More than muscle building: why bodybuilding is a healthy choice

When people talk about bodybuilding, they automatically think of well-oiled and pumped muscles in beach bums and gym bodies. It conjures up images of tanned bodies struggling under several kilos of weight and using the most advanced instruments of torture to achieve the perfect form.

This is not uncommon. Most people would not mention bodybuilding as a step towards obtaining and maintaining a healthy body. Exercise, maybe, but not bodybuilding. However, bodybuilding does more than just create symmetry and size. It also helps to strengthen the body and develop flexibility and athletic performance.

Bodybuilding can also help build endurance and it doesn’t hurt that it actually contributes to a more attractive and well-defined body.

Alibis and excuses to stay away from bodybuilding

You must have heard of them before. People who refuse to do bodybuilding believe that the developing muscles will make them heavier and therefore slower and that the muscles will only turn back to fat once it stops. These are bogus.

Muscles are the main engine that drives every movement we make. Stronger and bigger muscles just mean that we can move better and have better flexibility. If muscles can indeed slow a person down, sprinting runners must stay lean. Larger muscles can make you look and feel bigger, but they won’t slow you down.

Muscles will never turn to fat because they are two different tissues. If training is stopped, they will decrease over time because they are not used. People who went from being tied to muscle to fat may have stopped training and increased their food intake during that period, allowing their bodies to store more fat and burn fewer calories.

Seven Steps to Success in Bodybuilding for Health

1. Develop a goal. Nothing succeeded without a plan or if something did, then it must have been a complete fluke. Know what it is you want to achieve and how you plan to do it, whether you just want to gain more muscle or lose fat, you must have a clear goal on what you hope to achieve and how to get there.

2. Get a physical exam. You will need your doctor’s approval if you plan to include bodybuilding in your regimen and especially if you are a beginner. Get a thorough checkup to make sure your body is capable of the physical exercise you will be undergoing. Check that your cardiovascular functions are well and stable and that you have a healthy liver and kidneys.

3. Select a gym. A no-brainer, perhaps, but joining the right gym can help your routine more than you think. Choose a gym that is conveniently located near your home or office. That way, you will have no excuse not to go. Choose a gym where you feel comfortable not only with the equipment but also with the instructors.

If you are a trustworthy entrepreneur and prefer a little more privacy, you can also choose to have your own gym at home. You really don’t need to buy fancy equipment right away; just start with the basics and then gradually add from there. By starting small, you can determine what equipment you need to buy as you go. This is better than being stuck with extra gear that you won’t be using.

4. Get a program that suits your level. If you are a beginner, it makes no sense to choose an overly advanced bodybuilding routine or hit a gym without knowing where to start. Your body thrives on gradual change, so you risk injury if you try to lift more than you should. Consider your level of training and your goals, and then come up with a program that’s right for you.

Try checking out some information on beginner bodybuilding routines to familiarize yourself with your options. You can consult books, magazines, and websites or go to a professional and have your own routine designed specifically for you. Gym memberships typically include this service, so you may want to request specific information when joining one.

5. Develop a sensible diet. Yes, you need one. Don’t think that once you start bodybuilding, you can consume sweets and go out all you want. The purpose of a bodybuilding routine is to lose fat and replace it with lean muscle. A proper diet will provide you with the correct type of nutrition for growth and recovery of energy, bones, and muscles.

6. Don’t rely too much on bodybuilding supplements. With all the promises printed on the labels and the enthusiastic advertisements on television, you might be tempted to rely on supplements to do the job for you. Supplements only add to your routine and should not replace proper diet and training. Only when you increase your level of training should you consider taking bodybuilding supplements with your diet.

7. Don’t forget your R ‘n’ R. Sleep and rest are very important for your overall health and especially when you’re doing bodybuilding. Your body, and especially your muscles, need time to recover after a good exercise. Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep to allow your body to grow and recover.

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