What happens once you're complete?

[Kwello]

When you get to a point where you're totally happy with your body... what becomes the gym plan after that? I'm pretty knowledgeable at this point about bulking up. In a couple more months though (honestly I'm at the stage already, I just want to see how I look even bigger) I think I'll be at a size that I'm happy with. So what kind of routine do I move to after that? I'll want to maintain the size that I'm at, maintain my muscle tone and definition... but not really get bigger.

Do you start doing sets with 15-20 reps instead of 5-8? Do you just go the gym less often? Do you maintain your current workout and just slack on the eating department?

 

[stronglifts]

When you get to a point where you're totally happy with your body... what becomes the gym plan after that? I'm pretty knowledgeable at this point about bulking up. In a couple more months though (honestly I'm at the stage already, I just want to see how I look even bigger) I think I'll be at a size that I'm happy with. So what kind of routine do I move to after that? I'll want to maintain the size that I'm at, maintain my muscle tone and definition... but not really get bigger.

Do you start doing sets with 15-20 reps instead of 5-8? Do you just go the gym less often? Do you maintain your current workout and just slack on the eating department?

Lifting weights can take several forms:
*bodybuilding
*weightlifting
*powerlifting
*strength training
*strongman
*odd lifts
*....

You'll probably need to adapt your training goals. I started with bodyweigth exercises for strength, next bodybuilding, then powerlifting & now strength training.

When you start training for maximal strength, the sky becomes the limit. I recommend it to you.

-Mehdi.

 

[Warboss Alex]

You maintain by simply cutting back on the eating. You can continue to train and get stronger but without the calories to grow you won't.. simple. Just keep training as you have been, but remove the excess calories.

Although most guys should worry about getting to the point of being complete first before worrying about maintainance..

 

[Kwello]

Thanks for the advice guys. Pretty much what I had figured all around. This week actually I've not been eating enough due to insane schedules and time constraints... my definition has really gone up a ton it seems. I can see the individual fibers in my shoulders and chest even. I guess these are the results I can expect once I maintain my current set weights and just cut down on calories.

On an unrelated note; what do bodybuilders do in preparation for a show? I remembered reading somewhere that they cut off/down fluids up to 24hr in advance... is that correct? I model for life-drawing classes now and then so I was wondering if that's an easy way to get some added definition. Especially the classes that focus on anatomy, it would really increase my demand as a model if I could display all the muscles as clearly defined as possible.

 

[Warboss Alex]

carb depleting/loading is a complex topic.. and it's not a case of 24hrs. They prepare for several days for this.

 

[Kwello]

Okay I see. I should probably just stick to doing pushups behind the changing curtain then before doing poses eh?

Is that fluid deprivation thing true though? Also if it does work... is it too harsh on your kidneys to really be something to want to do?

 

[Warboss Alex]

Yes, you'd be better off doing that. I mean, you could mess about with certain supplements etc to get a better pump and all but unless it's really worth it I wouldn't bother.

And yes, they do cut out water (to remove it from under their skin) and then fill up on it so the muscles are saturated. They also mess about with sodium and other things. It's an interesting topic really.. just I don't think anyone on here would benefit from it. And if you screw up your depleting/loading you look worse, so..

 

[Kwello]

Oh I see... so they'll stop drinking a day before competition and then drink like a gallon an hour before they go on stage?

 

[mexican_player2]

never is too big

 

[Kwello]

I really beg to differ... that's all subjective though. Not to turn this into a looks thread, but once you get too big you lose the ability to come off as sensitive and romantic. Unless it's an LTR and the lady knows you very well.

There's a very fine balance to strike between a few elements and that's the physique that makes me happiest. You can have too much of a good thing.

 

[blinkwatt]

On an unrelated note; what do bodybuilders do in preparation for a show?

They watch what they eat,but not as much as you think. My buddy who is prepping for his contest is eating fruits(natural sugar & fiber),tuna,ground turkey(George Foreman),string cheese and chicken. Before you say fruits don't help you lean down.....He is sub 5% bodyfat,it's flippin crazy when he lifts,I've never seen anyone with veins bulging out in their traps.

I remembered reading somewhere that they cut off/down fluids up to 24hr in advance... is that correct?

That's partially correct, they start to watch their liquid intake 3 weeks prior and start to trim it down from there. The night prior to the competition,whether the competition is in the AM or PM the following day they don't drink anything.

I model for life-drawing classes now and then so I was wondering if that's an easy way to get some added definition. Especially the classes that focus on anatomy, it would really increase my demand as a model if I could display all the muscles as clearly defined as possible.

Don't drink much 3-4 hours prior and don't eat anything 4-5 prior to modeling,that should allow your abs to stay flat and lean looking. Wouldn't hurt to do some pull-ups and push-ups right before modeling as well. Most models flex in their pics,so sad......

 

[Kwello]

Well due to the huge amount of movement in the poses, I really don't have the luxury of flexing much at all. I'll pull in the stomach always to make sure the washboard is on display, but if I start trying to flex my pecs/biceps/whatever the pose ends up looking less fluid and more forced. Bodybuilding poses however are designed to allow you to flex and show the muscles as best as possible.

 

[shaunuk]

There's more to it like Alex said, like salt manipulation. I once read a page about contest preparation. Among other things the guy would eat tons of salt weeks before the show, and would then suddenly cut it all out, and stop drinking water several days before the show. He also took diuretics to dry himself up of water even more. Then he carbed up just before the show.

I think he also took some potassium to keep the electrolyte balance in check after he lost most of his sodium.

The interesting thing about it is that timing is very important. People sometimes get it wrong by as little as an hour and look their best in the dressing room 30mins too early, then don't look as good on stage.

-shaun

 

[Mjazz]

I doubt your complete with your body, why not try and get your traps a bit higher, why not cut down on bf%, why not get your grip or forearms stronger, why not get your serratus larger, why not get your quads more defined, why not try and do more pull ups or dips find something

 

[Call_Me_Daddy]

When you get to a point where you're totally happy with your body... what becomes the gym plan after that? I'm pretty knowledgeable at this point about bulking up. In a couple more months though (honestly I'm at the stage already, I just want to see how I look even bigger) I think I'll be at a size that I'm happy with. So what kind of routine do I move to after that? I'll want to maintain the size that I'm at, maintain my muscle tone and definition... but not really get bigger.

Do you start doing sets with 15-20 reps instead of 5-8? Do you just go the gym less often? Do you maintain your current workout and just slack on the eating department?

What makes you think you will ever be complete?

And should you ever reach this mythical "completion" what makes you think you can slack off? If you slack off, you will lose what you worked for and make backwards progress. You always have to switch up routines and eat properly. Otherwise you lose what you worked for.

Keep doing what worked to get you there to stay there.