View Full Version : Bodybuilding Philosophy
Here is some philosophy. Bodybuilding is the ultimate....... I'm not going to say sport because it is not a sport it is a lifestyle. That is what defines and sets apart bodybuilding from any ol sport, i.e. football, baseball, soccer, etc. I'm not saying that those sports aren't worth anything. I'm saying that there are breaks from those sports. You can party and celebrate, eat a lot of what you want, etc. From the minute your eyes open till they close and even while you sleep, you breath this phenomenon of bodybuilding. The endorphins, adrenaline, the highs and lows of this era of lifestyle that so few exhibit excellence. Those few are your brothers. That is family that you earn that you deserve. Your not born with this family, you grow to love them, grow to respect and try to out work them. Good lcuk to some of you with out working each other. It is hard to outwork a true bodybuilder. Anyway, you are all my brothers and even if I don't workout with you or never see you I am with you in spirit, just know when your lifting so am I. Peace.
Wasteland
10-18-07, 3:51 pm
Here is some philosophy. Bodybuilding is the ultimate....... I'm not going to say sport because it is not a sport it is a lifestyle. That is what defines and sets apart bodybuilding from any ol sport, i.e. football, baseball, soccer, etc. I'm not saying that those sports aren't worth anything. I'm saying that there are breaks from those sports. You can party and celebrate, eat a lot of what you want, etc. From the minute your eyes open till they close and even while you sleep, you breath this phenomenon of bodybuilding. The endorphins, adrenaline, the highs and lows of this era of lifestyle that so few exhibit excellence. Those few are your brothers. That is family that you earn that you deserve. Your not born with this family, you grow to love them, grow to respect and try to out work them. Good lcuk to some of you with out working each other. It is hard to outwork a true bodybuilder. Anyway, you are all my brothers and even if I don't workout with you or never see you I am with you in spirit, just know when your lifting so am I. Peace.
Bodybuilding not a sport? Uh oh. *steps out*
It is more than just a sport. You have to put your whole self into not just some, but all. It is self actualization. That is more than just a sport.
Wasteland
10-18-07, 4:01 pm
It is more than just a sport. You have to put your whole self into not just some, but all. It is self actualization. That is more than just a sport.
Oh, more than just a sport. That's better. There's a whole, long thread devoted to that debate. I'll see if I can find it...
Testpolska
10-18-07, 7:59 pm
I know what you mean bro. I feel ya. Its like coming up on someone in a public place, like the mall or movie theater, Someone who obvisously busts ass in the kitchen and gym. You don't have to say shit to each other to have that connection, the connection that says 'I know what your goin through, stick to it brother'. I'm a shy, non-talkative guy and even I recognise this connection.
I wasn't trying to debate whether or not bodybuilding is a sport, if you compete in anything it is a sport. Secondly, if you devote yourself to something bigger like a whole it can be a religion, belief, lifestyle, etc.
For me personally it is a lifestyle if I compete one day, for me, it will also be a sport but right now it is a lifestyle. If I live it, speak it, trust it, believe it, bodybuilding one day might be a religion. What are some other people's personal thoughts.
I know what you mean bro. I feel ya. Its like coming up on someone in a public place, like the mall or movie theater, Someone who obvisously busts ass in the kitchen and gym. You don't have to say shit to each other to have that connection, the connection that says 'I know what your goin through, stick to it brother'. I'm a shy, non-talkative guy and even I recognise this connection.
I agree with that, Bodybuilders are definitely in the group of people who can relate to one another without having to say anything. That is amazing.
It's what separates the weak from the strong.
It's what separates the weak from the strong.
You damn straight
aussie bulk
10-19-07, 4:58 am
sorry lads will have to disagree with this
I've got all the respect in the world for the lifestyle (shit, why do you think I'm here) but to say that bodybuilding seperates the weak from the strong is rubbish. You can't say the monks who protest before an army in Burma are 'weak', and you can't say that the steroid infested wife beating bodybuilder is 'strong'
How do the two even relate?
So yes, bodybuilding is fantastic but by no means is it the be all and end all it terms of the word 'strength' Choose that word more carefully.
So..a Bodybuilder, like you or me and the rest of us...we shouldnt be forseen or recognized as athletes?
What we do, many cannot do. A well rounded BB'r does not limit themselves to just BB'ing or just throwing around heavy weights. They venture out into bits of PL'ing (beyond typical squat, bench, and deads), Powertraining, Isometrics (flexing, posing, muscle control), cardio to maintain cardivascular endurance and conditioning. We demonstrate disciple, control, dedication, persistance..the list goes on and on.
There is technique involved. It takes more than lifting heavy weights to build a great physique, right? You have to know how to lift, when to lift, what exercises, intensity principles...and what about dieting for comps? That's a science in itself. We havent even touched the surface of mind games when prepping for a show.
I get confronted all the time by people..including my husband who constantly challenge me on this issue. I quote this to them:
"If people start challenging the so-called subjective sports such as bodybuilding, wherein the aesthetics of the static human body through physical effort are judged, maybe other sports such as gymnastics, diving and synchronised swimming can be challenged as well. After all, aren't these subjective activities aesthetics of the human body in motion...and are accepted as a legitimate sport?"
I also tell them..hey, your more than welcome to spend a week with me in the gym. Train by my rules, follow my lead...then tell me if you think what I do does not deserve the title of being a respected "sport" and that I am not an "Athlete."
damn straight Toni...people always try to knock what they themselves cannot accomplish....most people can't begin to understand the dedication and everything that comes along with it and thus, they try to break it down, to make it seem like it's less than it is. some people are weak and they want to bring everyone else down with them.
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself. (From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, 1594)
I think all who have entered this forvm, this 'lifestyle', this 'sport', this 'resistance training', this 'game', what ever name. shape or form it takes all have reasons dear to each of us for being here. Each reason, each 'name' is just as dear, just as valuable...... For me it is about perfecting the 'self'. I like the term 'resistance training', this describes my life. Why not call it art? Why not science, why not ' a mater of life and death'?
Testpolska
10-19-07, 2:55 pm
sorry lads will have to disagree with this
I've got all the respect in the world for the lifestyle (shit, why do you think I'm here) but to say that bodybuilding seperates the weak from the strong is rubbish. You can't say the monks who protest before an army in Burma are 'weak', and you can't say that the steroid infested wife beating bodybuilder is 'strong'
How do the two even relate?
So yes, bodybuilding is fantastic but by no means is it the be all and end all it terms of the word 'strength' Choose that word more carefully.
Whoa I take alot of offense to that bro. What the fuck does the fact that the 'wife beater' is a bodybuilder or using enhancing drugs have to do with anything?
In terms of physical strength I don't think there are any in the world that out muscle bodybuilders, powerlifters, strongmen or olympic weightlifters.
Another thing, the difference between the weak and strong in bodybuilding is different between the weak and the strong with monks are any other extreme. What we are saying is that just in the bodybuilding world you can distinguish between the weak and the strong. That can be a weak or mental strength. Someone can be strong as shit but lacks the mental capability to stay on a strict diet. Maybe someone is doing fine working out 2 days a week, but I beleive it takes more than 2 days a week to be in the elite, quote unquote, "strong" group. You have to be strong physically and mentally, also you have to be dedicated day in and out. You can tell whether a bodybuilder is putting there whole life into the venture and that is the seperatation between the weak and strong.
My Friends, the life of a monk takes extreme dedication, so does the life of a bodybuilder. One is not 'better' than the other, they are both ways of self improvement.
My Friends, the life of a monk takes extreme dedication, so does the life of a bodybuilder. One is not 'better' than the other, they are both ways of self improvement.
Exactly they both are to the extreme, both are self improvement and self actualization
Torque757
10-19-07, 8:27 pm
Football, for example, can be as much as a lifestyle as bodybuilding. A dedicated football player can eat for his sport, lift for his sport, and put as much effort into being a better player as someone can in becoming bigger.
Lowdown5
10-19-07, 8:33 pm
So..a Bodybuilder, like you or me and the rest of us...we shouldnt be forseen or recognized as athletes?
What we do, many cannot do. A well rounded BB'r does not limit themselves to just BB'ing or just throwing around heavy weights. They venture out into bits of PL'ing (beyond typical squat, bench, and deads), Powertraining, Isometrics (flexing, posing, muscle control), cardio to maintain cardivascular endurance and conditioning. We demonstrate disciple, control, dedication, persistance..the list goes on and on.
There is technique involved. It takes more than lifting heavy weights to build a great physique, right? You have to know how to lift, when to lift, what exercises, intensity principles...and what about dieting for comps? That's a science in itself. We havent even touched the surface of mind games when prepping for a show.
I get confronted all the time by people..including my husband who constantly challenge me on this issue. I quote this to them:
"If people start challenging the so-called subjective sports such as bodybuilding, wherein the aesthetics of the static human body through physical effort are judged, maybe other sports such as gymnastics, diving and synchronised swimming can be challenged as well. After all, aren't these subjective activities aesthetics of the human body in motion...and are accepted as a legitimate sport?"
I also tell them..hey, your more than welcome to spend a week with me in the gym. Train by my rules, follow my lead...then tell me if you think what I do does not deserve the title of being a respected "sport" and that I am not an "Athlete."
Enough said. Respect to you Toni for this.
Here is some philosophy. Bodybuilding is the ultimate....... I'm not going to say sport because it is not a sport it is a lifestyle. That is what defines and sets apart bodybuilding from any ol sport, i.e. football, baseball, soccer, etc. I'm not saying that those sports aren't worth anything. I'm saying that there are breaks from those sports. You can party and celebrate, eat a lot of what you want, etc. From the minute your eyes open till they close and even while you sleep, you breath this phenomenon of bodybuilding. The endorphins, adrenaline, the highs and lows of this era of lifestyle that so few exhibit excellence. Those few are your brothers. That is family that you earn that you deserve. Your not born with this family, you grow to love them, grow to respect and try to out work them. Good lcuk to some of you with out working each other. It is hard to outwork a true bodybuilder. Anyway, you are all my brothers and even if I don't workout with you or never see you I am with you in spirit, just know when your lifting so am I. Peace.
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Unlike basketball...throw a ball in a netted hoop and points are awarded, bodybuiling-competitive bodybuilding-judging is subjective...makes it that much harder on us --THE ATHELETES!
Football-baseball-hockey players have an off-season--rest-relaxation...
Off-season to us, bodybuilders, still means---WORK! Eating 6-8 meals daily, cooking the food, training hard-heavy--brining up our weak(er) body parts to improve symmetry....and what about working through-around injuries...they come and go. Still doing cardio...and researching information how we can improve our physique for the next bodybuilding contest...
One does not have to be a competitve bodybuilder to be an athelete...I am no different with my Natural Pro cards, in the gym than the guy next to me on the leg extension machine, grinding out the reps. We have one goal in mind...IMPROVEMENT!
We train-diet-work hard, we live for this...this is more than an athelete in my eyes!
Lowdown5
10-19-07, 9:01 pm
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Unlike basketball...throw a ball in a netted hoop and points are awarded, bodybuiling-competitive bodybuilding-judging is subjective...makes it that much harder on us --THE ATHELETES!
Football-baseball-hockey players have an off-season--rest-relaxation...
Off-season to us, bodybuilders, still means---WORK! Eating 6-8 meals daily, cooking the food, training hard-heavy--brining up our weak(er) body parts to improve symmetry....and what about working through-around injuries...they come and go. Still doing cardio...and researching information how we can improve our physique for the next bodybuilding contest...
One does not have to be a competitve bodybuilder to be an athelete...I am no different with my Natural Pro cards, in the gym than the guy next to me on the leg extension machine, grinding out the reps. We have one goal in mind...IMPROVEMENT!
We train-diet-work hard, we live for this...this is more than an athelete in my eyes!
Now enough has been said. Respect.
aussie bulk
10-20-07, 3:08 am
I think you'd be burying your head in the sand to think that all kinds of substance abuse is rife in society and the problems it causes. Many pro bodybuilders are on 'substances' and look at their irrational behaviour..... hmmm, little hard to argue there eh?
It's in bodybuilding in many ways and it's joke to ignore it.
Back on topic. Is Bodybuilding is a sport? Maybe, maybe not. It's a kind of ballet I guess so it could go both ways. HOWEVER how can anyone here think that other 'point scrong' sports are inferior?
Rugby, cricket, football, basketball and the like take just as much dedication to excel in so why are they inferior?
I think you'd be burying your head in the sand to think that all kinds of substance abuse is rife in society and the problems it causes. Many pro bodybuilders are on 'substances' and look at their irrational behaviour..... hmmm, little hard to argue there eh?
It's in bodybuilding in many ways and it's joke to ignore it.
Back on topic. Is Bodybuilding is a sport? Maybe, maybe not. It's a kind of ballet I guess so it could go both ways. HOWEVER how can anyone here think that other 'point scrong' sports are inferior?
Rugby, cricket, football, basketball and the like take just as much dedication to excel in so why are they inferior?
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Please wake up and smell the coffee mate...Most all IFBB Pro bodybuilders use "special tools" so do football players, hockey players and golfers, what about Olympic athlete Marion Jones or Tour De France winner Floyd Landis ?
You do make some valid points...
Point being and, this is a touchy subject on the boards, and I DON'T WANT TO DIG INTO DETAILS...A large percentage of professional athletes look for an edge, some get caught and some get by....
Sure the sports you mention require lower-upper body strength, superb hand eye coordination, speed-stamina and most of all tons of practice to make it perfect, my point was, bodybuilders, in THEIR off-season take no rest-breaks like some other atheletes...
And far as irrational behavior, what about Terrell Owens, Tony Allen, Reuben Droughns and Michael Vic...not the best role models for kids!
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Unlike basketball...throw a ball in a netted hoop and points are awarded, bodybuiling-competitive bodybuilding-judging is subjective...makes it that much harder on us --THE ATHELETES!
Football-baseball-hockey players have an off-season--rest-relaxation...
Off-season to us, bodybuilders, still means---WORK! Eating 6-8 meals daily, cooking the food, training hard-heavy--brining up our weak(er) body parts to improve symmetry....and what about working through-around injuries...they come and go. Still doing cardio...and researching information how we can improve our physique for the next bodybuilding contest...
One does not have to be a competitve bodybuilder to be an athelete...I am no different with my Natural Pro cards, in the gym than the guy next to me on the leg extension machine, grinding out the reps. We have one goal in mind...IMPROVEMENT!
We train-diet-work hard, we live for this...this is more than an athelete in my eyes!
and big ant takes it all home
hey boys prolly should watch that "special boost" talk may interfer with the rules aint too sure just sayin
Bodybuilding; you're your own construction site and your only client is you.
That is, if it's to be above the cookie cutter rest, all the effort has to go into the building-you; not some for bodybuilding & then some for pickup basketball or biking, swimming etc. The body is either being built or it's at necessary rest, another part of the building process.
aussie bulk
10-21-07, 9:05 pm
sorry Big Ant, the only guy I've heard of there is Michael Vic (!)
You're spot on there and I can't argue with your point of view.
I'm just saying, bodybuilding is an aesthetic sport, much like ballet or figure dancing.
Compare that now to Rugby Union* and tell me which one requires more strength? They both do in there own way.
*For the Americans, Rugby Union is a code of football that that is full contact without padding and is the game played in heaven.
sorry Big Ant, the only guy I've heard of there is Michael Vic (!)
You're spot on there and I can't argue with your point of view.
I'm just saying, bodybuilding is an aesthetic sport, much like ballet or figure dancing.
Compare that now to Rugby Union* and tell me which one requires more strength? They both do in there own way.
*For the Americans, Rugby Union is a code of football that that is full contact without padding and is the game played in heaven.
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I agree with you 100% Rugy, you need it all speed-size-strength-agility, hands-eye coordination...
Again not much contact in bodybuilding, but like all sports...hard work makes a winner...again my main point was---bodybuilders have no rest in the
off-season....some other prfessional athelets have time off..I know Mike Piazza #31 Designated Hitter/Catcher for the Oakland Athletics. Golfs-hangs out by the pool, shops, relaxes (he earned it) in the off-season....where bodybuilders still weight train-heavy-diet-do cardio....see it is ongoing....
Preston
10-21-07, 11:44 pm
This goes for you too aussie
There are people here who just lift, and there are people here to lift to compete. Then, then there are those special people like G Diesel who have an amazing goal in hand. (Including others) So whoever is fucking around w/ the word "sport," and all this other fucking bullshit, listen here, and listen well. This is a damn way of life, and you live this life every day. You can compete, you can lift for shits and giggles, and you can lift for goals. It's those who live the life that get to where they wanna go. Sure rugby is an intense sport and the people that play it are damn good at it...that's fucking amazing and all, but just one thing...what is their diet like? Asides from their "rigorous" training, what is their diet like? Don't forget this...I'm pretty damn sure that no matter what kind of diet it is, every bb follows that diet throughout his life to a T to get to where he needs to be.
Enough Said.
Bodybuilding is what you want it to be, and what you make of it is your own fuckin deal. So quit w/ the g'damn lables.
violator
10-22-07, 8:03 am
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself. (From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, 1594)
I think all who have entered this forvm, this 'lifestyle', this 'sport', this 'resistance training', this 'game', what ever name. shape or form it takes all have reasons dear to each of us for being here. Each reason, each 'name' is just as dear, just as valuable...... For me it is about perfecting the 'self'. I like the term 'resistance training', this describes my life. Why not call it art? Why not science, why not ' a mater of life and death'?
Brilliant man!, well put...
violator
10-22-07, 8:12 am
*For the Americans, Rugby Union is a code of football that that is full contact without padding and is the game played in heaven.
haha...and the south africans r the champions!!! (sorry, just had to add that in there, we won the world cup this weeknd, viva bokke!!)
Brothers, were in this game together, were not better than anyone, we all just have different opinions on committment, focus and dedication, no one is right in this matter, because we all are & we all have it within us in some form....at the end of the day it comes down to what matters for urself & what drives u to accomplish your goals, whatever they may be.....the rest is heresay and opinonated rubbish....now lets get down to business & lift some iron...why?, because its what boils our blood...
This goes for you too aussie
There are people here who just lift, and there are people here to lift to compete. Then, then there are those special people like G Diesel who have an amazing goal in hand. (Including others) So whoever is fucking around w/ the word "sport," and all this other fucking bullshit, listen here, and listen well. This is a damn way of life, and you live this life every day. You can compete, you can lift for shits and giggles, and you can lift for goals. It's those who live the life that get to where they wanna go. Sure rugby is an intense sport and the people that play it are damn good at it...that's fucking amazing and all, but just one thing...what is their diet like? Asides from their "rigorous" training, what is their diet like? Don't forget this...I'm pretty damn sure that no matter what kind of diet it is, every bb follows that diet throughout his life to a T to get to where he needs to be.
Enough Said.
Bodybuilding is what you want it to be, and what you make of it is your own fuckin deal. So quit w/ the g'damn lables.
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Damn bro save that hype for the gym!
aussie bulk
10-22-07, 8:48 pm
GO Springboks!
I have to get on the Southern Hemisphere bandwagon!