Bodybuilding is a form of
body modificationBody modification is the deliberate altering of the human body for non-medical reasons, such as sexual enhancement, a rite of passage, aesthetic reasons, denoting affiliation, trust and loyalty, religious reasons, shock value, and self-expression....
involving intensive
muscle hypertrophyMuscle hypertrophy is the increase of the size of muscle cells. It differs from muscle hyperplasia, which is the formation of new muscle cells.- Muscular hypertrophy :...
; an individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of
judgeA judge, or arbiter of justice, is a lead official who presides over a court of law, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is like an umpire in a game and...
s, who assign points based on their appearance. The muscles are revealed through a combination of
fatIn histology, adipose tissue or body fat or just fat is loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. Adipose tissue is derived from lipoblasts. Its main role is to store energy in the form of fat, although it also cushions and insulates the body...
loss,
oilAn oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and is hydrophobic but soluble in organic solvents. Oils have a high carbon and hydrogen content and are nonpolar substances. The general definition above includes compound classes with otherwise unrelated chemical structures,...
s, and
tanSun tanning, also called bronzing, is the act of exposing the skin to ultraviolet radiation, for the purpose of darkening skin color, either during sun bathing or using artificial sources, such as tanning beds....
ning (or tanning lotions) which combined with lighting make the definition of the muscle group more distinct.
People well-known for being bodybuilders include
Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian American bodybuilder, actor, businessman, and politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of the state of California....
,
Lou FerrignoLouis "Lou" Jude Ferrigno is an American bodybuilder and actor. Ferrigno has appeared in such television series and movies as Bill Bixby's bulky alter ego, The Hulk, in The Incredible Hulk, Pumping Iron, Sinbad of the Seven Seas, Hercules, and most recently in the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man. He...
, and
Charles AtlasCharles Atlas, born Angelo Siciliano , was the developer of a bodybuilding method and its associated exercise program that was best known for a landmark advertising campaign featuring Atlas's name and likeness; it has been described as one of the longest-lasting and most memorable ad campaigns of all...
. Currently, three time winner
Jay CutlerJay Cutler is an IFBB professional bodybuilder and the current Mr. Olympia, a title he has won three times.-Vital statistics:* Height: 5'9" * Arms: * Waist: * Thighs:...
holds the title of
Mr. OlympiaMr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding portion of Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilders...
, as the world's top bodybuilder.
Early years
The "Early Years" of Western Bodybuilding are considered to be the period between 1880 and 1930.
Eugen Sandow
Bodybuilding did not really exist prior to the late 19th century, when it was promoted by a man from
PrussiaPrussia was a historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries this state had substantial influence on German and European history...
(
GermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium,...
) named
Eugen SandowEugen Sandow , born Friedrich Wilhelm Müller, was a Prussian pioneering bodybuilder in 19th century and is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Bodybuilding".-Early life:...
, who is now generally referred to as "The Father of Modern Bodybuilding". He is credited as being a pioneer of the sport because he allowed an audience to enjoy viewing his physique in "muscle display performances". Although audiences were thrilled to see a well-developed physique, those men simply displayed their bodies as part of strength demonstrations or wrestling matches. Sandow had a stage show built around these displays through his manager,
Florenz ZiegfeldFlorenz "Flo" Ziegfeld, Jr. was an American Broadway impresario. He is best known for his series of theatrical revues, the Ziegfeld Follies , inspired by the Folies Bergère of Paris. He was known as the "glorifier of the American girl".-Early life and career:Ziegfeld was born in Chicago to German...
. The Oscar winning 1936
musical filmThe musical film is a film genre in which several songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative. The songs are usually used to advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but some musical films simply plop the songs in as unrelated "specialties" - as with Carmen Miranda's...
The Great ZiegfeldThe Great Ziegfeld is a musical film produced by MGM. Although the film is a fictionalized biography of Florenz Ziegfeld from his show business beginnings to his death, it showcases a series of spectacular musical productions. The film includes original music by Walter Donaldson and Irving Berlin...
, depicts this beginning of modern bodybuilding, when Sandow began to display his body for carnivals. The role of Sandow was played by actor
Nat PendletonNathaniel Greene Pendleton was an American Olympic wrestler and film actor.-Early life:Pendleton was born in Davenport, Iowa to Adelaide E. and Nathaniel G. Pendleton. He studied at Columbia University where he began his wrestling career. He was twice Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association ...
.
Sandow became so successful at flexing and posing his physique, he later created several businesses around his fame and was among the first to market products branded with his name alone. He was credited with inventing and selling the first exercise equipment for the masses (machined
dumbbellA dumbbell is a piece of equipment used in weight training, and is a type of free weight. They can be used individually or in pairs .-History:...
s, spring
pulleyA pulley, also called a sheave or a drum, is a mechanism composed of a wheel on an axle or shaft that may have a groove between two flanges around its circumference. A rope, cable, belt, or chain usually runs over the wheel and inside the groove, if present...
s and tension bands) and even his image was sold by the thousands in "cabinet cards" and other prints.
Sandow was a strong advocate of "the Grecian Ideal" (this was a standard where a mathematical "ideal" was set up and the "perfect physique" was close to the proportions of ancient Greek and Roman statues from classical times). This is how Sandow built his own physique and in the early years, men were judged by how closely they matched these "ideal" proportions. Sandow organised the first bodybuilding contest on 14 September 1901 called the "Great Competition" and held in the
Royal Albert HallThe Royal Albert Hall is an arts venue situated in the Knightsbridge area of the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
,
London[]London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It has been a major settlement for two millennia, and the history of London goes back to its founding by the Romans, when it was named Londinium. London's core, the ancient City of London, the 'square mile', retains its medieval boundaries...
,
UKThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
. Judged by himself, Sir Charles Lawes, and
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle,
DL was a British physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
, the contest was a huge success and was sold out and hundreds of physical culture enthusiasts were turned away. The trophy presented to the winner was a bronze statue of Sandow himself sculpted by Frederick Pomeroy. The winner was William L. Murray of Nottingham, England. The most prestigious bodybuilding contest today is the
Mr. OlympiaMr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding portion of Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilders...
, and since 1977, the winner has been presented with the same bronze statue of Sandow that he himself presented to the winner at the first contest.
First large-scale bodybuilding competition in America
On 16 January 1904, the first large-scale bodybuilding competition in America took place at
Madison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four arenas in New York City. It is also the name of the entity which owns the arena and several of the professional sports franchises which play there. There have been four incarnations of...
in
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
. The winner was Al Treloar and he was declared "The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World". Treloar won a $1,000 cash prize, a substantial sum at that time. Two weeks later,
Thomas EdisonThomas Alva Edison was an American inventor, scientist and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb...
made a film of Al Treloar's posing routine. Edison also made two films of Sandow a few years before, making him the man who made the first three motion pictures featuring a bodybuilder. In the early 20th century,
Bernarr MacfaddenBernarr Macfadden was an influential exponent of physical culture, a combination of bodybuilding with nutritional and health theories...
and
Charles AtlasCharles Atlas, born Angelo Siciliano , was the developer of a bodybuilding method and its associated exercise program that was best known for a landmark advertising campaign featuring Atlas's name and likeness; it has been described as one of the longest-lasting and most memorable ad campaigns of all...
, continued to promote bodybuilding across the world.
Alois P. SwobodaAlois P. Swoboda was a Physical Culture mail-order instructor.Swoboda was born in Vienna on March 8 1873, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1881 with his father, Adolf Swoboda. They settled in Omaha, Nebraska where he quickly found work in the local bathhouses. Mr...
was an early pioneer in America.
Notable early bodybuilders
Many other important bodybuilders in the early history of bodybuilding prior to 1930 include: Earle Liederman (writer of some of the earliest bodybuilding instruction books),
Zishe BreitbartZishe Breitbart was a Polish-born circus performer, vaudeville strongman and Jewish folklore hero. He was known as the "Strongest Man in the World" and "The Ironking" during the 1920s, and was born into an Orthodox Jewish family of blacksmiths in Łódź. He traveled and performed extensively in...
,
Georg HackenschmidtGeorg Karl Julius Hackenschmidt was an early 20th-century Estonian strongman and professional wrestler. Born in Estonia and living most of his life in London, England, he was nicknamed "The Russian Lion" .The first widely recognized World Heavyweight Champion in wrestling history,...
, Emy Nkemena, George F. Jowett, Finn Hateral (a pioneer in the art of posing), Monte Saldo, Launceston Elliot, Sig Klein, Sgt. Alfred Moss, Joe Nordquist, Lionel Strongfort (Strongfortism), Gustav Fristensky (the Czech champion),
Ralph ParcautRalph Edward Parcaut was a professional wrestler in the early part of the 20th Century. He served in the U.S. Marines in World War I and won gold medals at the A.E.F. Games in Germany following the War, and at the Inter-Allied Games held near Paris in 1919...
, a champion wrestler who also authored an early book on "physical culture," and Alan C. Mead, who became an impressive muscle champion despite the fact that he lost a leg in
World War IWorld War I , also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance...
.
1950s and 1960s
Bodybuilding became more popular in the 1950s and 1960s with the emergence of strength and gymnastics champions joining the sport, and the simultaneous popularization of muscle training, most of all by
Charles AtlasCharles Atlas, born Angelo Siciliano , was the developer of a bodybuilding method and its associated exercise program that was best known for a landmark advertising campaign featuring Atlas's name and likeness; it has been described as one of the longest-lasting and most memorable ad campaigns of all...
, whose advertising in comic books and other other publications encouraged many young men to undertake weight training to improve their physiques to resemble the comic books' muscular superheroes. Of notable athletes, US national and gymnastics champion and US Olympic weightlifting team competitor
John GrimekJohn Carroll Grimek was born on June 17, 1910 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, son of Slovak immigrants George and Maria Grimek. Besides his bodybuilding exploits, he represented the United States in weightlifting at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin...
and British strength athlete
Reg ParkRoy "Reg" Park from Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, was a former bodybuilder, businessman and film actor.-Biography:...
as winners of newly-created bodybuilding titles such as the
Mr. UniverseMr. Universe may mean:Bodybuilding contests:* NABBA Mr. Universe, part of the Universe Championships* IFBB Mr. Universe, now the World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships* AAU Mr. Universe, organised by the Amateur Athletic Union...
and
Mr. AmericaMr. America can refer to:* AAU Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the Amateur Athletic Union from 1939 onwards.* IFBB Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the International Federation of BodyBuilders in 1949 and 1959-1988. Now the NPC National Bodybuilding Competition.* In the early...
competitions paved the way for others. Magazines such as
Strength & Health and
Muscular DevelopmentMuscular Development is an American fitness and bodybuilding magazine first published in 1964. It was founded by Muscular Development is an [[USA|American]] fitness and [[bodybuilding]] magazine first published in 1964. It was founded by...
were accompanied by the public notoriety of
Muscle BeachMuscle Beach refers to either Muscle Beach Venice, an area in Venice, California, United States, on Ocean Front Walk two blocks north of Venice Boulevard or to Original Muscle Beach, the actual and original location of "Muscle Beach", located on the beach two miles north of Venice, just south of...
. The casting of some bodybuilders in movies was another major vehicle for the sport's popularization. Of bodybuilder-actors perhaps the most famous were
Steve ReevesStephen L. Reeves was an American bodybuilder and actor.-Childhood:Born in Glasgow, Montana, Steve Reeves moved to California at the age of 10 with his mother Goldie, after his father Lester Dell Reeves died in a farming accident. Reeves developed an interest in bodybuilding while in high school...
and Reg Park, who were featured in roles portraying
HerculesHercules is the Roman name for the mythical Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. Early Roman sources suggest that the imported Greek hero supplanted a mythic Italic shepherd called "Recaranus" or "Garanus", famous for his strength, who dedicated the Ara Maxima that became...
,
SamsonSamson, Shimshon : שמשון, Standard Šimšon Tiberian ; meaning "of the sun" – perhaps proclaiming he was radiant and mighty, or "[One who] Serves [God]") or Shamshoun شمشون or Samson Σαμψών is the third to last of the Judges of the ancient Children of Israel mentioned...
and other legendary heroes.
Dave DraperDavid Draper bodybuilder, actor and author, nicknamed "The Blond Bomber".-Biography:Draper was born in Mount Olive, New Jersey...
gained public fame through appearances in
Muscle Beach PartyMuscle Beach Party is the second of seven beach party films produced by American International Pictures. It was made in 1964 and was directed by William Asher, who also directed four other films in this series...
, part of the "beach party" series of films featuring
Annette FunicelloAnnette Joanne Funicello is an American singer and actress. She was Walt Disney's most popular main cast member of The Mickey Mouse Club, and went on to appear in a series of beach party films.-Early life and early stardom:...
and
Frankie AvalonFrankie Avalon is an American actor, singer, sex symbol, and former teen idol.-Career:...
that began with
Beach Blanket BingoBeach Blanket Bingo is an American International Pictures beach party film, released in 1965 and was directed by William Asher. It is the fifth film in the beach party film series...
, and also in cameo appearances in television series such as the
Beverly Hillbillies. Other rising stars in this period were
Larry ScottLarry Scott, nicknamed "the Legend", born on October 12, 1938 in Blackfoot, Idaho is an American former IFBB professional bodybuilder.-Background:...
,
Serge NubretSerge Nubret is a professional bodybuilder, bodybuilding federation leader, movie actor and author. Serge was awarded many bodybuilding titles including Mr. Europe , Mr. Universe and Mr. World...
, and
Sergio OlivaSergio Oliva is a bodybuilder known as "The Myth". This sobriquet was given to him by bodybuilder/writer Rick Wayne. Wayne had begun calling Oliva "The Myth" "".-Early life:Oliva was born in Cuba on July 4, 1938...
. The gym equipment and training supplement industry founded by the
Joe WeiderJosef E. "Joe" Weider is the Canadian co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders along with brother Ben Weider and creator of the Mr. Olympia, the Ms. Olympia, and the now-defunct Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests...
were complemented by the growth of the
International Federation of BodyBuildersThe International Federation of BodyBuilders is a bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider. The IFBB is responsible for the Mr. Olympia, World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, and Ms. International competitions...
(IFBB) by his brother
BenBenjamin "Ben" Weider, OC, CQ was the co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders along with brother Joe Weider...
, which eventually displaced the
Amateur Athletic UnionThe Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs...
's Mr. Universe titles and also that of NABBA, the
National Amateur Bodybuilders AssociationThe National Amateur Bodybuilders Association is an organisation founded in 1950 to promote bodybuilding in the United Kingdom. The first contest it organised was the NABBA Mr. Universe which was held on June 24, 1950. The contest is still held today under the name Universe Championships.As...
as the most important and notable contests.
New organizations
In the 1970s, bodybuilding had major publicity thanks to
Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian American bodybuilder, actor, businessman, and politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of the state of California....
and Can Bakay in the 1977 film
Pumping IronPumping Iron is a 1977 documentary film about the run-up to the 1975 Mr. Olympia bodybuilding competition. The film focuses on Arnold Schwarzenegger and his competitors, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu. The documentary was co-directed by Robert Fiore and George Butler...
. By this time the
International Federation of BodyBuildersThe International Federation of BodyBuilders is a bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider. The IFBB is responsible for the Mr. Olympia, World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, and Ms. International competitions...
(IFBB) dominated the sport and the
Amateur Athletic UnionThe Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs...
(AAU) took a back seat.
The
National Physique CommitteeThe National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
(NPC) was formed in 1981 by Jim Manion, who had just stepped down as chairman of the AAU Physique Committee. The NPC has gone on to become the most successful bodybuilding organization in the U.S., and is the amateur division of the IFBB in the United States. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the decline of AAU sponsored bodybuilding contests. In 1999, the AAU voted to discontinue its bodybuilding events.
Rise of anabolic steroids
This period also saw the rise of
anabolic steroidAnabolic steroids, or anabolic-androgenic steroids , are a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue , especially in muscles...
s used both in bodybuilding and many other sports. In bodybuilding lore, this is partly attributed to the rise of "mass monsters", beginning with Arnold Schwarzenegger but including
Franco ColumbuFranco Columbu is a Sardinian actor and former bodybuilder and World's Strongest Man competitor.-Bodybuilding:Columbu was born in Ollolai, Sardinia. Starting out his athletic career as a boxer, Columbu progressed into the sport of Olympic Weightlifting, powerlifting and later bodybuilding, winning...
,
Lou FerrignoLouis "Lou" Jude Ferrigno is an American bodybuilder and actor. Ferrigno has appeared in such television series and movies as Bill Bixby's bulky alter ego, The Hulk, in The Incredible Hulk, Pumping Iron, Sinbad of the Seven Seas, Hercules, and most recently in the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man. He...
,
Dorian YatesDorian Andrew Mientjez Yates , is an English professional bodybuilder, winning the Mr...
,
Lee HaneyLee Haney , is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder most famous for being the current joint world record holder, along with Ronnie Coleman, for winning the most Mr...
, and
Paul DeMayoPaul DeMayo was a former IFBB professional bodybuilder.Paul DeMayo was nicknamed "Quadzilla" for his enormous quadriceps development. Born in California, United States and raised in suburban Boston, DeMayo first competed in bodybuilding when he placed 1st in the Teenage Massachusetts State...
and also the emergence of athletes such as
Rich GaspariRich Gaspari is a former professional bodybuilder from 1980s and early 1990s.Like many former and some current bodybuilders, Rich started his own supplement company. The company was formed in 2001. The company's products include "SuperPump250" and "Size ON", two popular bodybuilding supplements...
and
Andreas MunzerAndreas Münzer was an Austrian professional bodybuilder renowned for his extremely low bodyfat levels and death. Münzer appeared in Flex twice and Muscle Magazine International once.- Background :...
, who defied their natural genetics to attain size and hardness previously unimagined. To combat this, and in the hopes of becoming a member of the IOC, the IFBB introduced doping tests for both steroids and other banned substances. Although doping tests occurred, the majority of professional bodybuilders still used anabolic steroids for competition. During the 1970s the use of anabolic steroids was openly discussed partly due to the fact they were legal. However the U.S. Congress in the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 placed anabolic steroids into Schedule III of the
Controlled substance actThe Controlled Substances Act was enacted into law by the Congress of the United States as Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. The CSA is the federal U.S. drug policy under which the manufacture, importation, possession, use and distribution of certain...
(CSA). Similarly in Canada, in the wake of the Ben Johnson scandal, steroids were added to the
Criminal Code of CanadaThe Criminal Code of Canada is the codification of most of the criminal offences and procedure in Canada...
as a Class IV controlled substance (that class was created expressly for steroids).
World Bodybuilding Federation
In 1990, wrestling promoter
Vince McMahonVincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestler, promoter, in-ring announcer, play-by-play commentator and film producer. He currently serves as the chairman and chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment and is the majority shareholder of WWE. He is the creator...
announced he was forming a new bodybuilding organization, the
World Bodybuilding FederationThe World Bodybuilding Federation was a bodybuilding organization founded in 1990 by Vince McMahon that lasted until 1992. It was a subsidiary of Titan Sports which owned and operated the World Wrestling Federation.-Creation:...
(WBF). McMahon wanted to bring
WWFWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is a publicly-traded, privately-controlled integrated media and sports entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
-style showmanship and bigger prize money to the sport of bodybuilding. A number of IFBB stars were recruited but the roster was never very large, with the same athletes competing; the most notable winner and first WBF champion was
Gary StrydomGary Strydom is an American IFBB professionalbodybuilder. He is notable as being the only person to win a Championship title under Vince McMahon's now defunct World Bodybuilding Federation. After the fall of the WBF Strydom decided to take a long break from competing in the mid 1990s. Prior to...
. McMahon formally dissolved the WBF in July 1992. Reasons for this probably included lack of income from the pay-per-view broadcasts of the WBF contests, slow sales of the WBF's magazine
Bodybuilding Lifestyles (which later became
WBF Magazine), and the expense of paying multiple 6-figure contracts as well as producing two TV shows and a monthly magazine.
Olympic sport discussion
In the early 2000s, the IFBB was attempting to make bodybuilding an
OlympicThe Olympic Games are a major international event of summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes compete in a wide variety of events. The Games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in...
sport. It obtained full IOC membership in 2000 and was attempting to get approved as a demonstration event at the Olympics which would hopefully lead to it being added as a full contest. This did not happen. Olympic recognition for bodybuilding remains controversial since many argue that bodybuilding is not a sport.
Recent developments
In 2003, Joe Weider sold Weider Publications to AMI, which owns
The National EnquirerThe National Enquirer is an American supermarket tabloid now published by American Media Inc...
. The position of president of the IFBB is vacant following the death of Ben Weider in October 2008. In 2004, contest promoter Wayne DeMilia broke ranks with the IFBB and AMI took over the promotion of the Mr. Olympia contest. Other professional contests emerged in this period, most notably the
Arnold ClassicThe Arnold Classic, renamed Arnold Fitness Weekend, is an annual bodybuilding competition, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. It takes place in late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, United States.-History:...
and Night of Champions but also the European Grand Prix of Bodybuilding. Also with the growth of consumer lifestyles in Europe and especially in Eastern Europe following the collapse of the
Soviet UnionThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. The name is a translation of the , tr. Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik, abbreviated СССР, SSSR. The common short name is Soviet Union, from , Sovetskiy Soyuz...
saw whole new populations of bodybuilders emerge from those areas, and also from the Middle East and Asia.
Professional bodybuilding
In the modern bodybuilding industry, "
professionalProfessional bodybuilding or pro bodybuilding is a term that is used in the sport of bodybuilding, and may refer to several different concepts.- Income :...
" generally means a bodybuilder who has won qualifying competitions as an amateur and has earned a "pro card" from the IFBB. Professionals earn the right to compete in sanctioned competitions including the Arnold Classic and the Night of Champions. Placings at such competitions in turn earn them the right to compete at the
Mr. OlympiaMr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding portion of Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilders...
; the title is considered to be the highest accolade in the professional bodybuilding field. Steroid testing in these competitions is generally never done.
Natural bodybuilding
In natural contests bodybuilders are routinely tested for illegal substances and are banned for any violations from future contests. Testing can be done on urine samples, but in many cases a less expensive polygraph (lie detector) test is performed instead. What qualifies as an "illegal" substance, in the sense that it is prohibited by regulatory bodies, varies between natural federations, and does not necessarily include only substances that are illegal under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Illegal Anabolic steroids,
ProhormoneA prohormone is a substance that is a precursor to a hormone, usually having minimal hormonal effect by itself. The term has been used in medical science since the middle of the 20th century...
and
DiureticA diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of urination and thus provides a means of forced diuresis. There are several categories of diuretics...
s,
under widespread use by professional bodybuilders, are generally banned by natural organizations. Natural bodybuilding organizations include NANBF (North American Natural Bodybuilding Federation), and the NPA (Natural Physique Association). Natural bodybuilders assert that their method is more focused on competition and a healthier lifestyle than other forms of bodybuilding.
Female bodybuilding
The first U.S. Women's National Physique Championship, promoted by Henry McGhee and held in Canton, Ohio in 1978, is generally regarded as the first true female bodybuilding contest - that is, the first contest where the entrants were judged solely on muscularity. In 1980 the first
Ms. OlympiaMs. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the women's bodybuilding portion of Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilders . It was first held in 1980, and since 2000 it has been held at the same...
(initially known as the "Miss" Olympia), the most prestigious contest for professionals, was held. The first winner was
Rachel McLishRachel McLish née Raquel Livia Elizondo is an American female bodybuilding champion, actress and author.-Early life and education:...
who had also won the NPC's USA Championship earlier in the year. The contest was a major turning point for the sport of women's bodybuilding. McLish inspired many future competitors to start training and competing. In 1985, a movie called
Pumping Iron II: The WomenPumping Iron II: The Women is a documentary film about female bodybuilding, focusing on several women as they prepare for and compete in the 1983 Caesars World Cup....
was released. This film documented the preparation of several women for the 1983
Caesars PalaceCaesars Palace, is a luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, an unincorporated township in Clark County, Nevada, United States in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Caesars Palace is owned and operated by Harrah's Entertainment...
World Cup Championship. Competitors prominently featured in the film were Kris Alexander, Lori Bowen, Lydia Cheng, Carla Dunlap,
Bev FrancisBev Francis is a retired powerlifter and female bodybuilder from Australia.-Early life and education:Francis was born in 1955 in Geelong, Australia. She went to the University of Melbourne.-Bodybuilding career:...
, and Rachel McLish. At the time, Francis was actually a
powerlifterPowerlifting is a strength sport, consisting of three events: the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift.Powerlifting resembles the sport of olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. It evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same 3...
, though she soon made a successful transition to bodybuilding, becoming one of the leading competitors of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In recent years, the related areas of
fitness and figure competitionFitness and figure competition is a class of physique-exhibition events for women; while bearing a close resemblance to female bodybuilding, it emphasizes muscle tone over muscle size. These competitions are frequently held as part of the same events as bodybuilding contests.Fitness and Figure are...
have gained in popularity, surpassing that of female bodybuilding, and have provided an alternative for women who choose not to develop the level of muscularity necessary for bodybuilding.
Rachel McLishRachel McLish née Raquel Livia Elizondo is an American female bodybuilding champion, actress and author.-Early life and education:...
would resemble closely what is thought of today as a fitness and figure competition instead of what is now considered female bodybuilding.
Competition
In competitive bodybuilding, bodybuilders aspire to develop and maintain an
aestheticallyAesthetics is commonly known as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
pleasing (by bodybuilding standards) body and balanced physique. The competitors show off their bodies by performing a number of required poses - the front lat spread, the rear lat spread, the front double biceps, the back double biceps, the side chest, the side triceps, the most muscular, and the thigh abdominal. Each competitor also performs a
choreographedChoreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
posing routine to display their physique as well as aesthetics, and some are often very artistic in nature. A
posedownA posedown is the term commonly used to describe a period during bodybuilding contests when contestants pull a variety of poses to demonstrate their physique and muscular development, often including all contestants on stage together attempting to 'out do' their fellow competitors.A common or...
is usually held at the end of an evening-show judging, while the judges are counting points, and generally does not affect the result. Bodybuilders spend time practicing their posing technique as this has a large effect on how they are judged. Some bodybuilders have been renowned for the skill and artistry of their posing routines. These include
John GrimekJohn Carroll Grimek was born on June 17, 1910 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, son of Slovak immigrants George and Maria Grimek. Besides his bodybuilding exploits, he represented the United States in weightlifting at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin...
,
Ed CorneyEd Corney is an American former professional bodybuilder.-Bodybuilding career:Ed Corney is a legendary bodybuilder from the Golden Age of bodybuilding and is widely regarded as the greatest poser that the sport has ever known. He has won the IFBB Mr...
and
Bob ParisBob Paris is a writer, actor, public speaker, civil rights activist and former professional bodybuilder. Paris was the 1983 NPC American National and IFBB World Bodybuiding Champion, Mr. Universe....
. Others have made famous individual, often original poses, such as the side one-armed biceps in the case of
Larry ScottLarry Scott, nicknamed "the Legend", born on October 12, 1938 in Blackfoot, Idaho is an American former IFBB professional bodybuilder.-Background:...
and
Dave DraperDavid Draper bodybuilder, actor and author, nicknamed "The Blond Bomber".-Biography:Draper was born in Mount Olive, New Jersey...
.
In contrast to
strongmanIn the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
or
powerliftingPowerlifting is a strength sport, consisting of three events: the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift.Powerlifting resembles the sport of olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. It evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same 3...
competitions where
physical strengthPhysical strength is the ability of a person to exert force on physical objects using muscles. Increasing physical strength is the goal of strength training.-Overview:...
is important, or with Olympic weightlifting, where the main point is equally split between strength and technique, for bodybuilding competitions it is the, size, shape and symmetry that are the important factors during competition. The different types of competitions entail different training and
dietaryIn nutrition, the diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. Dietary habits are the habitual decisions an individual or culture makes when choosing what foods to eat. Although humans are omnivores, each culture holds some food preferences and some food taboos. Individual...
regimens.
Cutting and bulking
The general strategy adopted by most present-day competitive bodybuilders is to make muscle gains for most of the year (known as the "off-season") and approximately 12–14 weeks from competition attempt to lose
body fatIn histology, adipose tissue or body fat or just fat is loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. Adipose tissue is derived from lipoblasts. Its main role is to store energy in the form of fat, although it also cushions and insulates the body...
(referred to as "cutting") while minimizing the loss of muscle mass. Generally this involves reducing calorie intake and increasing
aerobic exerciseAerobic exercise is exercise that involves or improves oxygen consumption by the body. Aerobic means "with oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's metabolic or energy-generating process...
while monitoring
body fat percentageA person's total body fat percentage is the total weight of the person's fat divided by the person's weight. The resulting number reflects both essential fat and storage fat....
.
The precise effectiveness of the cutting and bulking strategy is unknown, with only limited observational case studies on the subject. No studies involving precise hypercaloric feeding combined with resistance exercise have been conducted.
Many non-competitive bodybuilders choose not to adopt this strategy, as it often results in significant unwanted fat gain during the "bulking" phase (particularly for those who do not use anabolic steroids). While competitive bodybuilders focus their efforts to achieve a peak appearance during a brief "competition season", most ordinary people prefer to maintain an attractive physique year-round. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a proper training program combined with a modestly hypercaloric diet with proper macronutrient balance can produce steady gains in size and strength, while avoiding significant increases in body fat.
Pre-competition
In the week leading up to a contest, bodybuilders may decrease their consumption of
waterWater is an ubiquitous chemical substance that is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and is essential for all known forms of life.In typical usage, water refers only to its liquid form or state, but the substance also has a solid state, ice, and a gaseous state, water vapor or steam. Water covers 71%...
,
sodiumSodium is a metallic element with a symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals within "group 1"...
and
carbohydrateCarbohydrates
[Means "hydrates of carbon"] or saccharides
[The word comes from the Greek σάκχαρον, sákcharon, meaning "sugar").] are the most abundant of the four major classes of biomolecules...
s, the former two to alter how water is retained by the body and the latter to reduce
glycogenGlycogen is the molecule that functions as the secondary long-term energy storage in animal cells. It is made primarily by the liver and the muscles, but can also be made by glycogenesis within the brain and stomach...
in the muscle. The day before the show, water is removed from the diet, and
diureticA diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of urination and thus provides a means of forced diuresis. There are several categories of diuretics...
s may be introduced, while
carbohydrate loadingCarbohydrate loading, commonly referred to as carbo-loading or carb-loading, is a strategy employed by endurance athletes such as marathon runners to maximize the storage of glycogen in the muscles....
to increase the size of the muscles through replenishment of their glycogen. The goal is to maximize leanness and increase the visibility of veins. The appearance of veins are further enhanced immediately before appearing on stage by darkening the skin through
tanning productsSunless tanning refers to applying chemicals to the body to produce an effect similar in appearance to a more traditional suntan...
, applying oils to the skin to increase shine and some competitors will eat sugar-rich foods to increase the visibility of their veins. A final step is the use of weights to fill the muscles with blood and further increase their size
Muscle growth
Bodybuilders use three main strategies to maximize muscle hypertrophy:
- Strength training
Strength training is the use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles. There are many different methods of strength training, the most common being the use of gravity or elastic/hydraulic forces to oppose muscle contraction...
through weights or elastic/hydraulic resistanceResistance training has two different, sometimes confused meanings: a broader meaning that refers to any training that uses a resistance to the force of muscular contraction , and elastic or hydraulic resistance, which refers to a specific type of strength training that uses elastic or hydraulic...
- Specialized nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
, incorporating extra proteinProteins are organic compounds made of amino acids arranged in a linear chain and folded into a globular form. The amino acids in a polymer chain are joined together by the peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of adjacent amino acid residues...
and supplements where necessary
- Adequate rest, including sleep and recuperation between workouts
Weight training
Weight trainingWeight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It uses the force of gravity to oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction...
causes micro-tears to the muscles being trained; this is generally known as
microtraumaMicrotrauma is the general term given to small injuries to the body.Microtrauma can include the microtearing of muscle fibres, the sheath around the muscle and the connective tissue. It can also include stress to the tendons, and to the bones . It is unknown whether or not the ligaments adapt like...
. These micro-tears in the muscle contribute to the soreness felt after exercise, called
delayed onset muscle sorenessDelayed onset muscle soreness , also sometimes called muscle fever, is the pain or discomfort often felt 24 to 72 hours after exercising and subsides generally within 2 to 3 days...
(DOMS). It is the repair to these micro-trauma that result in muscle growth. Normally, this soreness becomes most apparent a day or two after a workout. However, as muscles become adapted to the exercises, soreness tends to decrease.
Nutrition
The high levels of muscle growth and repair achieved by bodybuilders require a specialized diet. Generally speaking, bodybuilders require more calories than the average person of the same weight to support the protein and energy requirements needed to support their training and increase muscle mass. A sub-maintenance level of food energy is combined with cardiovascular exercise to lose body fat in preparation for a contest. The ratios of food energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats vary depending on the goals of the bodybuilder.
Carbohydrates
CarbohydrateCarbohydrates
[Means "hydrates of carbon"] or saccharides
[The word comes from the Greek σάκχαρον, sákcharon, meaning "sugar").] are the most abundant of the four major classes of biomolecules...
s play an important role for bodybuilders. Carbohydrates give the body energy to deal with the rigors of training and recovery. Bodybuilders seek out
low-glycemicThe glycemic index, glycaemic index, or GI is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion, releasing glucose rapidly into the bloodstream, have a high GI; carbohydrates that break down more slowly, releasing glucose more...
polysaccharidePolysaccharides are polymeric carbohydrate structures, formed of repeating units joined together by glycosidic bonds. These structures are often linear, but may contain various degrees of branching. Polysaccharides are often quite heterogeneous, containing slight modifications of the repeating unit...
s and other slowly-digesting carbohydrates, which release energy in a more stable fashion than high-
glycemicThe glycemic index, glycaemic index, or GI is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion, releasing glucose rapidly into the bloodstream, have a high GI; carbohydrates that break down more slowly, releasing glucose more...
sugars and starches. This is important as high-glycemic carbohydrates cause a sharp
insulinInsulin is a hormone that has extensive effects on metabolism and other body functions, such as vascular compliance. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle, and stopping use of fat as an energy...
response, which places the body in a state where it is likely to store additional food energy as fat rather than muscle, and which can waste energy that should be directed towards muscle growth. However, bodybuilders frequently do ingest some quickly-digesting sugars (often in form of pure
dextroseGlucose , a monosaccharide also known as - grape sugar, blood sugar, or corn sugar, is a very important carbohydrate in biology. The living cell uses it as a source of energy and metabolic intermediate...
or
maltodextrinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide that is used as a food additive. It is hydrolysate produced from starch and is usually found as a creamy-white hygroscopic spraydried powder...
) after a workout. This may help to replenish
glycogenGlycogen is the molecule that functions as the secondary long-term energy storage in animal cells. It is made primarily by the liver and the muscles, but can also be made by glycogenesis within the brain and stomach...
stores within the muscle, and to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.
Protein
Protein is probably one of the most important parts of the diet for the bodybuilder to consider.
The motor proteins
actinActin is a globular, roughly 42-kDa protein found in all eukaryotic cells where it may be present at concentrations of over 100 μM. It is also one of the most highly-conserved proteins, differing by no more than 20% in species as diverse as algae and humans...
and
myosinMyosins are a large family of motor proteins found in eukaryotic tissues. They are responsible for actin-based motility.Following the discovery by Pollard and Korn of enzymes with myosin-like function in Acanthamoeba castellanii, a large number of divergent myosin genes have been discovered...
generate the forces exerted by contracting
muscleMuscle is the contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
s. Current advice says that bodybuilders should consume 25-30% of protein per total calorie intake to further their goal of maintaining and improving their body composition. This is a widely debated topic, with many arguing that 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight is ideal, some suggesting that less is sufficient, while others recommending 1.5, 2, or more. It is believed that protein needs to be consumed frequently throughout the day, especially during/after a workout, and before sleep. There is also some debate concerning the best type of protein to take. Chicken, beef, pork, fish, eggs and dairy foods are high in protein, as are some nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.
CaseinCasein is the predominant phosphoprotein that accounts for nearly 80% of proteins in cow milk and cheese. Milk-clotting proteases act on the soluble portion of the caseins, K-Casein, thus originating an unstable micellar state that results in clot formation. When coagulated with rennin, casein is...
or
wheyWhey protein is a mixture of globular proteins isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production. Some preclinical studies in rodents have suggested that whey protein may influence glutathione production and possess anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer properties;...
are often used to supplement the diet with additional protein. Whey protein is the type of protein contained in many popular brands of protein supplements, and is preferred by many bodybuilders because of its high
Biological Value (BV)Biological value is a measure of the proportion of absorbed protein from a food which becomes incorporated into the proteins of the organism's body. It summarises how readily the broken down protein can be used in protein synthesis in the cells of the organism. Proteins are the major source of...
and quick absorption rates. Bodybuilders usually require higher quality protein with a high BV rather than relying on protein such as soy, which is often avoided due to its claimed estrogenic properties. Still, some nutrition experts believe that soy, flax seeds and many other plants that contain the weak estrogen-like compounds or
phytoestrogensPhytoestrogens, sometimes called "dietary estrogens", are a diverse group of naturally occurring non steroidal plant compounds that, because of their structural similarity with estradiol , have the ability to cause estrogenic or/and antiestrogenic effects.Their name comes from phyto = plant and...
can be used beneficially as phytoestrogens compete with this hormone for receptor sites in the male body and can block its actions. This can also include some inhibition of pituitary functions while stimulating the P450 system (the system that eliminates chemicals, hormones, drugs and metabolic waste product from the body) in the liver to more actively process and excrete excess estrogen.
CortisolCortisol is a corticosteroid hormone or glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, that is part of the adrenal gland . It is usually referred to as the "stress hormone" as it is involved in response to stress and anxiety, controlled by CRH...
decreases amino acid uptake by muscle, and inhibits protein synthesis.
Meals
Bodybuilders usually split their food intake for the day into 5 to 7 meals of roughly equal nutritional content and attempt to eat at regular intervals (normally between 2 and 3 hours). This method purports to serve 2 purposes: to limit overindulging as well as increasing
basal metabolic rateBasal metabolic rate , and the closely related resting metabolic rate , is the amount of energy expended while at rest in a [neutrally temperate environment, in the post-absorptive state...
when compared to the traditional 3 meals a day.
Dietary supplements
The important role of nutrition in building muscle and losing fat means bodybuilders may consume a wide variety of dietary supplements. Various products are used in an attempt to augment muscle size, increase the rate of fat loss, improve joint health and prevent potential nutrient deficiencies. Scientific consensus supports the effectiveness of only a small number of commercially available supplements when used by healthy, physically active adults.
CreatineCreatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to muscle. Creatine was identified in 1832 when Michel Eugène Chevreul discovered it as a component of skeletal muscle, which he later named creatine after the Greek word for flesh,...
is probably the most widely used performance enhancing legal supplement. Creatine works by turning into creatine phosphate, which provides an extra phosphorus molecule in the regeneration of ATP. This will provide the body with more energy that lasts longer during short, intense bits of work like weight training.
Performance enhancing substances
Some bodybuilders use drugs such as anabolic steroids and precursor substances such as
prohormoneA prohormone is a substance that is a precursor to a hormone, usually having minimal hormonal effect by itself. The term has been used in medical science since the middle of the 20th century...
s to increase
muscle hypertrophyMuscle hypertrophy is the increase of the size of muscle cells. It differs from muscle hyperplasia, which is the formation of new muscle cells.- Muscular hypertrophy :...
. Most of the substances require
medical prescriptionA prescription is a health-care program implemented by a physician or other medical practitioner in the form of instructions that govern the plan of care for an individual patient. Prescriptions may include orders to be performed by a patient, caretaker, nurse, pharmacist or other therapist....
s to be accessed legally. Anabolic steroids cause muscle
hypertrophyHypertrophy is the increase in the volume of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its component cells. It should be distinguished from hyperplasia, in which the cells remain approximately the same size but increase in number...
of both types (I and II) of muscle fibers caused likely by an increased synthesis of muscle proteins and are accompanied with undesired side effects including
hepatotoxicityHepatotoxicity implies chemical-driven liver damage. The liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents. Certain medicinal agents when taken in overdoses and sometimes even when introduced within therapeutic ranges may injure...
,
gynecomastiaGynecomastia, , is the development of abnormally large mammary glands in males resulting in breast enlargement. The term comes from the Greek γυνή gyne meaning "woman" and μαστός mastos meaning "breast"...
,
acneAcne is a group of skin rashes that have different causes.* Acne vulgaris - most commonly experienced around puberty, typically of the face and shoulders/chest* Cystic acne, a severe form of acne wherein small cysts form...
, male pattern baldness and a decline in the body's own testosterone production, which can cause
testicular atrophyTesticular atrophy is a medical condition in which the male reproductive organs diminish in size and may be accompanied by loss of function. This does not refer to temporary changes, such as those brought on by cold.Some medications can cause testicular atrophy...
. Other controlled substances used by competitive bodybuilders include
human growth hormoneGrowth hormone is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth and cell reproduction. In the past growth hormone was extracted from human pituitary glands. GH is now produced by recombinant DNA technology and is prescribed for a variety of reasons...
(HGH), which can cause
acromegalyAcromegaly is a syndrome that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone after epiphyseal plate closure at puberty...
. Steroid use is prevalent among professional bodybuilders because such big growth and size is impossible without them.
Rest
Although muscle stimulation occurs in the
gymThe word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
lifting weights, muscle growth occurs afterward during rest. Without adequate rest and sleep, muscles do not have an opportunity to recover and build. About eight hours of sleep a night is desirable for the bodybuilder to be refreshed, although this varies from person to person. Additionally, many athletes find a daytime nap further increases their body's ability to build muscle. Some bodybuilders take several naps per day, during peak anabolic phases.
Overtraining
Overtraining occurs when a bodybuilder has trained to the point where his workload exceeds his recovery capacity. There are many reasons that overtraining occurs, including lack of adequate nutrition, lack of recovery time between workouts, insufficient sleep, and training at a high intensity for too long (a lack of splitting apart workouts). Training at a high intensity too frequently also stimulates the
central nervous systemThe central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that functions to coordinate the activity of all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all animals more advanced than sponges or jellyfish. In vertebrates, the central nervous system is enclosed in the meninges. It contains...
(CNS) and can result in a hyper-adrenergic state that interferes with sleep patterns. To avoid overtraining, intense frequent training must be met with at least an equal amount of purposeful recovery. Timely provision of carbohydrates, proteins, and various micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, even nutritional supplements are acutely critical.
It has been argued that overtraining can be beneficial. One article published by
Muscle & FitnessMuscle & Fitness is an American bodybuilding magazine founded by Joe Weider, but now published by American Media, Inc.-History:Muscle & Fitness has a more mainstream focus than its companion publication, Flex...
magazine stated that you can "Overtrain for Big Gains". It suggested that if one is planning a restful holiday and they do not wish to inhibit their bodybuilding lifestyle too much, they should overtrain before taking the holiday, so the body can rest easily and recuperate and grow. Overtraining can be used advantageously, as when a bodybuilder is purposely overtrained for a brief period of time to super compensate during a regeneration phase. These are known as "shock micro-cycles" and were a key training technique used by Soviet athletes. However, the vast majority of overtraining that occurs in average bodybuilders is generally unplanned and completely unnecessary.
Non muscle-developing methods
Some bodybuilders, particularly at professional level, use substances such as
site enhancement oilA Site Enhancement Oil is a liquid substance, usually a mixture of oils, used by some bodybuilders to increase the apparent size of some muscles. The effects of SEOs are purely and solely cosmetic and there is no increase in muscular performance....
to mimic the appearance of muscle where it may otherwise be disproportionate or lagging. Surgical methods are also often employed to remove steroid-related gynecomastia in male bodybuilders, and breast implants in female bodybuilders who wish to retain a feminine physique, which can be compromised in terms of breast reduction by intense weight training.
See also
- Amazon feminism
Amazon feminism is a branch of feminism that emphasizes female physical prowess as a means to achieve the goal of gender equality. Adherents are dedicated to the image of the female hero in fiction and in fact, as expressed in the physiques and feats of female athletes, martial artists and other...
- Athletic training
-Certified athletic trainer:In the USA, the Certified Athletic Trainer is a health care professional, certified by the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers, who specializes in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries and athletic-related illnesses that result from...
- Body image
Body image is a term which may refer to a person's perception of his or her own physical appearance, or the interpretation of the body by the brain...
- Bodyweight exercise
Bodyweight exercises are strength training exercises that do not require free weights; the practitioner's own weight provides the resistance for the movement...
- Bodybuilding supplement
Bodybuilding supplements are substances taken by athletes or individuals involved in weight training or other physical activity to aid in the building of lean muscle mass or to cause fat loss. Bodybuilding supplements may also be used to improve sports performance and improve recovery from events...
- Exercise equipment
-Exercise balls:Exercise balls are available in a number of forms. There are large Pilates balls specifically suited to Pilates exercises. Medicine balls are somewhat larger than a basketball and are used as a training aid for a variety of different exercises...
- Exercise physiology
Exercise physiology is the study of the function of the human body during various acute and chronic exercise conditions. These effects are significant during both short, high-intensity exercise, as well as with prolonged strenuous exercise such as done in endurance sports like marathons,...
- Flex magazine
Flex is an American bodybuilding magazine, published by American Media, Inc.-History:Founded in 1983 by Joe Weider, local versions are now published throughout the world, in countries such as the UK and Australia.The premier issue was dated April 1983, and featured Chris Dickerson on the cover...
- Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym International, Inc. is an international chain of co-ed fitness centers originally started in California by Joe Gold. Each gym features a wide array of exercise equipment and personal trainers to assist clients....
- Health club
A health club is a place which houses exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise.- Main Workout Area :...
- Muscle dysmorphia
Muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that he or she is not muscular enough. Those who suffer from muscle dysmorphia tend to hold delusions that they are "skinny" or "too small" but are often above average in musculature...
- Muscle worship
Muscle worship is a form of body worship in which a participant, the worshiper, touches the muscles of another participant, the dominator, in sexually arousing ways, which can include rubbing, massaging, kissing and licking.-History:...
- Physical culture
Physical culture is a term applied to health and strength training regimens, particularly those that originated during the 19th century. During the mid-late 20th century, the term "physical culture" became largely outmoded in most English-speaking countries, being replaced by terms such as...
- Physical exercise
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health. It is performed for many different reasons. These include strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance and for enjoyment...
- Physical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness and specific fitness ....
- Sports medicine
Sports medicine specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating injuries related to participating in sports and/or exercise, specifically the rotation or deformation of joints or muscles caused by engaging in such physical activities.-See also:...
- Sports nutrition
Sports nutrition is the study and practice of nutrition and diet as it relates to athletic performance. Although an important part of many sports training regimens, it is most commonly considered in strength sports and endurance sports...
- List of weight training exercises
- List of male professional bodybuilders
- List of female bodybuilders
- List of health and fitness magazines
External links