The Roid Rage”Past and Present (Part 1)
I have ‘Rhoid’ rage, This time its haemorrhoids, that’s right, bodybuilding is becoming a pain in the ass. It seems like almost every b.b journal I browse through of late, carries articles and letters concerned with physique standards and professional contests judging results.
I have been around the bodybuilding scene for many years now and have experienced a number of changes at competition level. There is no doubt in my mind that the standards have hit new levels for everyone concerned in an event and that the evolution of my sport continues and that the results seen will always get better.
Although always having a private opinion as to who should or should not have won or been placed. Despite suggestions and offers, I have never had either the conviction or more important the courage to judge others.
So with that my further comments are meant in no way to criticise any of those brave guys who chose to sit on the judging panels. I realise the pressure they must be under as their own opinions can either make or break the competitor’s careers, advertising deals, sponsorships and even the rest of their lives. Just imagine what Arnold might be doing now if he hadn’t won competitive events during his youth.
To be quite frank with you I am not really sure what the exact percentage of bodybuilders is that train with the sole objective of competing in physique contests. I am pretty sure it is a very small amount as the majority of bodybuilders will have varying alternative targets from rehab, to just getting better in their chosen major sport. Many will just want to get fitter or stronger or just improve their own physique standard, gain or lose weight, as well as just adding some muscle.
If you just take a good look around your local gym you might just be able to pick out one bodybuilder that might have the potential to enter these bodybuilding physique competitions and maybe just at a local level. The majority of the guys in the gym will not have any interest what so ever in these contests and will most probably just be fed up with constantly being reminded of them in the muscle mags. If anyone was the exception to the rule then it was definitely Arnold the great who knew right from his very first squat and dead lift where his efforts were to be best concentrated. (Coming soon Part 2)