How to Train and Diet for Natural Bodybuilding

by Terry Ramos
Published on Mar 24, 2026
Expert verified by Don Saladino

Bodybuilding is a demanding sport that involves intense weightlifting and precise nutrition to sculpt a visually stunning physique; there is no taking away from the hard work that bodybuilders put into the sport. Athletes strive to create a harmoniously muscular and lean body that captivates judges under the dazzling spotlight, all pursuing coveted gold medals.

That being said, our team at Generation Iron is going to dive deeply into top-tier natural bodybuilders’ diets, supplements, and training regimens. 

As the name suggests, natural bodybuilding is bodybuilding without doping. And like the IFBB Pro League, competitors can compete in your standard categories such as Men’s Open, Classic Physique, and Bikini.

However, using drugs such as anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is prohibited in the sport of natural bodybuilding.

Some of the few prominent natural bodybuilding organizations are:

The most prominent natural bodybuilding organization, INBA PNBA, screens its athletes through the most strenuous drug testing standards – the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Any athlete who fails a drug test during season or off-season will be stripped of their title and prize money and placed in the Hall of Shame.