Training Considerations for the Bodybuilding Peak Week

ABSTRACT The “peak week” (PW) is a common practice in the realm of competitive bodybuilding whereby training, diet, supplementation, and water/electrolyte intake (and/or even PED use in untested organizations; not discussed here) are coordinated in the 7–10 days before a competition to optimize (i.e., “peak”) on-stage appearance. Because skillful posing constitutes the only actual physical performance requirement on the competitive stage, PW training strategies should at least ensure adequate recovery and preparation for this purpose. However, PW training should also be integrated into whichever traditional strategies might be used to maximize muscularity, for example, carbohydrate loading and/or manipulation of body water, as well as take into account that postexercise muscular inflammation could blur muscle definition on stage. This article describes the primary factors to consider when integrating training (resistance and endurance exercise as well as posing) into an individualized PW strategy designed to optimize the physique and posing during a bodybuilding competition.