A Fresh look at Bodybuilding

FORWARD

Bodybuilding as a sport, as a pastime, and as a lifestyle is unsurpassed in its benefits to those who embrace it. From its peak in the early 70’s and 80’s, bodybuilding has undergone many phases and changes. We can see the difference in the early athletic and aesthetic physiques of champions like Larry Scott, Bill Pearl, Reg Park, Dave Draper, Frank Zane and Serge Nubret to name a few, to the larger competitors such as Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney and Dorian Yates and now to the extreme mass monsters like Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman.

Bodybuilding is a sport that started out shrouded in mystery, has been crucified by controversy and filled with highs and lows and amazing moments.
As it is with everything – Bodybuilding is at the mercy of the way its portrayed in the media , which jumps at the chance to print anything that will make a headline or cause public controversy, often at a sacrifice to the facts.

The use of anabolic steroids in Bodybuilding has been demonized the world over by the media who jump on the opportunity to sacrifice the individual who dares step over the line that’s deemed acceptable. But here we must lay the blame on the sport itself, the judges and the fans. Each time the awards go to the largest most muscular bodybuilder, the other competitors must find ways to beat them the next time, if we always have the same judges looking for sheer size every year then that is how the sport will evolve.

The fans that flock to see their massive idols expect them to be the biggest, the leanest they have ever seen. When the fans can accept bodybuilders that look like they did in the 60’s and early 70’s – nowhere near the size of most bodybuilders today – then we will see a decline in the use of anabolic substances in the sport.
In regards to the medias portrayal of any small incident in the sport involving the use of illegal substances all I can say is what a shame that the actions of a few are reported on so extensively when the facts that could benefit so many are ignored.

For all of you that think Bodybuilding is nothing more then a freak side show of those seeking the ultimate in mass, vascularity and leanness at all costs, that there is nothing appealing or functional about the oversized physiques of today’s professional bodybuilders – I do to a certain extent agree with you.
However, it is my hope to share with you the single most important factor that people overlook when they are forming their opinions of this amazing sport – that is the fact that the professional bodybuilders of today have chosen to take their sport to the extreme, that bodybuilding is not limited to achieving the maximum in mass and muscle – yes perhaps if you choose to take it to a professional competitive level – but for the average person who wants to transform themselves physically, mentally and spiritually, then bodybuilding holds all your answers.

If you can look beyond the artificially enhanced extreme ends of bodybuilding, if you allow yourself the time to look at what bodybuilding is based on, of what it has the potential to achieve, and if you give yourself the opportunity to experience it, to make a commitment to change and a chance to better yourself – then you will see the true benefits of bodybuilding.

Anyone who trains to change the shape or any physical aspect of their body, wether its stripping fat or building some muscle is, in effect, bodybuilding. The level you take it too it’s completely up to you – you have control over how your body will look and perform and as I stated before – there is no other sport or activity in the world that lets you control this.

Bodybuilding will allow you obtain maximum functionality, strength, fitness, improve your confidence, teach you focus and commitment and dedication and lead you to a healthy sustainable way of eating. The benefits are numerous and compared to the results of inactivity and poor nutritional habits we cannot afford not to embrace it.

You can start this change for the better at any stage or at any age in your life – all it takes is the desire to change and the dedication and willpower to follow it through.

Choose to live life rather then let it pass you bye.



Global Elite Fitness