Author Topic: The embarrassment of calling yourself a 'Bodybuilder'! (Read 4478 times)

New Hank Wood · « **on:** August 13, 2008, 06:46:09 PM »

I just cringe when i hear someone refer to themselves as a 'bodybuilder'.

I recoil and wince at the thought of what this sport has become, the types of people who are attracted to it and the calibre of fans who support the shows!

The term 'bodybuilder' is certainly something that can never been worn as a 'badge of honor'.

The mere mention of the word 'bodybuilder' in mainstream-circles brings cries of rebuke and disgust.

Moosejay · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2008, 06:48:39 PM »

In the late 70's early 80's, unless you were around to experience it, I cannot tell you how bad the general public was repulsed by bodybuilding. They were utterly repelled if you told them you were a bb. I was hesitant to tell anyone (can you believce that) that I lifted until I got big enough that I could not hide it (and THAT took a long time!

)

New Hank Wood · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2008, 07:01:42 PM »

The bodybuilder enjoys a very ugly stereotype. A stereotype that seemingly cannot be shifted.

The so-called sport of bodybuilding has it roots deeply embedded in steroid abuse, dealing, pornography and corruption. Many of those who support the sport are short and insecure little men.

These meatheads foolishly believe that by building large amounts of muscle they will gain power and respect from those around them....Well, nothing could be further from the truth.

The mainstream have no respect left for this sport. They see it for what it is; a drug crazed circus full of short men, with fake tans, wearing thongs, posing to audiences of homosexual fans...sad but true!

fearANDloathing · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2008, 10:24:00 AM »

Quote from: hank wood on August 13, 2008, 07:01:42 PM

The bodybuilder enjoys a very ugly stereotype. A stereotype that seemingly cannot be shifted.

The so-called sport of bodybuilding has it roots deeply embedded in steroid abuse, dealing, pornography and corruption. Many of those who support the sport are short and insecure little men.

These meatheads foolishly believe that by building large amounts of muscle they will gain power and respect from those around them....Well, nothing could be further from the truth.

The mainstream have no respect left for this sport. They see it for what it is; a drug crazed circus full of short men, with fake tans, wearing thongs, posing to audiences of homosexual fans...sad but true!

dayum, who pissed in your Gatorade my friend? $:-\$
There are plenty of people who get that rush of endorphins from lifting that some people get from running or swimming. That combined with the right genetics could give you a bodybuilder like look even without drugs.
Not everyone who lifts is a short, insecure druggie

musclehedz · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2008, 10:35:24 AM »

I usually just say im a fitness participant

Moosejay · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2008, 10:40:01 AM »

I call myself a 'physical culturist'...read closely this Christmas Card I sent out one year to my patient base. Read what I called myself under my pic!

bigmc · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2008, 11:40:06 AM »

Quote from: Moosejay on August 14, 2008, 10:40:01 AM

I call myself a 'physical culturist'...read closely this Christmas Card I sent out one year to my patient base. Read what I called myself under my pic!

other people call you an irritating cu nt

Hypertrophy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2008, 12:20:23 PM »

MJ,

Years ago (early 70's) I was at a friends party, and he introduced me to another friend of his, a huge guy (well, compared to me) with a pretty impressive build. I asked him if he was a body builder and he relied " No way man, I'm a weight trainer". LOL. I didn't know it was such a bad thing to be called.

El_Pajero · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2008, 12:21:49 PM »

triple_pickle · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2008, 12:23:26 PM »

Quote from: Moosejay on August 13, 2008, 06:48:39 PM

until I got big enough that I could not hide it

mwbbuilder · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2008, 12:58:59 PM »

Seemed to work okay for Arnold...he mentions it all the time.

And look at Moosejoy...what more can I say?

El_Pajero · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2008, 01:00:06 PM »

QuakerOats · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2008, 01:02:08 PM »

cool picture Mars.

wood · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2008, 01:17:09 PM »

Ironic that this topic would come up, I was just discussing this very thing earlier with a co-worker about how the internet has completely shifted my views about this "sport".

However, it doesn't affect the fact that I want to better myself. I can't help what others do to get where they are. I do hate the fact that it's so inherently gay in many aspects. I got into lifting because I was prone to be obese and stuck with it.

GigantorX · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2008, 01:18:04 PM »

Awesome thread. Welcome back hank!

Earl1972 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:23:06 PM »

when people hear the word "bodybuilder" they think arnold

he seems to get a decent amount of respect

E

vince fitz · « **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:46:00 PM »

Quote from: hank wood on August 13, 2008, 06:46:09 PM

The mere mention of the word 'bodybuilder' in mainstream-circles brings cries of rebuke and disgust.

I make a conscious effort to call myself a "bodybuilder" in my self-talk--and as soon as I can call myself a "bodybuilder" aloud without provoking others to mirth, I will. I love the pump, the endorphins, the clean diet, the discipline--and I want The Body. I don't care what some bodybuilders do, or what drugs they take (although I wish the ridiculous anti-steroid hysteria and the futile, counterproductive "War on Drugs" would come to an end), or what the "mainstream" "thinks." Maybe the revulsion some people profess to feel is real in some cases, and maybe hardly anybody really wants to look like Markus Ruhl. But I believe most men, especially those who go out of their way to claim to be repelled, are secretly and intensely envious of the body of a healthy amateur bodybuilder.

The Coach · « **Reply #17 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:57:34 PM »

I don't think I've ever referred to myself as a Bodybuilder.

youandme · « **Reply #18 on:** August 14, 2008, 03:02:56 PM »

Quote from: The Coach on August 14, 2008, 02:57:34 PM

I don't think I've ever referred to myself as a Bodybuilder.

Have you competed?

I always ask people that say they are a bodybuilder if they have comepeted, I don't someone can call themselves a bodybuilder unless they have competed.

People ask me if I am, and yes I don't say "yes" I just reply "back in the day", since I don't like the current new bodybuilders mainstream gay4pay shit, and the large stereotype the sport has become.

the image was starting to clean up, early 2000 very nicely, and then it seems it has gone down hill after the 2003 steroid waves, and now the new bodybuilders competeting in the pro circuit are gayer than crisco.

Earl1972 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 14, 2008, 03:48:18 PM »

Quote from: The Coach on August 14, 2008, 02:57:34 PM

I don't think I've ever referred to myself as a Bodybuilder.

or an athlete

E

The_Punisher · « **Reply #20 on:** August 14, 2008, 03:50:26 PM »

I bet you call yourself a bodybuilder?.....hahahaha

The Coach · « **Reply #21 on:** August 14, 2008, 05:26:36 PM »

Well Earl, I did get paid for playing baseball for 2 years with a pro team. So then what would you call it?

dr.chimps · « **Reply #22 on:** August 14, 2008, 05:52:22 PM »

Quote from: Moosejay on August 14, 2008, 10:40:01 AM

I call myself a 'physical culturist'...read closely this Christmas Card I sent out one year to my patient base. Read what I called myself under my pic!

Hehe. That's what nudists used to euphemistically call themselves.

Moosejay · « **Reply #23 on:** August 14, 2008, 06:40:22 PM »

Quote from: bigmc on August 14, 2008, 11:40:06 AM

other people call you an irritating cu nt

Yes, but Iam a NICE irritating girl

Moosejay · « **Reply #24 on:** August 14, 2008, 06:41:32 PM »

Quote from: Hypertrophy on August 14, 2008, 12:20:23 PM

MJ,

Years ago (early 70's) I was at a friends party, and he introduced me to another friend of his, a huge guy (well, compared to me) with a pretty impressive build. I asked him if he was a body builder and he relied " No way man, I'm a weight trainer". LOL. I didn't know it was such a bad thing to be called.

Hypertrophy, although I was only a kid in the late 70's, I do recall how detetsted bb was to the general public. The only way to know how bad this was is if you were there for it!