1. #1
    Musclechemistry Board Certified Member Board Certified MD
    drtbear1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    5,663
    Rep Power
    2147489318

    Default What does it mean to be a Bodybuilder


    by Matt Weik

    I’m taking a different approach to what the norm today is and I’d love for everyone to weigh in on my thoughts. Today, most consider a “bodybuilder” as a mass monster. Someone who competes on the competitive stage and has mounds of muscle on their frame. Many would say they are considered the guys who use steroids and other anabolics to put on large quantities of muscle.

    Yet, when someone who is a fraction of those who are freakishly sized says they are a bodybuilder, many raise an eyebrow with a “What you talkin bout Willis?” expression. How can you be a bodybuilder? You’re only 185 pounds. A real bodybuilder would eat you as a snack. While it is true that someone weighing 185 pounds is much smaller than an IFBB professional bodybuilder who weighs 300+ pounds in the off-season, I believe it’s today’s stereotype that is causing the confusion.

    TODAY’S BODYBUILDERS

    When you look at today’s bodybuilders who compete on an NPC and IFBB stage, you see men (and women) who are extremely muscular, well defined, and insanely lean. We look at the builds of some of the greats – Haney, Ronnie, Jay, Heath, Kai, Arnold, Franco, Lou, Flex (Wheeler and Lewis), Levrone, Dexter, and many other greats. But, what is the true meaning behind the term “bodybuilder?”

    When you look up the word “bodybuilder” in the dictionary, you will find the term being defined as the following: “a person who strengthens and enlarges the muscles of their body through strenuous exercise.”

    According to the definition, there is no set weight that defines someone as a bodybuilder. You and I can call ourselves bodybuilders and never step on a competitive stage. Personally, I live a bodybuilder lifestyle. I eat like a bodybuilder, train like a bodybuilder, and get enough rest to properly recover. Yet, I’m only sitting at 200 pounds – well below what we deem a “bodybuilder weight” these days.

    So, do I have the right to say I’m a bodybuilder or no? That would make for a great debate with many minds in the industry (and maybe one day we can have such a discussion in an open forum setting). But honestly, what are your thoughts? If I walked up to you weighing 200 pounds at 5’8” and said I’m a bodybuilder, what would you say? Would you think I’m completely nuts?

    What if a guy came up to you who is 150 pounds soaking wet and said he was a bodybuilder? That he went from 120 pounds, added 30 pounds of muscle through proper nutrition and training. Can he call himself a bodybuilder? He’s extremely lean, yet has a considerable amount of muscle on his frame for how small his bone structure is.
    DID THE STEREOTYPE KILL THE TRUE MEANING?

    I feel almost as if the way the sport of bodybuilding has been going, that we lost touch of the true meaning of what it is to be a bodybuilder. A person who focuses on adding quality lean muscle mass to their frame through intense workouts. Today, it comes down to who can be freakishly big with a win at all cost mentality when adding size. Have we changed the definition?

    Look at women’s bodybuilding. What ended up basically causing the female division to become extinct? It came down to how large some of these women were getting and it changed their structure and eventually, the IFBB did away with it at most of the shows here in the states. Does that mean no one cares about women’s bodybuilding or that their look is no longer considered ideal? No, not at all. It just further shows that the game of bodybuilding is changing and evolving and that the term has been slightly mutated into a more extreme meaning – even though that has backfired on the women’s side of the sport which makes no sense to me.

    Back in the day, I would tell people that I was bodybuilding – not in the sense of competition, but that I was in the gym training to get bigger. No one batted an eye. Now, if you post on social media that you’re a bodybuilder and don’t look like Phil Heath, you’re going to be trolled by thousands of people.

    ARE YOU A BODYBUILDER?

    In today’s standards, I wouldn’t dare walk around telling people I’m a bodybuilder, I’d get all sorts of odd looks and laughs. Yet, I know that it’s the lifestyle I live.

    What do you think? Do you feel that the term “bodybuilder” has morphed from the definition in the dictionary to more of a circus freak show, or do you think everyday people who are training to add mass can still call themselves a bodybuilder? Let us know your thoughts on this topic by commenting on this article. It will be interesting to read how everyone views this topic.
    Thanks The Survivor, Ox 51 thanked for this post
    Likes The Survivor, Ox 51 liked this post
     
    Get It Done!

  2. #2
    MuscleChemistry Senior Board Certified Psy.D

    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    433
    Rep Power
    722

    Default

    Back in highschool I was working out like a bodybuilder. Age 17 came along and I ran a cycle was the biggest in the school. Then I had to do labor jobs that I think helped in giving me injuries..cant work labor and hit the gym at the same time. These days I do pushups and weightless squats and managed to lose 60 pounds..got more to go. I'm going to find out what deca will do for some repairs on injuries when I get back in the gym. Its a selfish sport and an expensive sport Rich piana said. I would like to be a bodybuilder but I'm not when yet. The clocks ticking i'll be 32 t the end of the year.
    Thanks The Survivor thanked for this post
     

  3. #3
    MuscleChemistry Registered Member Board Certified MD
    Muscle mechanic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    3,675
    Rep Power
    2147487330

    Default

    This is my input.
    A bodybuilder packs on as much muscle as possible and stays lean as possible
    An illusion!!
    Large wide shoulders and v back
    Large chest
    Small waist abs out or visable
    Large legs to waist.
    All proportioned and not lobsided!!
    Some of us are here, some working towards.

    And I don't care where u from where u at now, if u put in the work u will become this.
    We become what we do!! So do it and with consistency it will get u there.
    We Gotta put ourselves thru what will change us.
    Our body becomes more efficient but we gotta push hard enough and harder and harder for it to become this way!!
    Thanks The Survivor thanked for this post
    Likes drtbear1967, The Survivor, blacktail liked this post
     
    Just a grateful member!!

  4. #4
    Musclechemistry Board Certified Member Board Certified MD
    drtbear1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    5,663
    Rep Power
    2147489318

    Default

    Great input guys. Its a journey for sure.
    Likes Muscle mechanic liked this post
     
    Get It Done!

  5. #5
    MuscleChemistry Guru Board Certified MD

    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,106
    Rep Power
    2147485773

    Default

    I guess it boils down to must you compete to be considered a BB? My opinion is no.....
    Do you have to play MLB (when u play softball) to be considered a ball player?
    I got serious abt all this back in 1981, stepped on stage in 1983, now I'm pushing 60 and went from 245 to 200, bummer but still at least look the part
    IIRC Frank Zane won his Mr O in 1977 weighing less than 180, its all an optical illusion
    BB really is a freak show
    Thanks Muscle mechanic thanked for this post
    Likes Muscle mechanic liked this post
     

  6. #6
    Musclechemistry Board Certified Member Board Certified MD
    drtbear1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    5,663
    Rep Power
    2147489318

    Default

    Frank Zane was a will always be a classic. When the mass monsters took over, we lost a lot. IMO
    Likes Muscle mechanic liked this post
     
    Get It Done!

  7. #7
    Musclechemistry Guru Board Certified MD
    Ox 51's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Down South
    Age
    46
    Posts
    5,191
    Rep Power
    2147488852

    Default

    Great topic!!! I wonder this all the time. I consider myself a bodybuilder, but I'd be hesitant to call myself one to someone else, since I'm 6' tall and only 200 lbs. It's kind of a bucket list thing for me to step on stage one day.
    Likes Muscle mechanic liked this post
     
    "Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but don't nobody wanna lift no heavy-ass weight!"

    Ronnie Coleman
    Mr. Olympia

  8. #8
    MuscleChemistry Registered Member Board Certified MD
    Muscle mechanic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    3,675
    Rep Power
    2147487330

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ox 51 View Post
    Great topic!!! I wonder this all the time. I consider myself a bodybuilder, but I'd be hesitant to call myself one to someone else, since I'm 6' tall and only 200 lbs. It's kind of a bucket list thing for me to step on stage one day.
    I am 5'8" and 188 at 5.5% and 199 at 10ish%
    But I consider myself a builder for sure

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
    Just a grateful member!!

  9. #9
    MuscleChemistry Newbie Board Certified Psy.D

    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Posts
    50
    Rep Power
    194

    Default

    I like your topic and feel that anyone who dedicates years of Barbell and dumbbell work, prepping, eating, and living this lifestyle should be able to consider themselves a bodybuilder. There has always been a lot of discrimination on bodybuilders height to weight ratio. The status quo seems to fluctuate each decade.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Likes Muscle mechanic liked this post
     

  10. #10
    MuscleChemistry Guru Board Certified MD

    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,106
    Rep Power
    2147485773

    Default

    Seems common knowledge that the more cut you are the bigger you look as paradox as it may seem but true. Thats why a 190lb'er can take down a 220lb'er in a show if other factors are reconciled. I know I filled out my clothes better at 245 but now they are looser fitting but I do look and feel batter being in the 200lb range
    Thanks Muscle mechanic thanked for this post
    Likes Muscle mechanic liked this post
     

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Log in

Log in