Why do bodybuilders dehydrate themselves before contests?

gonedrinking · 07-10-2010 12:33PM #1

Would they not lose muscle mass doing this?

ray jay · 07-10-2010 12:39PM

technically yes but it makes them look more ripped

john_cappa · 07-10-2010 12:47PM

gonedrinking wrote: »

Would they not lose muscle mass doing this?

No they would not lose any measurable amount.

All they are doing is losing water to tighten the skin onto the muscle for definition.

SanoVitae · 07-10-2010 01:35PM

I used to be crazy about bodybuilding 20 years ago. As a very impressionable teen, I used to get Flex every month, as well as other mags.

As it happens, Andreas Munzer was on the cover of the first bodybuilding mag I ever bought.

Like many I got into bodybuilding through watching Arnold Schwarzenegger in his 80's pomp and wondering how the hell he got so big. However I was much more into the bodybuilders of his era (1970-1975 basically) and not the modern guys (from the 90s onwards).

The guys nowadays are often 6 or more inches shorter than Arnold was yet weigh 40 pounds heavier whilst being ripped to shreds! :eek:

Many will disagree but I think the bodybuilders from Arnold's era and before (e.g. Steve Reeves) look WAY better than the modern guys.

Also, the danger they put their bodies through to look the way they do is literally crazy.

This article sums it up very well ->

http://apse.dallasnews.com/news/2005/030805epstein.html

Inspector Coptoor · 07-10-2010 05:57PM

Dehydration + fake tan + red wine = improved definition and vascularity

Remmy · 07-10-2010 06:21PM

Liam Henners257 wrote: »

Dehydration + fake tan + red wine = improved definition and vascularity

fish and rice cakes are good too.

Hanley · 07-10-2010 06:36PM

ray jay wrote: »

technically yes but it makes them look more ripped

Explain...

How much muscle loss are we talking from a water cut?

Khannie · 07-10-2010 06:38PM

Hanley wrote: »

Explain...

How much muscle loss are we talking from a water cut?

It's more muscle volume than actual muscle fibre. Having done the usual dehydration jazz for a weigh in I can tell you that the visual difference is flippin' enormous (though you do look more ripped).

Hanley · 07-10-2010 06:53PM

Khannie wrote: »

It's more muscle volume than actual muscle fibre. Having done the usual dehydration jazz for a weigh in I can tell you that the visual difference is flippin' enormous (though you do look more ripped).

Oh I know!! I've been there too. I'm just tryna figure out if he means actually means muscle, or just the appearance of muscle...

iii Stevo iii · 07-10-2010 09:53PM

SanoVitae wrote: »

This article sums it up very well ->

http://apse.dallasnews.com/news/2005/030805epstein.html

If that had some pictures it would be more appealing to read.
Id imagine around 2500 words with not one picture.........

Anyway I always thought it was to improve vascularity.

SanoVitae · 08-10-2010 08:05AM

If that had some pictures it would surely be more appallling to read - pictures of Andreas Munzer's autopsy can be easily found online.

gonedrinking · 08-10-2010 10:21AM

from that article it seems that dehydration is much more dangerous to bodybuilders than taking steriods

SanoVitae · 08-10-2010 10:54AM

gonedrinking wrote: »

from that article it seems that dehydration is much more dangerous to bodybuilders than taking steriods

Definitely in terms of the short-term health risks IMO. While I've read a lot of horror stories about the immediate, negative side-effects of steroids (horrible acne, roid rage, impotence), the life-threatening ones (e.g. heart problems) seem to affect bodybuilders most after they retire from bodybuilding, rather than when they are competing.

One example is Mike Matarazzo who underwent triple-bypass heart surgery at the age of just 38 (http://www.athletesagainststeroids.org/pgs/Matarazzo.php).

He was a fan-favourite back when I followed bodybuilding in the 1990s- known for his outrageous biceps and calves. Now its very possible that anyone on this forum could lift more weight than him.

john_cappa · 08-10-2010 11:06AM

A friend of mine had a bypass at 42.

Never took any steroids

Funny that.

Isolated incidents directly attributed to bb/steroid use with little or no proof.

The fact is that bb lifestyle is far healthier option than the route most (not all before some one pedabtic pulls me up on it claiming to follow a healthy life style with out bb/steroids) people follow of fast food, drink, smoking, drugs, no exercise etc.

SanoVitae · 08-10-2010 12:52PM

john_cappa wrote: »

A friend of mine had a bypass at 42.

Never took any steroids

Funny that.

Isolated incidents directly attributed to bb/steroid use with little or no proof.

A friend of mine had road rage at 42.
Never took steroids.
Funny that

Roid rage must not actually exist then - isolated incidents directly attributed to bb/steroid use with little or no proof etc etc....

brianthebard · 08-10-2010 01:14PM

SanoVitae wrote: »

A friend of mine had road rage at 42.
Never took steroids.
Funny that

Roid rage must not actually exist then - isolated incidents directly attributed to bb/steroid use with little or no proof etc etc....

are you serious? Do you think there's been scientific studies on 'roid rage'? I bet you think that's the technical term and everything. Most of the myths about steroid use are just that.

SanoVitae · 08-10-2010 01:33PM

john_cappa wrote: »

The fact is that bb lifestyle is far healthier option than the route most (not all before some one pedabtic pulls me up on it claiming to follow a healthy life style with out bb/steroids) people follow of fast food, drink, smoking, drugs, no exercise etc.

I would agree with this if you were talking about bodybuilding in Arnold's day (circa 1970-1975). The emphasis then was more on size and symmetry (the classic Herculean look) rather than the insane conditioning that is required to today to even stand a chance of getting a pro card, let alone place well in a competition.

If you are talking about the current bodybuilding lifestyle in terms of getting shredded for a pro competition like Mr Olympia, I'd actually take my chances with fast food, drink, smoking, drugs, no exercise if given the choice!

Here is what is claimed to be Andreas Munzer's intake of drugs pre-competition.

10-9 Weeks before the Competition daily: Ephederine, AN 1, Captagon, Aspirine, Valium, Clenbuterol

10-6 weeks before the Competition daily: 2 injects Testoviron a 250 mg
1 inject Parabolan
30 tabletts Halotestin
30 tabletts Metandienon (Dianabol from Thailand)
20 IE* STH (GH)
20 IE* Insuline

5-3 weeks before the Competition daily: 3 injects Masteron
2 injects Parabolan
30 tabletts Halotestin
50 tabletts Stromba
2 injects Stromba
24 IE* STH

insuline

2-1 weeks before the Competition daily: 2 injects Masteron
2 injects Stromba
40 tabletts Halotestin
80 tabletts Stromba
24 IE* STH
Insuline
IGF

A few days before the Competition: Aldactone, Lasix

:eek:

SanoVitae · 08-10-2010 01:47PM

brianthebard wrote: »

are you serious? Do you think there's been scientific studies on 'roid rage'? I bet you think that's the technical term and everything. Most of the myths about steroid use are just that.

There have been many studies on it actually. One example is the study carried out by Bjorkqvist, Nygren, Bjorklund, and Bjorkqvist in 1994.

Well worth reading and yes scientific studies like it actually exist

The Davestator · 08-10-2010 01:55PM

If you havent watched bigger stronger faster before, it's a must see.

Dispels all the so called side affects in a very enjoyable 90 min documentary!

brianthebard · 08-10-2010 01:56PM

SanoVitae wrote: »

There have been many studies on it actually. One example is the study carried out by Bjorkqvist, Nygren, Bjorklund, and Bjorkqvist in 1994.

Well worth reading and yes scientific studies like it actually exist

Bjorkqvist, Nygren, Bjorklund, and Bjorkqvist (1994) randomly assigned twenty-seven male participants to receive no-treatment control, placebo, or 40 mg/day orally administered testosterone (Panteston) over a seven day period. Both self-reported and observer-rated mood showed no effect of drug treatment. In fact, the only reliable differences reported, for self-reported anger, irritation, frustration, and impulsivity and for observer ratings of frustration, indicated that the placebo group scored higher than the no-treatment or testosterone treated groups. While, as in earlier studies, the low dose level certainly impacts the applicability of these results to real world AAS use, it is clear that anticipation and expectation played a part in participants’ observer rated behavior and self-report. However, as these authors point out "What is surprising and calls for an explanation, is the absence of a placebo effect in the group receiving testosterone (p. 24)."

Source;http://www.mesomorphosis.com/articles/darkes/anabolic-steroids-and-aggression-01.htm

So the placebo group was more aggressive than the one on steroids, you claim to know about this study but you still persist with the notion of roid rage even though it disproves or substantially damages the roid rage 'argument'?

john_cappa · 08-10-2010 01:56PM

...

john_cappa · 08-10-2010 01:59PM

brianthebard wrote: »

Source;http://www.mesomorphosis.com/articles/darkes/anabolic-steroids-and-aggression-01.htm

So the placebo group was more aggressive than the one on steroids, you claim to know about this study but you still persist with the notion of roid rage even though it disproves or substantially damages the roid rage 'argument'?

I would happily bear your child after that!!!!! Brilliant!

From the link
"Bjorkqvist, Nygren, Bjorklund, and Bjorkqvist (1994) randomly assigned twenty-seven male participants to receive no-treatment control, placebo, or 40 mg/day orally administered testosterone (Panteston) over a seven day period. Both self-reported and observer-rated mood showed no effect of drug treatment. In fact, the only reliable differences reported, for self-reported anger, irritation, frustration, and impulsivity and for observer ratings of frustration, indicated that the placebo group scored higher than the no-treatment or testosterone treated groups. "

brianthebard · 08-10-2010 02:00PM

*gets the lube*

john_cappa · 08-10-2010 02:05PM

SanoVitae wrote: »

I would agree with this if you were talking about bodybuilding in Arnold's day (circa 1970-1975). The emphasis then was more on size and symmetry (the classic Herculean look) rather than the insane conditioning that is required to today to even stand a chance of getting a pro card, let alone place well in a competition.

:eek:

Given that they used to take dianabol for breakfast lol. No PCT! Infact really just stayed on cycle all the time from reports?

SanoVitae wrote: »

Here is what is claimed to be Andreas Munzer's intake of drugs pre-competition.

10-9 Weeks before the Competition daily: Ephederine, AN 1, Captagon, Aspirine, Valium, Clenbuterol

10-6 weeks before the Competition daily: 2 injects Testoviron a 250 mg
1 inject Parabolan
30 tabletts Halotestin
30 tabletts Metandienon (Dianabol from Thailand)
20 IE* STH (GH)
20 IE* Insuline

5-3 weeks before the Competition daily: 3 injects Masteron
2 injects Parabolan
30 tabletts Halotestin
50 tabletts Stromba
2 injects Stromba
24 IE* STH

insuline

2-1 weeks before the Competition daily: 2 injects Masteron
2 injects Stromba
40 tabletts Halotestin
80 tabletts Stromba
24 IE* STH
Insuline
IGF

A few days before the Competition: Aldactone, Lasix

I wont comment on his alleged cycle as I dont have the knowledge to do so. Looks like bull**** though with stuff like "from thailand" thrown into it lol

Anything to excess is going to damage your health really. Anything.

Its all about knowledge and responsible use.

Just to add I am not an AAS user currently or in the past.

Hanley · 08-10-2010 02:14PM

SanoVitae wrote: »

I would agree with this if you were talking about bodybuilding in Arnold's day (circa 1970-1975). The emphasis then was more on size and symmetry (the classic Herculean look) rather than the insane conditioning that is required to today to even stand a chance of getting a pro card, let alone place well in a competition.

If you are talking about the current bodybuilding lifestyle in terms of getting shredded for a pro competition like Mr Olympia, I'd actually take my chances with fast food, drink, smoking, drugs, no exercise if given the choice!

Here is what is claimed to be Andreas Munzer's intake of drugs pre-competition.

10-9 Weeks before the Competition daily: Ephederine, AN 1, Captagon, Aspirine, Valium, Clenbuterol

10-6 weeks before the Competition daily: 2 injects Testoviron a 250 mg
1 inject Parabolan
30 tabletts Halotestin
30 tabletts Metandienon (Dianabol from Thailand)
20 IE* STH (GH)
20 IE* Insuline

5-3 weeks before the Competition daily: 3 injects Masteron
2 injects Parabolan
30 tabletts Halotestin
50 tabletts Stromba
2 injects Stromba
24 IE* STH

insuline

2-1 weeks before the Competition daily: 2 injects Masteron
2 injects Stromba
40 tabletts Halotestin
80 tabletts Stromba
24 IE* STH
Insuline
IGF

A few days before the Competition: Aldactone, Lasix

:eek:

Didn’t Jon Hotten say in Muscle that carrying a list like that around was par for the course for a lot of BB’s because they buy gear in such large quantities when they can get their hands on legit stuff? Having an over top list like that suggests it’s for personal use only and not sale and supply, which is a charge they risk if they can’t “prove” it’s for them only.

SanoVitae · 08-10-2010 02:27PM

brianthebard wrote: »

So the placebo group was more aggressive than the one on steroids, you claim to know about this study but you still persist with the notion of roid rage even though it disproves or substantially damages the roid rage 'argument'?

brianthebard wrote: »

Do you think there's been scientific studies on 'roid rage'?

You asked me if I thought there had been scientific studies on "roid rage". I answered that there was and gave an example of one such study.

I did not say that there was studies which proved that steroids cause roid rage - if that was the case, I'd have linked you to a study which served to prove that it was indeed true. But I don't hold a strong enough opinion either way to hold any attachment either way. I simply read the studies and draw my own conclusions. They might be totally wrong of course!

brianthebard · 08-10-2010 02:37PM

SanoVitae wrote: »

You asked me if I thought there had been scientific studies on "roid rage". I answered that there was and gave an example of one such study.

I did not say that there was studies which proved that steroids cause roid rage - if that was the case, I'd have linked you to a study which served to prove that it was indeed true. But I don't hold a strong enough opinion either way to hold any attachment either way. I simply read the studies and draw my own conclusions. They might be totally wrong of course!

you have a strong enough opinion to state that roid rage is a side effect of using steroids, but don't even know what studies prove it? Why would you bother listing roid rage as a side effect if you know of a study that disproves or substantially damages that myth?

arybvtcw0eolkf · 08-10-2010 06:18PM

'Roid Rage' exists, FACT.

Degsy · 08-10-2010 09:25PM

brianthebard wrote: »

you have a strong enough opinion to state that roid rage is a side effect of using steroids, but don't even know what studies prove it? Why would you bother listing roid rage as a side effect if you know of a study that disproves or substantially damages that myth?

Look,you obviously havnt a clue what you're talking about.

40 mg/day orally administered testosterone

Is not a dose that anybody would take and expect to get any sort of results..bodybuilders dont take "oral" test..it needs to be injected and in much greater quantities than that.

If you're injecting 500-1000mls of test-e a week for 12 weeks your agression levels are gonna go through the roof..along with your libido and the intensity of your workouts.

Roid rage is not a myth,its very real side-effect,despite what internet-based "studies" might tell you.

brianthebard · 08-10-2010 11:15PM

Dragging an old bug bear of yours around still degs? I didn't do the study so don't tell me off for a 40mg dose that I had no control over. Sano made reference to a study which I then looked up and saw that it actually destroyed his own argument. There's no internet study involved here, read the f-ing thread or stfu.

sandi24 · 08-10-2010 11:24PM

Saw a programme on this.They do it so that they skin becomes very light,therefore becoming tighter causing the skin to show all the muscles and make them look more ripped.

Why do bodybuilders dehydrate themselves before contests?

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