Body Building

Bodybuilding has become a very popular sport over the past few decades. A bodybuilder trains with heavy weights to increase strength and to build large muscles for posing competitions or cosmetic purposes. While some body builders do so for competition purposes, still others simply like the look they can create for their own motivation.

Body builders also learn how to perform poses that accentuate the display of different muscle groups for purposes of being rated by competition judges.

Various training methods are used by bodybuilders to get results, including training techniques like Positions of Flexion (POF), Static Contraction Training (SCT), High Intensity Training (HIT), Superslow Training, Hyper Contraction and Plyometrics.

Bodybuilding has become an extremely competitive sport. Unfortunately many top bodybuilders all over the world use anabolic steroids, hormones and other possibly dangerous substances to reach the highest possible level of achievement in their sport.

However, experts disagree on whether the use of these aids are dangerous or not and the topic remains a controversial issue. Athletes who prefer not to use steroids can opt to participate in what is know as ‘natural bodybuilding’.

People often confuse bodybuilding with weightlifting or powerlifting. However, they are two totally different types of sport. Powerlifting is a sport in which the participant does competition lifts to try and lift the heaviest possible amount of weight.

The fundamental goal of powerlifting is to get strong. In bodybuilding the goal is to develop large muscles and low bodyfat. This requires a different type of fitness and training regime.
Also do not confuse bodybuilding with normal strength training that most people do in a health club or gymnasium. Strength training is a recommended fitness activity for all people, both male and female. The goal of strength training is not to build huge muscles, but to improve functional strength, muscle endurance and general fitness to promote overall health and increase quality of life.

For more information on body building please refer to the references below: