are bodybuilders athletes?

[rccs]

maybe the World strongest man contest bring more to ESPN than would bodybuilding. Obviously, there has to be an interest on the viewers part, but I'm always baffled on why bodybuilding will continously be a word of mouth. it's still in a primitive stage in the mainstream media, maybe they have too many doubts about the sport, I don't know. But I believe to some degree a bodybuilder is an athlete. We can argue all we want about this

pretty much my opinion...

[dirk digler]

If bodybuilding required any physical skills at all, this thread wouldn't even appear. It's a pageant, plain and simple. Get over it. What athletic skill Does Jay Cutler have that I don't that warrants him the Mr. Olympia title and not me?

[Doublemonk]

If bodybuilding required any physical skills at all, this thread wouldn't even appear. It's a pageant, plain and simple. Get over it. What athletic skill Does Jay Cutler have that I don't that warrants him the Mr. Olympia title and not me?

according to the defintion that is requoted again and again, they are athletes. And this is the only thing we are criticizing. The definition that is used here as an argument against bb being athletes clearly states that they are athletes. Nowhere in this text is said that you have to compete to be an athlete. It states that if you are trained in an exercise you can be considered an athlete. So according to webster they are athletes. But just because webster says so doesn't mean I agree with it.

[rccs]

according to the defintion that is requoted again and again, they are athletes. And this is the only thing we are criticizing. The definition that is used here as an argument against bb being athletes clearly states that they are athletes. Nowhere in this text is said that you have to compete to be an athlete. It states that if you are trained in an exercise you can be considered an athlete. So according to webster they are athletes. But just because webster says so doesn't mean I agree with it.

When you see Coleman training, doesn't he seem an athlete?

[dirk digler]

When you see Coleman training, doesn't he seem an athlete?

Improving how one looks is not an athletic endeavor. Anyone can train. Show me what he can do that you or I cannot, and how it incorperates itself into the judging.

[Devon97]

according to the defintion that is requoted again and again, they are athletes. And this is the only thing we are criticizing. The definition that is used here as an argument against bb being athletes clearly states that they are athletes. Nowhere in this text is said that you have to compete to be an athlete. It states that if you are trained in an exercise you can be considered an athlete. So according to webster they are athletes. But just because webster says so doesn't mean I agree with it.

You have it backwards my friend. According to Webster bodybuilders are NOT athletes.
Here is the definition:a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

Like "tigereyes" you are only reading the first half of the definition. Bodybuilding competitions do NOT require physical strength, agility or stamina.....therefore being trained of skilled in exercises is a moot point.

[Tamer Razor]

You have it backwards my friend. According to Webster bodybuilders are NOT athletes.
Here is the definition:a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

Like "tigereyes" you are only reading the first half of the definition. Bodybuilding competitions do NOT require physical strength, agility or stamina.....therefore being trained of skilled in exercises is a moot point.

Devon97,

Seriously, Do you know how to read, please pay attetion to other arguments before responding. About 5 people other told you that the definition does NOT state the the athlete must be competing while demostrating require physical streght......

Improving how one looks is not an athletic endeavor. Anyone can train. Show me what he can do that you or I cannot, and how it incorperates itself into the judging.

OH GOD this "HE" he is talking about is Ron Coleman ....So you REALLY think "show me what he can do that you or I cannot" SHIT!!! how about 800lb Deadlifts, 200 lb dumbell bench press....How about 296lb and >%3 bodyfat....Jesus complete dellusional

[dirk digler]

Devon97,

OH GOD this "HE" he is talking about is Ron Coleman ....So you REALLY think "show me what he can do that you or I cannot" SHIT!!! how about 800lb Deadlifts, 200 lb dumbell bench press....How about 296lb and >%3 bodyfat....Jesus complete dellusional

Do the judges care if he can deadlift 800 lbs or 8lbs? You win by looks and looks alone. It's a pageant. Why is it called MR.(insert stupid greek mythical place)?

[Devon97]

Do the judges care if he can deadlift 800 lbs or 8lbs? You win by looks and looks alone. It's a pageant. Why is it called MR.(insert stupid greek mythical place)?

Your exactly right, Im agreeing with you. There is no Physical strength, agility or stamina which is being tested while on stage.

[Devon97]

Devon97,

Seriously, Do you know how to read, please pay attetion to other arguments before responding. About 5 people other told you that the definition does NOT state the the athlete must be competing while demostrating require physical streght......

OH GOD this "HE" he is talking about is Ron Coleman ....So you REALLY think "show me what he can do that you or I cannot" SHIT!!! how about 800lb Deadlifts, 200 lb dumbell bench press....How about 296lb and >%3 bodyfat....Jesus complete dellusional

Re-read the definition for the 100th time... or not

[whateva]

bodybuilders,golfers ,bowlers ,fishermen,hunters,poker players ,chess players,....etc.are not athletes.      HOPE THIS HELP

[alexxx]

bodybuilders,golfers ,bowlers ,fishermen,hunters,poker players ,chess players,....etc.are not athletes.      HOPE THIS HELP

No but... we could be cause we look pretty!

[whateva]

No but... we could be cause we look pretty!

CHAMP, you are good looking  ,athletic, talented and smart , (reason for  your success on the big screen )           YOU ARE AN ATHLETE    HOPE THIS HELP

[alexxx]

CHAMP, you are good looking  ,athletic, talented and smart , (reason for  your success on the big screen )           YOU ARE AN ATHLETE    HOPE THIS HELP

hahaha thanks WASP! Everyday I strive to look like the best that I can be. You are my inspiration.

[rccs]

Your exactly right, Im agreeing with you. There is no Physical strength, agility or stamina which is being tested while on stage.

So every athlete must compete? Your argument is not valid... Ron Coleman, in my opinion, is an athlete. He trains hard and intensively, almost like a strongman. And I tell you more, few atkhletes can match Ronnie in training intensity...

[Devon97]

So every athlete must compete? Your argument is not valid... Ron Coleman, in my opinion, is an athlete. He trains hard and intensively, almost like a strongman. And I tell you more, few atkhletes can match Ronnie in training intensity...

Oh Boy, here we go again,
DEFINITION:: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
During the 1-3 minute routine a bodybuilder does on stage, the bodybuilder is not being JUDGED on physical strength, agility or stamina...... ONLY on how he or she LOOKS. JUST Like a Ms America contest or a HAwaiian Tropic contest.
Does a Bodybuilder put in more work? Of course! But its all based on 1 thing------> HOW YOU LOOK.

[Devon97]

So every athlete must compete? Your argument is not valid... Ron Coleman, in my opinion, is an athlete. He trains hard and intensively, almost like a strongman. And I tell you more, few atkhletes can match Ronnie in training intensity...

Remember, "effort" in training does not constitute being labled an "athlete".  With that being said , ROnnie really doesnt train nearly with the same intensity level as an olympic level rower, 400m sprinter, wrestler, or swimmer. I know Ron lifts some super heavy weights but I can assure you that he has never reaches anywhere near the same threshold as the athletes I just mentioned did.
On top of that he is taking on such copious amounts of drugs that any true "talent" he might possess was masked along time ago. This is why Bodybuilding has experienced such a RAPID decline in the last 10 years. back in the early 90's you would see Bodybuilding shows on ESPN. Now the Overzealous drug abuse has turned off what little interest the general public ever had to begin with.

[dirk digler]

For the last time, a bbing show is a pageant. You win by looking better than the rest, not by performing a physical task better than they do. Besides, bodybuilders don't "train". The word train means to teach. An athlete trains (teaches their body and mind) to be more efficient at a given set of tasks. Whether it be running, lifting heavy rocks, or hitting a golf ball. A bodybuilder on the other hand is only intereasted in muscular hypertrophy. They aren't worried about getting better at any task. The great majority of athletes try to avoid hypertrophy because it has very limitted benefit and decreases variables that are far more valuable such as power/weight. This is why a typical bber is weaker than an athlete with the same lbm. Bodybuilding culture has bastardized the word "train".

[Devon97]

For the last time, a bbing show is a pageant. You win by looking better than the rest, not by performing a physical task better than they do. Besides, bodybuilders don't "train". The word train means to teach. An athlete trains (teaches their body and mind) to be more efficient at a given set of tasks. Whether it be running, lifting heavy rocks, or hitting a golf ball. A bodybuilder on the other hand is only intereasted in muscular hypertrophy. They aren't worried about getting better at any task. The great majority of athletes try to avoid hypertrophy because it has very limitted benefit and decreases variables that are far more valuable such as power/weight. This is why a typical bber is weaker than an athlete with the same lbm. Bodybuilding culture has bastardized the word "train".

VERY well said! Agreed!

[rccs]

Remember, "effort" in training does not constitute being labled an "athlete".  With that being said , ROnnie really doesnt train nearly with the same intensity level as an olympic level rower, 400m sprinter, wrestler, or swimmer. I know Ron lifts some super heavy weights but I can assure you that he has never reaches anywhere near the same threshold as the athletes I just mentioned did.
On top of that he is taking on such copious amounts of drugs that any true "talent" he might possess was masked along time ago. This is why Bodybuilding has experienced such a RAPID decline in the last 10 years. back in the early 90's you would see Bodybuilding shows on ESPN. Now the Overzealous drug abuse has turned off what little interest the general public ever had to begin with.

all those athletes you mentioned are under industrial amounts of drugs... Just in case you don't know.

[dirk digler]

all those athletes you mentioned are under industrial amounts of drugs... Just in case you don't know.

???What kind of drugs? PERFORMANCE ENHANCING? maybe because they enhance the efficiency of the given task.

[rccs]

???What kind of drugs? PERFORMANCE ENHANCING? maybe because they enhance the efficiency of the given task.

No offense but I think you live on a pink world! All professional athletes nowadays are in some kind of drug. Ex: Swimmers do growth hormone since their early teens, wrestlers are in nandrolone, test, 400 m runners do winstrol and so on and so on...

[Devon97]

all those athletes you mentioned are under industrial amounts of drugs... Just in case you don't know.

LOL c'mon , at least the Olympics has a testing protocol. TO compare what an Olympic sprinter takes to what Ronnie Coleman takes is like comparing a row boat to a aircraft carrier

Do u really beliebe a college wrestler is taking "industrial amounts of gear" ?

Or a Female 400m sprinter... also on "Industrial amounts of gear"?

You might be the most dumb sum'bitch on GB 

[Tamer Razor]

No test for GH, No test for IGF-1, no test for genetic inhibitors, the majority of modern anabolics will just stay for a few hours on your blood...that means that any athlete could be taking anabolics until friday night and will be completly clean come game day saturday.Tests are just to satisfy the general public anyone will minimum understanding of Biochemistry know that.

[Doublemonk]

Oh Boy, here we go again,
DEFINITION:: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
 

okay but again, bodybuilders are trained or skilled in exercises that require physical strength (weightlifting). There is no way you can disagree with this statement.
And where exactly does the definition state that you have to be judged in one of the following things to be considered an athlete? If the definition would be something like,
a person that is judged in an exercise, sport or games that requires physical strength, agility or stamina, then you would have a point. But nowhere it is stated that athlete has to fulfill the above stated during a competition or be judged in one of the above stated conditions. . It simple refers to the persons skills per se.
According to webster bb are athletes as they are skilled and trained in weightlifting. This skill is not used during the actual competition but only in preparation, but this is totally insignificant as this is not required to fulfill the definition of an athlete according to webster.