I feel that being a taller bodybuider, at almost 6'-0", I would by default need to compete in a heavier weight class to be competitive in terms of size relative to ones proportions (height and weight). So here is the question. RELATIVE TO MY HEIGHT WHERE WOULD ONE TEND TO HAVE GREATER SUCCESS....TO COMPETE AT THE LOW END OF "HEAVY-WEIGHT" OR THE HIGH END OF "LIGHT-HEAVY WEIGHT"?

Well. I am about 5'11" and will compete as a LHW, around 185lbs. I've always been told not to worry about weight class, focus on condition and let the weight fall where it may. Based on how tall you are, what muscle mass you have, and your symmetry, I think we would all guess you to be a HW. HW's tend to carry more "mass" and generally aren't as lean as the lower weight classes. So, if you come in on the low end of the class, you will most likely have an advantage in condition if you are 199 and real lean. Either way, focus on condition and see what happens.

My 2 cents.

Dwayne

Brian,
I understand your thinking. And I completely agree with Dwayne, I will be doing my first show in about 7 months, and I am just going to go for conditioning, regardless of what weight class I fall in. I want to be the best I can be, not a little less so I could make cut-offs for some weight class.
Chris

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is worrying about the scale.

See Rogers post elsewhere regarding stress and the myth that we look better the day after a comp because of eating.

On top of the damage mental stress causes, the competitor will usually over do cardio and undereat ending up under making the lower wieght class. The cost? They are usually flat, smooth, and have a very poor attitude because they are so overtrained.

I have blown more than one comp prep worrying about making weight. Forget about the scale.

Worry about bringing your best package to the stage and you will do fine.

Take a look at some of the No Nonsense articles and note the number of competitors that have won their class or the overall when they were at the BOTTOM of their class.

If you are tall sure you it would be nice to have another 10 or 20 lbs of muscle. But the same could be said for us short guys. :-)

Ray

This contest weight thing is one of the most frustrating parts of this sport for me. I also have been told by Roger, Mark and others - Don't worry about the scale, just focus on conditioning. I think that no matter how many times I hear it, I'll still be anxious as I see my weight dropping running up to a contest. They are right of course, conditioning is much more important than what you weigh, but there is a mental thing about the weight that follows me around, especially since I have been such a slow/hard gainer.

In your case Brian I'd say that you will be in a good postion either way - if you are in great condition and hit the top end of the Lt Heavies, fine. If you end up on the bottom end of the Heavy Weights but are ripped you will still do well. In my experience there tend to be fewer Heavy Weight competitors at the amature level who come in really conditioned, many are big but too smooth, so if you peak right you will look very good standing next to them.

And one more thought - I for one, and I know that there are many others, really compete against myself anyway. I feel like I have accomplished something if I have improved and have come into the contest in good condition. If I win, great, if not it does not freak me out because I can only control me, not the other guys.

So just do your best to be your best and you will be a winner no matter how you place or what division you end up in.

VA MadDog