How to Choose the Best WBFF Contest Prep Coach (The Ultimate Guide)
If you’re thinking about competing with the WBFF, one of the first questions that comes up is:
“Who is the best WBFF coach?”
The truth? There isn’t one single answer. The “best” coach depends on you your division, your timeline, your lifestyle, and the kind of support you need.
I’m Rafael Moret, and alongside my wife, WBFF Pro & posing coach Lais Villamur, we’ve spent nearly three decades coaching athletes, moms, dads, and first-timers onto WBFF stages worldwide. Together, we lead Team NXT LVL, named WBFF Team of the Year in 2022.
We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of contest prep. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what you should look for in a WBFF coach so you can step on stage with confidence and avoid wasting months with the wrong fit.
1. Experience & Track Record Matter
When you’re looking for the best WBFF coach, start with the basics: have they actually done this before?
Why Experience Is Everything
The WBFF isn’t the NPC or IFBB. It has its own divisions, judging criteria, and expectations. If your coach doesn’t know the difference, you could show up looking amazing but not in the right way for your category.
What to Ask a Potential Coach:
How many WBFF competitors have you coached?
Have any of your clients earned Pro status?
Do you have experience across multiple WBFF divisions (Bikini, Wellness, Figure, Transformation, Masters)?
Our Proof
We’ve taken women from busy moms to first-time competitors all the way to WBFF Pro Status. In 2022, Team NXT LVL, led by Rafael Moret and WBFF Pro Lais Villamur, was awarded WBFF Team of the Year. Our athletes have won in Bikini, Wellness, Figure, Transformation, and Masters categories.
Key Takeaway: Don’t just pick a coach who has “contest prep” experience. Pick one who has WBFF contest prep experience.
2. Division Specialization: Bikini, Wellness, Figure & Beyond
Not every coach knows every category. The WBFF isn’t just about muscle it’s about aesthetic balance and presentation.
Bikini: Balance, shape, and stage presence.
Wellness: Lower-body development, feminine lines, confident flow.
Figure: Symmetry, conditioning, and muscle density.
Transformation: Storytelling, emotional impact, and visible change.
Masters Divisions (35+, 40+, 45+): Balancing peak performance with hormonal, metabolic, and lifestyle realities.
Why This Matters
If you’re prepping for Wellness and your coach only knows how to peak Bikini athletes, you’ll miss the category’s expectations.
Our Advantage
We’ve coached athletes to Pro status across every WBFF division. That matters because we know how to customize your training, nutrition, and posing so it aligns with the division you’re competing in.
3. Coaching Philosophy: Restrictive vs. Sustainable
Here’s a reality check: too many competitors quit not because they can’t handle prep but because their coach sets them up with an extreme, unsustainable plan.
Red Flags of a Restrictive Coach
Chicken, tilapia, and asparagus on repeat.
2+ hours of cardio daily.
No room for real life—birthdays, travel, family.
Our Philosophy
Evidence-based nutrition tailored to your body.
Flexibility: yes, you can fit tacos, ice cream, even wine into your prep.
A long-term mindset: stage prep should elevate your life, not make you hate it.
Key Takeaway: The best WBFF coach is the one who helps you win on stage and live your life outside of it.
4. Communication & Support: More Than a Check-In
This is the most overlooked part of prep. Ask yourself:
Will my coach only email me once a week?
Can I text them if I’m struggling at 9PM?
Do they know when I’m traveling or have family commitments?
Our Coaching Model
With Team NXT LVL, you’re not just a number on a spreadsheet. You have concierge-level support. We adjust plans in real time, keep you accountable, and coach you through the mental and emotional side of prep because that’s often harder than the workouts.
5. Posing & Stage Presence: The Game-Changer
Here’s the secret: the WBFF is a show. You can have the best physique in the room, but if you don’t know how to present it, you won’t win.
Why Posing Is Critical
Presentation is judged as much as conditioning.
Flow, confidence, and stage presence are key scoring factors.
Our Advantage
Posing is coached by WBFF Pro Lais Villamur, who specializes in stage presence and confidence. She has helped dozens of athletes transform from nervous first-timers into stage-winning performers.
Key Takeaway: If your coach doesn’t include posing, you don’t have a complete prep.
6. Testimonials & Results: Look Beyond Instagram
Anyone can post a before-and-after picture. That doesn’t mean they’re the best WBFF coach.
What to Look For
Multi-season client success (not one lucky athlete).
Show-day photos and placings.
Video testimonials or long-term client stories.
Our Track Record
From first-time competitors to WBFF Pros, we’ve built a culture of real results. In fact, many of our clients stay on long after their competition is over because the transformation goes far beyond stage day.
7. Personal Connection: Fit Matters
At the end of the day, you’ll spend months with your coach guiding your nutrition, training, posing, and mindset. If you don’t feel supported or connected, prep will feel like punishment.
That’s why we always start with a strategy session. It’s not just about whether you’re right for us it’s about whether we’re right for you.
FAQ Section
How long does WBFF contest prep take?
Most competitors need 12–16 weeks. Some start earlier depending on current body composition and category.
Do I need a posing coach for WBFF?
Yes. Posing is part of your score, and the WBFF expects confidence, flow, and presence—not stiff, robotic movements.
What makes the WBFF different from NPC or IFBB?
WBFF focuses on aesthetic shape, marketability, and stage presentation in addition to conditioning. It’s a lifestyle brand as much as a competition.
Can moms or people over 35 really compete?
Absolutely. Many of our athletes are moms or in their 40s and 50s. There are Masters divisions, and we’ve helped dozens of women earn Pro status in those categories.
So Who Is the Best WBFF Coach?
The best WBFF coach isn’t the cheapest plan or the flashiest Instagram account. It’s the one who:
Knows your division.
Understands your lifestyle.
Provides real-time support.
Offers posing and presentation coaching.
Has the track record to prove it.
That’s what we’ve built at Team NXT LVL. With Rafael Moret leading strategy and WBFF Pro Lais Villamur leading posing and stage presence, we’ve coached athletes worldwide to Pro status, transformations, and confidence they never thought possible.
👉 If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, book your WBFF strategy session today: ContestPrepCoach.com
Author Bio
Written by Rafael Moret & Lais Villamur, co-founders of Team NXT LVL. Rafael has over 29 years of contest prep experience and was awarded WBFF Team of the Year (2022). Lais is a WBFF Pro and posing coach who specializes in stage presence and confidence. Together, they’ve helped dozens of athletes from first-timers to Pro card winners transform their bodies, their mindset, and their stage performance.