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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Sports Desk • Fitness

Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding is a form of resistance training focused on increasing muscle size and definition through hypertrophy.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Bodybuilding is a training discipline centred on building muscle size and definition through resistance exercise. In competition, athletes are judged on muscularity, symmetry, conditioning, posing, and stage presentation.

What it is

Bodybuilding is a form of resistance training focused on increasing muscle size and definition through hypertrophy. It is primarily pursued for aesthetic purposes rather than purely functional performance.

Competition and judging

In bodybuilding contests, athletes are compared in line-ups and judged on a combination of physical factors and presentation. Judges assess conditioning, muscularity, posing, size, stage presentation, and symmetry.

Training and preparation

Bodybuilders train with progressive resistance and manage diet to reduce body fat before competition. Final-stage preparation may include carbohydrate loading and dehydration to maximize muscle definition and vascularity.

In short

  • Bodybuilding focuses on muscle hypertrophy through progressive resistance training.
  • It is an aesthetic discipline, not primarily about strength or function.
  • Competitors are judged on conditioning, muscularity, symmetry, and posing.
  • Contest preparation includes fat loss, carb loading, and dehydration.
Canadian angle

Bodybuilding is widely practiced in Canada as a recreational fitness activity and competitive sport, with local gyms, amateur contests, and national-level bodybuilding organizations serving Canadian athletes.

Quick questions

What is bodybuilding?
Bodybuilding is resistance training aimed at increasing muscle size and definition, usually for aesthetic purposes.
How are bodybuilding competitions judged?
Judges assess conditioning, muscularity, posing, size, stage presentation, and symmetry.
Is bodybuilding the same as powerlifting?
No. Bodybuilding emphasizes appearance and muscle development, while powerlifting focuses on lifting maximal weights.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodybuilding
    Supports: Definition of bodybuilding, competitive format, judging criteria, and contest preparation
  2. Google Books / Simon and Schuster — https://books.google.com/books/about/The_New_Encyclopedia_of_Modern_Bodybuild.html?hl=fr&id=D-_-St_TPfIC
    Supports: Existence of a major bodybuilding reference work associated with the sport
  3. Google Books / Robert Kennedy Publishing — https://books.google.com/books/about/Encyclopedia_of_Bodybuilding.html?id=YwT8MgAACAAJ
    Supports: Existence of a bodybuilding reference work covering training, nutrition, supplements, and posing