Achieving Your Bodybuilding Goals Minus the Steroids

There are people who say that you can't achieve your goals of building huge muscles without the use of steroids in the same manner that Lance Armstrong couldn't have won seven Tour de France titles without taking performance-enhancing drugs.

 There's always that nagging impression that athletes who join bodybuilding competitions get their superhero-like body not only because of intense training programs, but with the aid of substances that can fast-track muscle growth.

First off, aside from the fact that substances like steroids are banned from physically demanding professional sports, they can also cause various negative side effects and can even kill. This means if you're an athlete and you use steroids, you're not only violating the rules of your sport and get unfair advantage over your opponents (which, of course, is tantamount to cheating); you also become a walking time bomb.

The question is: Can you really build bulky muscles without the aid of banned substances? Of course you can. Hard work and determination always pay huge dividends. If you partner your grueling workouts with steroids, it's like reviewing hard for an exam but you read your lecture notes while taking it. One of the most rewarding things is realizing that at the end of the day, even if you didn't win in a competition or you didn't get a perfect score in your exam, you know that you played it fair and square and didn't cheat.

If you're goal is to build big muscles, know that there are four major factors that determine the potential size of your muscles. These factors are genetics, diet, the training program, and supplements. Of course, the mention of supplements can already bring to mind banned substances. However, this is not the case for many types.

 There are bodybuilding supplements that are completely steroid-free, which means you don't face the prospect of being banned from your sport for life or being six feet below the ground even if you take them.

If your family genetics makes you pre-disposed to having a muscular physique with good shape and cut, you've already won half the battle. However, if you don't have it in your DNA, don't worry because there are still three other factors that can help you achieve your bodybuilding goals.

If getting a muscular body doesn't run in the family, you can always turn to proper nutrition, a solid training program, and, of course, supplements. Again, be safe (and fair) by choosing only those that do not contain banned and dangerous substances.

Go for bodybuilding gold minus the steroids. If you are consistent with your training, have self-discipline and are determined to hit your mark, there's no way you won't achieve that body worthy of a spread in a sports magazine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liam_A_Wills

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Bodybuilding Basics 101 - Tips for Skinny Guys

 

Bodybuilding is the art of modifying the body to appear more muscular and fit. Bodybuilders have to go through a lot of successive training and particular body part oriented weight lifting to get the shape of modern bodybuilders.

Bodybuilding is an art. Anyone at any age can start body building but the quickest gains will come from 18-25 when testosterone levels in men are at their peak.

 Any beginner bodybuilder will be able to gain muscle quicker than professional body builders or weight lifters because beginners' bodies tend to adapt and respond efficiently to a brand-new stimulus, since they are starting further from their genetic ceiling.

The muscles will grow as they will be forced to adapt.
Before starting bodybuilding one must first set his goal and target at sight and motivate himself for being consistent and efficient at every session of workout. Also endurance and patience is the key, the reason being: it takes time to see the muscle build up and grow (you'll notice a difference normally within 1-2 months). Negative thoughts about not be able to build up muscle should strictly be prohibited!

For bodybuilding planning and organizing is of utmost importance. It is not as easy as going to the gym and lifting weights and doing reps and sets. You have to make a routine for the days you will work out and what type of exercises will be performed. It is better to work the counter parts in the same day; if you do sets for chest do the same for back.

The addition of weights on the bar will help to ensure that muscle is properly broken down and can begin to repair and build (muscular hypertrophy), but pushing it too hard at novice level will backfire, so be cautious about it, consult with an expert. Don't work too hard at the beginning; just do one rep short of failure. Total exhaustion should be avoided for beginner bodybuilders.

If you don't have many spare hours in the day, make sure bodybuilding workouts are well planned, and target compound muscle sections.

Finally, rest is essential, not just for beginners, but for all bodybuilders. Without allowing enough recovery time for the muscle tissue to repair itself, you will find that repeating the exercise will cause injury and slow muscle growth. It is also extremely important that your body is provided with the correct nutrients during this time, vegetables are essential, so are BCAAs (Amino Acids) such as Glutamine and Taurine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_J_Board

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How to Look Shredded on Stage: Understanding Bodybuilding

 

Ever wondered how those contestants in bodybuilding competitions make their bodies look so defined? At first you may think it's because they naturally look that way or maybe because of how the stage lights hit them but believe it or not, bodybuilders use sunless tanning or tanning creams in order to achieve that "hard as granite" look, to show off sharply-defined shoulders, biceps and abs that the judges and audience admire so much.

Tanning helps bodybuilders accentuate and highlight every muscle under the stage lights. A bodybuilder with fairer skin won't look as shredded onstage even if they put oil all over their body, unlike someone who puts on tanning cream. If you aren't dark-skinned enough or too light-skinned judges may take that against you and take off a few points off your total score. The same holds true if you didn't put the cream on evenly, making your skin appear blotchy or striped.

Yes, it may seem that this entire process is akin to preparing for a beauty pageant and in a way, it is. Some people find it hard to join bodybuilding competitions especially since there is no real prize except a small trophy but then again, more people are prone to joining these types of competitions even if they just win a small trophy. This is because bodybuilding itself is an intense sport that requires utmost dedication, discipline and consistency and you must possess a special mindset to commit to it. Bodybuilders know all about being patient as it takes time to be able to build muscles and get abs so sharply defined they can cut glass.

So in this case, why wouldn't you want to show it off? Competitions also give the contestants a sense of pride and motivation to do better especially if they win. It helps them to stay constant in their workouts and make sure they don't slack off. When you're serious about bodybuilding, you're serious about everything, including the tanning creams you use on your bodies.

Tans can come in two forms: liquid and cream. While some bodybuilders don't have any particular preference, most prefer to use creams because it is less messier and easier to apply than liquid tanning plus, it doesn't get into your eyes like liquid tanners do when you have to apply some around the eye area. Another advantage is that you don't have to apply a whole gunk of it just to achieve your preferred tan, all it takes is one application and you're good to go. The best part is that since these tanning creams are emollient-based, it is easy to wash it off with soap and water.

However, not all tanning creams that you see in the market are created equal. Tanning creams that you use for when you want to look good in a bikini are not the same as the ones bodybuilders use to highlight their muscles. For one, going to an ordinary tanning salon or using ordinary tanning lotion won't give you enough of that dark color that will help you stand out on stage. When you use tanning creams specifically for body builders you get that dark color instantly unlike ordinary tanning creams where you have to sit under the sun for it to really work.
If you are planning to use self-tanners, you should order or buy your products weeks before the competition so you can do a skin test beforehand to see if you get any allergic reactions. If you don't have time to order, spray tanning services are also available in the competition venue because as a rule, you cannot bring your tanners with you when you compete. To get a complete and even tan, do it nude and make sure you shave and exfoliate your skin before applying the tanning cream because rough skin shows under the bright stage lights. If you plan on applying the tanner at home, make sure you get someone you are comfortable with and trust because it is one job that's not for the squeamish.

Remember as well that one bodybuilding tanning cream may work well for one but not for another. You need to allot suitable time for your tanning as speeding up the process could result in uneven and blotchy application.

Bodybuilding requires a lot as far as helping you highlight the results of your hard work like the use of tanning creams during competitions for that "hard as granite" look. Find out about dream tan on on Nutritionwarehouse.com.au and get only the best at the most affordable prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liam_A_Wills

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