How to prepare a bodybuilding check-in for your coach

Confirm your coach's requirements

Ask your coach which photos, measurements and other details they need, how often they want a check-in and how they want to receive it. A simple written checklist helps avoid rebuilding the process each week.

• Photo views: which angles, sides and poses should you include?
• Presentation: relaxed, flexed or specific competition poses?
• Numbers: do they want weight or particular body measurements?
• Context: which notes should accompany the record?
• Delivery: when is it due and which sharing channel should you use?

Different coaches and competition contexts may call for different information. A check-in is not automatically a federation submission. Confirm any event-specific requirements with the relevant organiser or your coach rather than assuming one universal protocol.

Repeat your location and lighting

Choose a clear space with room to capture all the requested views. Keep the camera stable and repeat its height, distance and orientation.

Use the same light direction and similar clothing each time. A change in camera angle or shadow can make it harder for your coach to compare your current photos with the previous set.

Before taking the full set, check that your head, feet and pose fit within the frame. Leave space for any pose that extends your arms. If you change location or your normal setup isn't possible, mention that when you send the record.

Keep the pose sequence consistent

Take the views in the same sequence each time. Match each pose to its earlier equivalent and repeat the same side for side views. Follow the version of the pose your coach has requested.

My Gym Body supports Basic 3 Images, Physique Poses, Competition Poses and custom sets. A custom set can help you organise the particular views you have agreed to capture.

Review the set before packing away your camera. A missing or poorly framed view is easier to retake while the lighting and position are still set up.

Include the date and useful context

Make the check-in date clear. Use a consistent date format when you refer to earlier records, so your coach can tell which period is being discussed.

Keep any accompanying notes short and factual. Useful context might include a changed photo location, a missed requested view or a question you want your coach to address.

Send notes through your agreed communication channel if they are not part of the check-in output. You do not need to turn every check-in into a long narrative, and you should not assume that a photograph tells your coach everything about how you are doing.

Record weight and measurements when requested

Confirm which measurements your coach wants and how they want you to take them. Keep your method, units and timing consistent across entries.

Enter supported measurements manually in My Gym Body and review the dates and values before sharing. Check for a mistyped number or a unit mismatch rather than changing an unexpected entry simply because it looks different from the last one.

If you didn't take a requested measurement, tell your coach. Don't fill the gap with an estimate presented as a measurement.

Make the information easy to review

Your coach should be able to identify the current set and understand what it contains without searching through unrelated images.

• Keep photos in the agreed order.
• Use comparable views and clear date context.
• Include the requested measurements that you have actually recorded.
• Separate questions from factual notes.
• Identify any changed conditions that affect the comparison.

For your own review, My Gym Body's Side by Side, Split and Overlay views let you inspect compatible photo sets from different dates. Keep the interpretation of your individual plan and next steps with your coach.

Prepare and share a My Gym Body PDF

1. Capture and organise: prepare the photo set that fits the agreed check-in.
2. Record measurements: add the supported numerical information you need.
3. Review: check your dates, views and recorded values.
4. Generate the PDF: prepare your coach-ready check-in.
5. Inspect the output: confirm that the photos and details you intended are present and readable.
6. Share: use your phone's native sharing options and your agreed channel.

Check the recipient and the selected file before sending. Add any extra context through your chosen communication channel. This workflow prepares a record for your coach; it does not create an in-app messaging conversation.

A final check before you send

• I've followed my coach's requested views and poses.
• The photos are consistently lit and framed.
• The date and check-in context are clear.
• The measurements and units have been checked.
• Any missing information or changed conditions are explained.
• I've reviewed the PDF and selected the intended recipient.

After sharing, keep the next capture setup as consistent as practical. A useful history comes from repeating a clear process.