Body Building

The aim of competitive body building is to maintain a high degree of muscle mass and tone with symmetrical shape, visible musculature and vascular definition.  There are various styles of events with emphasis placed on different aspects of fitness and physique requiring different demands on the body and dietary intake. 

Two phases exist within the competition year: bulking (eight to ten months) and cutting (two to four months).  Most of the year is spent in the bulking phase (off-season) which focuses on high-intensity resistance training to build muscle mass and muscle symmetry.  Cutting begins two to four months before competition and involves maximising body fat losses while minimising muscle loss to enhance muscle definition. Aerobic activity is combined with continued weight training during this phase to assist in fat loss. The bodybuilding lifestyle is demanding, with immense training schedules and the plethora of diet myths in the bodybuilding world; it can be challenging to maintain a healthy and varied diet, while also meeting all nutrient requirements to achieve the desired body composition.

It is prudent to mention that the body building referred to in the SDA fact sheet is natural body building and can be achieved without pharmaceutical aid. Drug testing occurs in this sport as in any other to minimise the use and abuse of prohibited performance-enhancing substances.

Some topics covered in the fact sheet:

• Restricted eating and related consequences
• Managing body fat levels
• Creatine & other supplementation

Want to know more? Click here to download the body building fact sheet.