The goal here is to network and find out more about the sport and the local community, not to find a sponsor or find a moneymaking opportunity. Don’t ask for favors; ask for guidance.
Don’t be afraid to ask bodybuilders or their coaches if the gym they attend is open to the public, or if their rosters have room for another trainee. While they may be your competition down the line, most are willing to share their love of the sport. Ask simple questions, such as, “Where do you train?” “How did you get started?” “What does an average training session look like?” Each of these questions can help you on your own bodybuilding journey.
Always make sure you read the terms of your contract before you sign on with a gym. Some gyms may exaggerate their offerings, but require a large fee for the early contract termination, while other gyms may have exclusivity clauses.
When you speak to personal trainers, specify that you are interested in bodybuilding. Not all personal trainers are willing or qualified to train for the sole purpose of building bulk. A prospective trainer should also be made aware of your expectations. If you have a specific deadline you’d like to meet (for an upcoming competition, for instance), tell the trainer your deadline and desired training schedule.
Bodybuilding does not have to drain your bank account, but it easily can. Make sure you keep your personal budget in mind when joining a gym, enlisting the help of a trainer, and paying competition fees and purchasing competition apparel.
If you are using a trainer, listen to their advice and follow the training plans they’ve set. These are likely to be difficult, but are set in a specific order and pattern to help your body build sustained, useful muscles. Expect to start with basic exercises, such as squats and bench presses. These exercises allow you to gradually add more weight and provide significant gains.
This may not seem like an important step, but being able to see physical changes in your body is an excellent way to keep your motivation high. If possible, use exactly the same pose in each of your photos, as well, as this will give you a more concrete visual of any possible changes. Tracking your progress will also give you a window into which exercises and routines are effective, and which do not provide as many muscle gains.
Under the supervision of a trainer or partner, you might want to try dead lifting and similarly challenging lifts. If this is the case, be aware that these should never be done solo, and should not make up the bulk of your training.
Although you should not do intense training regimens seven times per week, you should be in some way active each day, even if it something as simple as walking up stairs instead of using an elevator, or taking a walk around the block.
Do not, under any circumstances, skip rest days. Your body will not be able to build muscle effectively if it does not have time to heal and repair itself. Because building muscle means creating tiny tears in muscle fiber, which then heals, failing to give your body adequate time to repair and rest will mean few gains and the risk of serious injury.
Whenever possible, opt for fresh over pre-made. Use meal prep such as chopping your food beforehand, or creating weekly lunches to encourage healthy eating habits.
Eat protein wisely. A pound of bacon is not going to provide your body with the same nutrient content as a pound of lean, grass-fed beef. Make sure you consume plant-based protein as well, through nuts, nut butters, soy, legumes (such as kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils) and other plant proteins for a well-rounded diet.
The best rule to follow when eating vegetables is to eat the rainbow—that is, to eat a wide variety of vegetables in different colors. Fruits contain vitamins and minerals as well, but they are much higher in carbohydrates and sugar than vegetables. If you do include fruits in your diet, eat them in moderation, such as no more than one serving per day, or as an occasional treat.
While protein supplements can do a lot for a bodybuilder, they are not strictly necessary; while it may be difficult, it is possible to get all of the protein you need through a healthy diet and wise food choices.
