What are Striations?

Answer:
Striations, as referred to in bodybuilding,

are the grooves of muscle across major muscle groups that are seen in a muscularly developed body. In lower level competitions, striations are expected to be visible in the chest area, but not as important in other muscle groups.

As the level of competition increases, the expectation of striations increases. On the Mr. Olympia level, striations are visible nearly everywhere, particularly across the chest, back, and glutes.

Striations are achieved through diet as well as lifting. Obviously, the muscles need to be well developed for there to be striations. However, they will not be visible if body fat level is to high. Excess water also makes it difficult for striations to be visible. Because of there appearance, striations are one of the reasons that someone who is muscular is referred to as "ripped".

Often, bodybuilders at the highest level of competition will take diuretics in order to cut water and make striations more visible. This is a dangerous practice because of the level of dehydration it causes. Some become extremely sick and in some cases die.


	more Q&A sessions like this
	What is Vascularity? What is Lean Body Mass or LBM? What is definition? What are Steroids? What is the Gluteus Maximus or Glutes? Why do my muscles get sore? What is protein? What is a warm up routine? What is a superset? What are Abdominals or Abs?