Muscle Building mania

Introduction to Body Building
This book is an exploration. We will explore the fascinating history of body building,
which can be traced as far back as the 11 th Century, up to the 19 th Century when it
arrived on the North American scene.
We will explore how to build your body and muscles, body building and weight lifting
equipment, the “right” and the “dark” side of dietary supplements as well as the
importance of proper nutrition for the serious body builder.
No discussion of body and muscle building would be complete without covering
consumer health fraud. Bogus claims and promises of unrealistic results have been
around for decades. The explosion of marketing on the internet has, unfortunately,
created an exponential increase in unsavoury providers ready and willing to bilk
unsuspecting consumers.
Muscle Mania will explore package labelling and what you should know about before
you buy. The content we cover presents a broad outline rather than substantive
personal recommendations. Nothing within should be construed as anything more
than educational and should never replace medical advice from a professional
physician.
We will take a look at the different types of exercise equipment that is available to
bodybuilders and what considerations you need to keep in mind when shopping for
your own equipment or using the services of a gym.
What could be more important than your diet and nutrition? It‛s critical to your
success when bodybuilding. We‛ll give you several recipes that are not only prepared
specifically for bodybuilders, but that provide you with a breakdown of calories,
grams of protein, grams of carbohydrates, grams of fat and the carb-protein-fat
percentage ratio. You will be amazed at just how tasty and nutritious a bodybuilding
diet can be.
History of Body Building
Athletes in 11 th Century India used to lift carved stone dumbbell weights. These
were called “Nals.” Oddly enough, they were very
much like modern day fitness equipment. It is purported that gymnasiums were
existent in the same time period and by the 16 th Century it is said that body building
was one of India‛s favourite pastimes.
Body building was a mainstay of the athletic subculture of the ancient Greek and
later Roman empires.
North Americans were first introduced to body building through the “strongman” at
travelling circus sideshows and carnivals in the middle of the 19 th Century. The first
modern Olympics was held in 1896 where there were two weightlifting events.
A German named Eugene Sandow is credited with inventing many of the contemporary
body building techniques used even today. He began his performance with feats of
strength even adapting various “poses” that demonstrated his musculature much as
modern day body builders do.
Sandow travelled to London in 1899 and opened his first “Physical Culture Studio.” A
good businessman, he sold products by mail and published his own magazine. He
ultimately created a “chain” of 20 studios throughout England.
Sandow is also credited with the first body building competition. Called the “Great
Competition,” it was held on September 14, 1901. Held at the Royal Albert Hall, it
was a complete sell out attracting hundreds of spectators and causing an immense
traffic jam. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was one of the 3 judges.
While Sandow was busily creating his studios in England, another legend was
gestating in North America.
Born in the Ozarks in 1868, Bernarr Macfadden was frail and sickly as a child. He
learned as a teenager, that he could build health and strength by working outdoors.
By age 25 he was selling exercise equipment and went on to become an icon in the
publishing industry building an empire based on health, fitness, nutrition and exercise
publications.
Branded as eccentric, flamboyant and a “kook,” he remained fit and active up until his
death in 1955. Unfortunately, his own belief in “self treatment” served to be his
undoing waiting too long for treatment of a bladder problem. Many of his principles
are still practiced today and his works appear to be making a “comeback.”
Basics of Building Muscle
There are as many varied opinions on what “plan” one should follow to build muscle as
there are people who have those opinions. On one thing they do agree, however. You
must have a regimen.
You can begin by defining your objective. Why are you interested in body building?
What do you hope to accomplish? What is your ultimate goal?
If this sounds like “Goal Setting 101,” guess what? It is! You need to clearly define
your...