What is bodybuilding?
Many people wonder what are the essential qualities to become a bodybuilder. Those who appreciate their appearance, who want to practice or simply prefer a healthy and vital lifestyle, have many different ways of achieving this. Bodybuilding is a sport where you can consciously and actively define your body.
The best bodybuilding exercises for arms and thighs make you toned and perfectly fit. Professional bodybuilders prepare specifically for competitions. Many amateur bodybuilders often see bodybuilding as part of their lifestyle. In order to notice a positive effect of bodybuilding, regular training, a balanced diet and appropriate supplements are required.
Which body types must be distinguished?
Bodybuilding is different for everybody and it is therefore important to have some insight into which body type you have and then to find a suitable diet, the right training, and suitable supplements. In addition to an iron dose of discipline, people like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno also had a good build and therefore the perfect basis for starting bodybuilding. That, of course, does not alter the fact that they have worked really hard to look so great.
Back to the different body types. We make a rough distinction between three body types and nobody has exactly one specific body type, but often a combination of two body types.
Ectomorph (Hardgainer)
- Naturally slim and tends to lean because of its narrow bones and joints.
- This body type can often be characterized as a marathon runner.
- In a diet, it is best to take the following composition of macros (nutrients): 55% carbohydrates, 25% proteins, and 20% fats.
Endomorph (Softgainer)
- Naturally wide and substantial. Often smaller than the other two types and look rather crowded due to their wide bones and shoulders.
- Often men who participate in Strongmen competitions are an endomorph.
- In a diet, it is best to take the following composition of macros: 30% carbohydrates, 40% proteins, and 30% fats.
Mesomorph
- Looks powerful by nature and typifies with its visible muscularity.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger is a real mesomorph.
- In a diet, it is best to take the following composition of macros: 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins, and 30% fats.
Everybody is therefore different and everyone has a certain dominant body type. Nutrition must be adjusted for this because someone who has endomorph as the dominant body type comes directly from too many carbohydrates. An ectomorph needs carbohydrates to turn on that mass. Supplements that are used also differ per body type. For example, an endomorph does not benefit a weight gainer and he would be better off opting for a basic protein shake to ensure that he doesn’t get too many carbohydrates. The mesomorph is the body type that has the best basis for becoming a good bodybuilder. This body type arrives best in fat-free mass and can therefore quickly build muscle mass.
Bodybuilding Diet
Bodybuilding alone cannot be successfully performed by hard training. A healthy and balanced diet is of great importance in bodybuilding, even more than in any other sport. In addition to training, good nutrition plays a crucial role in muscle building and mass promotion as well as in fat loss. Proteins play a crucial role in such a diet since proteins are essential for muscle growth. Muscles are made up of proteins and recover faster when the body receives enough proteins. In the mass phase, more attention must be paid to carbohydrates. The ectomorph, for example, must include more carbohydrates and fats in its diet because this causes it to increase in mass.
A good diet is based on normal nutrition, but supplements can play an important role in this. This makes it possible to achieve the desired effect faster and more effectively.
Bodybuilding Supplements
There are various products that can be used to build muscle. In principle, a protein is suitable as a basis, where a pure whey protein is predominantly used here.
Additional products such as creatine, BCAAs, and other amino acids can also help build lean muscle. During the dry training phase, BCAA can help prevent too much muscle mass from being lost during this phase. To ensure that you are also at rest, outside training, burned fat can also help a fat burner to work off those last pounds of fat. A fat burner ensures that the heart rate is higher during the day, so there is a more constant fat burning.
Can You Take Supplements Without Exercising?
The use of supplements without regular training is not recommended. Building muscle without training is not possible. Supplementary use is unnecessary and not recommended without training. For example, the extra carbohydrates and fats that are taken through a weight gainer can be directly converted into extra fat cells without exercise.
Bodybuilding – A Conclusion
The sport of bodybuilding is not an exact science and often someone can raise their fitness and form to a higher level simply by doing. In addition, a good dose of perseverance is required. Supplements can be a valuable support to achieve optimum results. As said before, bodybuilding is not a sport, it is a lifestyle!