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