The general strategy adopted by most present-day competitive bodybuilders is to make muscle gains for most of the year (known as the “off-season”) and approximately 3-4 months from competition, attempt to lose body fat (referred to as “cutting”). In doing this, some muscle will be lost, but the aim is to keep this to a minimum. There are many approaches used, but most involve reducing calorie intake and increasing cardio while monitoring body fat percentage.

In the week leading up to a contest, professional bodybuilders will begin decreasing their water intake so as to deregulate the systems in the body associated with water flushing. They may also increase their sodium intake. At the same time they will decrease their carbohydrate consumption in an attempt to “carb deplete.” The goal during this week is to deplete the muscles of glycogen. Two days before the show, sodium intake is reduced by half, and then eliminated completely. The day before the show, water is removed from the diet, and water loss products may be introduced. At the same time carbohydrates are re-introduced into the diet to expand the muscles. This is typically known as “carb-loading.” The end result is an ultra-lean bodybuilder with full hard muscles and a dry, vascular appearance. This should be left to PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDERS only and NOT attempted by amateurs. This is for information only and should not be considered advice or instruction.