Many of you are familiar with the various amateur bodybuilding contests that are run around the country, a few of which qualify individuals for an IFBB Pro Card.
One of the largest was this past weekend in Vegas. As is often the case, the results were very controversial, but that isn’t what I want you guys comments on.
In that contest were 4-5 of my favorite natural contestants. (Note that I DID NOT put natural in parentheses. After this weekend, I am convinced that these guys, despite the cynics, are truly natural). The problem? All but one even qualified for their CLASS, much less won the overall contest. And these are some hardworking, dedicated guys.
Without digressing this thread into what is “natural” and what is not, I pose three questions to “The Forum”:
1)Quoting either T.C. or Chris from this week “Reader Mail”: “You can build yourself up into one mean, tough, mother without steroids. However, if you’re talking about looking like the artificial humans in Flex, then no, it’s not possible (unless you’re a mutant).” I truly believe this (especially after this weekend). What do you guys think?
2)Do you think that it will EVER be possible to get into the Pro’s (much less win) without polypharmacy?
3)Will “natural” contest and bodybuilding ever “catch on” or will it simply remain a “cult within a cult”?
I have to admit a certain degree of frustration (as I’m sure those natural contestants feel). This could have been one of those times when the NPC/IFBB could have said that hard work, targeted supplementation, diet and dedication will get you there. I’m also afraid that this was one of those pivotal moments when the NPC/IFBB could have “turned the tide” on this “larger is better trend” and begun to turn bodybuilding around.
The solution is simple but will not be done.
Set up classes according to body mass index: in other words, weight for height. Those wishing to take their weight for height beyond what can be achieved naturally can do so but will be competing in different classes.
Second, stop awarding additional scoring
advantage to competitors for appearance
indicating bodyfat percentage below about 5%.
That’s right, don’t reward shredded glutes
etc. Or even take points away for looking too dessicated, etc.
Of course, will hard core bb’ing fans pay
money to go to such contests? Of course not.
Nor are most competitors interested in competing under such rules. Instead they prefer being rewarded for having the most muscle they can attain and the leanest, driest condition. This of course rewards drug usage and makes it impossible to win without it.
You pick your criteria for winning, you get your situation.
It’s not so much the drug use that I object to, it’s the current aim of that use. I think that you could hold a very successful “Body-Beautiful” contest to see who, in addition to being the largest and most ripped, actually looked the best. (I know, I know, what a concept.) In other words, the contest would do more than pay lip service to the words “symmetry” and “proportion” and so on.
People like Shawn Ray, the slimmer version of Flex Wheeler, Lee Labrada and so on would take these contests over mass monsters like Marcus Rhul, Paul Dillet, etc. I think that the general public would be more interested in paying to see them than the current freak parades. I know I would be more interested…
I am entring an NPC Nationl Qualifier this November and this particular subject does concern me. As a Natural Bodybuilder for the past twenty eight years, I feel that there will always be two classifications for bodybuilders, those who do it for the money and those who do it for the love of the sport. I love the sport of bodybuilding and I long for the days of true bodybuilding physiques, Arnold and Frank Zane. Even if these two bodybuilders participated in drug use for there gains, I feel that those gains were still in the ream of good taste. Furthermore, the natural bodybuiler was a close second comparativly speaking. Its a shame that the excessive use of drugs to achieve the current excessive results atthe IFBB level are rewarded as they are. I enjoy going to the NPC shows both as a competitor and a spectator. I especially admire all the natural bodybuilders for the guts and determination that it takes to achieve the level of conditioning they have without the use of drugs. I respect anyone who dedicates themselves to drug free bodybuilding and all natural bodybuilders should be proud of themselves, they are truly masters of the sport.
here is the steroid cycle of a top “natural” bodybuilder. (this is daily.) 6 anadrol, 15 dbol, 200mg finabolan, 200mg test suspension. he also uses 4 IU of GH (twice) and 8 IU of insulin (4 times.) he says he claims to be natural because 1)people believe it and 2)he doesnt have the genetics to be a freak no matter how much juice he uses.
Bill,
This is something I have though about for awhile. How about a “fitness” contest for men and women sponsored by BioTest/T-mag. It could be composed of a number of events that would test true levels of fitness.
No “Body for Life” this, no a real fitness competition, with regionals then a national.
There are alot of T-man who would like to show what they have got, meet other T-men and T-women and spreasd the good work about BioTest.
Think about it.
Best of Luck.
Older Lifter: In Sweden we have a different kind of fitnesscompetitions, Atletic Fitness.
You compete in different events like chins, dips, some kind of aerobictest and of course a ordinary symetrirond.
You don´t have to be a gymnast to compete (Like you have to in regualry fitness.) and you have the possibility to show that you can use your body to something other than “just posing”.
Are there any drugs ? Yes but not so much as in ordinary bodybuilding.
Can you win without drugs ? Yes, because the judging criterias don´t allow to much muscelmass and neither to low bodyfat.
I think that it´s only Sweden,Finland, Norway and Denmark which have these kind of competiotions at present time.
An exempel on how these atlets looks in competition. http://www.bk-sportsmag.se/ webblogg/ bilder/Mvc-007f.jpg
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