Hey,
I've been body building on and off for the last three years but really hit it hard for a year now I'm about 5'8" and 13.5 stone and becoming to really look the part if you get me I'd like to compete some time next year but was told before competition I should have at least 4 years of complete torture in the gym before I even think of competing is this right?
That is not true, many people have competed with less time some have needed more, you should compete when you look and feel ready, not based on some arbitrary number of years in the gym.