Bodybuilding

HAVE YOU GOT THE BUG

When people start to workout with weights it can become addictive especially when we start seeing results in the mirror. When we start to see muscle definition. The arms are no longer just straight flesh, those biceps start to rise and the triceps starts to show their horse shoe shape. This can transform people into bodybuilders.

This is what happened to me when I was in my late teens, at that time bodybuilding was becoming popular as Arnold Schwarzenegger was on the scene and other popular bodybuiders of that time Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbo and Serge Nubret. They did inspire many people into bodybuilding. The gym I used to train at was getting more and more members and although I did make some good gains in muscle size, my social life took over my training.

This time around although I feel the same sort of bug about my training I have no desire to pile on huge muscle mass. I am seening results but my training is geared more towards a lean firm body.

Bodybuilding still interests me though and it still amazes me how big some of these bodybuilders get. What I do know and what is probably true from my late teens is that if you want to become a bodybuilder then it takes dedication and discipline something I obviously lacked when I was younger. Bodybuilding is a lifestyle especially if you want to compete and win contests.

At this kind of level you have to train hard, but just as important is the rest you will need. You see when you are pushing your muscles to the limit and training with heavier and heavier weights you are effectively tearing your muscles and your muscles then need time to repair which is why you need rest. It is during the rest period when the muscles are repairing those tears from training that they grow and get stronger.

The other important thing your body will need is nutrition, the right fuel to function under these more extreme conditions. You are not going to build muscle or have the energy to get through muscle building workouts on junk food.

So if you are thinking of becoming a bodybuilder remember it takes dedication and discipline, it will become your life but the best of luck to anyone who is because its got to be a very satisfying sport.

ps

When I say sport, I say that because I see bodybuilding as a sport. But the Olympic planning committee doesn’t, which is why bodybuilding is still not an Olympic event. SHAMEFUL