athlete first name large on the back, competition class below ('Men's Physique Open' or 'Wellness Open A' or similar), gym logo on the chest.

Should a stage-prep athlete wear a hoodie or a crewneck during the final 4 weeks?

Crewneck. The hood adds visual mass that athletes prefer to avoid during the final weeks when they're walking through stage proportions in the mirror. The crewneck provides the warmth without the hood profile.