--- Post-Contest Questions ---

[Hypnotix]

Hey guys, this is for the people that have knowledge on the subject and/or have personal experience doing competitive bodybuidling.

Do you think there is any benefit to going "contest-ready" (none aesthetic reasons only, obviously looking amazing is a benefit)?

I believe I've heard people talk about a post-contest rebound effect, almost like your body utilizes food more efficiently during this "low" right after a contest. Better muscle gain.. Is it a real thing?

I know people have said competitors are almost at their most unhealthy point, or very close, when they are on stage? How does this hold true, to what degrees is this correct?


Thanks!

 

[Hypnotix]

Bump.

 

[Mrrippedzilla]

1 - Outside of aesthetics reasons there is no benefit whatsoever to staying in contest ready condition. And even here, the only people who would consider you to look "aesthetic" are other dudes; women do NOT find striated glutes attractive at all.

2 - Its actually the complete opposite, your body is in 100% fat storage mode. Throughout the entire prep your body has been making constant hormonal adaptations to prime you up to store fat - that's why competitors commonly go up 3-5%bf within days/weeks of a contest.
I will add that there is a certain bf% range where muscle gains seems to be more optimal due to better nutrient partitioning, insulin sensitivity, etc - but this is more 10-12%, not 4-6%.
Its commonly acknowledged that to maintain that level of conditioning your going to have to accept that any future muscle gains will be painfully slow.

3 - its very true for naturals, to a lesser extent for enhanced competitors.
Literally all of your hormones have crashed into the ground - IGF1, insulin, test, gh, thyroid, appetite is sky high, fatigue is sky high, cortisol is high, etc. No matter how you look at it, this is NOT a healthy environment to be in.

I have self experimented with getting contest ready and staying there permanently, as have a few clients who have been nice enough to be my guinea pigs for this project.
I've yet to find the proper drug protocol that doesn't make the whole experience a psychological nightmare - not that I've stopped looking for the right protocol of course

 

[bigben66]

I've yet to find the proper drug protocol that doesn't make the whole experience a psychological nightmare - not that I've stopped looking for the right protocol of course

I'll be all ears for that mate if you find it... potentially entering two shows 10 days apart next Spring!

 

[Hypnotix]

1 - Outside of aesthetics reasons there is no benefit whatsoever to staying in contest ready condition. And even here, the only people who would consider you to look "aesthetic" are other dudes; women do NOT find striated glutes attractive at all.

2 - Its actually the complete opposite, your body is in 100% fat storage mode. Throughout the entire prep your body has been making constant hormonal adaptations to prime you up to store fat - that's why competitors commonly go up 3-5%bf within days/weeks of a contest.
I will add that there is a certain bf% range where muscle gains seems to be more optimal due to better nutrient partitioning, insulin sensitivity, etc - but this is more 10-12%, not 4-6%.
Its commonly acknowledged that to maintain that level of conditioning your going to have to accept that any future muscle gains will be painfully slow.

3 - its very true for naturals, to a lesser extent for enhanced competitors.
Literally all of your hormones have crashed into the ground - IGF1, insulin, test, gh, thyroid, appetite is sky high, fatigue is sky high, cortisol is high, etc. No matter how you look at it, this is NOT a healthy environment to be in.

I have self experimented with getting contest ready and staying there permanently, as have a few clients who have been nice enough to be my guinea pigs for this project.
I've yet to find the proper drug protocol that doesn't make the whole experience a psychological nightmare - not that I've stopped looking for the right protocol of course

Thanks buddy! answers everything.