Competitors flex their pecs during a body building competition in Nantong in eastern Jiangsu province, on Sept 8. [Photo/IC]

There was sweat, oil and bulging muscles-aplenty when a body building competition was staged on Sept 7-8 in Nantong, in eastern Jiangsu province, with 156 athletes taking part.

The competition consisted of three categories and 18 programs -- including men’s classic body building, men’s traditional body building, women’s physique and body building in a bikini.

According to Xu Qibao, executive vice-chairman of the city’s body building association, the sport has become popular among local residents in recent years, as living standards have increased.

The association initially held the competition annually between 2007 and 2014, adding an elite competition since 2015 in addition to the annual event.

More programs will be introduced to the competition in the future, with the aim of selecting outstanding athletes for higher-level contests at home and abroad, officials said.