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. With the first official bodybuilding competition in 1901, bodybuilding started to take on the form we know it by the late 19th century.
Legendary bodybuilders like Lee Haney, Frank Zane, and Arnold Schwarzenegger made the sport popular and encouraged countless more 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, muscle 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 physique.
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 hormone responsible for muscle growth and development.
Bodybuilders have taken them to gain more muscle and boost their strength, but they can have negative consequences for the body, including heart disease, liver damage, and hormone imbalances. In many countries like Germany, using steroids without a doctor 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, 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 drugs that enhance performance.
If you're looking to take your strength training to the next level, check out the Alpha Progression app for tracking your strength training progress and reaching your goals.
