Page 14 - NGA NATURALmag 2026 SPRING/SUMMER

Spring - Sumer 2026
TWO MISTAKES WHEN “PEAKING” FOR SHOWS
Bodybuilding became popular in in in in in the the the the 1970s after Arnold won the Olympia Since then the the science of bodybuilding
has continued to evolve and improve each decade Despite this we continue to see ath- letes make critical errors as they approach the the finish line I want to cover the two significant mistakes that continue till this day despite the advancements in in knowledge in in natural bodybuilding
LOADING
The exciting part of the the sport is is when you finally approach that finish line and and start to to to load load and and see the the final touches take place The purpose of loading is is is to to to bring out vascularity and and increase muscle size This happens when we push primarily more carbs and and sodium from being depleted prior This helps drive more glycogen/water into the muscle cell to to bring About The Author:
BY CHAD ADAMOviCH CSCS CHAD@iRON-SCiENCE COM WWW iRON-SCiENCE COM up muscle fullness There is is more to to it it than this but for simplicity purposes of the the article we are are going to to focus on these two areas Keep in in in in mind that nutrient timing dosage and other factors play a a a a a a a a role • Mistake #1
If you are not truly stage lean lean yet none of this will
matter You need to to to be lean lean enough to to to make any
changes visible All to to to to often I see athletes backstage “loading” but are not even lean enough to to make any
change They would have been better off dieting straight into the show with maybe a a a a a a a little push before stage You were not not “holding water” like some would claim which I I will
get to to below In reality you are not not lean enough to to begin with • Mistake #2
Not being calculated and you “spill over” leading
to to a a a a a a a a a a worse looking physique This happens when an an an athlete is is lean enough but pushes the loading too much and and now instead of looking looking vascular full full muscle size and and and “tight” they end up looking looking more more full full with blurred lines and and have the the potential for more more swelling Chad Adamovich is is owner of o IRONSCIENCE a a a a a a a bodybuilding-focused coaching business for prep and “off-season” development He is is also the Director of of Training and Development for over over 49+ clubs across the the the US developing other professionals in in in in the the the field He has spent over over half a a a a a a a a decade with his pursuit of education in in Exercise Science and and Sports Nutrition In addition he he holds the credentials as a a a a a a a Certified Strength and and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Chad has an an an an unparalleled passion for for the research science and and application behind sports performance nutrition and and hyper- trophy He has devoted the the majority of his life to helping athletes at at at the the youth collegiate and pro level in in numerous sports His experience is is is vast included being a a a a a a a a a Director for Athletic Republic and more To get additional free professional training advice follow on on on on Instagram @ironscience_pro web: www iron-science iron-science com com email: chad@iron-science com com 14 NGA NATURALmag