Female physique athletes often choose between competing in the fitness or bodybuilding divisions based on their builds and fitness goals. Fitness competitors stress muscular but feminine bodies that can demonstrate athletic prowess through dance...
Body fat percentage can be calculated using several techniques, each offering varying levels of accuracy. One way for men to determine body fat percentage is by using an equation developed by Hugo Rivera -- a professional trainer, pro bodybuilder...
When you begin weightlifting, one of the most challenging tasks you'll face is trying to understand all of the vocabulary associated with this type of exercise. Grasping the different types of weightlifting techniques such as isolation and...
Joe Weider is a bodybuilder and fitness writer considered to be one of the founding fathers of the sport and a significant contributor to its popularity. Weider has engaged in a variety of pursuits within bodybuilding, including supplementation,...
Full-body workouts are a common part of a bodybuilder's workout routine. While the routine itself may vary, most bodybuilders focus on sculpting and strengthening their entire body. In addition, cardio training and proper diet are often combined...
You might not find the elliptical to be very exciting, but it is an effective way to burn fat. But the elliptical doesn't always have to be boring. There are many workouts you can use to increase the intensity of your elliptical sessions while...
Although bodybuilders spend most of their time trying to build muscle, there are certain times when slimming down and losing fat are necessary. This is usually the case before a bodybuilding competition, when you need to reduce your body-fat...
Whether it be by creating fitness equipment, making fitness accessible by bringing it to TV, or changing the way we look at exercise, Jack LaLanne, Richard Simmons, Jane Fonda and Joe Weider all made a significant contributions to the world of...
Adopting certain dietary habits and fitness routines can increase the amount of muscle you have. The degree of ease in which you can do this might differ depending on your natural body type. Regardless, doing it the healthy way takes patience and...
Gaining weight in the form of lean muscle mass requires dedication, consistency and perseverance. Muscle grows in response to a quality diet and strength training. Understanding your goals and employing specific strategies will help you reach your...
The primary muscle of the shoulder is the deltoid, which consists of the front, or anterior deltoid, the middle, or lateral deltoid, and the rear, or posterior deltoid. All three muscles need to be exercised in order to achieve the appearance of...
If you are on the thin side, you might desire to bulk up a bit and gain some muscle. The trick is gaining muscle weight and not fat. To truly transform your body, you need to commit to certain dietary and exercise strategies that will facilitate...
The major muscles that add shape, roundness and lift to the glutes are the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and the piriformis. For muscle growth and hypertrophy, the National Strength and Conditioning Association recommends doing three to four...
The bench press can be an effective workout for the chest muscles, deltoids, triceps and biceps. You can use dumbbells or a barbell with weighted plates and perform the exercise on a flat bench, incline or decline. This makes it a versatile...
Research suggests that exercise may protect your cognitive abilities, or overcome psychological problems. Exercise helps suppress mental symptoms of depression and anxiety. In her December 2010 article published on the "Psychology Today" website,...
Soy protein isolate offers an alternative to bodybuilders who prefer not to use protein supplements or protein powders derived from animal sources. However, soy protein raises levels of the female hormone estrogen, according to bodybuilder and...
Whether you are a bodybuilder, fitness model or just want to look good on the beach, you are probably after "six-pack" abs. According to Net Wellness, a service of the University of Cincinnati, "spot reduction" -- losing fat only on a specific...
According to Clarence Bass, 73-year-old bodybuilder and fitness expert, it has long been acknowledged that levels of the muscle-building hormone, testosterone, decline with age. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism published...
Bodybuilders need a significant caloric intake and a lot of protein to increase their muscle mass to the desired level. Most bodybuilding diets focus on consuming large amounts of lean meat, whey protein, egg whites and other animal products....
Anyone can lose fat with natural herbal fat burners. You do not need to be a hardcore bodybuilder or fitness model to use herbs to burn fat. Taking herbal supplements alone will most likely not make you lose weight, which requires caloric...
Weight training builds strength in the upper and lower body but can pose a risk if you execute an exercise incorrectly. According to the website Spine-Health, some weight lifting exercises that can cause these injuries include the squat and the...
There may be no single proper way of building muscle by weightlifting, or a specific routine guaranteed to build muscle mass. However, there are certain principles you should follow to build muscle. You have to use heavy weights; your workouts...
Your options for fitness training are legion -- but if you are pressed for time, your best workout choice may be circuit training. A concept conceived by athletic trainers, circuit training has been around for decades, making its debut in...
A rise in muscle temperature due to exercise is part of your body's normal response to physical activity. Temperature increases inside your muscles to accommodate the rising demands of physical activity. Elevated muscle temperature might...
The phrase "no pain, no gain" is commonly heard in the gym, often uttered through the gritted teeth of muscular men and women as they hoist heavy metal. But the type of "pain" you feel during lifting is often just extreme discomfort, the muscles...
Becoming certified as a bodybuilding personal trainer is one way to motivate others to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Several organizations offer courses to help you become certified as a trainer for bodybuilders. Some courses can be completed...
Developed for use by bodybuilders, the ketogenic diet is an effective method of losing fat rapidly while preserving muscle mass. One variation of this diet is the Palumbo Keto Diet, which follows a very rigid diet plan at specific intervals. Note...
Though muscle conditioning may have roots in prehistoric days, modern body sculpting as popularized through competition and public judging began at the turn of the 20th century. Today, there are more than 2,500 competitions around the world, and...
When undertaking a bodybuilding fitness lifestyle, structuring the proper diet plan is crucial to your health and the success of your efforts. If you find you are getting inadequate nutrients from your current diet, or if the nutrients you eat are...