Is Bodybuilding A Sport?

Can you imagine that in a day and age where you can turn your television onto ESPN and find the national spelling bee or the world series of poker on that this would still be a debatable topic? The fact of the matter is that both sides have a valid argument on this issue. From the outside looking in it would seem that bodybuilding competitions are nothing more then male pageants. Let's face it! The men in these competitions wear bathing suits while parading on stage to music and flexing their muscles. Is there more to it then that? Yes there is a whole lot more that the uneducated eye may miss and certainly after reading the rest of this article you can pick which side of the topic you fall on!

What constitutes a sport? This a question that has no definite answer. When golf, Nascar racing and darts are constituted as sports without any resistance, why is it that bodybuilding still garners such a high level of negativity? To first understand where bodybuilding is now, we must understand where it has been. The bodybuilding competitions of the early 1900s were a much different affair then what we have become accustomed to today. The competitions of old were broken into three different categories that each contestant would have to compete and be judged on. The first being a test of strength, followed by an agility competition and lastly by an overall muscularity showcase. It was not possible to win the event on any one category alone. The winner would have to excel in all 3 aspects of bodybuilding. It is safe to say that there was no debating whether bodybuilding was a sport in these past times. The fact that the two most athletic aspects of bodybuilding were pulled from formal competitions, leaves many people scratching their heads! It is safe to make the assumption that for the most part the people winning these competitions of old were never the best in each category. This would make the most sense for the reason that we now have individual competitions in each of these categories.

We're certainly aware of the arguments many people have for bodybuilding not being a sport but what are some of the reasons in its defense? I've always said if you don't have to train for your competition then there's no way you can be categorized as a sport. Bodybuilder's workout from 5-6 times a week for up to 2 hours per day! I don't know what the statistics are but all of us are at least acquaintances with someone who has taken up bodybuilding to get in shape but had to quit either due to lack of dedication or too many injuries. You are not going to find anyone claiming these routines are easy nor are you going to find many people that enjoy giving up the foods they enjoy for 3 month spans. All this dedication and sacrifice they put in is for the day of the competition. I bet you most people also don't understand that bodybuilders actually hire choreographers to assist them with their routines.

All the detractors are saying to themselves that yes bodybuilders may put work in at the gym but that still doesn't change the fact that their competition is nothing more then a glorified pageant for males! If you are up for the test I challenge anyone reading this article to stand up right now and continuously flex your muscles at full strength for a 3 minute duration. If you took the challenge I hope you have regained consciousness by now and are able to continue reading. That challenge wasn't too fun now was it?

My point was never to convince you that bodybuilding is or isn't a sport but to open your mind up to the possibility that their can be and is, a lot more to a bodybuilding competition then meets the proverbial eye. So next time you are asking yourself if bodybuilding is a sport keep in mind how much effort, dedication and sacrifice these people make to even get to the point of being on stage!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Body Building [http://body-building-guides.com/]

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Steroids in Bodybuilding: The Truth and Myths

It is true - bodybuilding is hard. And if you're an ectomorph it is twice as hard. Not so much because you have to work harder and smarter (although to some extend, it is true), but mostly because you will not have as many "hurray" moments as your mesomorph and endomorph counterparts. Simply put, you will workout hard, yet you won't see the results. Or at least, your pictures of 'ectomorph before and after' will most likely show only marginal results.

So, What Are Steroids? Are They THAT Bad? Are They THAT Good?
To many people, this is a very unsatisfactory way of working out and who can blame them. Many either quit, or start looking for the magic bullet. In the world of ectomorph bodybuilding, this magic bullet is typically called steroids.

When it comes to the use of steroids, most people would simply say they are bad and start describing all the real, as well as made-up side effects they believe the steroids will have on a skinny human being such as yourself. They will start showing you pictures of dead bodybuilders and weight lifters and telling you horror stories that a friend of their friend's friend experienced when he took 5mg of Deca - Durabolin one Wednesday, turning him into an aggressive monster with woman's breasts by Thursday morning.

Then there are people, who dismiss any side effects as urban legends, declaring the steroids to be no more harmful than a Big Mac (I guess they may be even righ). They will try to convince you that the steroids are not only harmless, but that they are in fact very good for your body. After all, they know know a guy who knows a guy, who knows a 25 year old ectomorph bodybuilder who has been using steroids for almost a year, and not only is he still alive, he never felt better.

The point is, the debate about steroids is typically very heated and driven by personal belief more than actual science. And to add even more controversy into the debate, some companies introduced legal versions of some of the most popular steroids. For example, Primal Muscle Company recently introduced legal version of Primobolan, which is a steroid used to dramatically increase the level of testosterone. Obviously, the legal version is not steroid in the exact meaning of the word, (it is considered a supplement) but it does work on similar basis, yet of course, without the negative effects (or so they claim).

Anyway, back to the "promise land of steroids"...
So, Should I Take Them? And Why I Didn't.
So where is the truth? I guess in the middle, as always. But let's forget the health issues that the debate about the use of steroids brings up. If they were completely harmless and legal, would it be a good idea to use them?
I came to contact with steroids many moons ago, and I admit I took some. For exactly 2 weeks. That is too short time to make any real-world analysis that the steroids may have had on me. But one interesting thing happened.

I realized that I did not want to use them, not because I would be scared of the side effects, but because I felt as if it would not be my body anymore. Kind of like when people were taking huge loans to buy expensive cars and houses. These things were never really theirs, they never got to pay off the loan. And look what a mess it is now.

To me, the use of steroids results in the same type of situation, just the asset you borrow against is your own body. I know it is tempted, after all, I felt for it too, even though I got out of there in just a couple of weeks. But the instant gratification that steroids bring is hard to fight.

Especially, if you believe that you already did everything you could to get that body of your dream, and yet have nothing to show for it.

You Have A Long Way To Go Anyway.
But despite of what you think, I bet you all the money I have in my checking account right now - that's right, all $30 -, that you didn't try everything, didn't experiment enough, didn't stick to what works long enough, didn't eliminate what doesn't work, didn't follow your diet consistently enough... you get the point. There's a lot you can improve right now.

Bodybuilding is a lifestyle, it is a journey. I know you hear that before and you probably think of it as another smoke-blowing tactic to keep you away from the magic effect of steroids, but if you think about it for just a second, I know you'll see that I am right.

Your Body - Your Temple.
Steroids do not build your body. They change your body into a foreign and uncontrolled bunch of hormones that take over your own ones. It's nothing more than an image of your real self. A Matrix, if you will, where your muscles are living in a dreamworld driven by evil chemist.

Look, I am not the one to judge you if you decide to take that road. But trust me - you will do so sooner or later. And it is a very hard position to be in, when you are both the accused and the judge.

If you expected some smart article that would give you a road map to safe use of steroids, I am sorry to disappoint. If you expected a scientific article about steroids, I am sorry to disappoint. But I hope, that if you expected a personal view from nontraditional angle, that you have now something to thing about. At least for a few seconds.

Let's face it - building muscles is hard. But it could be much easier and straightforward. All you need is to cut through all that BS, lies, half-truth and myths that surround bodybuilding today.

So, are you ready to find out the truth about gaining muscles, workouts, diet, supplements, steroids... and everything else that you absolutely must know if you ever want to make your bodybuilding dreams come true? Can you handle the truth? Are you ready to be the best bodybuilder you can be?
I hope you said yes... if so, then...

Welcome to real-world bodybuilding advice. Welcome to the no BS bodybuilding website.Welcome to your future bodybuilding success.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_V._Strong

Hardcore Bodybuilding: Massive Muscle Building Part 2 (Not Just Another 'Fluff' Internet Article) By David P Morrow

Welcome to workout #2 in my 'Hardcore Bodybuilding' series. I will be presenting a total of 6 different workouts. Workouts are done preferably on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday split. Weekends are 'off'. Essentially, you do workouts 1 - 3 the first week, then workouts 4 - 6 the second week, then the cycle is repeated. That being the case, each exact workout is only performed 1x every 2 week cycle. Just to clarify, if your chest exercise in workout #1 is decline bench press, then you will not do decline bench press again until you start a new cycle, 2 weeks later.

In workout #1, we covered chest, back, shoulders and triceps. Workout #2 picks up with biceps, forearms, quads, hamstrings, and calves. Perform the exercises in the order listed. If you missed workout #1, please go back and read it first.

BICEPS Barbell Curls (prefer Olympic straight bar)
FOREARMS Pinwheel Curls (if you don't know how to do these, YouTube them)
QUADRICEPS Barbell Squats (straight sets, 1x 5 - 8, then a 20 rep set)
HAMSTRINGS Good Mornings... also straight sets, 1x12, 1x8 (barbell across the back, good to YouTube also for proper technique, watch more than 1 video)
CALVES seated calve raises (MAJOR emphasis on slow negative, controlled reps)
Just a few notes here. ALL reps should be done with an 'explosive' yet controlled motion on the positive aspect of the repetition. Always control the negative part of the rep. In particular, when training calves, 'pop' the weight up on the positive aspect, and really, really, emphasize a slow negative. When you can't lower it anymore, try to finish with a final 'static' rep. Hold the weight steady in a stopped, flexed position and really let the calves feel the burn. Apply this 'static' concept to other exercises as well, when it can be done safely, and only on the last set. Static reps should only be done 1x per exercise, per workout.

If for some reason you need to substitute an exercise, that is ok. Try your best to mimic the original range of motion. For example, 'good mornings' are very demanding. You may feel more comfortable performing a dumbbell stiff legged deadlift, with a slight bend in the knees.

Just like workout #1, you should be performing 2 - 4 warm up sets per exercise, increasing weight and lowering reps as you go. Then your first 'working set' should be at your max weight after the warm ups (your 'target' work weight for this exercise for this workout day). Achieve anywhere between 5 - 10 reps, rest 30 - 45 seconds, hit it again for max reps, then repeat the rest period before performing the third and final working weight set for that exercise. Please note, there are exceptions to this '3 sets with the max weight' protocol. Where noted, like squats, it is best to perform traditional 'straight' sets. Meaning, once you are warmed up, hit a hard set in the 5 - 10 rep range, and finish with a higher rep set. Most quad exercises should be finished with a 20 rep set. Yes... that will indeed be difficult.

Make sure you keep up with all 6 articles for this Hardcore Bodybuilding series. I will be giving away all of the tips you need as I cover all of the workouts. Make sure to keep reading below as I also want to share with you the greatest protein supplier on the internet, bar none!

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

Body Building Exercise - Have You Mastered Your Workouts Like A Pro?

Many instructors believe that a body building exercise plan should be customized. It is because most people who want to improve their body differ on their starting point and goals. Some just want to tighten various parts while others want a form that could compete to Mr. Olympia.

Creating Your Own Training Plan Is Possible
You can absolutely create an exercise program if the ones available for free or for a small charge seems to not fully match your current form and your goals. You just have to know the right way of creating an exercise plan.

The First Step: Identifying Your Body Type
The first step to creating your own workout plan is to know your body type. Some people have a frame like a ruler or a spoon. Some have the hourglass frame.
Note that there are only three body types namely mesomorph, ectomorph, and endomorph. Your body falls only on one type.

When it comes to body building exercise in this case, you are mesomorph if you have a muscular built or find it easy to gain muscles (fats are not a problem). The ectomorph is thin - little muscle and little to no fat. You are endomorph if you have round figure - possibly have a lot of fats.

Designing a Workout Plan for Mesomorph
There is a wide range of workout routines for mesomorph. The individual can even undergo intensive workouts.

Mesomorphs must engage in high intensity training because this is what their body is made for. However, you need to constantly change your routines because your muscles can easily adapt.

Creating a Workout Plan for Ectomorph
It will be hard to design a workout or weight training program for an ectomorph. There is a limited number of applicable workouts. Nevertheless, it is not impossible to transform a thin frame to a well-built one.
If you are an ectomorph, do not go on high frequency weight training. It is recommended to start and progress slowly. The simpler routines are better.

Short workouts are recommended, too. It would help if you will vary the routines regularly because the muscles, again, can easily adjust to the work out routines.

Designing a Workout Plan for Endomorph
It is much easier to design a body building exercise plan if you are an endomorph than if you are an ectomorph. Like a mesomorph, you can already include high intensity weight lifting even if you are just starting. However, you need to drop fats as well and preserve muscles at the same time.

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

Disadvantages of Using Body Building Supplements

There are many disadvantages associated with body building supplements which most users are not aware of. The various kinds of side effects in most cases lead to detrimental health effects. In order to win medals at sporting competitions, many athletes use performance enhancing drugs, but they do not realize that these drugs have a long term adverse effect on their health.

Before using any kind of muscle building supplements, it is important to understand all the risks, benefits and other unknowns regarding the product. Most muscle building supplements contain steroid that mainly affects the functions of the body. Supplements can be classified as natural or chemical and the chemical supplements are the ones which have major side effects.

If a person is willing to use muscle building supplements, he should consult a dietician or a trainer first. Different individuals have different nutritional requirements and the various kinds of supplements available in the market today cannot be suitable for everyone.

Body building products have different composition of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and proteins and therefore, a person should only take products as per his body requirement. Many body building supplements helps to build big muscles fast, but at the same time cause many detrimental effects to the body that in most cases has also been proven fatal.

Many supplements are protein based and consuming protein in high content can cause damage to the kidneys and slow down muscle building process. Other supplements contain artificial ingredients and can shut down the healthy procedures of life as well. There are numerous drawbacks of body building supplements and individuals need to be careful when using them.

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Exercise and Body Building - Are Your Workout Methods Wrong?

There are many exercise and body building programs that you can find. However, one may not work for you because it is made for other body types. Here are some tips to help you shape or build your body and achieve your goals.

Exercising Based on Your Body Type
There are three main body types. If you fall on the muscular or fatty type, make sure to engage in workout plans that include a lot of lifting. It is better to include high intensity lifting as early as possible.
If you are the stick thin figure and want to gain some muscles, you will have to be more patient. Your body is not designed for high intensity training so start slowly and do not rush your progression.

Eat Moderately but Frequently
The best diet for body building is to eating in moderation but more frequent. If you used to eat three meals a day, make it five to six meals per day. Your body will get more energy this way.

However, you also need to make sure that you are eating healthy. Invest on carbohydrates and protein if you are aiming to have bigger muscles. Throw away the sweets and foods that are not nutritious.

Buy the following foods if you are about to go to the grocery store: oatmeal, whole grain cereals, tuna, salmon, eggs, fruits, vegetables, lean meat and low fat milk.

Know the Right Workout Habits
A lot of individuals complain that they keep on working out yet they do not achieve the figure they want. The problem is probably in the wrong exercise and body building habits.

For instance, many people believe that they can gain muscles faster if they will work out longer. In the contrary, it is better if you will do high intensity routines for less than an hour.

If you want big muscle gains, keep in mind that it is not about the duration of each workout session. It is about how often you go to the gym and pick up those barbells and dumbbells. Simply put, you will gain more muscles if you work out twice a week compared to once-a-week weight training.

Another cause of body building failure is wrong form. Whether you are doing dead lifts or dumbbell curls, make sure to check both the weight and your form. You can lift 400 kilograms but your form may be incorrect, which does not only cause failure but also injuries.

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

Flax Seed - An Essential to Bodybuilding

Many aspiring bodybuilders seem to have sampled every bit of bodybuilding product out in the market to hasten the build up of muscles and enhance their stamina as well. More often than not though, they end up spending and consuming much of the publicized protein, creatine, or testosterone supplements that offer empty promises of muscle formation and endurance. If you are one of those weight lifting enthusiasts who have gone through the ordeal of workouts and clean meals, enduring a 4-days-a-week regimen of bench presses, hack squats, dumbbell and barbell curls among others but still to no avail, then chances are you have become pretty much frustrated by this time around. But before you even think about giving up on bodybuilding, better check out how flax seed can help you define those muscles while enhancing your physical strength. Yes, the flax seed! Many gym buffs can attest to the potency of flax capsules as a weight-training supplement. So take a closer look at the nutritional benefits flax seed can offer that makes this an all-around workout companion.

It is quite superb to learn how a tiny fleck of flax seed becomes a fitting supplement to the loftier agenda of weight training. But then again a rich concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids or the Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) makes flax seed a powerhouse in its own right. So how does the willowy flax become essential to bodybuilding? The EFA nutrients pertinent in a regular dose of flax promote muscle formation through the increased production of testosterone, a hormone necessary for body and strength training. Also a form of anabolic steroid, testosterone assists the liver in the synthesis of protein from the diet; a process that results in the build up of larger muscle fibers and muscle tissues that repair speedily to protect the joints when subjected to a tantamount of physical exertion. Moreover, the regular intake of flax provides the body with an adequate supply of Omega 3 fatty acids that work as energy booster to increase physical and mental stamina so that the body can sustain the lift of heavy weights. Furthermore, EFAs regulate body weight by slowing down the metabolic process, which would definitely resolve the weight troubles of many endomorphs. Best of all, flax seed acts as a multivitamin that provides the bodybuilder with all the essential nutrients of protein, fats and fiber while working out for that toned and strong physique.

So how does flax become essential to bodybuilding? Flax seed is a powerful natural supplement that efficiently regulates weight, builds muscles, and increases stamina while nourishing the body to keep you healthy and energized all day long. Sprinkle milled flax seed over meals that go with your weight training program and soon you will find yourself sporting lean muscle mass complemented by the endurance and vigor only a bodybuilder can achieve.

Bruce Maul is a partner in Goldf Flax Seed, Inc. which provides only top quality Flax Seed and Health related products. Learn more about Flax Seed by visiting http://www.goldflaxseed.com

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