Difference Between Bodybuilding and Physique

Main Difference – Bodybuilding vs Physique

Bodybuilding is a sport which involves strenuous physical exercise in order to strengthen and enlarge the muscles of the body. Muscularity is the primary basis of this sports. Physique is a new category which has been included in bodybuilding competitions. The main difference between bodybuilding and physique is that extreme muscularity is a requisite of bodybuilding competitions whereas it is frowned upon in the physique category.

What is Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding is a sport which involves strenuous physical exercise to strengthen and enlarge the muscles of the body. In bodybuilding competitions, bodybuilders first appear in lineups doing specified poses. Later, they perform their own posing routines. They are judged based on aspects such as shape and symmetry, muscularity, and conditioning. Bodybuilders prepare for these competitions through a combination of strenuous activities such as fat loss, dehydration, carb loading (to achieve maximum vascularity) as well as tanning.

Although bodybuilding was originally a men’s sport, today women too have entered the field of body building. Charles Atlas, Steve Reeves, Bill Pearl, Reg Park, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Preist Juliana Malacarne, Dana Lynn Bailey and Lou Ferrigno are some well-known bodybuilders.

What is Physique

Men’s physique is a relatively new category in bodybuilding competitions. Men who do weight training, and keep fit, but prefer a less muscular, athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique are more interested in Physique competitions.

The contestants are required to wear board shorts, which are about an inch above the knees, and perform quarter turns. They are judged based on body conditioning, shape symmetry, muscularity, and stage presence. Their personality and confidence are other dimensions which are taken into consideration. Although contestants should be fit and display proper shape and symmetry, extreme muscularity, which is seen in bodybuilding, is frowned upon in men’s physique.