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What Is The Future For Bodybuilders? (Part 1)
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.
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 big man, 6ft tall, with a contest weight of about 265 lbs. He always looked like a bodybuilder with great potential and, perhaps, one day, he could have achieved that potential. He earned his living from modelling and “escort” work, a life style which would not have had everyone’s approval. But those who knew him said that he was a friendly and helpful guy. Now, it’s all over. Life snuffed out in youth. Why did an apparently fit and healthy man die so young?
It’s been quite a few years now since I have been competing and I have witnessed incredible changes in the standard of competition physiques. We are well aware that a Mr Universe from the 1970’s wouldn’t stand a chance against a modern day novice. Nowadays you can sense the anticipation at contests just to see how much freakier bodybuilders have become. We can be proud of the high standards achieved and can expect to see even greater muscle displays in the future, or can we?
No one [unless that person is a pessimistic fool] will predict limits to human endeavour, because he [or she] will almost certainly be proved wrong sooner or later. Recently, in 1953 Mt. Everest was climbed for the first time. Prior to that year there had been many attempts to get to the top and many men had died trying. Some suggested that the altitude of 29,000 ft [8,838 m] was just too much and that the peak would remain impossible for ever. Now many go to the top of the mountain every year. It is still not an easy thing to do - people still die on the mountain - but climbers know that it can be done and the mental block has gone.
It’s exactly the same with bodybuilding. In not the too distant past you would have been considered as being a super human if you were 6ft tall with a 50 inch chest, but nowadays you wouldn’t even consider competing unless you had these measurements. The current pro standard stands at around 60 inches plus and those who are training at the moment to reach a competitive level will be looking at surpassing today’s Pros. It’s tough and the majority will fail as they consider the time, the costs and the health risks involved.
The difference between a top Pro bodybuilder and the average man in the street has become far greater now than it ever has been. Standards have maximised due to better training, improved nutrition, the better understanding of physiology, pre-contest diet improvements, a better life-style and of course drugs. Each one of these points plays an important role although I would like to consider the drugs aspect.