{"id":314,"date":"2022-03-09T10:42:52","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T15:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/iron-blog\/?p=314"},"modified":"2026-01-23T13:27:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T18:27:20","slug":"what-is-bodybuilding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/2022\/03\/09\/what-is-bodybuilding\/","title":{"rendered":"What is bodybuilding?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Bodybuilding isn\u2019t just for those looking to compete. If you have goals of improving your health and body, then you can be a bodybuilder too. We\u2019ll walk you through the basics.<\/h3>\n<p>What comes to mind when someone says they\u2019re a bodybuilder? You probably imagine someone flexing their big muscles, chiseled abs, and strutting around stage at a bodybuilding competition. It\u2019s a professional sport, yes. But that\u2019s not all bodybuilding is meant to be.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Are you a stay-at-home mom who\u2019s looking to tone up after having kids? You can be a bodybuilder. Do you have goals of building muscle and getting fit outside of your 9 to 5? Also bodybuilding. Maybe you\u2019re a grandparent who just wants to be healthy enough to run around and play with your grandkids. You can be a bodybuilder too.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It doesn\u2019t matter your profession or what stage of life you\u2019re in. In your own respective way, you can be a bodybuilder without being a professional and competing on stage.<\/p>\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog-assets\/WhatBB_email_600.jpg\" data-featherlight=\"\/blog-assets\/WhatBB_email_600.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog-assets\/WhatBB_email_600.jpg\" alt=\"Andre Adams, professional bodybuilder, Ironmaster athlete and home gym owner, NASM Master Trainer\" data-image=\"1646866671\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>What Exactly Is Bodybuilding? Is It a Sport or a Hobby?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">According to good ol\u2019 Merriam-Webster, here\u2019s the definition of bodybuilding:<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>The development of the body through exercise and diet, specifically: the development of the physique for competitive exhibition.<\/em><br \/>\nAs we discussed, you don\u2019t have to compete to be a bodybuilder (although you can if that\u2019s a goal of yours). Whether you want to compete professionally or have body goals you want to reach, bodybuilding is all about getting fit, transforming your body, and shaping it to look the way you want it. That\u2019s a process we all can engage in. So, to answer the question about if bodybuilding is a sport or a hobby\u2014it really is both.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>The 3 Pillars of Bodybuilding<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">You want to feel good when you look in the mirror, right? And improve your aesthetics? To reach your fitness goals with bodybuilding, there are 3 important pieces you want to consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Strength training<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Nutrition<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Recovery<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Each piece plays a pivotal role in helping you \u201cbuild your body up,\u201d and ultimately, achieve the success you want. You can think of each part like this:<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>Results are made in the gym (strength training), revealed in the kitchen (nutrition), and maximized while resting (recovery).<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Bodybuilding Strength Training<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It\u2019s the exercise piece, and bodybuilding 101 starts with strength training (aka\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/fundamentals-of-resistance-training-part-1\/\">resistance training<\/a>). But what exactly is it? Strength training involves exercising with your own bodyweight or using devices like dumbbells or machines to build muscle, burn fat, and gain strength. It challenges your body to grow, adapt, and become more fit.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The best way to maximize your results is by following a structured workout program and sticking with a consistent routine. In fitness circles, you\u2019ll hear about something called a \u201cbodybuilding workout split.\u201d That\u2019s just when you split your workouts up by body part.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Here are a few of the more popular bodybuilding training splits:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Upper body\/lower body split: Alternate workouts between your upper body and lower body.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Push-Pull-Legs (PPL): You work your push muscles one workout (chest, shoulders, and triceps), pull muscles another workout (back, biceps, and traps), and have a leg day for your entire lower body.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Total-Body Split: You train your entire body with each workout on this split.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Body Part Split: With this split, you train one or two body parts per day. For example, Monday could be chest day, Tuesday\u2014back, Wednesday\u2014legs, Thursday\u2014shoulders, etc.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">One strength training principle you definitely want to be familiar with is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/said-principle\/\">progressive overload<\/a>. Your body and muscles are smart. If you do the same workout over and over again\u2014same weight, same reps, same rest periods\u2014eventually your body will adapt and stop progressing.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Instead of seeing your progress stall, progressive overload helps you challenge yourself and continue improving. Ways to implement progressive overload include increasing your weight, volume, training frequency,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/importance-of-muscular-tension-for-maximized-workouts\/\">time under tension<\/a>, or decreasing your rest time in between sets during your workout.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Bodybuilding Nutrition<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Simply put, you just can\u2019t out-train your fork. There\u2019s not a workout on this planet that can make up for a poor diet. If you eat like crap and fill up on garbage, it\u2019ll show in your workouts and through your physique.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">You want to make sure that everything\u2019s in check with your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/nutrition-series-part-1-macros-micros\/\">macros and micros<\/a>. Your diet should be a balanced one filled with plenty of the three primary macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fats).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Protein: Lifting weights break your muscles down and start a process in your body called \u201cprotein synthesis.\u201d This is when your body makes new protein to help your muscles rejuvenate from your workouts. Getting enough protein is important for building muscle and helping your body recover.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Carbs: Working out depletes your body\u2019s glycogen, which gives you energy. Carbs help replenish your glycogen stores.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Fats: Healthy fats\u2014like fatty fish, avocados, or olive oil\u2014are an essential part of any bodybuilding diet. Without healthy fats, all the vitamins and nutrients you consume would just run right through you. Healthy fats also give a boost to your HDL (high-density lipoprotein aka \u201cgood cholesterol\u201d). HDL contributes to growth hormone production, which is essential for building muscle.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By the way, your bodybuilding diet isn\u2019t limited to the food you consume. Make sure you\u2019re drinking water and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/health-fitness\/nutrition_2\/\">staying hydrated<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Bodybuilding Recovery<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/10-tips-for-ramping-up-your-bench-press-safely\/\">bench press pump<\/a>\u00a0and leg day burn are all you need, right? In actuality, your muscles grow in your time outside of the gym when you\u2019re not working out. If you don\u2019t get enough rest and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/workout_recovery\/\">make workout recovery a priority<\/a>, what you do in the gym won\u2019t mean squat (no pun intended). Not to mention, you\u2019ll probably be sore as all get-out.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The number one piece of recovery is getting enough sleep. Sleep impacts so many areas of your life\u2014from your energy levels and how well you concentrate\u2014to your eating habits and even your stress levels. Any one of those things can impact how much muscle you build or fat you burn. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sleep\/about_sleep\/how_much_sleep.html\">CDC recommends<\/a>\u00a0getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night but you might need more than that if you\u2019re training hard.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The other big slice of the recovery pie involves relieving muscle soreness and re-energizing your body. Massage, ice baths, sauna, foam rolling, and cryotherapy are some of the tools you can use post-workout to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and help speed up recovery so you can attack your next workout with intensity.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Becoming a Bodybuilder Summary<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you have a goal of transforming your body and building it up in any way, then you are a bodybuilder. You don\u2019t have to compete. You don\u2019t have to go on stage.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Here\u2019s all you need:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Commit to a structured workout program that follows progressive overload<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Follow a nutrition plan that focuses on the right combination of macros (protein, carbs, and fats) and micros to reach your fitness goals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Get enough sleep and use tools like massage, ice baths, and cryotherapy to speed up recovery<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Doing those three things with consistency can help you improve your health and reach your body goals.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">New to your fitness journey or looking to spice up your current workout routine?<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Give these workouts and exercises a try:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/building-your-chest-with-dumbbells-at-home\/\">Chest Dumbbell Workout<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/top-10-dumbbell-leg-workouts\/\">Dumbbell Leg Exercises<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/ironmaster-workouts\/\">Dumbbell Total-Body Split Routine<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog-assets\/ChadR_AuthorPhoto_1646776955.jpg\" data-featherlight=\"\/blog-assets\/ChadR_AuthorPhoto_1646776955.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog-assets\/ChadR_AuthorPhoto_1646776955.jpg\" alt=\"Chad Richardson, author for Ironmaster home gym strength training equipment\" width=\"245\" height=\"258\" data-image=\"1646776955\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Chad Richardson is a freelance writer from Cincinnati, OH. It\u2019s actually been rumored that Chad came out of the womb doing bicep curls, so it should come as no surprise that he enjoys creating content to help others get in shape and live healthier lives. When he\u2019s not in the gym impersonating Arnold Schwarzenegger, you can probably catch Chad at a local bar with some friends, frustrated with his hometown Red Legs\u2019 inability to stay above 500 for a whole season. His philosophy on life? Take action starting TODAY on that thing you\u2019ve been putting off&#8230;Not tomorrow, next week, or whenever you feel motivated&#8230;A small step might not seem like much right now, but even small steps add up to a mile eventually.<br \/>\nWebsite:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/writingtitan.com\/\">Chad\u2019s Business Website<\/a><br \/>\nLinkedIn:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chad-richardson-00\/\">Chad\u2019s LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n<h6><strong>References:<\/strong><\/h6>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/bodybuilding\">https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/bodybuilding<\/a><\/h6>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sleep\/about_sleep\/how_much_sleep.html\">https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sleep\/about_sleep\/how_much_sleep.html<\/a><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bodybuilding isn\u2019t just a competitive sport. You can be a bodybuilder too! Learn all about the basics and what it takes to transform your body.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[123,60,17,54],"class_list":["post-314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health-fitness","tag-bodybuilding","tag-resistance-training","tag-strength-training","tag-weightlifting"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=314"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":513,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions\/513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}