Australia - Bodybuilding .com

Click here to go back to the main presentation section

 

This information is applicable to both makes and females. Some of this things may be new for males, but read on and give them a try!

 

Either scroll down to read it all, or click on the link to jump to:

• Remove all body hair
• Moisturize
• Exfoliate

A common occurrence in bodybuilding circles is to remove all body hair to highlight definition.

 

The most commonly used methods are shaving, creams and waxing. Waxing, although pricey and quite painful is the most ideal method. Shaving is quick, simple and cheap but can impact on tanning. Obviously one cannot shave after one has started applying contest color.

 

Waxing is ideal as it can be done a few days in advance, which relieves last minute contest stress. That said, like most things in bodybuilding there are really no hard and fast rules. If shaving works for you – go for it. The most important thing is that body hair be removed.

Make this part of your contest prep. Althoguht it is not needed per se, it can just provide an extra nice touch if you are willing. Remember the vast majority of your body’s skin will be on display and dry scaly alligator-looking skin prancing around the stage is not exactly the finest look.  You could use any variety of product; creams, butters or oils.

 

Apart from the benefit of more nourished skin, the actual constant application of the cream/butter/oil could have additional benefits. A general principle in the spa industry is that constant manipulation of the body can help stimulate lymphatic drainage, very mildly decrease the appearance of cellulite etc.

 

Keeping the skin nourished can mildly help prevent against stretch marks which are often the bane of bodybuilders.

 

Are these things facts? No – but it is a fact that they cannot hurt.

 

You do not necessarily need to pay a lot, some fairly good quality products can be gotten quite inexpensively. Check the product label – if it lists any petroleum derivatives [petroleum, mineral oil etc], it is generally not good quality.

 

If you want a concrete suggestion of a very effective product, try any of the Body Shops ranges of body butters. One tin is about $25 AU and if you use it sparingly, eliminating wastage, it will last for the last few weeks of your contest prep.

 

Apply your chosen moisturizer a few minutes after getting out of the shower for maximum effect. Twice a day is ideal, once a day also gives results, but something is better than nothing so even doing it as you are able is worth it.

 

The general consensus is to stop applying moisturizers a few days before you start your tanning procedures, to help the tan sink in.

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells. This will help your contest tan application to go on more smoothly. It also generally gives your skin a “better look”, that cannot really be explained, but once you do it you will see for yourself. If you have never had a salt glow, try this out, and you will really be surprised at the effect it has on your skin.

 

You can easily book a spa appointment for a salt glow/body scrub – but unless you are rolling in money, you can save hundreds of dollars and get the same quality easily yourself.

 

You can purchase a product or make your own [which we cover below]. Even doing this once can have very good results, but doing it a few times prior to your show is even better. An ideal schedule might be twice a week for the month preceding.

 

It is extremely simple; simply apply in circular motions to DRY skin while in the shower. That’s it. Aim for 5 – 10 minutes of applying the product and that should be sufficient. Assuming you have a significant other, you can get them to do your back, if you are a confirmed single - well reach and stretch is our only advice

 

If you are purchasing, the truly effective exfoliating products come in a tub/tin/jar NOT a bottle. If the product is thin enough to be able to be packaged in any form of bottle, it is a fairly lightweight product, and will not generally give maximum results.

 

Making your Own

 

Making your own can also save a ton of money. With all the costs surrounding competing we highly recommend this, as it is one expense you can spare without loss of quality.

 

If you carefully read the back of many “fancy” body scrubs costing $50 - $70 – they consist of oil and salt with a few things thrown in to sound fancy. You can literally make the same thing yourself for a fraction of the cost.

 

Here are some guidelines, but generally this is all you do; mix a liquid substance with something grainy – and you are done. Takes 30 seconds…

 

Just about any oil is fine to use; olive, macadamia, apricot kernel, grapeseed, sunflower etc, and these oils are actually very skin nourishing. You can also use just about any liquid substance [besides water] such as body lotion or shower gel if you wish.

 

Grainy; the norm used in the spa industry is sea salt, and is generally considered the most effective exfoliate due the rough surface. Regular salt and Epsom salts can also be used. If you have sensitive skin oatmeal is suggested, although this will give a far lighter exfoliation.

 

Another great spa trick is a ‘cellulite scrub’, which normally is given various fancy names and people happily line up to pay $150 and upwards for it. This is simply as above, but ground coffee is used. The high caffeine content is said to assist in superficial.fat loss, although that is not proven. This is creeping into the bodybuilding world, with many of the topical creams marketed towards bodybuilders containing high levels of caffeine.

 

Do not do this with salt if you have any open cuts as it will sting! Also, as a forewarning, you will need to clean your bathtub afterwards as it will be quite slippery.

 

This costs almost nothing, is very easy, takes all of 5 minutes, and can add a nice subtle boost to your appearance onstage. Give it a try!