Vegan bodybuilding: NOT an oxymoron
Lately I've been outlining eco-workouts, which basically involve heading outside to workout and not using any unwanted equipment. Recently I came upon another angle to working out with eco ethics in mind...vegan bodybuilding. (If you need a reminder as to why vegetarianism is directly linked to environmentalism, re-read Deanna's rockin' gallery).
Now, before you get all up in arms (pun intended), hear me out. Or rather, hear this guy out. Granted, he IS a fitness model (see adjacent pic for evidence) but he has some decent things to say. Justin emphasizes not consuming any vitamin capsules or protein-building products with gelatin, and suggests using ones with agar-agar as a substitute. He also reminds readers to keep their protein shakes vegan with soy, rice, and hemp).
Justin claims that vegans shouldn't try to follow typical workout regimens, because a vegan diet and resulting body makeup cannot support the recovery process necessary in typical workouts.
His main instructions? Keep workouts under 45 minutes, and go with heavy weights and fewer reps for optimum performance.
There are a few more specific articles on the subject, like some great examples of women vegan bodybuilders and pro athletes, and awesome alt-protein sources to fuel you through your workouts.
Any vegans or veggies out there have experience with intense workouts or bodybuilding? I'd love to hear your stories.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-14-2008 @ 9:27AM
Christian said...
The Spartans were vegetarians, so the idea of vegan bodybuilding is far from bizarre.
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6-12-2008 @ 1:30AM
Troy Trebloc said...
Is the lack of protein in your diet making you hallucinate? According to Wikipedia, "Spartans primarily ate pork stew, the 'black broth'. According to Plutarch, it was 'so much valued that the elderly men fed only upon that, leaving what flesh there was to the younger'"
Plutarch is a primary source on this... so you're about as wrong as could be imagined... many Spartans were pure carnivores.
5-14-2008 @ 9:28AM
JSDavis said...
"Justin claims that vegans shouldn't try to follow typical workout regimens, because a vegan diet and resulting body makeup cannot support the recovery process necessary in typical workouts."
I'm not vegan, but I am a personal trainer. I thought this statement was funny as there is no such thing as a "typical workout". lol.
"His main instructions? Keep workouts under 45 minutes, and go with heavy weights and fewer reps for optimum performance."
I would definitely recommend this type of routine if a person were wanting to train their slow twitch fibers; i.e. put on MUSCLE SIZE. Most women I know don't want that, and they should stick to higher reps, lower weight, which will tone the muscles.
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6-22-2008 @ 5:39AM
All Muscle Building said...
In general, any form of exercise, if pursued continuously, will help train us in perseverance. Body building is particularly good training in perseverance and endurance.
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