Recently, I watched a few videos on YouTube related to nutrition and bodybuilding. In one video, the self-appointed "expert" suggested that the key to obtaining massive muscular arms involved doing 3 sets of 100 repetitions of lying triceps extensions, … [Read more...]
Preparing for physique competition: Is there a better way? by Jerry Brainum
Similarly to many other things, bodybuilding competition continues to evolve. Back in 1983, I wrote an article for the inaugural issue of Flex magazine about whether bodybuilding competition was veering to a judging system that held muscular mass as the deciding … [Read more...]
Natural Bodybuilding Training: The finer points by Jerry Brainum
In the inaugural issue of Applied Metabolics, I discussed the best evidence-based nutrition techniques for natural bodybuilders. To reiterate the meaning of the term "natural," that refers to a bodybuilder who doesn't resort to using any type of pharmaceutical … [Read more...]
Preparing for natural bodybuilding competition: A science-based approach
These days, it appears that the term "natural bodybuilding" is an oxymoron. The public concept of bodybuilders, which is most often based on the appearance of professional bodybuilders, is that all are "juiced up" monstrosities, none of whom have any compunction against shooting up … [Read more...]
(Not) fried green anabolic tomatoes and testosterone-boosting bugs
Scientists are constantly searching for substances that are capable of blocking lean mass loss. Loss of lean mass is a serious problem in several medical conditions, including cancer and HIV-wasting diseases. It is also a primary cause of the feebleness and loss of mobility in many … [Read more...]
Training for Natural bodybuilding competition: two case studies
In the previous article about how to prepare for competing in a natural bodybuilding competition, I provided an overview related to relevant nutritional and supplementation factors. In order to see how all this fits together in actual practice, … [Read more...]