Are bodybuilding mags bad for kids?

[lifterguy]

So if you think bb mags are inappropriate for kids, at what age is it okay for them to start looking at them?  And how old were you when you first started "reading" bodybuilding magazines?  I was probably about 15, and of course sexual urges had more to do with why I was buying them than the training routines.  I understand the concerns mentioned here about unrealistic body images and subtle promotion of drugs along with the overt promotion of worthless supplements.  But in an age when a majority of kids are overweight, and a rapidly growing percentage are morbidly obese, it may not be so bad if kids see more lean muscular bodies and develop a desire to workout and get in better shape themselves.  Yeah, I when I started reading the mags, I bought the stuff about how I too could be a Mr. Olympia just by eating the right foods and following the right workout.  I eventually realized that was bull shit, but in the meantime I was working out and eating right, and today I'm in better shape than at least 90-percent of guys my age, and I have no regrets about reading bb-mags as a teen.

[Captain Equipoise]

Biggest factor (porn factor aside) is the unrealistic expectations that these mags set in kids' minds. I remember being 15 or 16 reading flex thinking I was going to look like that naturally in a year or two, LOL.. I wish these magazines were more upfront about the drug use in bodybuilding, it would really save a lot of kids from heartbreak years later, not to mention all the money they could save thinking creatine and glutamine will make them look like their heroes.

[Rhino]

Before internet and all the bodybuilding sites, I couldn't wait for the latest Flex or even MM2K, before it went commercial.  Now the only times I get a mag is on a flight.  Even now the info seems like ancient history when you've seen it all on the net.  How many "Blast Your Bi's" story's can you read and only to find out most of them are 6 page adds for a Muscle Tech product.  And the Swim suit and lingerie issues aren't approperate for 12 year olds. 

Yeah, I haven't bought a mag since my first cpu and internet connection a little over five years ago. The last time I bought a mag, it was MMI and they were hyping: "Greg, The World's Strongest Man Kovacs."

[Slick Vic]

well u have no clue what u are missing

Believe me, I have an idea. 

[Palpatine Q]

MTV will f**k up your kids mind more than any bodybuilding magazine

E

Hell yeah. I pulled that shit off my channel list years ago. Sometimes my wife will manually punch in the channel number and watch it, and as soon as it hits my ears I scream across the house "TURN THAT FVCKING SHIT OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  MTV is an intelligence test.....and if you watch it you have FAILED.

[Earl1972]

I agree MTV is a disgrace to society

E

[chris_mason]

Didn't I just say that? 

Anyway, the bottom line is this: if you have to ask if BB mags are inappropriate for little kids you already know the answer.

Well then, we agree! 

[jumpstart]

little kids shouldn't read them. Heck they wouldn't understand most of it anyway. Wait til' they mature to the late teens. 18 to 19 would be best.

[MikeThaMachine]

I say as long as it's not there only source of info regarding lifting, nutrition and BBing as a "sport" then it's OK, problem just is too many kids even athletic ones are very uneducated in how the body actually works in relation to building anykind of quality physique like that of which they read about.

[GoneAway]

^ One reason why this topic is even brought up is due to the general public seeing bodybuilders bodies as "gross." So, you think, since you can't know if your kids/young nephews are going to be attracted or disgusted by the magazine, your instinct is to "protect" them and hide the mags.

People have their views, so be it. I hardly think it will affect them in the future by seeing a few muscely bodies in swimmers. Regardless of it's a sport or not (which I think it is), it's not sexual unless you want it to be. If your kids ask, you simply tell them the truth (and not the Gay for Pay stuff.)

[gh15]

Start worrying if the pages of your kid's bodybuilding mag are stuck together.

 
not bad

[MikeThaMachine]

not bad

What's fucked up is shit like that is so true because most people when they see an almost nude muscle man their minds first think sexually about it before ever taking notice of what's really there physique wise.

[Earl1972]

What's fucked up is shit like that is so true because most people when they see an almost nude muscle man their minds first think sexually about it before ever taking notice of what's really there physique wise.

that's how closet homos think

also I didn't even know that kids thought their bodies were possible without drugs

are kids really that dumb today?

if so, I blame MTV

E

[G o a t b o y]

LOL.. I wish these magazines were more upfront about the drug use in bodybuilding, it would really save a lot of kids from heartbreak years later, not to mention all the money they could save thinking creatine and glutamine will make them look like their heroes.

That's kind of the whole point of the mags, isn't it...  making kids want to buy the crap products that support the entire industry financially?