Bodybuilding

Get Rid of Stretch Marks During the Steroid Cycle or Post Steroid Cycle?

Published

6 years ago

March 27, 2019

Paul

Bodybuilding Stretch Marks

You began an intensive weightlifting program to pack loads of muscles every month. Though half through, you notice red or purple lines streaking across the pecs and at the apes of your biceps and armpits. These are stretch marks!

While many people link these with rapid growth during pregnancy, weight gain, or puberty, few link them with workouts. A rapid rise in the sizing of muscular tissues because of bodybuilding and weight lifting is often because of these marks, especially in men.

What Are Stretch Marks? The stretch marks are the absence – actually holes in the dermis. Consider the balloon. As you stretch it or blow it, at a certain point before your balloon rips off, you will see the material's color fading off, getting the very thing and ripples or bubbles. That’s how human skin does.

Stretch marks show weaknesses in your skin when a lot of tension is put over it for a long time. Your skin is active and living, so it responds constantly. Thus as your outs stretch over it, it starts to grow.

Though, these are not scars. Scars have a healing reaction. That is how your body provides additional collagen for bolstering a weak wound or spot.

How Stretch Marks Are Formed By Working Out?

Within your skin tissues, stretch marks are like deep scars, which form because of a fast growth rate in that skin area compared to other areas. It means that these skin stretches have passed their limit of elasticity, leaving marks. These marks will generally be red or purple as they format first and get fade away into a white, silvery line with time.

For bodybuilders, workout programs are intense and strict, thus resulting in a faster increase in the sizing of muscular areas like thighs and biceps. It can result in more stretch marks occurring in these areas.

Do Some People Have More Vulnerability For Stretch Marks?

You may find relief knowing that there is practically no person who doesn’t have them. Every person gets stretch marks if his/her skin gets stretched sufficiently and at a particular pace.

It has all to do with the structure of collagen within your skin. However, few skin kinds don’t seem to get stretch marks; or these marks are imperceptible. It can’t be said that there exists an ideal skin kind to minimize the appearance of marks; however, usually, these marks are carried by people with lesser red tones in the skin and very fair complexions.

Though, there exists a vulnerability for redheads. Even these people have got fair skin complexions; they own many blood vessels within the skin. Thus, they are much more prone to having pink or red stretch marks.

Of course, these marks are more common in females that are pregnant. However, anyone who is heavyweight can face the emergence of these marks. Males, particularly bodybuilders, use a heavy intake of anabolic steroids, grow a lot, perform twice a day, put on loads of weight, and get stretch marks on their chests, arms, and even on their backs.

Men who develop more risks are those everybody jealous of in the gym (unless they have stretch marks): rapid growers. Such guys are the ones that put more than two months in their training programs and get results instantaneously. They eat like the horse, bulk is always crazy, they grow fast, and it is unbelievable how big they get. However, there’s just a lot of skin on the body; as your muscles attain a particular size, stretches start to appear on your skin.

Must read: Which Anabolic Steroids Are Less Likely To Cause Acne

How Can You Prevent Stretch Marks Caused By Working Out?

Avoid Sudden Gain or Loss In Weight

It is tough advice to follow while you are following your workout program. But, increasing the size slowly can give your body skin more time to alter body mass. This means it will get more flexible and thus less stretchy with time.

Get a Nutritious Diet

It can be easy to follow; however, you need to make sure that you eat foods that have nutrients that are also good for the skin. They may include zinc, antioxidants, and zinc. By maintaining the skin’s health internally, it gets suppler and much more resilient against impairment.

Moisturize

Many products exist in the market that helps in preventing, reducing, and eliminating stretch marks. Along with maintaining the skin’s health internally by consuming a nutritious diet, you can maintain it outside by keeping your skin moisturized. A lot of the products are used for care as well as prevention, making it cost-effective for you.

These products contain ingredients including Vitamin E and A, cocoa butter, and shea butter which are highly effective; however, if you need something much more heavy-duty, you can go for retinoid treatment. Retinoids must never be used whilst pregnancy as they may affect your unborn baby.

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Those people who prefer oil-based products can go for bio-oil. This oil comprises PurCellin oil, and many people have successfully prevented, reduced, and eliminated stretch marks with this oil. Alternatively, you can also go for natural oils like olive oil and coconut oil, which both have a lot of antioxidants and nutrients absorbed by your skin.

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How Can You Get Rid of Your Stretch Marks Caused By Body Building?

In the case of bodybuilders, often workout programs contradict the advice to prevent stretch marks. But, if you can wait a little longer to achieve the gym targets, you can achieve the results still that you want while reducing the risk of the marks.

Continue The Preventative Methods

If you have stretch marks already, you probably will be searching to reduce the appearance and eliminate these marks. So, continue using the preventive methods given above to prevent them. In particular, while using topical products, the sooner you begin, the more efficiency you get.

Using Removal Cream For Stretch Mark

If you don’t have marks, begin applying the removal cream as early as you see them. Ideally, it Is while they get to the red/purple stage as your skin starts to respond when they change their color. Massage your skin in a circular pattern as it encourages blood circulation within the skin, bringing nutrients and oxygen into the cell internally.

Light Therapy

Few light wavelengths are considered to help in healing. Infrared radiations that penetrate deep into the skin can heat your skin at lower levels, enhancing cell processes and encouraging the creation of elastin and collagen, which maintain skin suppleness. In therapy using red light, you can enhance the healing processes and improve the cream products' effectiveness for marks.

You can do this at your home as there exist a lot of products in the market which is safe to use at home by untrained professionals. You can save that cost that your dermatologist can change for the same treatment. IPL (intense pulsed light can also be very effective for removing stretch marks).

Microdermabrasion

This is used for reducing the stretch marks appearance by softening of skin area around them and evening your skin tone. It may not diminish the marks if used alone, but therapies such as IPL can enhance the product absorption within your skin and bring more results. You can also microdermabrasion at home with at-home kits available in the market.

Procedures that reduce the appearance of Stretch Marks
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Certain procedures work well in minimizing the stretch marks appearance. However, they don’t work perfectly. Why? You can never cure your marks.

Having that said, one of the amazing treatments for these marks is to use a series of carbon dioxide treatments in the form of a laser directed at your skin. In response to the laser, your skin may develop an inflammatory response, which improves and heals the appearance of your stretch marks. Some lattice-like scars may develop within your skin, but these aren’t seeable from the top. Such treatment can improve the vigor of this deep layer in the skin, and the appearance of your marks gets dulled out.

Read More: Multivitamins and Bodybuilding

Another option for reducing your mark’s appearance is Ultherapy. It is a skin-tightening process in which a heat beam burns a small hole deep in your skin. This hole is not made on top of your skin; its area depends on what is being treated. The main problem with this treatment is that it is done on losing parts of the body, like the neck area. It can treat your marks up to a particular degree. However, the results aren’t very amazing.

As a whole, you can look for the best preventative method for your stretch marks. Curing them as early as possible is better to get the best results. If you maintain a healthy diet and avoid any rapid weight loss or gain, you can easily get rid of them.

Related Topics:Bodybuilding Stretch Marks Stretch Marks Stretch Muscles

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Bodybuilding

2nd Edition of Natural Bodybuilding Competition Facts

Published

3 months ago

September 5, 2024

Zizou

Natural bodybuilding competitions are designed to promote and celebrate athletes who build their physiques without the use of performance-enhancing drugs. These events emphasize fair play, health, and the natural development of muscle mass and definition.

The second edition of natural bodybuilding competitions has gained momentum globally, particularly focusing on drug-free athletes. These competitions are hosted by various organizations like the INBA/PNBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association) and OCB (Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders).

In 2024, several notable events have been planned, including the INBA Natural Universe and INBA World Cup, both of which emphasize natural bodybuilding through rigorous drug testing policies. These events aim to showcase competitors who adhere to strict drug-free protocols, and winners often earn pro cards allowing them to compete in higher-level professional competitions.

These competitions focus on categories like men's bodybuilding, classic physique, and women's figure and bikini, among others. Athletes undergo polygraph and urine tests to ensure compliance with natural bodybuilding standards. The winners often receive medals, trophies, or pro status

Drug Testing

Participants undergo rigorous drug testing to ensure they are not using banned substances. This can include urine tests, polygraph tests, and other methods to maintain the integrity of the competition.

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Judging Criteria

Athletes are judged based on several factors, including:

Muscle Mass: The size and volume of muscles.
Symmetry: The balance and proportion of the physique.
Conditioning: The level of muscle definition and leanness.
Presentation: Posing routines and overall stage presence.

Preparation

Competitors often spend months preparing for these events, focusing on strict diet plans, intense workout regimens, and posing practice. The goal is to achieve peak physical condition on the day of the competition.

Community and Support

Natural bodybuilding competitions foster a sense of community among athletes who share a commitment to health and fitness. Many competitors form lasting friendships and support networks through these events.

Starting training for a natural bodybuilding competition is an exciting journey! Here are some key steps to help you get started:

1. Set Clear Goals

Define what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to compete in a specific category like Men’s Physique or Women’s Figure? Setting clear goals will guide your training and nutrition plans.

2. Create a Training Plan

Focus on a well-rounded training program that includes:

Compound Movements: Exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups are essential for building overall muscle mass.
Isolation Exercises: Target specific muscles to enhance definition and symmetry.
Progressive Overload: Gradually increase the weight or reps to continuously challenge your muscles.

3. Follow a Structured Diet

Nutrition is crucial for muscle growth and fat loss:

Caloric Intake: Calculate your daily caloric needs based on your goals (bulking or cutting).
Macronutrients: Balance your intake of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Aim for high protein to support muscle repair and growth.
Micronutrients: Ensure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

4. Incorporate Cardio

Cardio helps with fat loss and improves cardiovascular health. Include both steady-state and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions in your routine.

5. Practice Posing

Posing is a critical aspect of bodybuilding competitions. Practice regularly to perfect your form and presentation on stage.

6. Rest and Recovery

Allow your body to recover with adequate sleep and rest days. Overtraining can lead to injuries and hinder progress.

7. Stay Consistent and Patient

Building a competition-ready physique takes time and dedication. Stay consistent with your training and diet, and be patient with your progress.

8. Seek Professional Guidance

Consider working with a coach or trainer who specializes in natural bodybuilding. They can provide personalized advice and help you stay on track.

9. Join a Community

Engage with other natural bodybuilders for support and motivation. Online forums, social media groups, and local gyms can be great places to connect.

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Qualifications

The qualifications for natural bodybuilding competitions vary slightly between organizations but generally follow these principles:

Drug-Free Status: Athletes must demonstrate they have been drug-free for a specific period, typically between 5 to 10 years. They are required to pass a drug test, usually through urine samples or polygraph tests, to prove they haven't used banned substances like steroids, hormones, or other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Membership Requirements: Competitors often need to be members of the organizing federation. For example, in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF), athletes must have a valid WNBF membership to compete.

Amateur and Pro Divisions: Most competitions have both amateur and professional divisions. To qualify for a pro division, an athlete must first win an amateur event or obtain a “pro card” by performing exceptionally in a recognized event.

Age and Gender Categories: Athletes are categorized by age and gender. Categories typically include juniors (under 23), open divisions, masters (over 40), and grandmasters (over 50).

Entry and Registration: Competitors must pay an entry fee and complete registration. For certain competitions, a pre-qualification based on past performance may be required.

Distinction Between Natural and Steroid-Based Bodybuilding

The main differences between natural and steroid-based bodybuilding revolve around the methods used to build muscle and the resulting impacts on the body. Here are some key distinctions:

Natural Bodybuilding

Muscle Growth: Achieved through consistent weight training, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. Muscle growth is gradual and sustainable.
Health: Generally safer with fewer side effects. Promotes overall health, including better cardiovascular health, improved metabolism, and increased bone density.
Appearance: Natural bodybuilders tend to have a more balanced and proportionate physique. Muscle definition is less extreme compared to steroid users.
Recovery: Recovery times are longer, requiring more rest between intense workouts.
Competitions: Natural bodybuilding competitions often have strict drug-testing policies to ensure participants are not using performance-enhancing drugs.

Related Article: T3 Application in Building Muscle Mass

Steroid-Based Bodybuilding

Muscle Growth: Steroids significantly accelerate muscle growth and strength gains. Results are more dramatic and achieved in a shorter time.
Health Risks: Steroid use can lead to serious health issues, including liver damage, cardiovascular problems, hormonal imbalances, and psychological effects like mood swings.
Appearance: Steroid users often have a more “enhanced” look with larger muscle mass, visible veins, and extreme muscle definition, even in the off-season.
Recovery: Faster recovery times due to the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids, allowing for more frequent and intense training sessions.
Side Effects: Visible side effects can include acne, hair loss, gynecomastia (development of breast tissue in men), and changes in secondary sexual characteristics.

Choosing Between the Two

Natural Bodybuilding: Ideal for those who prioritize long-term health, sustainable muscle growth, and a balanced lifestyle.
Steroid-Based Bodybuilding: Often chosen by those seeking rapid and extreme muscle gains, but it comes with significant health risks and ethical considerations.

Take Away

The main advantage of participating in natural bodybuilding events is the emphasis on health and sustainability. Natural bodybuilding promotes muscle growth through consistent training, proper nutrition, and adequate rest, leading to gradual and sustainable results. This approach minimizes health risks associated with performance-enhancing drugs, such as liver damage and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, natural bodybuilding fosters a balanced and proportionate physique, and the strict drug-testing policies in competitions ensure a fair and level playing field for all participants. This focus on overall well-being and ethical competition makes natural bodybuilding a healthier and more sustainable choice.

Bodybuilding

Primal Movements: Our Ultimate Guide for Maximum Results

Published

4 months ago

August 29, 2024

Zizou

Primal movements are fundamental, natural movements that our bodies are designed to perform. Incorporating these into your training can enhance strength, mobility, and overall fitness. Here’s an ultimate guide to primal development and movements for bodybuilders:

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Understanding Primal Movements

Primal movements are basic, functional movements that mimic the natural actions humans have performed for thousands of years. These movements are essential for developing a strong, balanced, and resilient body. They can be categorized into seven primary patterns:

Push
Pull
Squat
Lunge
Hinge
Rotate
Gait (Locomotion)

The Seven Primal Movement Patterns

Push

Description: Involves moving a weight or resistance away from your body.

Examples: Push-ups, bench press, overhead press.

Muscles Worked: Chest, shoulders, triceps.

Pull

Description: Involves drawing a weight or resistance towards your body.

Examples: Pull-ups, rows, bicep curls.

Muscles Worked: Back, biceps, forearms.

Squat

Description: A fundamental lower-body movement where you lower your hips from a standing position and then stand back up.

Examples: Bodyweight squats, barbell squats, goblet squats.

Muscles Worked: Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves.

Lunge

Description: A single-leg movement that involves stepping forward, backward, or to the side and lowering your hips.

Examples: Forward lunges, reverse lunges, lateral lunges.

Muscles Worked: Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves.

Hinge

Description: Involves bending at the hips while keeping a neutral spine.

Examples: Deadlifts, kettlebell swings, hip thrusts.

Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, glutes, lower back.

Rotate

Description: Involves twisting or rotating the torso.

Examples: Russian twists, woodchoppers, cable rotations.

Muscles Worked: Obliques, abdominals, lower back.

Gait (Locomotion)

Description: Involves movements that propel the body forward.

Examples: Walking, running, crawling, bear crawls.

Muscles Worked: Full body, with emphasis on legs and core.

Benefits of Primal Movements

Functional Strength: Primal movements enhance your ability to perform everyday tasks efficiently and safely.

Improved Mobility: These movements promote flexibility and range of motion, reducing the risk of injury.

Balanced Development: By working multiple muscle groups, primal movements ensure balanced muscle development.

Core Stability: Many primal movements engage the core, improving overall stability and strength.

Increased Caloric Burn: Compound movements like these burn more calories, aiding in fat loss and conditioning.

Incorporating Primal Movements into Your Training

Warm-Up: Start with dynamic stretches and light cardio to prepare your body.

Compound Exercises: Focus on compound exercises that incorporate multiple primal movements.

Progressive Overload: Gradually increase the weight or resistance to continue making gains.

Variety: Mix up your routine to prevent plateaus and keep your workouts interesting.

Recovery: Ensure adequate rest and recovery to allow your muscles to repair and grow.

Sample Primal Movement Workout

Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio and dynamic stretching.

Workout:

Push: 3 sets of 10-12 reps of push-ups or bench press.

Pull: 3 sets of 10-12 reps of pull-ups or rows.

Squat: 3 sets of 10-12 reps of bodyweight or barbell squats.

Lunge: 3 sets of 10-12 reps per leg of forward or reverse lunges.

Hinge: 3 sets of 10-12 reps of deadlifts or kettlebell swings.

Rotate: 3 sets of 15-20 reps of Russian twists or cable rotations.

Gait: 3 sets of 30-60 seconds of bear crawls or sprints.

Cool-Down: 5-10 minutes of static stretching and deep breathing exercises.

1. Warm-Up and Mobility Drills

Start your workout with primal movement-based warm-ups to prepare your body. For example:

Dynamic stretches: Incorporate lunges with a twist, leg swings, and arm circles.
Mobility drills: Include exercises like hip circles, cat-cow stretches, and thoracic rotations.

2. Compound Exercises

Add primal movements as the core of your workout. Here’s how you can structure it:

Push Day: Combine bench presses with push-ups.
Pull Day: Mix pull-ups with rows.
Leg Day: Integrate squats and lunges with deadlifts.

3. Supersets and Circuits

Create supersets or circuits that include primal movements:

Superset Example: Pair squats with pull-ups or push-ups with lunges.
Circuit Example: Rotate through exercises like kettlebell swings, bear crawls, and Russian twists with minimal rest.

4. Functional Training Days

Dedicate one or two days a week to functional training focused on primal movements:

Sample Functional Workout

- Warm-Up: 5 minutes of dynamic stretching.
- Circuit: 3 rounds of:
  - 10 push-ups
  - 10 pull-ups
  - 15 squats
  - 10 lunges per leg
  - 15 kettlebell swings
  - 20 Russian twists
  - 30 seconds of bear crawls
- Cool-Down: 5 minutes of static stretching.

5. Active Recovery

Use primal movements on active recovery days to promote mobility and flexibility:

Activities: Light yoga, walking, or gentle bodyweight exercises like lunges and squats.

6. Progressive Overload

Gradually increase the intensity of primal movements by adding weights or resistance bands:

Example: Start with bodyweight squats, then progress to goblet squats, and eventually barbell squats.

7. Listen to Your Body

Pay attention to how your body responds to these movements and adjust accordingly:

Modify: If a movement feels too challenging, modify it to suit your fitness level.
Rest: Ensure you’re getting adequate rest and recovery to prevent overtraining.

Sample Weekly Routine for Primal Movements

Monday: Push Day

Bench Press
Push-Ups
Overhead Press

Tuesday: Pull Day

Pull-Ups
Rows
Bicep Curls

Wednesday: Leg Day

Squats
Lunges
Deadlifts

Thursday: Functional Training

Circuit of primal movements (as outlined above)

Friday: Active Recovery

Light yoga or walking

Saturday: Full-Body Workout

Combination of push, pull, squat, and hinge movements

Sunday: Rest Day

By incorporating these primal movements, you’ll enhance your functional strength, mobility, and overall fitness. If you have any specific goals or need further customization, feel free to ask! Happy training.

For optimal performance in primal movements before a bodybuilding competition, consider these supplements:

Pre-Workout Supplements: These can provide energy and enhance performance. Look for products containing creatine, nitric oxide stimulators, and caffeine.

Post-Workout Supplements: Essential for recovery, including protein powders, BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids), and multivitamins.

Fat Burners and Metabolizers: These can help in reducing body fat while maintaining muscle mass. Ingredients like green tea extract and L-carnitine are popular.

Adaptogens: Supplements like ashwagandha and rhodiola rosea can help manage stress and improve endurance.

Conlusion

Primal movements, which include squatting, lunging, hinging, twisting, walking, pushing, and pulling, benefit from a strong foundation of functional strength and mobility. Ensuring your body is well-nourished and recovered will help you perform these movements effectively.

Incorporating primal movements into your bodybuilding routine can lead to significant improvements in strength, mobility, and overall fitness. By focusing on these fundamental patterns, you can build a well-rounded, resilient body that performs well both in and out of the gym.