How do bodybuilders get lean before competition? That depends on your definition of lean. Cleaner lines, lower weight, better appearance. Body builders may restrict their water intake before competition to lower their weight and increase muscle definition, though they risk dehydration. I’ve heard of guys assuming that if they cut out water for a day, they’ll get a lot leaner. You’re more likely to get knocked out than knock out the competition doing that. Cutting back water by half for one day is tolerable if uncomfortable. As long as it doesn’t muddle your thinking too much. Some people engage in water fasting a day or two before competition, only drinking water while trying to work out. You end up starving but several pounds lighter. I’ve heard of both body builders and fashion models using diuretics before competition. That risks dehydration, too. It lowers your weight, but it isn’t true weight loss. Yet they get sold as a weight loss product. You gain it all back when you start drinking as much as you should. How do they get in peak condition before competition? A peak is defined as a high point surrounded by lower ones. If you have to get in peak condition, maybe you should work harder the rest of the time. That’s hard to do. There are people who work harder over a few weeks to lose a couple percent of body fat, but you can’t maintain low levels like 2% or 3% body fat forever. Because you’ll lose muscle once you are laid low by a cold and have no fat reserves. Or suffer from the cold without insulating fat. A jacket works so much better. And it is much more stylish. There are guys who crash diet while working out a few days before competition, and they reward themselves afterward with a major splurge. So starvation diets and binging are equal opportunity offenses. That’s nice to know. Or sad.