What we think of as bodybuilding today has its roots in the late 1800s. As a form of entertainment, bodybuilders would perform feats of strength to enthralled crowds. Nowadays, it's a little different. Bodybuilders literally build the muscles in their body and then compete against each other. Symmetry and definition are analyzed and compared, then a winner is announced. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler and Kai Green are just a few names you may recognize in the men's bodybuilding arena. These successful bodybuilders nailed the basics year after year to develop their bodies.

It's Going to be a While

Unless you are genetically gifted, it's going to take a lot of time to truly build your physique. Depending on what your goal is, it may take months or years to get to where you want. That's normal! For true bodybuilders, this is a lifestyle. Whether they compete or not, building their physique is important.

Dial in that Nutrition

You may already have a healthy diet, and that's fantastic. But that doesn't mean it will support building muscle tissue. You will need to balance that protein, carbs and fat so that your muscles can recover from workouts, and you're building muscle. If you are serious, you may need to meet with a dietitian that specializes in bodybuilding. They can evaluate your current diet and help you make changes to support your goals. It's not just eating more protein, but all the macronutrients.

Resistance Training

If you are new to resistance training, haven't done it in a while or usually do full-body type workouts, ease into bodybuilding workouts. These workouts are typically done in a split: push/pull, upper/lower, or a rotation focusing on two to three muscles per workout. Multiple sets, reps, and exercises are performed for each muscle as well. It is a very intense way of training, and it can be dangerous to jump right into it. Consider hiring a trainer to help you get going. A certified trainer will take into account what you want to accomplish, what you have been doing and design a program to help you get there. You will do some cardio, but building muscle means hitting those weights.

Get Prepared

Do your research. Understand how this lifestyle functions, and figure out if you can do it. It will take time to get where you're going. But it also will take time to get those workouts done, and prepare/plan your food to reach your goals.

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