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They make it look so easy on television. Drink you protein shakes, spend hours at the gym and that should be enough to sculpt the body of your dreams, but unfortunately it's not that easy. A vast amount of knowledge about the body and nutrition is necessary if you are interested in learning how to become a bodybuilder.
- Professional bodybuilders work hard to achieve what is competitively considered perfect physique. Rigorous training and exercise, as well as a diet high in protein are just part of the strict regimen a bodybuilder must adhere to if he or she wishes to compete. To learn more about how you can become a bodybuilder, please check read on.
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Step 1: Schedule a Physical
- Before you begin any kind of diet or exercise program it is imperative that you start with a physical. Because the human body is always changing, there may be factors you are unaware of that exercise or diet changes may bring to the surface. Your doctor can also talk to you about proper nutrition and even offer a diet plan that may help you increase muscle mass.
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Step 2: Diet
- Proteins are what the body uses to build muscle, but you don't want to get out of hand and consume only protein shakes. The body can only handle so much protein, so an estimated daily intake of protein for an adult is between 35-45 grams per day, or one gram per kilogram of body weight. Diets that are too high in protein may cause health problems:
- Toxic levels of nitrogen and amino acids
- High protein diets are unsafe for people with chronic kidney disease
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Step 3: Exercise
(Creative Commons photo by d_vdm)- Sculpting muscle is not all about weight training. You need to mix aerobic exercise with weight training to achieve the best results. Many experts recommend a twelve week exercise cycle that includes:
- Three to four 30-40 sessions of aerobic exercise each week to build stamina
- Three weight training sessions per week
- Steadily increase repetitions to lose fat and build muscle
- Be sure to mix up your routine, so it doesn't get boring. Many bodybuilders hire a personal trainer who knows the ropes and can motivate them to do the work that needs to be done.
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Step 4: Competition
- Once you can see the results from your hard work, it's time to start competing.
- Start slow and compete in amateur competitions
- Compete locally at first
- As you establish yourself, travel for competitions
- Many bodybuilders endorse the products they use, showing off their well earned physique for a little extra cash. You worked hard, and should an opportunity like an endorsement offer come up, don't be afraid to take it. Likewise, you may even find yourself offered modeling gigs in muscle mags. Go for it!
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Conclusion
- As you can see, bodybuilding is not all about weight lifting and protein drinks. Start by visiting your doctor and getting a physical to determine if you are in top physical condition. Once you've been given the go-ahead from your doctor, begin a high protein diet regimen and a twelve week exercise cycle. Be sure to combine aerobic exercise with weight training for the best results. When you're ready, begin competing in bodybuilding competitions, and don't be afraid to show off your physique if you're offered an opportunity to endorse a bodybuilding product.
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