When I competed in bodybuilding contests over 40 years ago, the favored diet to achieve the low body fat status known as "ripped," was a low carbohydrate diet. The low carb diet was defined as containing no more than 100 grams of carbohydrate a day. But this varied among … [Read more...]
New Study Says Carbohydrate Loading Works for Bodybuilding by Jerry Brainum 2/20
In several past issues of Applied Metabolics I have discussed carbohydrate loading for bodybuilders. Carbohydrate loading (CL) or simply carb loading, was first developed by Scandinavian sports scientists in 1967. It was not developed initially for bodybuilding purposes, but … [Read more...]
Amateur Versus Pro: Differences in Precontest Nutrition Strategies by Jerry Brainum 1/20
Why do some bodybuilders go all the way to the professional ranks of bodybuilding competition, while others never venture past amateur status? Are there any particular physical and mental attributes that allow a person to progress to the very zenith of bodybuilding … [Read more...]
Bodybuilding contest training: Comparing Off-Season and On-Season Practices by Jerry Brainum 7/19
The dietary and training strategies used by competitive bodybuilders have often been deemed "unscientific" by many self-styled "experts." Many such experts. although they have advanced degrees, such as doctorates, have never set foot in a gym. As such, they have little idea of … [Read more...]
Scientific Contest Peaking Strategies For Natural Bodybuilders by Jerry Brainum
Several past articles in Applied Metabolics have focused on in-depth, science-based methods of contest preparation. However, these past articles have looked at the big picture of contest prep for various types of bodybuilding contests. A new study examined in minute detail … [Read more...]
More On Scientific Bodybuilding Contest Preparation for Men and Women by Jerry Brainum
I've written several articles about bodybuilding contest preparation in past issues of Applied Metabolics. These articles have included information about preparing for natural bodybuilding events; professional bodybuilding contests; Men's physique events; and Women's fitness … [Read more...]
Is there a winning formula for natural bodybuilders? by Jerry Brainum
I've covered how bodybuilders prepare for various aspects of competition in past issues of Applied Metabolics. These include articles about natural bodybuilding competition; physique competition; and women's fitness and bikini events. While the information contained in … [Read more...]
After the Contest Ends by Jerry Brainum
Until recently, bodybuilding was virtually ignored by sports scientists. While studies of the effects of drugs commonly used by athletes, such as anabolic steroids, did exist in the medical literature there was nonetheless a dearth of information about the science … [Read more...]
An Intensive Analysis of Common Bodybuilding Competition Practices by Jerry Brainum
I've previously discussed in depth the scientific ways to reach maximal muscular condition for a variety of bodybuilding competitions in past issues of Applied Metabolics. For example, in one article I outlined in detail the diet and anabolic drug program that was used … [Read more...]
Preparing for a Women’s Figure competition: A Science-Based Approach by Jerry Brainum
In prior issues of Applied Metabolics, I've discussed in detail scientifically-based techniques used to prepare for men's professional bodybuilding competition, which involved a case study of precisely how a top-5 Mr.Olympia competitor prepared for the contest and got into the … [Read more...]