Things Bodybuilders Do Days Before a Competition

Preparing for a bodybuilding competition requires months of hard work. All of this hard work helps to build the package that you present on stage. With that being said, there are some things that bodybuilders will do days before their show to make sure that they make every effort to look their best. 

In today’s blog post, the team at Painless Pumps West is going to cover a few of the things that bodybuilders do the week before a show. Let’s get started.

Drink Less Water

When it comes to bodybuilding competitions, you want to make sure that your muscles look their very best. While water is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, it can affect the way that your muscles look on the stage. For that reason, a majority of bodybuilders that are going into a competition will slowly wean themselves off water the week of the competition. This leads to less water in the spaces between muscles which, in turn, causes the skin to pull even tighter over the muscles. The end result of doing so is an incredibly sculpted look. With that in mind, this can be extremely dangerous and is not something that we suggest trying.

Cut Out Salt

Meal prep is one of the crucial parts of preparing for a bodybuilding competition. Regardless of if it’s meat or vegetables that you’re eating, salt is likely to be one of the frequently used condiments, that is, until the last week. A majority of bodybuilders will cut salt out of their diet the week of the show, and it makes sense why. Salt is one of the many culprits that lead to bloating, which is the last thing that you want to happen before stepping out on stage. For that reason, most competitors will not only cut out salt, but foods that are high in sodium as well. While it may be a week filled with slightly less flavorful food, the results are entirely worth it!

Up the Cardio

At the end of the day, every competitor wants to achieve a lean look that really showcases their physique. A common misconception is that the best way to achieve said look is through countless hours of heavy weightlifting. The reality, however, is that the week before a competition will include some serious cardio! A majority of competitors will double the amount of cardio that they’ve been doing up until that point so that they can get as lean as possible before walking out on the stage. Even as much as 30 additional minutes of incline walking can make a world of difference in your finished look.

Turn to Supplements

There are so many supplements that can be a critical part of your competition prep, it’s just a matter of finding which ones work best for you. The week before a competition, bodybuilders will turn to the supplements that they know will deliver desired results. One of the most popular supplements used the week of the show is magnesium. This particular supplement is great for avoiding muscle cramps while on stage — a situation which would not be ideal. Aside from that, many people will turn to muscle enhancement oils that will allow them to beef up particular muscles. This is great for targeting areas that you’d like to see some improvement with. 

In regards to supplements, one thing that you do want to make sure of is that you are taking the time needed to learn about the various supplements, the brand, and what it is that the particular supplement does. What works for someone may not work for you, so do your due diligence and spend some time researching any and all supplements before you decide to use them. 

Check Out Painless Pumps West

Painless Pumps West provides competitive bodybuilders with the quality muscle enhancement oil that they need to walk out on the stage feeling confident. Whether it’s your first show or you’ve participated in a handful of competitions, our product can help you to achieve new levels and reach towards bigger goals. Browse the variety of products that we have available, and find the one that caters to your needs. Feel free to reach out to our team with any questions you may have.