Competition Preparation

Cutting and Bulking

In bodybuilding competitions, body builder's want to gain a certain stage in their bodybuilding progress where by they have an aesthetically pleasing body and balanced physique. To get this, they have to go through two tasks called 'Cutting and Bulking'. Bulking involves bulking to your highest body weight, to gain weight the bodybuilder has at least 6 small meals a day. The meals should be divided into 70% protein, 20% carbohydrate and 10% fats. It is important that a bodybuilder trains more then 4 times a week, splitting his/her workouts into different body parts so that the worked-out body parts get enough rest to recover and grow.
 Cutting involves losing a lot of fat present in your body so that you get a defined and definite body shape. Losing body weight and fat involes a low carbohydrate and fat intake and high aerobic training. This usually takes between 3-4 months to get in good shape.

Clean Bulking

A lot of non-competetive body builders chose not to go for the normal bulking, as it usually ends up in unwanted fat gain. The attempt to increase muscle mass in the body with no fat gain is known as clean bulking.

Pre-competition

In the days leading upto the competetion bodybuilders usually dehydrate themseleves. The day before the competition water is completely removed and diuretics are usually introduced. Diuretics increase the rate or urination to excrete most water present in the body. The goal of doing all these preparations is to increase the visability of veins and to maximize leanness. Just before the competetion, the bodybuilder will cover himself in tanning lotion to increase visability of veins. Or they may apply oils to make their body shine and to make each muscle look more defined. The last step is to use weights before competition to rush blood to the muscle and get it its largest.

This is an amatuer bodybuilder talking about the important rules when cutting and bulking.

Different Areas In Bodybuilding

Professional Bodybuilding

'Professional' in Bodybuilding terms, usually means a Bodybuilding who has contested in amateur competitions and has come from an amateur to a professional by earning a 'Pro Card' from their respective organisation. When a bodybuilder becomes 'professional' they earn the right to compete in competitions that include cash prizes. Depending on how successful the bodybuilder may be, they may receive money compensation from sponsors, much like other athletes in sport.

Frank Zane - Former professional bodybuilder, also 3 time Mr Olympia

Natural Bodybuilding

Because of the enormous concerns of the big cost, health risks and illegalities of steroids many organisations have deemed themselves in "natural" bodybuilding competitions.. In natural contests the tests that are carried out among the organisations are from polygraph testing (lie detection) to urinalysis (urine sample). Consequences range from, suspensions to strict bans from competition. Each natural organisation have their own list of banned substances.

Female Bodybuilding

Although many people would not think female's would take part in bodybuilding competitions, but in fact In 1980 the very first Miss Olympia contes was held. It was won by Rachel McLish. This was a big turning point for female sport of bodybuilding. Rachel McLish would now show what is thought of today as a fitness model instead of what is now considered a female bodybuilder.                                                  

This is Rachel McLish

History Of Bodybuilding

Early Years

Bodybuilding did not really exist prior to the late 19th century, when it was introduced by Eugen Sandow who is called the 'The Father of Modern Bodybuilidng'. He is given the credit as a pioneer of the activity because he allowed people to enjoy viewing his physique in "muscle display competitions". Although the people present were amazed to see a well-developed physique. 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 alonese men displayed their bodies as part of strength demonstration, and/or wrestling matches.

Eugen Sandwow 'The Father of Modern Bodybuilding'

About Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding is physical excersise and body changing involving intensive muscle contraction and extraction. A person who engages in this activity is called a bodybuilder.  Bodybuilders prepare for competition by a series of  dehydration, fat loss, oils and tanning lotions, or using tanning beds, which combining with light gives the muscle a more defined and distinct look. Some well-known bodybuilders include Aziz 'Zyzz' Shavershian; Arnold Schwarzenegger; Jay Cutler; Phill Heath and Ronnie Coleman.

This is Arnold Schwarzenegger    
He is a well known bodybuilder, also an actor, and the governor of California.

Introduction

Hey guys, my names Mark Crimmins. I am in transition year in wesley college Dublin. I am going to do bodybuilding for my blog. The reasons for this are

• 1. I enjoy going to the gym
• 2. I am interested to learn about the geographical end of bodybuilding.

This is a famous body builder call Aziz 'Zyzz' Shavershian

He died last July whilst he was in a sauna after a workout due to a heartattack

Photos credited  to http://www.wikipedia.com