How do you define a body builder?

[kat32]

I am asking this is this section, due to the many answers that I have gotten that deal with aas and supplements in general. Sorry for such a long post but I really am interested to see how others define this. I know a lot of folks are not going to agree with my definition, but hey its part of what makes this world interesting.
Before we get started this came about from a conversation while sitting around with a few friends, drinking scotch and having a cigar. Hey don’t judge me a man’s gotta have his vices. It seemed that my view and theirs while different and common traits. Hell I even asked my wife how she defined it. I also asked around outside of my little training group to see how others saw it. Now being the curious Kat that I am, I thought it would be great to ask this here were folks can answer openly and honestly. I found that in my little neck of the woods, that the everyday folks who think working out means going to the gym twice a week and talking with their friends for an hour or so, consider bodybuilding as those meat heads who do all the “roids” and look freakishly large. Some only consider those that are doing competitions as bodybuilders. Then some took a view along the lines of my thoughts on it.
To me Bodybuilding is just that, building the body that I not only want but think I should have, and having the drive to make it happen. I have no interest in competitions, or getting “big” as many around here call it. I also don’t prescribe to the go big or go home theory either. My thoughts on this are due to my past. In the military being in shape was just part of the job, and for my job being “big” didn’t always get the job done... Being strong, now that is different. Granted that time is past, and am no longer in the military, though I have to admit that it influenced my view. I am also a martial artist, which probably explains a lot as well. I believe in functional muscle over (as my wife calls it) pretty muscle. Now don’t get me wrong I will be the first to admit, for vanity thy name is Kat, but for me I need flexibility as well as strength. I also feel that the choice of taking something, whatever that may be to help achieve my goal is just part of it. Currently I just started with S4 and Osta, and am logging that here http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/anabolic-steroids/another-newbe-858253.html I don’t compete in sports or anything were it could be seen as an unfair advantage. Well-proportioned muscle with definition and strength to match, and the ability to make others on the beach want to put their shirts back on and hide in shame.
Kat

 

[bluetwistedsteel67]

To me, it's building something that stands out as "the exception". To achieve a build that is strong, lean and muscular. To have there be no doubt that you work out and to look like you obviously know what you're doing. To some that may be a pro bodybuilder physique and for others it's just muscular and lean. In either, people should do a double take when you take your shirt off. It sounds like my entire definition of "bodybuilder" is based on what "others" notice about you but really what others notice is just the affirmation of what you put the work in to achieve. I think in general, you know a bodybuilder when you see him.

 

[Sinister Minister]

Good topic!

First off, I will enjoy a drink or a beer occasionally as well.

I think the answer of that question can't be answered based upon size or strength. I think a real body builder is someone who has a goal and is 100% dedicated to reach it. A true BB'er lives his life outside of the gym in the same fashion as he does inside the gym!! A strict diet and consistent push to always improve. It doesn't matter if you juice or not. It doesn't matter if your Pro and compete on a pro circuit or even plan to. If you constantly compete with yourself and stay the course of reaching your goals and accomplishing the physique that your after then you're a body builder and a part of the brotherhood of iron! Body builders don't willfully take vacations or prolonged time away from training unless forced to! They don't go to the gym to socialize! They don't spend all their money on gear and eat fast food all the time. They are willing to pass and sacrifice on the pleasures and vices of others to accomplish their goals. BB'ers are completely selfish and put nothing but family or a full time career ahead of it and the job is only there bc they have to. BB'ers constantly think of the gym and their next workout, they stew and hate the fact that yesterday's wasn't up to par! 99% of people don't get it, only a real bb'er will! For those that don't understand what it really is are just rec. league or weight trainers not BB!!!

 

[stevesmi]

bodybuilding is the art of shaping ones body through gaining muscle mass and losing fat.

 

[TheSVPdeal]

bodybuilding is the art of shaping ones body through gaining muscle mass and losing fat.

I agree with Steve. A body builder is someone who's sport is bodybuilding. The same way as a baseball player is someone who plays baseball. If you're sport is sculpting your body through the manipulation of diet and exercise, you are a bodybuilder. Everyone on this forum is one and all at different levels.

 

[kat32]

Great so far, at least for me, as each person see's it alittle different, and yet the same from what I can tell so far. It's a way of life! Is what I have gotten out of everyones answers, but hell thats just me..

 

[RADAR]

bodybuilding is the art of shaping ones body through gaining muscle mass and losing fat.

I agree,You can be 150lbs and be a BBldr, or you can go all out and compete at 250-300,bodybuilding

it all depends upon your goals,you want to be a model ...Fine
You want to be a freaking monster...Fine

Each is a matter of choice of what we do!



however i think Bodybuilding has a bad rap ,anyone who hears that word instantly thinks of a Freak!

 

[Sinister Minister]

Great so far, at least for me, as each person see's it alittle different, and yet the same from what I can tell so far. It's a way of life! Is what I have gotten out of everyones answers, but hell thats just me..

It is a way of life period! I agree with everyone above to a degree. I'm hesitant to call of the guys I see at my gym a bb. It's not dependent on size at all just on your dedication and living the life. Would you call the avg joe who plays a few pick up basketball games here and there a point guard or a basketball player? Theoretically yes you could but to the guys who eat, breathe and live for basketball that could come off as disrespectful. That's all I'm saying, it's not based upon physical appearance just how important it is in your life.

 

[Sinister Minister]

My thoughts and opinions may come off as way too absolute for some and maybe it is, it's just IMHO

 

[kat32]

Couldnt agree more! I like to blame the media, besides being such an easy target, they often forget to research what they are reporting. Bring up aas, and all any one can think of is what they have heard in the media. Roid rage, to be honest I have looked everywhere I can think of, I have even talked to more than a few doctors and asked what they thought about this, have also looked over a study done recently (Need to find that one again), and you know what... no such beast. Personally I fear the FDA and drug companys, I mean have you seen the spots for their allergy products, the list of possible side effects are terrifying. lol.

My thoughts and opinions may come off as way too absolute for some and maybe it is, it's just IMHO

The joy for me here is that I agree with what every one is saying, though I may be a bit biased. Also if someone agrees or not I wont care, so long as they could explain why one way or the other, but most importantly have their own damn opinion.
if you guys get the chance look up SR-71 politically correct on youtube. I think youll like it.

 

[Iron Warrior707]

Bodybuilder is someone who sculpt his body, if you workout to gain muscle you are a bodybuilder.. It doesnt matter who it is or how big or ripped you are, if a newb who never lift weight before and start to workout to build muscle his a bodybuilder, doesn't mean you have to compete or be a juicehead to be called a bodybuilder ..
Thats the definition of a bodybuilder..

 

[kat32]

So if we boil this all down then: dedication, drive, the want to be better. Its still great, (at least to me), to see how others feel about this and define it, and in their own words.

 

[Sinister Minister]

So if we boil this all down then: dedication, drive, the want to be better. Its still great, (at least to me), to see how others feel about this and define it, and in their own words.

I agree and disagree with some views myself. I'm more about the dedication and drive. If I go outside and shoot hoops does that make me a basketball player?

 

[stevesmi]

I agree and disagree with some views myself. I'm more about the dedication and drive. If I go outside and shoot hoops does that make me a basketball player?

good point. you have to do this full time just like your full time job.

you cannot go fishing once a week and consider yourself a fisherman. the real fisherman are the people there 5X a week . the place i fish there are people there EVERYDAY who make a living selling the fish they catch to the local markets. those to me are the real fisherman.

i am looked at as some guy who isn't serious who is cutting into their livelihood when i fish in their hot spot, just like the kid at the gym who shows up once every 2 weeks who steals your squat rack in between sets to do curls.

 

[Discreet User]

A bodybuilder is someone who commits to a life of good diet, disciplined training, and the avoidance of negative influences/things in the pursuit of a more muscular body.

 

[jcmbbfuture]

Its all about the dedication. Period. They say bodybuilding is a life style and its true. If u lift 4 times a week and go get trashed all weekend, u are not a bodybuilder. If u can get in the gym but can't tweek your diet to reach your goals, u are not a bodybuilder. To me, even if you are not making some progression in the gym at all, u are not a bodybuilder. Working out, eating, and sleeping to maintain is not bodybuilding. Nothing is being built. Not saying there is anything wrong with that but just stating a fact. I dont care about size, weight, strength, etc. Everyone is at a differ. level. If u can't dedicate your life to it and if u dont have the drive to progress, u are not a bodybuilder.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using EliteFitness

 

[Sinister Minister]

good point. you have to do this full time just like your full time job.

you cannot go fishing once a week and consider yourself a fisherman. the real fisherman are the people there 5X a week . the place i fish there are people there EVERYDAY who make a living selling the fish they catch to the local markets. those to me are the real fisherman.

i am looked at as some guy who isn't serious who is cutting into their livelihood when i fish in their hot spot, just like the kid at the gym who shows up once every 2 weeks who steals your squat rack in between sets to do curls.

^^^^^+1 thank you!!

 

[Sinister Minister]

Its all about the dedication. Period. They say bodybuilding is a life style and its true. If u lift 4 times a week and go get trashed all weekend, u are not a bodybuilder. If u can get in the gym but can't tweek your diet to reach your goals, u are not a bodybuilder. To me, even if you are not making some progression in the gym at all, u are not a bodybuilder. Working out, eating, and sleeping to maintain is not bodybuilding. Nothing is being built. Not saying there is anything wrong with that but just stating a fact. I dont care about size, weight, strength, etc. Everyone is at a differ. level. If u can't dedicate your life to it and if u dont have the drive to progress, u are not a bodybuilder.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using EliteFitness

^^^ +1 again! Great post!

 

[kat32]

Damn well said!

 

[jcmbbfuture]

Thanks guys. I just see too many people trying to go around calling themselves bodybuilders so I am a bit crucial about the subject. Ha ha.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using EliteFitness

 

[igomad]

for me, bodybuilding is a way of life (and it did change my life a lot)
reminds me all the time to keep on pushing and never give up, just keep fighting with patience and results will come ..

 

[RADAR]

a true BodyBuilder will go in Wal-Mart carrying 2 40lb dumbells While shopping!

 

[Colstreamer]

a true BodyBuilder will go in Wal-Mart carrying 2 40lb dumbells While shopping!

Lol, I used to know a boxer who would shadow box ANYWHERE waiting in the queue at the bus stop, choosing a DVD at the store.. You name it!

Why'd I say this? Because this is the kind of commitment you need to excel at ANY sport. A bodybuilder is someone who has that kind of dedication to the sport (and lifestyle) of bodybuilding. I don't see bodybuilding being different from any other sport in that respect.


--------------------------------------------------

Nulli secundus - second to none

Honi soit que mal y pense - evil be to him who evil thinks.

People usually fail when they are on the verge of success, so pay as much care to the end as the beginning: Then there will be no failure - Lao Tzu

 

[Sinister Minister]

a true BodyBuilder will go in Wal-Mart carrying 2 40lb dumbells While shopping!

I thought a true BB'er won't even go into Walmart?