Q&A for How to Become a Bodybuilder

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How long does it take to become a bodybuilder?
    Laura Flinn
    USA Olympic Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
    Laura Flinn is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer, USA Olympic Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach and Certified Fitness Nutritionist, with an additional qualification as a TRX Suspension Trainer. Laura runs her own personal training program based in the San Francisco Bay Area and specializes in topics such as weight loss, muscle growth, cardiovascular training, and strength training.
    USA Olympic Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
    Expert Answer
    In general, it takes years for a person to become a bodybuilder. It really depends on your genetics, where you're starting from, and how much work you're willing to put in.
  • Question
    How do I lose my stomach fat?
    Community Answer
    There is no such thing as spot deduction, which means losing fat in one particular part of the body. You can lose fat overall by exercising regularly and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
  • Question
    Can a 54 year old become a bodybuilder?
    Community Answer
    Of course! Just remember to stretch and warmup to prevent injuries and keep a positive and determined attitude!
  • Question
    What are the best arm workouts?
    Community Answer
    Arms alone won't make you a bodybuilder. Pick 1-2 curling exercises you like and 1-2 triceps exercises and get stronger on them.
  • Question
    Can I become a bodybuilder if I am older?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You may not become a top competitor, but you can start whenever you want. Make sure you do not neglect the importance of nutrition. Young or old, it doesn't matter how hard you train if your diet is poor.
  • Question
    Would only 6 to 10 sets per muscle group per week be enough or would it be under-training?
    Community Answer
    Doing at least eight sets per muscle is enough to get some muscle growth but, it can depend on how many reps you're doing. Eight to twelve reps is great, while doing any more may be unnecessary, depending on your body type. Arnold Schwarzenegger had to do 25 sets for squats and about 10 reps, whereas his friend Franco Columbu only did five sets of squats and 10 reps.
  • Question
    Can I become a bodybuilder if I am overweight?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you most certainly can! Learn as much as you can about the proper diet and exercise to reduce your body fat and increase muscle mass. Weight training & cardiovascular exercise, combined with a calorie restricted diet will help to create the body you want. How successful you become will depend on how dedicated and driven you are in attaining your goals. Consider consulting a dietician and personal trainer to get started.
  • Question
    I am a vegetarian and do not eat beef, chicken, eggs, etc. Can I become a bodybuilder?
    TamF
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Find the help of a nutritionist for non-animal sources of protein. Also, there are good mass-building supplements that can help you put on a lot of weight even if you're vegetarian, but be sure to check their ingredients to be sure they are animal-product free.
  • Question
    What diet should I eat to become a bodybuilder?
    Community Answer
    Eat a lean diet combined with lots of healthy protein. Also make sure to work out everyday and take supplements.
  • Question
    How should supplements be taken? And which supplements are used to gain muscle?
    Community Answer
    Supplements should be taken in the most convenient way for you. Supplements to gain muscle include creatine, whey protein, and fish oil.
  • Question
    Can I be a bodybuilder? I'm 16 and very slim.
    HTH(HopeToHelp)
    Community Answer
    That depends on genetics, your lifestyle, and how dedicated you are. I know some bodybuilders who were very skinny boys. So the answer is yes, you can, but make the right choices and stay strong.
  • Question
    What can I do to become a bodybuilder if there are no gyms in my area?
    Community Answer
    Make your own weights, and/or try calisthenics. Try lifting a friend, a fallen tree, tires, boxes of books, bags of groceries, your dog or anything, really.
  • Question
    Can I become a bodybuilder if I'm naturally lean?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you probably won't ever become a top-level bodybuilder unless you're willing to take steroids to gain muscle.
  • Question
    I can't lose stomach fat. This is frustrating me. What can I do? I'm 227 pounds and eat healthily.
    Community Answer
    Try a low carb diet with high protein and start doing HIIT (high intensity trying), which will help burn calories fast. Don't focus on weight training until you feel that you've lost enough pounds to start building your muscles.
  • Question
    How can I gain weight?
    Cam Fenley
    Community Answer
    Eat a lot of good, protein-rich food and lots of veggies. Drink protein shakes and look into taking a creatine supplement. Lift weights regularly.
  • Question
    Can I become a bodybuilder if I am 19 years old with lean muscles?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Eat clean, follow a workout routine that's suitable for your goals, and get a personal trainer if needed.
  • Question
    How do I know which supplements are good for me?
    Community Answer
    Consult a nutritionist, a dietitian, or a personal trainer
  • Question
    Can bodyweight exercises build muscle mass?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they can. However, the progress will be slower and less noticeable.
  • Question
    Can I be a bodybuilder at 15?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Just make sure you are safe and have a check-in with your doctor first.
  • Question
    Can I become a bodybuilder without taking protein shakes?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Just eat high protein foods, such as eggs, meat, nuts, cheese et cetera.
  • Question
    I'm 16 and want to become a bodybuilder, but I'm kind of lean. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Do compound exercises: bench, squat, deadlifts, push ups, and other isolation exercises to build muscle. Eat a lot of carbs and protein.
  • Question
    How do I become a body builder without going to the gym while fat?
    Community Answer
    You can buy or borrow weights to get yourself started and work out at home until you're at a comfortable weight. Realistically, though, it's hard to stay motivated in your home setting, by yourself. You're better off finding a workout buddy and getting out of the house to start your fitness journey.
  • Question
    I'm 20 and very skinny, is there any hope that I could become a body builder?
    TamF
    Community Answer
    Of course there is, everyone can become a bodybuilder, no matter how skinny they are, but it's hard work. You need to put on weight, eat a high-calorie diet and maybe even consume mass-building supplements to help you gain weight and become bigger. In the meantime, you must start exercising - push ups, lifting weights, squats, all the things that will make your muscles grow. Remember, it's important to work out every other day, your muscles need rest to grow. If you have doubts on what to eat to get bigger, you can ask a nutritionist.
  • Question
    Can I start bodybuilding at 17?
    Yusuf Ahmed
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you've started puberty. Once you've started puberty, your hormones will start to change. These hormones are what will make your strength training turn into muscle. If you haven't started puberty, then you can do bodyweight/endurance exercises so you'll have a foundation to go off of.
  • Question
    I am on a very low carb, less than 35g per day, diet in order to lose weight. Will this inhibit my ability to gain muscle?
    Community Answer
    To gain muscle you need to be in a caloric excess, so as long as you are getting more calories than you burn in a day and have enough protein, that shouldn’t be a problem.
  • Question
    How can I lose butt fat?
    AJ Johns
    Community Answer
    Fat loss cannot be specifically targeted to any particular area. Reducing overall body fat is the only way. Usually the area you want to reduce fat in, is typically the last area to burn away. Continued determination with diet and exercise will deliver you results but it takes months to years, and not weeks.
  • Question
    I've become muscular and want to compete, but I'm not sure if I can because I have a scar on my abs. Will it be an issue?
    Community Answer
    You should be fine. Most places do not consider scars a problem. Consider looking into a healthy fat building workout and your scar should stretch and get smaller.
  • Question
    How would a beginner teen bodybuilder find an event/competition?
    Community Answer
    Search online or talk to people at a gym that is specifically made for weightlifters. Once you find an event, you need to find the minimum age of participation and carefully read the rules for signing up for the competition.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article