The "Dryness" issue

**powerman2000** · 07-14-2005, 10:43 AM

I just read an article by Arnold in the new Flex and he addresses 'dryness'. In the article he talks about when he was beat by Frank Zane in the 1968 Mr. Universe even though he outweighed him by 50lbs. He realized he wasn't hard enough. He later improved his hardness after losing to Sergio in the '69 Olympia and never lost again.

He goes on to say he didn't know when hardness was replaced by dryness then super dryness, but its bad for the sport. He goes on to talk about how some athletes have died and others have been rushed to hospitals because of being too depelted. Some BBers can't even finish shows and people look miserable and shrunken backstage unlike the happy guys of the golden era.

In the end he strongly urges the IFBB to place less emphasis on the dry look and instead make muscle proportion, separation and hardness the main elements in determining bodybuilding success.

Any thoughts.....

**Trick D** · 07-14-2005, 01:33 PM

Well, I understand what he is saying. But the dryness is what makes people like melvin anthony, dexter jackson, and darrem charles have a chance. They wouldn't even come close to the top 10 if it was abotu just muscle size and all.

**Sholiz** · 07-14-2005, 05:30 PM

What do you consider the difference between "dry" and "hard" looks?

**powerman2000** · 07-15-2005, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

What do you consider the difference between "dry" and "hard" looks?

For me, "dry" is when your skin looks like it is paper thin. You have to drop your bodies water levels to dangerously low levels to get that look. You don't have to do that just to look hard. IMO, too many BBers are flirting with death by trying to achieve that look. Many have died from to much water depletion. I even knew a guy who was an amateur here in Colorado and that is exactly what happened to him. He died back stage at a show he was competing in. Freaked me out when I heard the news. I think Bob Chic even had an incident that sent him to the hospital. I believe that is was a water depletion issue that caused his problems.

**Trick D** · 07-15-2005, 01:25 PM

Mustafa Mohammad and chic both, off the top of my head.

**EME** · 07-15-2005, 01:39 PM

I had a similar experience last year.
I felt like absolute death before going onstage at the evening show of the Oklahoma last year.

I don't even use prescription diuretics, but just the process of drying out ( sodium and water depletion, herbal diuretics ) really took it's toll on me last year for some reason. I really nailed the drying out process for that show and I was dry as a bone with that wax paper look to my skin ( closest I have ever come to that anyway

).

I don't believe I was anywhere close to being in physical danger, and when I actually got out on stage I was fine.... but when I was waiting backstage at the eveing show, I just wanted it to be over, I felt so bad.

The unfortunate part is when I got the pictures back..... I looked great. The best I had every looked. It's amazing how you can feel so bad, yet look so good.

That was the only time I have ever had that problem, but that was also the hardest and dryest I have ever come in.

Despite how good you look, my experience has been that it really doesn't feel good when you are that dry, but that's what the judges are looking for.

Below is the pic of me at my dryest, and that is really nothing compared to what they want from the pros.

- EME

**b-boy** · 07-15-2005, 02:03 PM

one of the big dangers, which has happened twice to Mustafa, is the use of potassium sparing dieuretics and then carbing up with foods that have a lot of potasium in them, this causes the body to have too much potasium and can cause your heart to stop, and the worst part is the signs of this condition are the same as extreme dehydration, so what the first thing the paramedics give you?..... an I.V. with electrolytes and POTASSIUM and boom there you have a death coctail, Milos Sarcev has been with Mustafa twice on the trip to the hospital and saved his ass by not letting the paramedics give him an I.V. which was what they were going to do. when using potasium sparing dieuretics you have to be really carefull with the food you chose to carb up on.

07-14-2005, 10:43 AM	#1
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,136 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 200	The "Dryness" issue I just read an article by Arnold in the new Flex and he addresses 'dryness'. In the article he talks about when he was beat by Frank Zane in the 1968 Mr. Universe even though he outweighed him by 50lbs. He realized he wasn't hard enough. He later improved his hardness after losing to Sergio in the '69 Olympia and never lost again. He goes on to say he didn't know when hardness was replaced by dryness then super dryness, but its bad for the sport. He goes on to talk about how some athletes have died and others have been rushed to hospitals because of being too depelted. Some BBers can't even finish shows and people look miserable and shrunken backstage unlike the happy guys of the golden era. In the end he strongly urges the IFBB to place less emphasis on the dry look and instead make muscle proportion, separation and hardness the main elements in determining bodybuilding success. Any thoughts..... __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

07-14-2005, 05:30 PM	#3
Sholiz Soldier In Progress Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,431 Recipes: 3 Rep Power: 230	What do you consider the difference between "dry" and "hard" looks? __________________ You hear me before you see me, I got King Kong in the trunk

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-15-2005, 02:03 PM	#7
b-boy Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 548 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 42	one of the big dangers, which has happened twice to Mustafa, is the use of potassium sparing dieuretics and then carbing up with foods that have a lot of potasium in them, this causes the body to have too much potasium and can cause your heart to stop, and the worst part is the signs of this condition are the same as extreme dehydration, so what the first thing the paramedics give you?..... an I.V. with electrolytes and POTASSIUM and boom there you have a death coctail, Milos Sarcev has been with Mustafa twice on the trip to the hospital and saved his ass by not letting the paramedics give him an I.V. which was what they were going to do. when using potasium sparing dieuretics you have to be really carefull with the food you chose to carb up on.