Alpha Progression
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of strength training that focuses on developing muscular size and definition.
You can find the origins of bodybuilding in ancient Greece, where athletes engaged in various physical disciplines requiring both strength and endurance. Bodybuilding started to take on the form we know it by the late 19th century, with the first official bodybuilding competition taking place in 1901.
Legendary bodybuilders like Lee Haney, Frank Zane, and Arnold Schwarzenegger popularized the sport and encouraged countless other athletes to take up the sport as a hobby or a career.
Strength training is an essential component of bodybuilding and involves performing exercises that target specific muscle groups with weights or resistance. This training increases overall physical performance, as well as muscular strength and endurance. Due to their dedication to strength training, bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, and Dexter Jackson have become famous for their extraordinary strength and physiques.
Bodybuilding without using performance-enhancing substances like steroids is known as "natural bodybuilding." To ensure they compete without using banned substances, competitors in natural bodybuilding competitions must pass drug tests.
Steroids are synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone, the male sex hormone largely responsible for muscle growth and development.
Bodybuilders sometimes take steroids to gain more muscle and boost their strength, but they can have negative consequences for the body, including increased risk of heart disease, liver damage, and hormone imbalances. In many countries like Germany, using steroids without a doctor's supervision is illegal.
Bodybuilding competitions showcase the results of a competitor's work and dedication to weightlifting and muscle development. Bodybuilding competitions come in a variety of types, including:
The most prestigious bodybuilding competition in the world, the Mr. Olympia, is considered the Super Bowl of bodybuilding.
The professional bodybuilding league, the IFBB Pro League, known for its elite competitors, holds several international competitions.
The National Physique Committee oversees amateur bodybuilding in the US and organizes several regional and international competitions.
Natural Bodybuilding Organizations support drug-free competitions for competitors who refuse to use performance enhancing drugs.
If you're looking to take your strength training to the next level, check out the Alpha Progression app to track your strength training progress and help reach your goals.
