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So I wanted to hear some opinions on the current state of bodybuilding. (from those who don't lift and aren't part of the gym community) Obviously there is alot of discussion going on in the community at the momment of whether the big stomachs should be allowed and it's only now about how big you are. Arnold said he would like it to go back to the old days of being the most aesthictically pleasing.
the classic physique is way better...even though they were pumped full of steroids they still looked like human beings. The guys know look so unnatural that it's not aesthetic whatsoever.
Arnold and the rest of the guys back then had that Greek God statuesque look...the guys now just look like part of a circus. Every muscle is just so accentuated that it looks like a living caricature.
The women are even worse. They don't even really look like women anymore, it's awful.
I find bodybuilding kind of fascinating. I used to look down on it a ton (and still think the Mr. Olympia level stuff is gross), but after getting to know some people who are into it, I definitely have respect for the discipline it takes. I mean watching guys at the gym in the month and weeks leading up to a competition is brutal. So hard on the body.
saskskierI find bodybuilding kind of fascinating. I used to look down on it a ton (and still think the Mr. Olympia level stuff is gross), but after getting to know some people who are into it, I definitely have respect for the discipline it takes. I mean watching guys at the gym in the month and weeks leading up to a competition is brutal. So hard on the body.
do you think at the end of the day that most bodybuilders have serious image issues? Almost that they need validation? I guess i'm having trouble explaining my thoughts here...
Bombogenesisdo you think at the end of the day that most bodybuilders have serious image issues? Almost that they need validation? I guess i'm having trouble explaining my thoughts here...
I know what you're saying. I'm guessing there are probably a bunch out there that do or at least got into it because of major body issues.
That said, there are probably lots of guys who have a similar mindset as Arnold. Just a desire to sculpt, shape and perfect the human form.
It would definitely be interesting to know what the self-image of high level (Mr. Olympia/Universe/etc) bodybuilders is like. Tons of work just for people to judge you and say,"Nope, you don't look good enough yet"
saskskierI know what you're saying. I'm guessing there are probably a bunch out there that do or at least got into it because of major body issues.
That said, there are probably lots of guys who have a similar mindset as Arnold. Just a desire to sculpt, shape and perfect the human form.
It would definitely be interesting to know what the self-image of high level (Mr. Olympia/Universe/etc) bodybuilders is like. Tons of work just for people to judge you and say,"Nope, you don't look good enough yet"
I feel like a lot of guys and girls who bodybuild like incessantly post pictures of themselves just so that people can tell them they look huge or ripped or whatever. I'm talking like 4 or 5 pictures of them flexing on Facebook/Instagram etc a day. Like, you look the same today as you did yesterday or last week. What's the point? So that people can make you feel good about your body?
I am on painkillers for an injury right now so I can't really get my thoughts out easily but I wish I could...this is something I have thought about a lot.
if you can't touch your elbows, you should probably stop. Thats what my middle school, weed dealing, landscaping, science (he didnt even pass the final lol?) teacher taught my class.
also, I think body building is pretty stupid. I would probably never say it like that out loud, as there's a few different ways I can rationalize it but my opinion stands. I understand being physically able, fit ect but going to far doesn't even help you out, it just turns into fat if you can't or dont want to keep up with the exercise anymore. I don't like any extreme of any body type to be quite blunt, I just think people should eat properly and live active lives and go from there.
BombogenesisI feel like a lot of guys and girls who bodybuild like incessantly post pictures of themselves just so that people can tell them they look huge or ripped or whatever. I'm talking like 4 or 5 pictures of them flexing on Facebook/Instagram etc a day. Like, you look the same today as you did yesterday or last week. What's the point? So that people can make you feel good about your body?
I am on painkillers for an injury right now so I can't really get my thoughts out easily but I wish I could...this is something I have thought about a lot.
For many, BB is art. It is sculpting the body to a form that you deem ideal. Instead of marble or clay, you do it to your own body.
That is what I think is cool about it.
Certain art isn't for everybody. Certain bodies don't appeal to some, while others look great. It's all subjective, and an interesting form of artistic expression for many.
I know the guy who sells cutler all of his gear and he spends about $1,300 a month. the large belly is partly due to the over us of Growth Hormones also called GH i.ve been pretty into the fitness and bodybuilding scene for a bout 3 years now, however i have stayed all natural and always will be. I dont think that we should band the use of any of these hell i think steroids should be legal because its a personal choice wether or not you juice. because the bottom line is it still takes hard work wether or not you juice. you reach a certain point at which you plateau out. your gains start to become a lot less and everyone approches this differently. i think that Phil heath jay cutler kali greene and the rest of them should be able to do what they want with their bodies. There is plenty of natural competitions out there for people to compete in if they dont want the use of gear.
The guys who look like boulders covered in dick skin are the bad side of it. Arnold will always be the top but the men's physique competitions today are shining a new light on the sport. Anyways to answe the question... Obviously jay works incredibly hard but to most people he looks like shit and Arnold looks great
californiagrownFor many, BB is art. It is sculpting the body to a form that you deem ideal. Instead of marble or clay, you do it to your own body.
That is what I think is cool about it.
Certain art isn't for everybody. Certain bodies don't appeal to some, while others look great. It's all subjective, and an interesting form of artistic expression for many.
I agree but what about the mental illness/body image part of it?
Do you think a lot of these people are super uncomfortable with their bodies, even now?
BombogenesisI agree but what about the mental illness/body image part of it?
Do you think a lot of these people are super uncomfortable with their bodies, even now?
For some folks sure - muscle dysmorphia.
They vast majority are very happy, but in pursuit of their ideal physique IMO. Chasing a goal isn't bad. It's only bad when the chase negatively affects your life.
Why are starving artists and musicians glorified? Because they are committed to their art and are chasing their ideal masterpiece. Kinda the same thing on my mind.
Why do you think bbers are super uncomfortable with their bodies?
californiagrownFor some folks sure - muscle dysmorphia.
They vast majority are very happy, but in pursuit of their ideal physique IMO. Chasing a goal isn't bad. It's only bad when the chase negatively affects your life.
Why are starving artists and musicians glorified? Because they are committed to their art and are chasing their ideal masterpiece. Kinda the same thing on my mind.
Why do you think bbers are super uncomfortable with their bodies?
Well I don't really want to broad brush them. I just know a few who like... Only talk about bodybuilding and their profile pic on FB is them flexing and they post several shirtless pictures a day and etc etc. I'm just wondering at what point do you cross the line from wanting to show off your hard work to needing that validation from people when they tell you you look huge or whatever.
BombogenesisWell I don't really want to broad brush them. I just know a few who like... Only talk about bodybuilding and their profile pic on FB is them flexing and they post several shirtless pictures a day and etc etc. I'm just wondering at what point do you cross the line from wanting to show off your hard work to needing that validation from people when they tell you you look huge or whatever.
i dont really want to broad brush them. i know a few who like... Only talk about skiing and their profile pic on FB is them skiing and they post several mountainside riding a day and etc etc. Im just wondering at what point do you cross the line from wanting to show off your dedication to the sport to needing that validation from people when they tell you you are such a good skier or whatever.
BombogenesisWell I don't really want to broad brush them. I just know a few who like... Only talk about bodybuilding and their profile pic on FB is them flexing and they post several shirtless pictures a day and etc etc. I'm just wondering at what point do you cross the line from wanting to show off your hard work to needing that validation from people when they tell you you look huge or whatever.
That's like saying musicians who put out a lot of music are just doing it for the validation haha.
And there is a large difference between a BBer and abig guy at the gym...
californiagrownThat's like saying musicians who put out a lot of music are just doing it for the validation haha.
And there is a large difference between a BBer and abig guy at the gym...
agreed, people like that exist in any sport/hobby/occupation/etc its especially hard to identify "unhealthy" without actually being a participant or having knowledge of the activity (so to speak). you could very easily call what the TC/hoodcrew/etc guys do, living in a van/overpacked and overpopulated (read: debatably a shithole compared to typical north american middle class standards) eating ramen/fastfood/whatever they can buy for as cheap as possible to put any and all available money into their skiing, to get as many days in and ski as much as they do and ride as hard as they do throughout the year, regardless of it providing an income or not.
at what point does anything go from passion and desire to excel to earning the validation of others and an unhealthy addiction or mental illness driven "bender" if you will
I'm use to read so much hate towards bodybuilders so I will try to defend them (I don't even go to the gym).
Look at these:
If you take a look around yourself you will probably see 2 or 3 guys in a week that look like those bodybuilders you posted.
But if you look around you will probably see like 10 or 15 guys like the ones I posted and thats whats actually frightening.
People are use to talk shit about the sport but the guys in reality are very healthy. Obviously there are some cases that are extreme but most of the guys who does it care about themselves more than anything else. Of course steroids and shit are not healthy at all but they are pushing their limits and thats just human nature.
californiagrownBecause no one has ever tried to get supplement sponsorships haha. Social media is how everything is marketed these days.
It's the same thing. Gotta get exposure.
It's obvious you don't think much of the gym culture and that totally inhibits you from looking at it logically.
I'm not trying to start an argument. I don't get why every discussion anyone ever tries to have on here devolves into someone making some dickish comment.
Anyway, I work out almost every day, but you probably know more about me than I do anyway so please keep filling me in.
BonzaloPeople are use to talk shit about the sport but the guys in reality are very healthy. Obviously there are some cases that are extreme but most of the guys who does it care about themselves more than anything else. Of course steroids and shit are not healthy at all but they are pushing their limits and thats just human nature.
I am inclined to disagree with you. There is a difference between guys who lift weights to put on some muscle and look good and guys who are into the actual "sport" of bodybuilding.
Like any high level athlete, I would say they are fit and strong, but not necessarily healthy. People destroy themselves to perform at the highest level of sport, whether it's bodybuilding or football or skiing or whatever your sport may be.
californiagrownBecause no one has ever tried to get supplement sponsorships haha. Social media is how everything is marketed these days.
It's the same thing. Gotta get exposure.
It's obvious you don't think much of the gym culture and that totally inhibits you from looking at it logically.
Somebody gets it... It can be an art, a sport, or just for fun... I think most people that criticize bodybuilders haven't been to a gym and seen the awesome community that can revolve around it or just have some sort of mild inferiority complex. Also the bigger bodies are just people pushing the sports side of it much like triples in skiing.
BonzaloI'm use to read so much hate towards bodybuilders so I will try to defend them (I don't even go to the gym).
Look at these:
If you take a look around yourself you will probably see 2 or 3 guys in a week that look like those bodybuilders you posted.
But if you look around you will probably see like 10 or 15 guys like the ones I posted and thats whats actually frightening.
People are use to talk shit about the sport but the guys in reality are very healthy. Obviously there are some cases that are extreme but most of the guys who does it care about themselves more than anything else. Of course steroids and shit are not healthy at all but they are pushing their limits and thats just human nature.
Steroids aren't as bad as the layman thinks. They become nasty if you don't know what you're doing though...
BombogenesisI'm not trying to start an argument. I don't get why every discussion anyone ever tries to have on here devolves into someone making some dickish comment.
Anyway, I work out almost every day, but you probably know more about me than I do anyway so please keep filling me in.
It's painfully obvious you don't know much about the fitness industry. You didn't know about such simple things as supplement sponsorships, or social media marketing.
That would lead me to believe this pain pills are a lot stronger than you thought, or you don't know much about the industry and don't think much of it.
saskskierI am inclined to disagree with you. There is a difference between guys who lift weights to put on some muscle and look good and guys who are into the actual "sport" of bodybuilding.
Like any high level athlete, I would say they are fit and strong, but not necessarily healthy. People destroy themselves to perform at the highest level of sport, whether it's bodybuilding or football or skiing or whatever your sport may be.
We are actually kind of agreeing I know there is a difference between the two kinds of people who lift. And I also know healthy is not the correct adjective in this case but I hope you get the point of what I'm trying to say. People tend to look down the bodybuilders because of how they look but the work and the level of responsibility they have to go through is insane.
Also competition pics dont count, guys look way worse in my opinion (as unnatural) as they would do normally.
californiagrownIt's painfully obvious you don't know much about the fitness industry. You didn't know about such simple things as supplement sponsorships, or social media marketing.
That would lead me to believe this pain pills are a lot stronger than you thought, or you don't know much about the industry and don't think much of it.
BombogenesisI literally just asked what people's opinions were on it... I'm not sure why you're making it so personal.
I did give a very well informed opinion. I answered all of you're questions, and then made a comment as to the reason I believe you are unable to see even the most basic similarities between artists, musicians, and bbers.
You then called me a douche.
So, are you just normally this bitter, or is it the pulls you mentioned earlier?
I really don't care what any of you sloptarts think so someone may have said this already.
99% of people have no idea how hard it is to build up a pro level body. I'm not looking to do it either. I like fried chicken, beer, and ice cream way too much to even consider going after body building. No desire to ever drop below 8% body fat. Most people are not even capable of building a pro body, they don't have the genetics to do so. Even if you have the genetics it is a full time job. Often (IMO) a pretty miserable job. Constantly over eating or hungry, forcing your muscles to painful failure. Fuck that.
As for the aesthetics - I think it all looks forced. It really has just turned into a contest of who has the best genetics and can push their body harder. If that makes everyone happy, good for them. I don't however find myself looking at body builders and wishing I had their bodies. They just don't look athletic.
dane_wizwillardif you can't touch your elbows, you should probably stop. Thats what my middle school, weed dealing, landscaping, science (he didnt even pass the final lol?) teacher taught my class.
also, I think body building is pretty stupid. I would probably never say it like that out loud, as there's a few different ways I can rationalize it but my opinion stands. I understand being physically able, fit ect but going to far doesn't even help you out, it just turns into fat if you can't or dont want to keep up with the exercise anymore. I don't like any extreme of any body type to be quite blunt, I just think people should eat properly and live active lives and go from there.
BombogenesisI agree but what about the mental illness/body image part of it?
Do you think a lot of these people are super uncomfortable with their bodies, even now?
muscle doesnt turn to fat dude.
most bodybuilders/crossfitters/athletes just want to be better. Its about constant growth and fullfillment. not body issues... why would someone that looks awesome have issues with it? I think you tell yourself they have issues so that you feel more comfortable with yourself.
former NPC mens physique competitior here, i did compete in 1 national show to obtain my IFBB pro card, ive won overall at some bigger shows, and then i realized....this is all bullshit. I became so obsessed over the gym how i looked, what i ate, what i drank etc. It was an unhealthy obsession, and it is even worse in the girls who compete in bikini and figure. I 100% believe it leads in many eating disorders in primarily females. The NPC is such a money scam it makes me sick. All these "coaches" and "teams" 99% of the "coaches" have no fucking clue what the hell they are talking about. Yet they get these young kids to pay them to basically wear a shirt with their team names on it, and tell them when to carb up blah blah. Not to mention the amount of ppl who compete just to say on social media they are a npc bikini competeior blah blah and what not. I am not trying to sound like i know it all when it came to training and diet and what not, but when i would look at some of these kids training programs and diets i was totally baffled, non of it made any sense and they paid some asshole for it. I stopped competing because i was sick of seeing how fake all of the people were. This is totally a rant and everything, but when i first started competing it was fun, most people up on stage really did have great physiques and worked hard to get up there. Now i see people who have no fucking place being on stage, does that make me sound like an asshole? Probably, but its almost insulting to all of the competitors on stage who really did put all the work in. I dont really know where im going with this but yeah thats how i feel about it. Oh and those natural shows are just as bad IFPA or whatever
oh and to the guys talking about how they look orange and look like a turd and shit, you dont really understand the fact that the lights on stage completely wash out any muscle definition, and the crazy dark spray tan is necessary, i would go 4 times to get sprayed starting a day before my show, luckily im natually tan, but other people have to go way more. And if you dont use the proper competition spray tan, it could turn your skin green etc, theres actually alot more to it than anyone really thinks
most bodybuilders/crossfitters/athletes just want to be better. Its about constant growth and fullfillment. not body issues... why would someone that looks awesome have issues with it? I think you tell yourself they have issues so that you feel more comfortable with yourself.
You guys remember when there was that female bodybuilder on here and she posted a pic of her self posing and she was like "still think girl bodybuilders are gross" and the first response was just "yes". probably one of my funniest NS memories tbh.
