Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The stereotype that bodybuilders are all brawns and no brains has existed since the early 1950s. It was, and still is, widely believed that a good physique and high IQ don’t always go hand-in-hand. But like all stereotypes, this too is simply generalisation at its finest.
Bodybuilding is an art … and a science. It requires a much greater understanding of the body in terms of anatomy, composition, nutrition, recovery and much more. A lot of successful bodybuilders are known to have doctorates and degrees in various fields of science and biology.
Most women are generally interested in shedding fat and toning their bodies, which is why they shy away from lifting weights because they have no intention of bulking up and looking like muscular men.
However, muscular development requires an ample amount of testosterone, which women don’t happen to produce. It’s physically impossible for them to bulk up without the support of external substances. In fact, lifting weights will give them that slim and toned look that they desire and not just a whole lot of cardio and stretching.
When it comes to men, lifting weights actually boosts natural test levels. A sedentary life and unhealthy diet can create an imbalance in hormone levels, leading us to produce a greater amount of estrogen. An increase in estrogen leads to fat being stored around the belly, love handles and chest; not something any male would ever want.
By lifting heavy weights and eating a healthy diet, the body produces more testosterone which improves fat oxidisation; in other words it abolishes the fat stored in your belly and chest, giving you a much more physically fit appearance.
The truth has always been in front of us. We see fit people walking around lifting weights in the gym, while we aimlessly sweat it out on the treadmill looking the same month after month. Shatter the stereotype: eat smart, train smart, look good and feel good.
