Becoming a high level bodybuilder.....

[slair]

Given decent but not outstanding genetics....what do you think it takes to become a national level or pro bodybuilder?

What do you have to be willing to do to get there? What kind of sacrifices do you think have to be made?

You can answer this in terms of dedication, training, attitude, diet, gear, supplements, health, money, time, or anything else important you can think of.

I suspect there may be a person or two on this board that may know from first hand experience.

 

[TheFitnessLife4ever]

You have to be willing to use extensive amounts of gear, ancillaries, and other drugs. You also have to be willing to sacrifice bodybuilding over everything else. That means no partying, smoking, or eating shit at a family gathering. I almost attempted to take that path when I was around 19(young, I know) and competing. I got a very bad back injury though that required me to lay off the good compound movements. I honestly lost all motivation, lost some muscle, gained fat, and then just quit for about 4 months. By then I felt like shit and decided to lose a ton of weight and try to get back to what I was doing. I feel I do have the genetics and drive to get their. I'm starting a test only cycle soon and plan to get a little above what I was at. Right now I look like the average joe, but it will change soon. I certainly won't be pro for a long while if I even do become pro, but the drive is always there and I will attempt to achieve the unimaginable.

 

[TheFitnessLife4ever]

I'm 22 now btw of your wondering.

 

[hard2gain]

To actually get your pro card and be competitive in the big leagues, it takes crazy genetics. Not trying to pop anyones bubble but it's the cold hard truth.

 

[slair]

re

although i agree, there have been some pro's that i've seen after retiring, and i thought to myself....you know his genetics don't seem that insane.

 

[TheFitnessLife4ever]

If you look at Arnold, his genetics weren't too great. He had long legs, short torso, long arms. I'm not discrediting him in anyway considering I have a similar frame to him, but his extensive use of anabolics in his early teens is really what took him so far. Come on. By 19 he had already gotten what many envied. Of course many will disagree with me though.

 

[DavidJ21]

If you look at Arnold, his genetics weren't too great. He had long legs, short torso, long arms. I'm not discrediting him in anyway considering I have a similar frame to him, but his extensive use of anabolics in his early teens is really what took him so far. Come on. By 19 he had already gotten what many envied. Of course many will disagree with me though.

I don't really care about the Arnold statement, but when you guys talk about having 'the genetics' you guys mean the physical body and also the strength, which allows you to lift heavier weight to have larger muscles right?


Cause my problem is, i'm able to have a decent body, but I don't have much strength. But to be a top bodybuilder you have to have both? Or I wonder if some top BBer's do not have both..

 

[bcopp]

extremely difficult, but if you have the will, drive and genetics then you will love it.

 

[Jack Torsbear4]

awsome genetics not only for muscle building but also gear usage (almost as important). there bodies respond so well to aas. the list shit they take is pages long

....not worth the risks they take IMO

 

[Dreaded Pirate Roberts]

You basically give up your life for 5 years and do nothing but train and sleep and eat and then it's a real crap shoot. I had the size and the frame but I couldn't hold the weight for more than 2 years without health issues. It's not the life for me.

 

[3J]

well... let say you want to start at step one.. from the age of 18

1. diet
2. training routine
3. bigger diet
4. harder training routine

about 5-6+ years of this repeated

then anabolics.. plus a bigger diet.. plus a stronger training routine

then more anabolics.. to a unhealthy point.. plus more food.. and more training..


i dont think anyone here really truly understands what it takes to become a pro.. i know and am friends with guys who compete in the national level.. it takes 10-15 years of anabolics and an amazing diet and workout routine to even think about the stage on that level..

 

[megatron_ed]

well... let say you want to start at step one.. from the age of 18

1. diet
2. training routine
3. bigger diet
4. harder training routine

about 5-6+ years of this repeated

then anabolics.. plus a bigger diet.. plus a stronger training routine

then more anabolics.. to a unhealthy point.. plus more food.. and more training..


i dont think anyone here really truly understands what it takes to become a pro.. i know and am friends with guys who compete in the national level.. it takes 10-15 years of anabolics and an amazing diet and workout routine to even think about the stage on that level..

Exactly. Discovery (or was it TLC) had a documentary on bodybuilding back in 1999 or 2000 that was eye opening.

This is my take. For the top 5 in the world, the sacrifice is worth it. They get the biggest share of all the monies (prize, sponsorship, appearance, etc.).

For everyone else, what they make is likely eaten up by their nutritional needs and AAS needs.

It was sad watching that show. Guys who leave home with high school educations or less, and rent one bedroom apartments of about 400sq ft. in Venice Beach because they are the next Arnold, Dorian, Lee, Ronnie, etc.

They work odd jobs to make ends meet and do some things for money that are frowned upon.

Many say they have the genetics until they show up to a national level competition. Think of this way.....those nobodies you see in supplement ads that are huge as fuck? Nope, not pro material.

To me, I admire the dedication, but I want to live a life that is well balanced and still look decent.

 

[megatron_ed]

I don't really care about the Arnold statement, but when you guys talk about having 'the genetics' you guys mean the physical body and also the strength, which allows you to lift heavier weight to have larger muscles right?


Cause my problem is, i'm able to have a decent body, but I don't have much strength. But to be a top bodybuilder you have to have both? Or I wonder if some top BBer's do not have both..

You'll find that most bodybuilders are strong because of the mass and experience. However, strength is not the main thing driving their growth. It is form, reps, etc. This is why bodybuilding is different than powerlifting.

 

[TheFitnessLife4ever]

Bodybuildings about physique, not strength at all. If it were about strength, I'd have no chance. I also agree with the posts above. It is an unhealthy amount of anabolics involved as well. I've realized over the years that I want to be massive but wanna also be healthy.

 

[slair]

re

in terms of gear useage.....unless you've hit the genetic jackpot, (which even some pro's havent) to compete at the national or proffessional level, i think you have to be willing to risk your health to the extreme.

No time off from gear......extreme high doses, with multiple compounds, cruising at high doses between cycles, heavy useage of insulin/diuretics which can be extremely dangerous.

Cannot be afraid of shutting yourself down permanently, must be willing to accept early balding, impotence, gyno, severe liver damage, prostate damage etc.

I think most high level bodybuilders have run through a similar checklist and decided for themselves that they accepted these conditions for the possibility of greatness.

 

[jon emberlin]

Went to the southern national natural bb contest the other night. There were over 150 men competing and my thought was maby 3 could turn pro. There was one 19 year old kid that was built and looked just like Frank Zane this kid was the shit!!!

 

[barrysanders]

My Dream is crumbling as we speak!
I think Mega hit it right on. To many people confuse Powerlifting with Bodybuilding...ITS NOT THE SAME THING! I fuck up my routine all the time trying to lift as much weight as possible but lag in the reps (BTW my goal is to shape='s BBing). If I was smart I would go lighter and really focus on the form and the pump of the muscle.

well... let say you want to start at step one.. from the age of 18

1. diet
2. training routine
3. bigger diet
4. harder training routine

about 5-6+ years of this repeated

then anabolics.. plus a bigger diet.. plus a stronger training routine

then more anabolics.. to a unhealthy point.. plus more food.. and more training..


i dont think anyone here really truly understands what it takes to become a pro.. i know and am friends with guys who compete in the national level.. it takes 10-15 years of anabolics and an amazing diet and workout routine to even think about the stage on that level..

 

[Millertime]

If you look at Arnold, his genetics weren't too great. He had long legs, short torso, long arms. I'm not discrediting him in anyway considering I have a similar frame to him, but his extensive use of anabolics in his early teens is really what took him so far. Come on. By 19 he had already gotten what many envied. Of course many will disagree with me though.

I have to disagree with you here. Arnold might not have had the size but his genetic composition was perfect. No matter how much juice someone takes or how hard they lift not everyone has the genetics to build perfectly symetrical muscles. He didn't fit the typical short heavy stature of most body builders but his proportions were just incredible.

 

[slair]

re

I have to disagree with you here. Arnold might not have had the size but his genetic composition was perfect. No matter how much juice someone takes or how hard they lift not everyone has the genetics to build perfectly symetrical muscles. He didn't fit the typical short heavy stature of most body builders but his proportions were just incredible.

I will agree with you that bone structure, symmytry, aesthetics are mostly a genetic factor. That being said, so is muscular development, but there is no drug that can really alter your structure the way aas can alter your muscular development.

Their are alot of guys like this....just phenomenal aesthetic structures...such as arnold, zane, haney, wheeler, dexter, freeman, wolf etc.....but their impressive muscular development is what really makes their proportions and aesthetics shine. I would argue that without their heavy use of anabolics....no one would even care about their "great" genetics.

 

[DaHurt]

i dont think anyone here really truly understands what it takes to become a pro.. i know and am friends with guys who compete in the national level.. it takes 10-15 years of anabolics and an amazing diet and workout routine to even think about the stage on that level..

Unless you're Phil Heath of course