Before you try to become a male bodybuilder, visit your doctor and get a physical to ensure that you are in good health and do not have an inguinal hernia, which 25 percent of U.S. males get, according to Encyclopedia.com.
Goals
The first step to becoming a bodybuilder is defining your goals. Record your initial goals with your target weight and body fat percentage at specific dates. If you start your training and you find your goals are unrealistic, change them. If you want to enter a competition, ask your gym for information on bodybuilder competitions.
Research
Being a bodybuilder means you will need extensive knowledge of how your body responds to training, diet, recovery and supplementation. As a male, you will need to learn how to increase testosterone and lower fat using natural dieting methods and common herbs such as caffeine or unnatural means such as legal prohormones and supplements. Although many prohormones and supplements are legal, the law changes often so visit a bodybuilding store to see what's legal in your area when you decide to buy. For example, in 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned supplements containing ephedra while they were a popular product in bodybuilding stores. While many professional bodybuilders do take steroids, they are illegal and you should not be using them unless a doctor prescribes them to you for a valid medical reason. If you don't do your research, you could end up with breasts from gynecomastia and hair loss from messing with your hormones, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. You will learn what supplements you can take without damaging your liver and kidney.
Diet
To make your body heal and grow fast you will have to follow a strict meal plan while counting calories, carbohydrates, fat and protein. You should buy your food and supplements in bulk to reduce the expense and complexity of the diet. Several bodybuilders use fast-digesting whey protein powder during and after a workout and low-digesting casein protein powder before bed. Protein is important for you as a bodybuilder because it will help you maintain muscles when dieting and build them when bulking up. You also need moderate amounts of fat to provide you with hormones such as testosterone. You need carbohydrates so you have energy to train. A 2004 study reported in Sports Medicine found an ideal bodybuilding diet requires 15 percent to 20 percent fats, 55 percent to 60 percent carbs and 25 percent to 30 percent protein. Ronnie Coleman, who won Mr. Olympia eight times as of 2010, recommends a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes and moderate amounts of fat.
Training
To become a male bodybuilder, take advice from a champion. Jay Cutler, a professional male body builder and 2010 Mr. Olympia winner, says beginners should train four days in a row with a fifth day of rest, then repeat. He recommends you perform nine sets with eight to 10 reps for each muscle. Make lots of friends at the gym. While you might choose to work out alone, if you have bodybuilder friends they can spot you while you exercise and give you advice on your form.
