Fitness For You

Bodybuilding Legends - What is the Future for Bodybuilders? (Part 1)

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It is a common fact that Bodybuilders are not immortal and have to die at some stage, but this Bodybuilder was barely 30 years old. Although he was relatively unknown on the world scene as a bodybuilder, he was a U.S state heavyweight champion and one of the best at national level.

He was a large man, around 6ft with a competition weight of 265 lbs. He always showed the potential of becoming a great bodybuilder and had a great future ahead of him. He worked as a model and also did some “escort” work, which may have been frowned upon by some, but he was well known for his friendly and helpful manner. But suddenly his life came to an end in his golden years and the question still remains…Why did an apparently fit and healthy man die so young?

It is many years now since I went to my first bodybuilding contest and in the intervening years, the standards of physiques on display have got higher and higher. We all know that a Mr. Universe from 1970 would struggle to win a good novice contest nowadays. There is always great anticipation going to contests from year to year expecting to see ever freakier bodybuilders. Even though the standard of development achieved by top level competitors is already extremely high, we can expect ever more awesome displays of muscle in the future. Or can we?

Nobody (except a possible fool) will predict the limits to human endeavor, as they would with no doubt be proven wrong in time. As recently as in 1953 when Mt Everest was climbed for the first time Man achieved the unachievable. Prior to that many had died in their attempt to reach the summit and it was suggested that the height of 29,000 ft [8,838 m] was just basically out of our reach. Well since 1953 the summit has been reached on numerous occasions although others haven’t made it and just because once the mental block has gone you know it can be done.

The same applies in bodybuilding, years back being 6ft tall with a 50 inch chest you would have been considered as being a super human, whereas nowadays nobody would even think about competing unless they had these measurements. Big is more like 60 inches plus and then we are talking about Pro standard and those bodybuilders who are currently training themselves up for this level of competition should be aiming at becoming bigger and better than those who are competing today. It’s not easy and many will fail as they consider the time, the costs and the health risks involved.

The difference between a top bodybuilder and the Joe Public man-in-the-street is far greater now than it has ever been. Standards have risen because of improved training, improved nutrition, improved understanding of physiology, improved pre-contest dieting, improved life-style and drugs. All of these have had important effects but it is the drugs aspect which I want to consider.