Bodybuilding, a sport for enthusiasts in pursuit of their ideal physique, with a constant focus on detail and perfection. It could be likened to a visual art form, where, like a sculptor, the bodybuilder shapes their body according to the image they wish to achieve.
A brief historical overview to better understand bodybuilding and its evolution:
Visualizing male statues from Greek mythology allows us to see the presence of aesthetics in ancient Greek society. Heracles could therefore be considered an ancestor of bodybuilding.
In France, bodybuilding has its origins in “physical culture.” Hyppolyte Triat (1813-1881) is its founder. After reading Jérôme Mercurialis’s book “Del arte gymnastica,” he created a gymnasium in Paris in 1854 and invented pulley machines with weights, exercises with dumbbells and barbells, and the principles of muscle localization. Subsequently, Georges Hébert, considered the father of physical culture in France and author of numerous works, as well as Edmond Desbonnet, continued along Triat’s path.
In Europe, the German athlete Eugen Sandow, born in 1867, famous for his aesthetic displays in numerous exhibitions and shows in France, Great Britain, and the United States, popularized the cult of physical aesthetics. Thanks to Eugen Sandow, physiques more “modern” and aesthetically pleasing than those of strength athletes were brought to the forefront.
In the early 1900s, in the USA Bernard Mac Fadden published numerous works on physical culture for women and men, placing more emphasis on health (magazines “Physical Culture” and “Beauty and health”).
The first bodybuilding competitions began in London in 1902, in France in 1935 and in the USA in 1939.
Later, Joe Weider, Larry Scott and Arnold Schwarzenegger made their mark on the history of bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding in 3 (+1) points:
Muscle development, or hypertrophy, is based on 3 fundamental principles:
– Targeted weight training: Muscle development is based on the phenomenon of muscle hypertrophy in response to stimulation and micro-tears in muscle fibers to cope with a certain intensity of work.
– Nutrition: Total energy intake should be slightly higher than the individual’s needs to maintain their weight, ensuring sufficient macronutrients for energy during workouts (carbohydrates) and for recovery and muscle growth (proteins, amino acids). Micronutrients and hydration also play a crucial role in nutrient absorption and the various chemical reactions within the body.
– Rest and recovery: During recovery phases (sleep), muscle tissues repair and develop. It’s worth noting that 60 to 90% of growth hormone production occurs during the first 3 hours of sleep (deep sleep).
To then reach an extraordinary level of muscle development, the use of doping with anabolic steroids is necessary.
In my opinion, it’s important to add that with work, willpower, and time, natural muscle development can already yield fantastic results. So don’t hesitate to contact me so I can help you optimize or develop your physique!
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