The Difference in Female Bodybuilding, Figure Competitions, Bikini Contests, and Women's Physique

If you are new to the sport of figure competitions and women's physique contests you may have seen those glamorous figure models on the cover of magazines and on websites.

If you ever had the desire or goal to look like one of these figure models and sport the look of fabulous and sexy muscle, then here are a few quick and easy tips and guidelines to help you decide on your new fitness journey.

Female Bodybuilding - The whole women's fitness movement began with female bodybuilding contests, the first legit one starting in 1978. From then on the women became more and more competitive, working harder to gain more muscle and decrease body fat. Female bodybuilders had perfected the sport by the late 1990's and competition was so great that only the best of the best could survive on stage with a chance of going pro.

Figure Competitions - The popular figure competition is a spawn off of female bodybuilding. It was introduced in 2001 to allow women to compete who didn't want to obtain a great amount of muscle. Figure competitions opened the door so that almost any woman can compete with a chance at placing. However, as the years passed, the figure competitors, too, became more competitive, getting more and more muscular and defined. This division also became somewhat secluded where only the best of the best could place well and become pro.

Bikini Contests - As the figure competitions grew in popularity, so did the competitors muscle, which opened a door to another new division to allows more women to compete on stage without having to build muscle. This new category is the bikini contest. The bikini competitors don't need to display any muscle or definition. They simply have to look good in a bikini and pose according to the guidelines.

Women's Physique Contest - The women's physique contest was introduced in 2010, another new division for women. Basically, the women's physique contest is a lighter version of female bodybuilding. While the women are allowed to have muscle, NPC guidelines state that they can't have striated in muscle detail. Also, there is no lat spread, front and back biceps poses are executed with open hands, and feet must be placed to the side on the front and back poses rather than flat-footed. Also, the side chest pose is executed with arms extended.

To decide with fitness category you would like to compete in it is a good idea to read more on each and attend a competition so you can see the classes and how the women look on stage.

Now, if you want MORE information on figure competition diets to really melt body fat, you need to Click Here and get a sneak peek at what the IFBB Figure Pro competitors are doing to slash body fat and win competitions!

For IFBB Figure Pro Approved diets, training programs, and cardio systems take a peek at http://www.figurecompetitionsecrets.com/ Right Now and get the insider tips!

Original article

Building Muscle for Women - Female Bodybuilding Tips

Some people are still saying that bodybuilding is not meant for women. This is a big lie because women too want to have a strong, sexy, curvy and an attractive body.

Women find it more challenging to build huge muscles than men. This is so because a major hormone present in men that helps to boost muscle growth is not present in women. So women will have to work harder in order to achieve the same results with men.

Since what most women want is to build a curvy, strong and sexy body with a little muscle, it will be easy for them too if they follow the right tips. Women don't really need to build huge muscles except those who want to participate in bodybuilding contests.

To get a desired female bodybuilding physique, take note of the following tips:

1. Eat the right foods: This is a major secret of achieving good results with little efforts during workouts. If you do your daily routines correctly and you are not eating the right foods in their correct proportion, you won't be able to achieve your desired result. Some of the best foods that aid muscle growth are:

- Carbohydrate foods; you need them for constant supply of energy during workouts, if you ignore them your body will be weak and you won't be able to do your routines. Examples of good carbohydrates are whole wheat bread and brown rice. If you are over weight you need to eat little of carbohydrate so that your body will be able to use it up completely.

Protein foods; they are the most important muscle building foods. This is so because protein is responsible for repair of worn out tissues and for building of muscle. Your body needs a constant supply of this nutrient. You should eat it every 4 hours and drink lots of water. Examples of recommended protein foods include beans, chicken breast without the skin, turkey and tuna in water.

- Healthy fat; even if you are over weight, you still need fatty foods for normal body functioning. But this time you should eat only healthy fat, they are easily burned out. Examples are olive oil, coconut oil and avocado. Do not eat groundnut oil, animal fat or palm oil.

- Vegetables; this is another bodybuilding food, you can eat lots of green vegetables because it contain less calorie.

2. Look for a good workout routine and follow it: This is also another good bodybuilding tip. If your routine is not giving you a good result, it is better to change it. Examples of good Muscle Building exercises that should be included in your daily routines are:

- Squats

- Weight Lifting

- Cardio workouts like running and swimming and

- Push Ups

For more free tips and information on how to become a successful female bodybuilder, browse through my Female Bodybuilding Tips website.

Original article

Female Natural Bodybuilders - Build Your Muscles Naturally

Because women lack the hormone testosterone which aids muscle growth in men, they tend to use steroids which is a chemical substance to boost their muscle growth. It is not good to use steroid as it has so many negative side effects, such as:

- Mental imbalance
- Cancer
- Breast shrinkage
- Heart diseases
- High blood pressure
- Thicker voice and many more

Natural bodybuilding is better as it has no negative side effects and it helps you live a long and healthy life.

Some female bodybuilders who want to participate in bodybuilding contests often make use of these steroids in order to grow their muscles quickly. They may win a big amount of money but their life is most likely shortened as they will face the consequences.

If you want to build your muscles naturally and quickly, you will have to do your daily workouts intensively, continue until you are totally exhausted, this will help put more pressure on your muscle, thereby forcing it to grow.

Also when lifting weights, start with lighter weights and gradually increase it. Make sure you are in the right posture during weight lifting and do it slowly.

Another important tip that will help you build muscle is to eat the right muscle building foods and prepare them correctly. Some of these foods are:

1. Whole wheat bread: This is a good carbohydrate food and it contains fewer calories that can be used up easily during workouts.

2. Chicken: This is very rich in protein and it helps for quick muscle growth. Eat it without the skin as the skin contains fat. Do not fry it before eating, you can boil or roast it. Another good protein food is turkey.

3. Tuna in water: This is a very good protein food, it is very cheap and can be found easily.

4. Beans: They are very rich in protein. You should soak it in water for 7 hours before cooking or boil for 5 minutes, filter away the water and then add fresh water before cooking.

5. Green Vegetables: This is a very good bodybuilding food as it contains lots of vitamins and minerals. Also it contains fewer calories.

6. Avocado and olive oil: These are healthy fats, they help for normal body functioning and are easily burned out during exercises. Do not eat groundnut oil, palm oil and animal fat as they can't be easily burned out. Your meals should contain 5 percent of fat because it contains more calories.

If you are able to follow the above tips, you will be able to build your muscles naturally even as a female bodybuilder.

For more information and tips on how to get the best out of muscle building without using steroid or any chemical substance, visit:
http://www.femalebodybuildingtips.info/

Original article