Are bodybuilders "athletes"?

[noworries]

every major newspaper in america recognizes bodybuilding as a sport

who are you closet homos that don't even post on the sports forum to say otherwise?

E

How do you figure

[Earl1972]

How do you figure

when bodybuilding is mentioned in the newspapers it is in the sports section, not entertainment or any other section

if you don't post on the sports forum, i assume you don't watch or know much about sports

E

[MindSpin]

when bodybuilding is mentioned in the newspapers it is in the sports section, not entertainment or any other section

if you don't post on the sports forum, i assume you don't watch or know much about sports

E

Bodybuilding has been featured in mainstream newspapers?  Prove it.

Also, the question of the thread is "are bodybuilders athletes?".  It seems like most people here on GetBig, believe that they are not...

[Chick]

Bodybuilding has been featured in mainstream newspapers?  Prove it.

Also, the question of the thread is "are bodybuilders athletes?".  It seems like most people here on GetBig, believe that they are not...

Most people here on Getbig have never seen the inside of a gym..

[che]

Most people here on Getbig have never seen the inside of a gym..

Haha

[MindSpin]

Most people here on Getbig have never seen the inside of a gym..

I think our very own Ron falls into that category, but I would argue that he is a good bodybuilding authority having been a fan of the "sport" for so many years.  

All jokes aside, what type of athletic ability is required to compete in a bodybuilding show?  Obviously the weight training and cardio that are part of the prep might be considered "athletic" (and that's arguable), but the event itself simply requires that people stand around flexing muscles.  Can that really be called athleticism?  

[Chick]

I think our very own Ron falls into that category, but I would argue that he is a good bodybuilding authority having been a fan of the "sport" for so many years.  

All jokes aside, what type of athletic ability is required to compete in a bodybuilding show?  Obviously the weight training and cardio that are part of the prep might be considered "athletic" (and that's arguable), but the event itself simply requires that people stand around flexing muscles.  Can that really be called athleticism?  

Who cares what its called?  Why is this of such great importance to you?

All sports require vastly DIFFERENT levels of athleticism...I assume most here would consider baseball a "sport", but what is athletic about standing around occasionally catching a ball?  Swinging a bat? My 3 year old swings and hits a ball...

Is it a game? Yes

Is a golfer an athlete? Certainly takes skill, and takes a certain amount of athleticism to swing a club...but some dont consider them athletes, or it a sport...

Different sports, different athletes.

[The_Punisher]

is this thread worth a dollar?

[FREAKgeek]

I think our very own Ron falls into that category, but I would argue that he is a good bodybuilding authority having been a fan of the "sport" for so many years.  

All jokes aside, what type of athletic ability is required to compete in a bodybuilding show?  Obviously the weight training and cardio that are part of the prep might be considered "athletic" (and that's arguable), but the event itself simply requires that people stand around flexing muscles.  Can that really be called athleticism?  

Is it really difficult to learn the mechanics of running, biking, and swimming?  How about doing a bench press, squat, and deadlift?
This stuff isn't rocket science, yet they all can be classified as sport. I'm pretty sure you know how to ride a bicycle as well as Lance Armstrong does. Maybe you'll need a brief seminar, but again, not earth shattering. What does one need to do to win a marathon? Put one foot in front of the other. I'll get some hardcore runners upset with that comment, but you get my gist. What constitutes a sport does not have to be so sophisticated in the skills department.

[che]

Is it really difficult to learn the mechanics of running, biking, and swimming?  How about doing a bench press, squat, and deadlift?
This stuff isn't rocket science, yet they all can be classified as sport. I'm pretty sure you know how to ride a bicycle as well as Lance Armstrong does. Maybe you'll need a brief seminar, but again, not earth shattering. What does one need to do to win a marathon? Put one foot in front of the other. I'll get some hardcore runners upset with that comment, but you get my gist. What constitutes a sport does not have to be so sophisticated in the skills department.

Good point

[drkaje]

Don't we already have a fucking million threads about "Bodybuilding not a sport"?......I thought some of you would have gotten tired of that same fucking questions by now. Give it a rest. no one ask you to be a fan of bodybuilding. do something useful with your wasted time.

Most of the people here are fans of bodybuilders, not bodybuilding, (e.g., lift freaking weights). They spend half the day talking about shredded glutes and then wonder if Superman is better than Thor, LOL!

[NaturalWonder83]

Who cares what its called?  Why is this of such great importance to you?

All sports require vastly DIFFERENT levels of athleticism...I assume most here would consider baseball a "sport", but what is athletic about standing around occasionally catching a ball?  Swinging a bat? My 3 year old swings and hits a ball...

Is it a game? Yes

Is a golfer an athlete? Certainly takes skill, and takes a certain amount of athleticism to swing a club...but some dont consider them athletes, or it a sport...

Different sports, different athletes.

i dont agree w u at all bob and think u are waaaay off base

[geneticmarvel]

Who cares what its called?  Why is this of such great importance to you?

All sports require vastly DIFFERENT levels of athleticism...I assume most here would consider baseball a "sport", but what is athletic about standing around occasionally catching a ball?  Swinging a bat? My 3 year old swings and hits a ball...

Is it a game? Yes

Is a golfer an athlete? Certainly takes skill, and takes a certain amount of athleticism to swing a club...but some dont consider them athletes, or it a sport...

Different sports, different athletes.

Meh, good point there Angry Bob.   

[James Blunt]

One of the greatest athletes the sport has seen! Can't move....

[Earl1972]

Bodybuilding has been featured in mainstream newspapers?  Prove it.

Also, the question of the thread is "are bodybuilders athletes?".  It seems like most people here on GetBig, believe that they are not...

and most people here hate everything about bodybuilding yet they can't stop coming back

your links

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/11/sports/backtalk-extreme-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder.html?scp=2&sq=mr.+olympia+bodybuilding&st=nyt


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08124/878890-139.stm

the first is an article, the other is advertising a show

you may notice what section these links are located in

E

[che]

Bodybuilding is a sport, end of the thread .

[Oldschool Flip]

If amateur or pro bodybuilders were as athletic as they like to think they are, then they would be playing a pro sport that probably pays them. Pro athletes get compensated. Only a handful of pro bodybuilders even make any money. Most pro body builders are failed athletes IMO.

[Earl1972]

If amateur or pro bodybuilders were as athletic as they like to think they are, then they would be playing a pro sport that probably pays them. Pro athletes get compensated. Only a handful of pro bodybuilders even make any money. Most pro body builders are failed athletes IMO.

who is saying they are on the same level as other pro athletes?

E

[noworries]

Who cares what its called?  Why is this of such great importance to you?

All sports require vastly DIFFERENT levels of athleticism...I assume most here would consider baseball a "sport", but what is athletic about standing around occasionally catching a ball?  Swinging a bat? My 3 year old swings and hits a ball...

Is it a game? Yes

Is a golfer an athlete? Certainly takes skill, and takes a certain amount of athleticism to swing a club...but some dont consider them athletes, or it a sport...

Different sports, different athletes.

Wow way off on the baseball analogy. Every major sports expert for the last 100 years agrees that getting a hit in baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports.  Yet you say "what is hard about swinging a bat".  Nothing if that is all you can do.  It is impossible to compare bodybuilding with any true sport.  Baseball is a game yes but it is a true competition that matches skill against skill.  WHo is better that day the pitcher or the batter.  Bodybuilding is a competition but not a competition that matches any type of athletic skill.  None whatsoever.  You can't count posing

[noworries]

when bodybuilding is mentioned in the newspapers it is in the sports section, not entertainment or any other section

if you don't post on the sports forum, i assume you don't watch or know much about sports

E

So are the porno ads.  If it was a REAL sport.  Then every major newspaper or at two would feature the Mr. Olympia or Arnold winner at least.  Not to mention the other pro shows.  But, no papers do that.  The only ones are the local papers in the town the event is happening.  Did the LA TIMES, New York Post, Chicago Times, USA Today have anything about the winners of the Olympia or ASC.  Please post them from the sport section.  Was it even on ESPN where they even air Dart championships.

[che]

Every major sports expert for the last 100 years agrees that getting a hit in baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports. 

Bullshit.
AVG hits in a MLB baseball game = 9-10
AVG goals in a Pro soccer game = 1-1.5
It's harder to score a goal in soccer than hit a baseball, hope this helps.

[Oldschool Flip]

who is saying they are on the same level as other pro athletes?

E

If you consider it a sport, then you also consider them sports athletes. They are PROS in the sport, so they should be able to athletically rival other pros who compete in their given sport. Now I don't consider some sports "real" sports (golf, NASCAR, curling, billiards to name a few), but since body builders are visually seen as "athletes" that are physical, you would expect a physical competition. But that's not the case since there isn't any physical exertion except for posing. That's not to say that it isn't exhausting to a depleted, dieted down competitor, but standing in place and flexing is hard comparable to running up and down a field and getting hit or blocked, or running up and down a basketball court. The physical aspect in done outside of the competition and though has an effect in the finished product, holding water, not being shredded, and presentation are actually more of the markers for a competitor to place in a subjective "sport". There are many body builders that "train like an animal" but nutrition and dieting are more important when it comes to competition. And unlike many pros of other sports, ALL of the amateurs and pros (not including true drug tested events) in body building become "athletic" with anabolic help. Though there are users in other pro sports, the majority are pros based on their own physical abilities and skill. Take away the anabolics with body builders, then can you say they are just as "athletic"?

[Earl1972]

So are the porno ads.  If it was a REAL sport.  Then every major newspaper or at two would feature the Mr. Olympia or Arnold winner at least.  Not to mention the other pro shows.  But, no papers do that.  The only ones are the local papers in the town the event is happening.  Did the LA TIMES, New York Post, Chicago Times, USA Today have anything about the winners of the Olympia or ASC.  Please post them from the sport section.  Was it even on ESPN where they even air Dart championships.

like i mentioned a million times, newspapers or tv will not cover something that nobody cares about

did you know that the LA TIMES no longer covers away games for the LA KINGS?  why?  because nobody in LA cares about hockey

E

[Earl1972]

If you consider it a sport, then you also consider them sports athletes. They are PROS in the sport, so they should be able to athletically rival other pros who compete in their given sport. Now I don't consider some sports "real" sports (golf, NASCAR, curling, billiards to name a few), but since body builders are visually seen as "athletes" that are physical, you would expect a physical competition. But that's not the case since there isn't any physical exertion except for posing. That's not to say that it isn't exhausting to a depleted, dieted down competitor, but standing in place and flexing is hard comparable to running up and down a field and getting hit or blocked, or running up and down a basketball court. The physical aspect in done outside of the competition and though has an effect in the finished product, holding water, not being shredded, and presentation are actually more of the markers for a competitor to place in a subjective "sport". There are many body builders that "train like an animal" but nutrition and dieting are more important when it comes to competition. And unlike many pros of other sports, ALL of the amateurs and pros (not including true drug tested events) in body building become "athletic" with anabolic help. Though there are users in other pro sports, the majority are pros based on their own physical abilities and skill. Take away the anabolics with body builders, then can you say they are just as "athletic"?

athletes are not and never have been created equal

michael jordan wanted to be a baseball player, he failed

does that mean baseball players are better athletes?  i say no but like i said, different sports and there aren't too many people great at one thing, let alone two

E

[Oldschool Flip]

like i mentioned a million times, newspapers or tv will not cover something that nobody cares about

did you know that the LA TIMES no longer covers away games for the LA KINGS?  why?  because nobody in LA cares about hockey

E

Well that's almost true. The Kings, like many other "loser" teams, hire their own sports writers that contribute to the papers.