BodyBuilding
To put Body Building in simple
terms, it is the modification of the body through muscle hypertrophy.
This is achieved by training with heavy weights and following a strict
nutrition program.
Usually a high protein diet is followed although there have
been and still are some vegetarian body builders, the most famous
arguably being Bill Pearl who competed during the 50's and 60's.
Although the modern version of the sport
did not really exist until the late 19th century, it was around from as
early as the late 18th century when most famously Eugen Sandow would wow
audiences on stage with his muscular stature.
Eugen Sandow is normally referred to as
'the father of modern bodybuilding and at the Mr Olympia contest held
each year (the most prestigious competition) the winning contest is
presented with the Sandow trophy which is a replica of Eugen Sandow
himself.
But it
wasn't until the 1970's when low budget documentary starring the then
unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger called 'Pumping Iron' came out and the
health revolution began.
The film made stars of Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk) and Arnold most
notably and brought BodyBuilding to the masses.
The two most successful body builders of
all time are Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman who hold 8 olympia titles
each. Arnold Schwarzenegger comes in second with 7 olympia titles.
Dorian Yates is the most successful British competitor with 7 titles.
Most purists would argue that Arnold was
the greatest ever having retired never losing an Olympia that he had
entered.
The
competitors at the top have changed a lot over the years most notably
since the the 70's when Anabolic steroids came into use and more
recently with the use of Growth hormone.
There is a a natural BodyBuilding
competition but it doesn't have the prestige or the prize money of the
Olympia competition. Natural competitors are tested for the use of
drugs, the Olympia competitors are not.
There is female BodyBuilding which is much
the same as the men's just without the prize money or the same level of
fame.
Body
Builders work out up to 6 times a week 4 hours a day. It is an
incredibly hard sport that takes a lot of dedication and discipline.
