| uilding is not the exclusive art of professionals. In recent | | | | empty calories with nutrient-packed foods. |
| years more and more people have been adapting the | | | | • Yes, your physique will visibly improve. |
| bodybuilding lifestyle to improve themselves. People | | | | Sustained weight training (over a month, with the right |
| are in the art of bodybuilding not just for the possibility | | | | diet) will make you look more fit. Even if you |
| of competing, but for the effects of the discipline | | | | don’t have four packs yet, your belly fat will |
| regimens themselves. | | | | significantly be reduced and your arms and legs will |
| What are the basic effects of well-guided weight | | | | gradually and naturally be toned. This is the basic |
| training, or more broadly, bodybuilding? | | | | reward of weight training. |
| • Decrease of body fat percentage versus | | | | • No, you will not be all stiff as a board after |
| lean body mass percentage | | | | you start lifting weights. The real effect of weight |
| • Decrease in the risk of coronary heart | | | | training is actually more flexibility. The actual cause of |
| disease and other diseases associated with sedentary | | | | inflexible and easily sore muscles is inactivity- so get |
| living (given that you won’t be using synthetic | | | | out of that couch today and start moving. |
| testosterone to speed up muscle building) | | | | • No, you will not be “ripped” in |
| • Well-built, well-toned physique | | | | two month’s time. Unless you’re into |
| • Increase in flexibility, endurance and stamina- | | | | using illegal steroids (those used for horses) or |
| all the basic requirements of any physical sport. | | | | synthetic testosterones (used in conjunction with a |
| The basics | | | | so-called “cutting stack”), the |
| Here are some things that you should expect when | | | | “professional” bodybuilder’s body |
| you begin with your weight training or bodybuilding: | | | | would come much later. Give yourself at least a year |
| • Yes, there will be some pain involved. But the | | | | without cheating on your training regimen. But by then |
| burning sensation that you will feel means your | | | | you won’t really care anymore if you’re |
| muscles are adapting to the increased resistance | | | | ripped or not, because you would be feeling more alive, |
| applied to them. Continuous weight training will eliminate | | | | more in control of your body. |
| the pain- and gradually, you will feel the | | | | • As for self-confidence, yes, you will be more |
| “high” that bodybuilders speak of- the | | | | confident, especially in situations that require you to |
| result of a combination of natural substances in the | | | | expose your body to a number of people.-Whether |
| body being released during times of sustained physical | | | | people agree wholeheartedly or not, toned physiques |
| activity. | | | | always manage to catch the eye. This positions the |
| • Yes, you will have to cut down on | | | | bodybuilder in a better position in social events- |
| chocolates, soda and beer. One of the main | | | | whether it be in a meeting with the boss or with a |
| components that would have to be addressed even | | | | romantic date. |
| before weight training is the percentage of fat in the | | | | There’s no way to go but up for the |
| body. You have to lose weight as you go along by | | | | enthusiastic bodybuilder. |
| cutting down on the empty calories. Replace these | | | | |