The Bodybuilding Machine

Bodybuilding is really beginning to piss me off and you might even describe the feeling as having hemorrhoids. I am constantly being swamped by journals and articles about how poor physique standards have become and what really gets at me are the concerns about professional contests judging results.

From a personal perspective I can say with out a doubt that over the past few decades I have indeed witnessed enormous changes throughout bodybuilding contests and I have noticed how the standards have increased for both finalists and winners. I can say with my hand on my heart that my sport has begun an evolution that was previously unknown.

I myself have always had my own personal opinion on who should or shouldn't have won a particular competition, although I would never have the courage to take on the role of actually judging others as a profession.

So with that my further comments are meant in no way to criticize any of those brave guys who chose to sit on the judging panels. I realize the pressure they must be under as their own opinions can either make or break the competitor's careers, advertising deals, sponsorships and even the rest of their lives. Just imagine what Arnold might be doing now if he hadn't won competitive events during his youth.

To be quite frank with you I am not really sure what the exact percentage of bodybuilders is that train with the sole objective of competing in physique contests. I am pretty sure it is a very small amount as the majority of bodybuilders will have varying alternative targets from rehab, to just getting better in their chosen major sport. Many will just want to get fitter or stronger or just improve their own physique standard, gain or lose weight, as well as just adding some muscle.

Few are like Arnold, who reputedly intended from his first squat and dead lift, to become a bodybuilding champion. For most weight trainers, physique contests as such, are something that goes on in the background, that takes up perhaps too much space in the muscle mags, and possibly an event they may attend just once in a while, usually locally to support a fellow gym member, or nationally to see in the flesh some legendary bodybuilder they have seen in the journals. Almost every gym has its own local hero whom most guys agree should at least enter, if not win the area 'Mr Muscles on a Cake' award or even national fame.