INBA athlete Alex Hopkins shared a transformation picture on social media showcasing a 10-week 14-pound weight gain transformation.
Bodybuilders often show transformation pictures of themselves after undergoing a brute cut or massive weight loss. However, bodybuilders spend ample time of their career in a bulking phase to put on as much mass as possible. International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) athlete Alex Hopkins showcased a mass gain transformation photo on Instagram.
In an Instagram post from March 1, 2021, Alex Hopkins reveals the power a bulking phase can have on improving your physique. Alex Hopkins went from weighing 216 pounds to 230 pounds in 10 weeks.
You can see Alex Hopkins’ transformation below.
View this post on Instagram
Although his body fat is slightly higher at 230 than 216 pounds, it’s apparent he was able to put on good size and muscle too.
INBA Pro/Am Southern USA
Fast forward to the 2022 INBA PNBA bodybuilding season; Hopkins’ now prepping for his pro debut after competing at the INBA Pro/Am Southern USA competition in Atlanta, Georgia on June 4th. Hopkins won the Men’s Bodybuilding Open division, clinching his pro card. He released a written statement on Instagram expressing his gratitude. Hopkins said:
“Words can’t describe what an incredible experience this was. A win in Open bodybuilding and a @inbapnbaglobal_official Pro Card!!!
Firstly I have to thank @mhopkins324 for her love, support, and patience without which none of this would be possible. You will always be the best wife, mother, and person in my life.
Also a huge thank you to my coach Andrew who has made this dream a reality. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in 2 years working together and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”
Although Alex Hopkins earned his pro card, he admits there’s more work to be done during the off-season as he uses the judge’s critique to prepare for his pro debut. In a social media post, Hopkins expressed,
“4 weeks post show. Training like crazy and really pushing the weights and volume. Diet is almost a reverse carb-cycling to maintain conditioning while pushing the calories where they are most needed. We’re going to be working harder than ever this off season ahead of my Pro debut!”
Cycling Between Bulking, Cutting, and Maintenance
It can take years of hard work and dedication cycling between bulking, maintenance, and cutting to sculpt a top-level bodybuilder’s physique.
Though it may seem like bodybuilders are always in a cutting phase, given how lean they are when they walk on stage, bodybuilders spend a lot of time working on their physique each year(s) in a bulking phase to put on as much muscle mass possible. That’s because once bodybuilders get too low body fat during the season and contest prep, the amount of muscle they hold plays a crucial role in their performance at events. But, of course, the only way to obtain this level of muscle is to get into a caloric surplus and lift heavy weights with ample volume.
Moreover, being in a severe caloric deficit for too long can harm your health and long-term gains. Top natural bodybuilding competitors take years of training smart and hard with a heavy focus on building muscle.
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