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Bodybuilders
are virtually unique in the demands they place upon their bodies. They
require simultaneously maximum muscle mass and minimum body fat, which
is an extremely difficult state to attain. Athletes like gymnasts,
boxers and cyclists, who need to become very lean, follow a training
regimen that burns up so many calories that they rarely have to diet to
reduce body fat. Nor do they usually attempt, as competition
bodybuilders must, to get down to a relative body fat of about 7 to 10
percent for men and 6 to 9 percent for women. Most strength athletes
such as football players work to maximize the size and strength of the
muscles with only minor attention to reducing body fat.
Bodybuilders
have little margin for error. They have to eat enough to grow, then be
able to reduce body fat without sacrificing muscle mass. They can use
aerobic exercise to burn up extra calories, but not to the point where
their bodybuilding workouts suffer. They need to control calories, but
get sufficient protein to build and maintain their muscle tissue.
Nutrition is a complex and ever-expanding science, and nutritionists are
giving us new information almost daily. However, certain basic
principles of nutrition are well established, and mastering these
fundamentals is essential for the bodybuilder who wants to achieve his
total genetic potential for growth and physical development.
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