Simple Tips for Starting Competitive Bodybuilding

As a bodybuilder you should be aiming to enter into the competitive bodybuilding area and show off your body in a bodybuilding fitness competition, especially given the amount of time, effort and money you are putting into your training. Competitive bodybuilding fitness competitions take place all over the world and display some of the finest, athletic bodies on the planet.

Each competition has numerous categories and levels, so even if you are still a novice you can still find a competition that is at your level. However, if you are going to enter you?re going to have to put in a lot of training before hand, so you?ll need lots of self discipline and dedication in terms of actually getting down the gym and training and also your diet.

If you are serious about taking up competitive bodybuilding you should really try to find your self a training partner and coach. As having the guidance and support of an experienced coach and the support from a training partner will definitely help improve your chances of success in the competitive bodybuilding arena. You and your coach need to determine your training programme, your diet and what competitions or events you want to train up to compete in. Also you need to decide whether you are going to be a ?natural? bodybuilder or whether you will use performance enhancing supplements such as steroids. The natural route is best for your body, but there is no reason why you shouldn?t supplement your diet with essential vitamins and nutrients to help optimum growth and repair of your muscles, especially if you have to eliminate some foods from your diet to lose weight.

The next step is to put some time into investigate and find local competitive bodybuilding competitions near to home, as they are a great place to ?dip your toe? in and get started. If you can?t find any locally you might have to travel to further a field to find competitions, so you?ll need to schedule this into your training plans.

Competitive bodybuilding and fitness competitions often vary in terms of the price to enter and the competition rules and regulations, so make sure you do your research carefully. Usually you?ll have a tour or guide the day before or on the morning of the event, so the more prepared you are, the more professional you will appear to the other competitors and judges.

Prior to the event, make sure that you have covered and mastered in training all the poses that you need to be able to do for the competition, and learn how to tense up your muscles for each pose while appearing relaxed. Other things you might want to do or take into consideration are tanning and removing excess hair and anything else that might improve your chances of winning. Ask your coach for advice on this or ask other bodybuilders you have met through your training.

Once you?ve done the competition, critically assess how well you have done, both positives and negatives, if you try and learn from your mistakes you?ll continually increase you chances of winning in future events. See what the other competitors are doing and ask them questions too. You should also try and speak to the judges after the event to get their opinion on how you did and get some tips for your next competition. Listen carefully to all their hints and tips and sooner than you think you?ll be the one winning all the prizes!

Do you want to learn how to pack on massive muscle, melt away fat and get the body of your dreams? If so, get your hands on free bodybuilding tips for beginner bodybuilders by clicking the following link: http://teenbodybuildingtips.info/

Bodybuilding Venue Tips

When considering a full bodybuilding routine, you need to consider first few important points to make sure that you?ll be able to put full focus and attention to your goal of gaining weight and increasing your body appearance. Above everything else, it?s always necessary to check the place where you?ll be spending your bodybuilding training moments.

First, you need to think about the venue where you can conduct your bodybuilding exercises. It has to be where you feel most comfortable in executing exercise routines. Commercial gyms are one place where you can take advantage of the different gym equipment. You probably won?t have any problem in executing ideal exercises on gyms since there are also expert trainers around the gym ready to help incase you need assistance. Another thing that you need to consider is if the training in a commercial gym is within your budget or not. Otherwise, it?s better to stick to home gym training.

Home gym training is ideal for those who don?t want to wait in line before gym equipment becomes available. As long as you have weight lift equipments like dumbbells, barbells, squat stands and a good and solid bench, you can train very well similar to those who train in the gym. Also, the main benefit is that you gain what you need for your body to gain inexpensively.

Another thing is that, with home gym training, you can train anytime you like or whenever you?re available. Just be sure you don?t train much otherwise, it will defeat the whole point of proper bodybuilding.

When bodybuilding at home, you will need to think about the training level you need to accomplish because there?s no one else who can lift the barbells just incase it ended up trapping your neck. You will need to think and impose about serious training precautions for a safer bodybuilding routine.

Shareen Aguilar is a writer for http://www.body-building-book.com which has Bodybuilding guide and other free fitness Books.

Nutrition - The Six Food Groups for Bodybuilding Success

Everyone knows that nutrition is about the most important element in the scheme of things for a bodybuilder. The quality and quantity of the food that you eat - and the times that you choose to eat it - makes a significant difference in the way that you look, feel and develop. Food is also crucial to energy in the gym, and is often the unnamed culprit in a bad workout session.

But barring sticking with cans of tuna and cooked yams, or chicken breasts and brown rice, nutrition can be a mystery to a lot of newbies and seasoned competitors alike. Most stick with just a few staples in order to simplify, but it may not be serving their every need - either in the gym or up on the stage.

The 6 Food Groups

Usually, nutritional bibles will show a pyramid with grains/cereals, proteins, dairy and fruits and vegetables as the 4 food groups. For bodybuilders, it's a bit different and probably looks more like this: Meats/ ProteinsCereals/ GrainsVegetablesFruitDairy ProductsOils/ NutsA bodybuilder's food intake for peak performance and peak condition should include something from each of these groups, but the ratios are greatly skewed from what is typically espoused by nutrition bibles.

Ratios are approximately:

Off Season: 40% Meats/ Proteins10% Grains/ Cereals20% Vegetables (Starchy and unstarchy) 10% Fruit10% Dairy10% Oils/ NutsPre-Contest: 40% Meats/ Proteins5% Grains/ Cereals30% Vegetables (10% starchy and 20% unstarchy, leafy green vegetables)30% Oils/ NutsFruits typically are cut out in the last 5 or 6 weeks. As long as vitamin supplementation occurs, it's not an appreciable deficit.

Typically, we are told that 60% of our diets should come from carbs, 20% from protein and 20% from fat. But let's face it... eating like this is a sure-fire recipe for bodybuilding failure! Following the above plan is much more likely to create the kind of physique you want, and provide the energy you need to succeed in the gym and up on the stage.

Calories - Do they Count?

In this age of low carb diets (and bodybuilders have been cycling carbs for much longer than it's been in fashion) it's easy to think that calories don't count! But, in fact, they do. Don't ignore calories - it's one of the biggest mistakes that a bodybuilder can make! That means, don't ignore the fact that what you take in, carb-free/ carb-light or not, still counts. Sure, it counts much more when you include complex carbs back into the picture during an off season phase, but calories count anytime. Fail to count them and you set yourself up for bad habits that spill over into the off season.

Get in the habit of counting calories during a pre-contest phase, and you'll probably be fine. Once you add starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and additional grains, such as rice, you won't go astray.

For a 200 pound bodybuilder, here's how calories should look:

Off season (growth): 3000 Off season (maint.): 2500 Pre-contest (fat loss): 1800

Eating Quality and Quantity in the Off Season

Off season and mass building aren't synonymous with Burger King or McDonald's. Occasionally, this kind of food is okay, but in general, they are not their own food group and are not the best quality food to feed your body.

It merits mentioning that eating a large quantity of calories during an off season phase is crucial to success. But it should also be mentioned that the quantity must also include quality. Simply shoveling 3000 calories of any kind of food into your mouth isn't the way to address mass building.

Think of feeding your body in the same way you would a new home project. Do you want linoleum in your kitchen, or ceramic tile? Would you build your home with recycled lumber and expect it to last for 30 years, or would you be better off using brand new lumber? Would you want to use sandpaper on your roof, or wood shake or ceramic tile? These are all important decisions in what your final product looks like, and how enduring it will be.

Think of food and feeding your body during a mass phase in the same way. Eat steak, chicken, and other quality protein, good carbs like potatoes, yams, oatmeal, and fats such as olive oil and nuts. Just eat more of it than you would during a pre-contest phase.

Dane Fletcher is the world's foremost training authority. He writes exclusively for GetAnabolics.com, a leading online provider of testosterone and creatine. For more information, please visit http://www.GetAnabolics.com.

Myths Of Bodybuilding That Fooled Most People

We have compiled a list of myths that even fooled most veterans that has been working out for years in the gym!

? If you stop working out, your muscles will turn to fat.

Muscle and fat are two different things and they cannot from one to another because they are completely two different types of tissue. The myth probably started because some former weight lifters continue to eat more even though they have already stop weight lifting. Their muscle could also shrink from long disuse.

? Look for the one with the highest amount of protein serving when choosing a protein supplement.

A protein supplement that has 50 grams of protein per serving may sounds more because it has a bigger measuring scoop or the serving suggestion may require more than one scoop. Look carefully at the serving suggestion label when buying a protein supplement.

? The longer I train in the gym, the more muscle I?ll gain.

When you train in the gym for a long time, your body hits a catabolic state and it would lead to a plateau. A plateau is an inability to progress in training and it would last for months. A training session of 45 minutes to 1 hour would be ideal.

? I should seek training advice from a pro bodybuilder.

Many bodybuilders are big because of genetics and hard work. They may not have the correct scientific explanation as to how they got that way. People with the right genetics would train and diet incorrectly and still grow big. You should seek gym instructors or trained professionals.

? The more you sweat the more fat you lose.

The amount of sweat does not necessarily reflect how hard you are working because some may sweat a lot due to heavy body weight, poor conditioning or heredity. Exercising in hot weather will make you sweat a lot and it looks like you have lost weight immediately but that lost weight is almost consisted of water in your body. The weights will return when you replenish your fluids by drinking after the workout.

? No pain, no gain?

It should never be painful and if it is, you are likely injured from overtraining. When you over train, you would experience physiological and mental stress as well as other health problems.

Sean Nalewanyj is an experienced bodybuilder that has been training for many years and is a writer at http://www.gainmusclenow.info

What Is The NO Supplement? Should I use Nitric Oxide Supplement For Bodybuilding?

NO is the chemical symbol for Nitric Oxide, it is a gas essential to ?signaling molecules.? Specifically, it properly controls blood circulation as well as regulate the functions of the stomach, brain, liver and lungs. Additionally, it is also responsible for controlling blood pressure. Significantly to men, nitric oxide helps in the dilation of the blood vessels for the occurrence of ?penile erection.?

It is said that Nitric Oxide is a helpful bodybuilding supplement. A bodybuilding supplement is responsible for muscle build-up as well as elimination of unwanted fats.

A heightened blood flow is the essential aspect of nitric oxide that is why it is important to most bodybuilders. They are benefited by the following:

- Nitric Oxide improves blood flow which makes way for nutrients to be properly delivered to the muscle cells. As a result, there is proper growth of muscles during ?adaptation and recovery stage.? - Nitric Oxide reduces potential inflammation in the body. By which, muscles are protected to tremendous stress.

Other health-related benefits of Nitric Oxide include:

- It protects an individual from the possibility of heart problems since NO aids in the protection of blood vessels.

- It aids in the proper control of platelet functioning.

- It reduces ?artery plaque.?

- It helps in the lowering of cholesterol.

There are different types of Nitric Oxide supplements available in the market.

1. MRI NO2

This type of Nitric Oxide supplement is noted as an important innovation in bodybuilding supplement. MRI NO2 is said to create a continuing ?muscle pump.?

2. BSN Nitrix

It is a non-hormonal supplement which does not contribute harm from hormonal imbalance. Its primary function is to boost nitric oxide levels in the body so that a heightened blood flow will be obtained.

There are three necessary nutrients which can be found on BSN Nitrix such as Phosphoplex, L-Citrulline, and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide or NAD.

3. Pinnacle NoX2

The important ingredients of A-AKG and A-KIC make the said product efficient to lengthen ?muscle pumps,? enlarge and revitalize muscles.

It is said that Pinnacle NoX2 is the same as MRI NO2. The only difference is with the cost of the product. The latter is more expensive.

4. Syntrax Nitrous

This type of Nitric Oxide bodybuilding supplement is a powder supplement which makes it easy to digest. The arginine ingredient mixed with malic acid makes Syntrax Nitrous effective for proper secretion of insulin, efficient pumping of muscles, production of energy and most importantly muscle recovery.

The use of the above-mentioned samples of Nitric Oxide bodybuilding supplement must first be consulted with your trainer. The need for a supplement varies from one person to another. There are possible side effects which can be encountered with the use of such products containing Nitric Oxide such as:

- High NO dosage causes diarrhea and vomiting.

- Frequent headaches.

Aside from Nitric Oxide supplements, you can obtain natural sources of the said chemical compound with food substances containing L-arginine such as meats, fish, milk products and grains.

The use of bodybuilding supplements has its own specific advantages and disadvantages. To obtain optimum result it is recommended that you take in supplements in its recommended dosage.

A bodybuilder?s physique will not be obtained with supplements alone, you need to undergo serious training, be keen with your diet and most importantly get enough rest.

For more great information and resources check out Body Building Routines and Supplements here. Check out our Free Body Building Routines Guide

What to Look for When Buying a Home Gym

When buying a home gym there are several things you will want to educate yourself on before making a final purchase in order to ensure you buy the best home gym for you and your family. While there are many things you will need to consider, your budget, goals, space, and personal needs are some of the most important topics to keep in mind. Evaluate all of these points before you start shopping for home gyms.

Budget

First and foremost you need to establish a budget for any strength training equipment you plan to buy. The reason for this is you only want to shop within your budget so as not to cause a financial burden. Once you have evaluated your budget for a home gym you will know what is available to you.

Goals

Before buying a home gym you should also evaluate your goals. Ask yourself why you need a home gym and what will it help you accomplish. Also, ask yourself if there is other fitness equipment that would help you meet your fitness goals. When you know what you are hoping to achieve by purchasing commercial fitness equipment for your home then you will have a better view of what you should buy.

Space

This tip is really important as well because you cannot buy a home gym you do not have space for. If you do this you will certainly never experience any of the benefits because you will not be able to use it. Before shopping for home gyms, or even reading reviews, find an area in your home where you would like to put the exercise equipment and measure the amount of space you have exactly. Take into account as well you will need to maneuver around the machine as well.

Needs

Evaluate your needs when it comes to getting into shape and working out. What parts of your body need the most work and what type of machine will best help you achieve your fitness goals? There are many types of home gyms on the market with a variety of different accessories and options, so you should know what you need and want before shopping and getting talked into a machine that does not meet your needs at all.

Finding Machines that Meet Your Criterion

Now that you are aware of how much you can spend, how much space you have, your personal goals and needs in a home gym then you can start reading reviews about the home gyms and exercise equipment that will meet your criteria.

The best suggestion is to go online and do some product reviews and find out what ratings each machine has that meets your basic standards of price, space, design, and needs. These reviews will really prove helpful because they will shed light on different aspects of the machine that really work and those that do not. Previous owners of the machines also frequently have their e-mail addresses posted so you could respond or either ask a question about a particular machine if you wanted. When you have this information then you will be prepared to start shopping for a home gym knowing that whatever you buy it will be perfectly suited to your needs, fit in your space available as well as your budget.

Shopping for your home gym might begin online or else you might prefer to visit a sporting goods store. Regardless of where you buy, you should always be armed with your information and never let a good sale or salesperson sway you.

The reason for this is if there is a great sale on a machine you might be tempted to buy it, even if it does not meet any of your needs, space, goals, other than budget. Be very careful about this. Also, salespeople will frequently try to talk you into something you do not need or want. Avoid this at all costs and stay focused on the machines you want to look at.

In fact, shopping online might be your best option because there are frequently better prices and no salespeople to worry about and you will probably end up making a better decision and wont have to worry about loading a heavy machine into your car because it will arrive at your door.

Choosing the Right Machine

Now that you have started the shopping process you will want to locate the top three machines that meet your entire criterion, have the best reviews and ratings, and overall impress you the most. Once you have the top three machines in mind then you can start evaluating them one by one by making a plus and minus list for each machine. Make sure you duly note all things about the machine you really like and are impressed with as well as all of the negatives. After you have completed all of your lists you will then be able to easily compare the three lists and buy the home fitness machine that you have been dreaming of.

Accessories

Once you have purchased your new home gym you might also consider buying some accessories to facilitate your work out and help you get the most out of your fitness routine. Such accessories include stability balls and free weights, among others.

These accessories will not take up much additional room, if any, and can really help you vary your workout and get the most out of your effort. Plus, these accessories dont cost very much so you wont be going over you budget by adding them to your checkout.

Buying a home gym does not have to be a difficult or even scary process as long as you do the research and consider all the variables and information available. When you do this you will be sure to not only buy the best machine for you for the best price, but you will also save a lot of time and possible dissatisfaction caused by purchasing the wrong machine. Avoid all of this by simply following the tips outlined above and you will be working out in the comfort of your own home before you know it.

Laura Rupert is a successful writer for http://www.homegymsonline.info/, your online resource for home gyms, commercial exercise equipment and home treadmills.

Home Gyms, Worth the Money or Not?

Home fitness is a huge industry, and most people these days have purchased at least some sort of exercise equipment or fitness video for home use. A lot of it ends up in a closet, in the garage, under the bed, etc. and is never seen again. Reasons vary. Some people just don't have the discipline to work out regularly from home while others realize the miracle-wonder-ab-slimmer (or whatever) isn't quite the high quality piece of equipment the midnight infomercial promised it would be.

What about home gyms? Like most of the junk sold by infomercial, they can be low quality, but if you're serious about working out from home and getting a quality piece of equipment, you can definitely find home fitness gear that is worth the money and will stand up over the years.

My personal favorite is the Bowflex. Yes, they're sold via infomercial and yes, they are expensive (especially the "ultimate" models), but I've had one for two years and not a single thing has broken on it. Yes, I even use it regularly.

There are other options as well. While I'm not a big fan of the Wieder Crossbow, I know others who swear by it. There are a lot of good home gyms out there that people are less familiar with (no infomercials). Powertec puts out a number of machines suitable for home use. The Powertec Leverage is a complete gym in itself.

For people who are more interested in free weights (but lack the space for an entire rack of varying weight dumbbells), the PowerBlock system is an option. It doesn't take up much room, but is basically a whole system of dumbbells in one. The newer Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells operate under the same principle.

But are these systems worth the money? I've used all of the ones I've mentioned, and I believe the answer is yes IF YOU USE THEM. The fanciest home gym that money can buy may be worth the fortune it costs, if you use it several times a week. But on the other hand, even a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment isn't worth the money if it's only used three times then stuffed into the cubby hole beneath the stairs. If you just don't know whether you'll stick to a home exercise program or not, but you're determined to buy a home gym, I recommend the Bowflex, if only because they resell very well on eBay.

In general, expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars for a home gym, and you can easily spend in the thousands. Be wary of home gyms that cost less than five hundred dollars. Not only are your chances of getting a quality piece of equipment pretty minimal, but you probably won't see the kind of results you're hoping for because you won't be dealing with real weight or something similar (i.e. the proven resistance technology the Bowflex and Crossbow use).

Whatever home gym you decide on, good luck with your goals!

TC Thorn is a freelance writer and web content publisher. This article first appeared at http://www.fit-at-home.com/ and may be reprinted so long as this resource box is included.