Editing Bodybuilding (section)

== Competition ==
In competitive bodybuilding, bodybuilders aspire to present an "[[Aesthetics|aesthetically]] pleasing" body on stage.<ref>{{cite web| title = Top 10 Most Impressive Bodybuilder Physiques of All Time| publisher = Muscleprodigy| url = http://www.muscleprodigy.com/top-10-most-impressive-bodybuilder-physiques-of-all-time-arcl-1797.html| access-date = June 14, 2013| archive-date = July 29, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170729212646/https://www.muscleprodigy.com/top-10-best-bodybuilder-physiques-of-all-time/| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://muscletime.com/news/judging-the-2008-mr-olympia-judges-provide-full-transparency-and-complete-explanation-of-results|title=Judging the 2008 Mr. Olympia: Judges Provide Full Transparency and Complete Explanation of Results|publisher=Muscletime|access-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516184738/http://muscletime.com/news/judging-the-2008-mr-olympia-judges-provide-full-transparency-and-complete-explanation-of-results|archive-date=May 16, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In prejudging, competitors do a series of mandatory poses: the front lat spread, rear lat spread, [[wiktionary:front double biceps|front double biceps]], [[wiktionary:back double biceps|back double biceps]], [[wiktionary:side chest|side chest]], [[wiktionary:side triceps|side triceps]], [[Most Muscular]] (men only), [[Abdomen|abdominals]] and [[thigh]]s. Each competitor also performs a personal choreographed routine to display their physique. A [[posedown]] is usually held at the end of a posing round, while judges are finishing their scoring. Bodybuilders are advised to spend a lot of time practising their posing in front of mirrors or under the guidance of their coach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Posing Room |url=https://ultimatefitnessbirmingham.co.uk/posing-room/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Ultimate Fitness Birmingham |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In contrast to [[Strongman (strength athlete)|strongman]] or [[powerlifting]] competitions, where [[physical strength]] is paramount, or to [[Olympic weightlifting]], where the main point is equally split between strength and technique, bodybuilding competitions typically emphasize condition, size, and symmetry. Different organizations emphasize particular aspects of competition, and sometimes have different categories in which to compete.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Probert|first1=Anne|last2=Leberman|first2=Sarah|last3=Palmer|first3=Farah|date=2007-03-01|title=New Zealand Bodybuilder Identities: Beyond Homogeneity|url=https://doi.org/10.1177/1012690207081921|journal=International Review for the Sociology of Sport|language=en|volume=42|issue=1|pages=5–26|doi=10.1177/1012690207081921|s2cid=144186372|issn=1012-6902}}</ref>

=== Preparations ===
==== Bulking and cutting ====
{{further information|Weight cycling}}
[[File:Lukáš_Osladil.jpg|right|thumb|Lukas Osladil posing onstage with a variation of the [[Most Muscular]] pose]]
The general strategy adopted by most present-day competitive bodybuilders is to make muscle gains for most of the year (known as the "off-season") and, approximately 12–14 weeks from competition, lose a maximum of [[Adipose tissue|body fat]] (referred to as "cutting") while preserving as much muscular mass as possible. The bulking phase entails remaining in a net positive energy balance ([[calorie]] surplus). The amount of a surplus in which a person remains is based on the person's goals, as a bigger surplus and longer bulking phase will create more fat tissue. The surplus of calories relative to one's energy balance will ensure that muscles remain in a state of [[anabolism]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/reverse-dieting-how-go-cut-bulk-without-gaining-fat|work=[[Men's Journal]]|title=Reverse Dieting: How to Go From Cut to Bulk Without Gaining Fat|date=December 2017|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=January 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124222218/https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/reverse-dieting-how-go-cut-bulk-without-gaining-fat|url-status=live}}</ref>

The cutting phase entails remaining in a net negative energy balance (calorie deficit). The main goal of cutting is to [[Oxidized fats|oxidize]] fat while preserving as much muscle as possible. The larger the calorie deficit, the faster one will lose weight. However, a large calorie deficit will also create the risk of losing muscle tissue.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lambert CP, Frank LL, Evans WJ | s2cid = 17233384 | title = Macronutrient considerations for the sport of bodybuilding | journal = Sports Medicine | volume = 34 | issue = 5 | pages = 317–27 | date = March 2004 | pmid = 15107010 | doi = 10.2165/00007256-200434050-00004 }}</ref>

The bulking and cutting strategy is considered effective because there is a well-established link between muscle hypertrophy and being in a state of positive energy balance.<ref>the science and development of muscle hypertrophy, Dr. Brad Schoenfeld, page 139-140</ref> A sustained period of caloric surplus will allow the athlete to gain more fat-free mass than they could otherwise gain under eucaloric conditions. Some gain in fat mass is expected, which athletes seek to oxidize in a cutting period while maintaining as much lean mass as possible.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} However, it is unclear whether one can maintain enough fat-free mass during cutting for the overall process to be worth it.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Nutrition, Pharmacological and Training Strategies Adopted by Six Bodybuilders: Case Report and Critical Review|first1=Paulo|last1=Gentil|first2=Claudio Andre Barbosa|last2=de Lira|first3=Antonio|last3=Paoli|first4=José Alexandre Barbosa|last4=dos Santos|first5=Roberto Deivide Teixeira|last5=da Silva|first6=José Romulo Pereira|last6=Junior|first7=Edson Pereira|last7=da Silva|first8=Rodrigo Ferro|last8=Magosso|date=March 24, 2017|journal=European Journal of Translational Myology|volume=27|issue=1|pages=6247|doi=10.4081/ejtm.2017.6247|pmid=28458804|pmc=5391526}}</ref><ref name="Lenzi Teixeira de Jesus Schoenfeld 2021 pp. 2546–2551">{{cite journal |last1=Lenzi |first1=Jaqueline L. |last2=Teixeira |first2=Emerson L. |last3=de Jesus |first3=Guilherme |last4=Schoenfeld |first4=Brad J. |last5=de Salles Painelli |first5=Vitor |title=Dietary Strategies of Modern Bodybuilders During Different Phases of the Competitive Cycle |journal=Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research |publisher=Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) |volume=35 |issue=9 |year=2021 |issn=1064-8011 |doi=10.1519/jsc.0000000000003169 |pages=2546–2551|pmid=31009437 |s2cid=128359542 }}</ref>

==== Clean bulking ====
The attempt to increase muscle mass in one's body without any gain in fat is called clean bulking. Competitive bodybuilders focus their efforts to achieve a peak appearance during a brief "competition season".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/the-clean-bulk-a-new-approach-to-adding-offseason-muscle.html|title=The Clean Bulk: A New Approach To Adding Offseason Muscle|date=2016-10-16|website=[[Bodybuilding.com]]|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407000732/https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/the-clean-bulk-a-new-approach-to-adding-offseason-muscle.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Clean bulking takes longer and is a more refined approach to achieving the body fat and muscle mass percentage a person is looking for. A common tactic for keeping fat low and muscle mass high is to have higher calorie and lower calorie days to maintain a balance between gain and loss. Many clean bulk diets start off with a moderate amount of carbs, moderate amount of protein, and a low amount of fats.<ref>Giblin, Chris. "Clean Bulking: for Frustrated Hard-Gainers, Clean Bulking Is Attainable If You Focus Your Diet Accordingly with the Right Foods and Strategy." ''Joe Weider's Muscle & Fitness'', vol. 75, no. 8, 2014, p. 89.</ref> To maintain a clean bulk, it is important to reach calorie goals every day. [[Macronutrient]] goals (carbs, fats, and proteins) will be different for each person, but it is ideal to get as close as possible.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

====Dirty bulking====
"Dirty bulking" is the process of eating at a massive caloric surplus without trying to figure out the exact amount of ingested macronutrients, often down with junk food such as burgers and fries. Weightlifters who attempt to gain mass quickly with no aesthetic concerns often choose to do this. "Dirty bulking" is often favored by bodybuilders in the off-season who are looking to rapidly increase size and strength without worrying about fat gain. While it can lead to quick weight gain and increased muscle mass due to the abundance of calories, it also typically results in a significant increase in body fat. This means a more aggressive cutting phase is usually required afterward to shed the excess fat, which can be physically and mentally taxing. Additionally, consuming large amounts of processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats can negatively impact cardiovascular health and insulin sensitivity over time. Despite these risks, some lifters find dirty bulking psychologically easier, as it removes the pressure of strict meal planning and food tracking.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-06-13|title=Dirty Bulking: Why You Need To Know The Dirty Truth!|url=https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/dirty-bulking-why-you-need-to-know-the-dirty-truth.html|access-date=2023-02-08|website=Bodybuilding.com|author= Rian Evans|archive-date=February 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208100337/https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/dirty-bulking-why-you-need-to-know-the-dirty-truth.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>