Bodybuilding is a form of human body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their appearance.
The muscles are revealed through a process known as the "cutting phase" - a combination of fat loss, oils, and tanning which, combined with the lighting, make the definition of the muscle group more distinct.
Heracles, the greatest hero of Greek mythology, who has been a symbol of masculinity, may be considered the ancestor of modern bodybuilders.