subject: Methods For Getting Lean As a Non-Competitive Bodybuilder [print this page] Ninety-nine percent of people who participate in the training, dieting, and supplementation associated with bodybuilding will never step foot upon a bodybuilding stage. Are they still bodybuilders? Of course! Some of them will be very serious about bodybuilding, living the various aspects 24/7. They'll be good enough to step onstage and actually cause some damage, but they have no interest in doing so. There are others who will take the nutrition and training much less seriously as well - which is fine. Any degree of improvement upon the life of a bodybuilder is a very good one.
This is a guide for the non-competitive bodybuilders who never plan on oiling up and getting onstage in a pair of trunks, to be judged by the eyes of the world, who wants to be lean. There's no sense in having a 220 pound chiseled physique if it's being hidden under 30 pounds of fat all year long. Once or twice each year, it's a good idea for all bodybuilders - competitive or not - to diet down to single-digit body fat.
The good news is that dieting down without having a show in mind is much easier than doing it for a show. There is no pressure, first of all. Many competitive bodybuilders complain of cortisol spikes when they see the date upcoming and they are behind. This leads to drastic reductions in calories to 'catch up', which causes the bodybuilder to sacrifice hard-earned muscle. When you aren't planning on competing, you can diet down without pressure. Additionally, there is no 'peaking', which means you don't have to worry about depriving yourself of water or using diuretics. The one drawback is that it might be hard to stay focused without a 'goal', per se, in mind. At the same time, if you're disciplined enough to get that big, it should be easy to reduce calories for 8-10 weeks in order to show that new muscle off! Here are a few keys to getting lean for the non-competitive bodybuilder.
ECA
If you are a healthy individual with no history of early family heart issues, then you should really consider the use of ECA. This is a commonly used stack of ephedrine (25 mg), caffeine (200 mg) and aspirin (250 mg). It is to be taken immediately upon rising in the morning, then again in the early afternoon if desired. It's the only supplement you need to lean up.
Diet
Keep it sensible. Reduce the carbs and fat in your diet, and keep your protein high. As a non-competitive bodybuilders, you don't have to go to extremes, and it doesn't matter how long it takes to peak. Therefore you don't have to diet so hard that you burn valuable muscle.
Cardio
Just as with diet, this part of the plan can be easy. Add 30 minutes of low-intensity cardio, 5 days per week. When you get lean enough, you'll know it!
Evidence
Once you achieve your ideal shape, take pictures! These will help to document the moment, keep you motivated for next time, and really give you a sense of accomplishment that you can revisit anytime!
Methods For Getting Lean As a Non-Competitive Bodybuilder
