You might have expected great wealth to come along with a bikini athlete’s celebrity appearance.

Competitors don’t receive a fixed salary or grant. Instead, their money comes from a bunch of different revenue streams. Which we will talk about later in this blog.

But for the time being, let’s focus on how much money bikini competitors and pro athletes make. As it happens, it changes. However, the majority of bikini competition athletes depend on a couple of these various revenue-boosting schemes. Prize money given to professional bodybuilders is not publicly disclosed by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB). On the other hand, it is commonly recognized that elite IFBB professionals can make large sums of money through endorsements, sponsorships, and competition victories.

The winner of the Olympia competition, widely regarded as the most prestigious bodybuilding competition globally, stands to earn up to $300,000 to $400,000 in prize money, the top-placing contestants will receive smaller sums.

Aspiring bikini competition athletes sometimes believe that “I’ll make a lot of money competing, once I get my pro card,” after learning that fitness competition rewards can exceed thousands of dollars. It’s true that if you perform well in your division, you can receive a small portion of your earnings from competition prize money, but becoming a professional bodybuilder does not guarantee a living.

It’s important to remember that very few bodybuilders ever move to the IFBB pro level, and even those who do may earn a wide range of salaries based on their level of success and business acumen.

Pro bikini competition athletes or winners can make a substantial living from sponsorships and endorsements from businesses in the fitness and supplement sectors, in addition to prize money. Athletes’ success and popularity in fitness competitions, their following on social media, and their place in the fitness community can all have a significant impact on how much money they make from these competitions.

Now, let’s talk about ways you can make more money in the fitness industry –

1. Personal Training –Since you enjoy working out, go one step further and make the most of your entire day there by being certified in personal training and charging for services offered to a steady clientele.
2. Contest Coaching –If you’ve won a lot of competitions, have a strong resume, and possess certifications in nutrition and personal training, you might be able to help others prepare for the stage moment athletes wait for months.
3. Sponsorship –Pay-for-performance sponsorships are hard to come by, but if you’re outgoing and have a significant social media following, you might be able to negotiate free products and an additional salary in return for appearances and social media posts. This can also help increase your fanbase.
4. Journalism –A bodybuilding or fitness competitionmedia organization might be interested in hiring you if you’re an excellent writer, photographer, cameraman, or interviewer. You can also start by doing interviews with new athletes, judges, or competition winners in exchange for exposure and travel fees, so you can be the first person they thought of when a full-time position opened up.
5. Tanning, Hair, and Makeup – This is not only for the ladies, but male competitors can also become pros and earn an extra source of income. Whether you are a woman or man In either case, it can be a terrific way to generate money at performances you’re not competing in since most of the athletes behind the stage need someone to help with their makeup, tan, or hair.

What’s the bottom line? Instead of competing for awards, or money, do it because you love it. To make ends meet, a lot of the top bodybuilders work “regular” jobs and there’s nothing wrong with it. But don’t ever stop working towards the dream of becoming a fitness competition PRO!

Good luck, ladies!