The concept of “Carb Loading” is a simple process performed by depleting the body of carbohydrates, it is then followed by reloading the body with carbohydrates; this gives athletes a fuller physique and increased aerobic capacity. This process is performed over several days by athletes of different types, most commonly fitness competitors, as well as long distance marathon and cycling athletes.
This first step of carb loading is depletion, this process entails decreasing carbohydrate consumption over a time period of several days. The depletion process causes the athletes muscles to be stripped of all glycogen (glucose). Once the depletion process is complete, the second step is the process of reloading the muscle with glycogen by consuming excessive amounts of carbohydrates. The type of carbohydrate to consume varies based off of the athlete and their desired physical objective.
In today’s fitness industry, carb loading is mainly used to obtain a specific aesthetic appearance for athletes. The purpose of carb loading for a fitness competition is to develop a fuller muscular appearance for the final product presentation at a fitness competition. The enhanced volume of muscle makes an individual’s physique appear larger, tighter, harder, and more vascular. (*Hardness, Fullness, and Vascularity are criteria of what a fitness competitor is judged upon). By depleting the body’s carbohydrate and glycogen levels, a platform is created in the body to make it appear as desired. Once the glycogen has been stripped from the muscles, the body’s tissue resembles a sponge and efficiently morphs into a larger than life character! With the use of excessive carb consumption in conjunction with water and sodium consumption, the individual’s physique will fill out based upon the amounts consumed for the desired outcome.
The best carbohydrate sources for this process are whole foods. Typically, fitness competitors rely on complex carbohydrate sources such as; potatoes, oats, rice, pasta and foods comprised of natural sugars (i.e. bananas). The use of supplements are not nearly as effective as whole food sources. However, in the event that supplements must be used, the most effective are waxy maize products or dextrose and sucrose products (i.e. chocolate candy bar).
Carb loading can be a very effective tool, if performed properly, based on its unique ability to exaggerate the athletes overall physique. As an expert in the health and fitness industry, Extreme Physiques & Fitness highly recommends the supervision of a trained professional or dietician when experimenting with this dynamic process.
- Extreme Physiques & Fitness, Specializing in all things Health and Fitness Related – C.C.
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