When is a bodybuilder not a bodybuilder?

[Optimass]

My wife kindly pointed out last night that when people ask, I regularly refer to myself as a weight trainer due to not wanting to compete again. "Competitive Bodybuilding" takes time and focus - two things that I find I dont have of late.

ha ha ha,na i dont think id keep up in a pump class :pfft:

i like the sound of weight trainer.

8)

makes two of us .... although I am interested in this new subclass "powerbuilder" ... has a nice ring to it.

Ok ... to end the debate lets create a subclass in between bodybuilder and pro bodybuilder ... "competitive bodybuilder". I can live with that.

I tried that about 35 posts ago! :pfft:

[big J]

body builder= building body up to a standard or building body down to a better weight

a builder dosent jsut build a house they also pull things down and re build

i see a bodybuiklder as the same a builder

[HarryB]

Isn't it for the individual to classify themselves? I mean we all use our own prejudices as a guideline for how we classify others. I might not think someone is a bodybuilder whereas they might think they are. It would be more correct to classify someone by saying "in my opinion.. etc etc"

Our standards are all different. You'll find most people are embarrassed to actually call themselves bodybuilders because of the stereotypical images that that word carries with it. I think someone said something about bright coloured clothing etc etc kind of like how if you say you're a powerlifter or strongman every looks for a big gut and some kind of neanderthal behaviour.

I personally don't think a bodybuilder is just someone who competes. I think it's what the person wants to classify themselves as. I mean I have competed against lots of guys who in my opinion are hardly bodybuilders.. yet I guess not knowing what their starting point is they may have improved beyond what they thought possible and no doubt they think of themselves as bodybuilders. I mean we have all watched a comp and wondered why some people are up there. Judgemental lot us weight trainers.

[Hercfeend]

Weight training and bodybuilding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_training

Although weight training is similar to bodybuilding, they have different objectives. Bodybuilders use weight training to develop their muscles for size, shape, and symmetry regardless of any increase in strength for competition in bodybuilding contests; they train to maximize their muscular size and develop extremely low levels of body fat. In contrast, many weight trainers train to improve their strength and anaerobic endurance while not giving special attention to reducing body fat far below normal.

The bodybuilding community has been the source of many of weight training's principles, techniques, vocabulary, and customs. Weight training does allow tremendous flexibility in exercises and weights which can allow bodybuilders to target specific muscles and muscle groups, as well as attain specific goals.

Of course, not all bodybuilding is undertaken to compete in bodybuilding contests, and, in fact the vast majority of bodybuilders never compete, but bodybuild for their own personal reasons.

IMO: Weight training is what an individual does to aid and improve another sport or activity - it is supplementary in nature i.e. weight training is what most if not all sports persons partake in in order to improve strength and conditioning and thus improve their performance in their sport.

Bodybuilding on the other hand is an activity in it's own right, the main sport/activity and other 'activities' are undertaken only in support of bodybuilding training and goals i.e. cardio to assist in BF levels.

[Sims]

Someone mentioned the analogy you can't be a rugby player if your not in a competition. To me you can be a rugby player as long as you have a team to play with and play regularly, competition or not.

Imo, body-building is more then just a sport, its also a lifestyle. If you embrace that lifestyle..

[Optimalisation]

i consider myself a bodybuilder because im trying to build my body. although i dont describe myself to others as a bodybuilder because of the sterotypes

Fair enough. I imagine there are a lot of people (myself included) who read bodybuilding websites and train and eat like they believe a bodybuilder should, but would never publicly refer to themselves as a bodybuilder. Maybe they are "closet bodybuilders".

Quote I heard a while back, possibly on here: If you have to tell somebody you are a bodybuilder, you aren't. Your physique should speak for itself, until then you are probably an aspiring bodybuilder at best.

As for the running/rugby analogies. It's a grammatical thing. You can run but not necessarily be a runner because run is a verb in it's own right. As there isn't a verb for playing rugby (you need to using 'playing') you can't play rugby without being a rugby player. You can arguably box without being a boxer, and as has been said here, build your body without being a bodybuilder.

Either way it's just a choice of words and doesn't really mean much at the end of the day. The only reason we need these words anyway is for communication, so just make sure the person you're talking to knows what you mean when you use the term. Why bother trying to categorically define it?

[Dubble_D]

Quote I heard a while back, possibly on here: If you have to tell somebody you are a bodybuilder, you aren't. Your physique should speak for itself, until then you are probably an aspiring bodybuilder at best.

:nod: perfect IMO.

[HarryB]

Quote I heard a while back, possibly on here: If you have to tell somebody you are a bodybuilder, you aren't. Your physique should speak for itself, until then you are probably an aspiring bodybuilder at best.

:nod: perfect IMO.

Shot!!

[musclenz]

Lets just agree that its about size & muscularity. What ever you call yourself competitive bodybuilder, bodybuilder, weight trainer, if you are big enough to stand out & have good muscularity most people will ask you, or define you, as a "Bodybuilder". If you embrace the lifestyle & make improvements to your physique by design & intention then you are "Bodybuilding". Then there are some 'Bodybuilders" who compete in competititions. Generally, most people who are "Bodybuilding" aspire to the top competitors in our "Sport" (God I'm not going on that thread ) as those judged to be at the top of their game. But equally, in gyms all around the world are those that are "Bodybuilding" & many of them could justly be called, or call themselves, a "BODYBUILDER". WTF they are massively bigger & stronger than the average Joe.

[PeterDolan]

How can you be a bodybuilder if you do not compete? Really guys?

Sure you are "building your body" to be more muscular etc but you are not striving to make it to be the best it can be.

Would you regard yourself a rugby player if you went to pre season training every year but never played a single game? Of course you fucking wouldn't

Competing is the only part of bodybuildng that can give you that title.

How can you acknowledge something by attributing it a "lifestyle" then absolutely disregard it's most crucial aspect?

[HarryB]

Ummm I have to disagree PD... loads of people train and eat and do cardio and get in great shape with great physiques but just don't compete. For numerous reasons... the most common being that they just don't see the point of all that effort for a $10 trophy. I sometimes look in that corner of the garage where mine are and wonder about it as well... what if someone competes and has a terrible physique and just looks crap.. are they more of a bodybuilder than a guy with a great physique who trains his ass off and is in great shape but doesn't want to get onstage in just his undies?

Not everyone is a competitive bodybuilder but there are lots of recreational bodybuilders out there!

[PeterDolan]

There are terrible players in every sport, but they still compete.

Guys spend $100+ on bots for their sport etc, for nothing at all

[HarryB]

Yeah that's true but that doesn't discount the recreational bodybuilder who spends just as much money to change his physique but doesn't compete... anyways lets agree to just disagree!! I don't wanna fight both of you Doolan brothers!

[PeterDolan]

Yeah that's true but that doesn't discount the recreational bodybuilder who spends just as much money to change his physique but doesn't compete... anyways lets agree to just disagree!! I don't wanna fight both of you Doolan brothers!

Yeah but they don't compete haha PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!!!

I'm all bark, haven't had a fight for a few years (discounting grappling in tights :shock: )

[Bobsta]

There are only two types of people in this world.... Bodybuilders and those who wish they were bodybuilders :pfft:

[PeterDolan]

There are only two types of people in this world.... Bodybuilders and those who wish they were bodybuilders :pfft:

BOOM!

[bang_bang]

How can you be a bodybuilder if you do not compete? Really guys?

Sure you are "building your body" to be more muscular etc but you are not striving to make it to be the best it can be.

Would you regard yourself a rugby player if you went to pre season training every year but never played a single game? Of course you fucking wouldn't

Competing is the only part of bodybuildng that can give you that title.

How can you acknowledge something by attributing it a "lifestyle" then absolutely disregard it's most crucial aspect?

i and im sure the majority on here are striving to build our bodies to be the best they can be.. look at josef.. he could get on stage anyday of the week! even if it was mens physique class.

would u regard yourself a bodybuilder if u trained once a year? of course you wouldnt.

competing is only one aspect of it. for example people play scrabble socially, some compete in tournaments.

is it the most crucial aspect though? it maybe is to some but ask yourself, do you truely work your arse off everyday JUST for those few moments a year your up on stage? (and a little plastic trophy) :pfft:

[holdenman]

Isn't it for the individual to classify themselves? I mean we all use our own prejudices as a guideline for how we classify others. I might not think someone is a bodybuilder whereas they might think they are. It would be more correct to classify someone by saying "in my opinion.. etc etc"

Our standards are all different. You'll find most people are embarrassed to actually call themselves bodybuilders because of the stereotypical images that that word carries with it. I think someone said something about bright coloured clothing etc etc kind of like how if you say you're a powerlifter or strongman every looks for a big gut and some kind of neanderthal behaviour. I personally don't think a bodybuilder is just someone who competes. I think it's what the person wants to classify themselves as. I mean I have competed against lots of guys who in my opinion are hardly bodybuilders.. yet I guess not knowing what their starting point is they may have improved beyond what they thought possible and no doubt they think of themselves as bodybuilders. I mean we have all watched a comp and wondered why some people are up there. Judgemental lot us weight trainers.

:pfft:

[Optimass]

So if there were no such thing as body building comps... would it only be weight training>?

[PeterDolan]

i and im sure the majority on here are striving to build our bodies to be the best they can be.. look at josef.. he could get on stage anyday of the week! even if it was mens physique class.

So then he would be a bodybuilder

would u regard yourself a bodybuilder if u trained once a year? of course you wouldnt.

I don't get this point?

competing is only one aspect of it.

So if you lifted weights and didn't eat enough, nutrition only being one aspect of it, you'd be a bodybuilder because you're trying to get bigger, even if you aren't achieving this?

is it the most crucial aspect though? it maybe is to some but ask yourself, do you truely work your arse off everyday JUST for those few moments a year your up on stage? (and a little plastic trophy) :pfft:

May surprise you but the answer is yes. Why else would I want to gain size? To look good? I'm not a model and I've never had trouble getting girls

I do it to try and be better than the next guy

[bang_bang]

i and im sure the majority on here are striving to build our bodies to be the best they can be.. look at josef.. he could get on stage anyday of the week! even if it was mens physique class.

So then he would be a bodybuilder

so if he competed in one show you would call him a bber even if he had no intention of competing again?

would u regard yourself a bodybuilder if u trained once a year? of course you wouldnt.

I don't get this point?

i meant in regards to the rugby comment

competing is only one aspect of it.

So if you lifted weights and didn't eat enough, nutrition only being one aspect of it, you'd be a bodybuilder because you're trying to get bigger, even if you aren't achieving this?

i dont quite get what your saying here? isnt not eating enough to maintain ones bodyweight one of the most important parts of bodybuilding? i

is it the most crucial aspect though? it maybe is to some but ask yourself, do you truely work your arse off everyday JUST for those few moments a year your up on stage? (and a little plastic trophy) :pfft:

May surprise you but the answer is yes. Why else would I want to gain size? To look good? I'm not a model and I've never had trouble getting girls

I do it to try and be better than the next guy

fair enough. there are a million reasons why one would bodybuild. i touched on a few reasons why i do personally earlier this thread.

[bang_bang]

i need to learn to use the quote button properly lol. hope that post made sense

[PeterDolan]

I'm not trying to take away from the effort people that do not wish to compete put in

[bang_bang]

fair enough. iv spent way too much time dwelling on this topic haha..this thread could go round in circles all year. i think it comes down to individual interpretation at the end of the day

amen

[lemon]

I disagree with those saying "If you don't compete you are not a body builder"

The competition is to see who is the best body builder, implying they are already body builders.

To be specific I would say a body builder is as the words say.

Building body.

*Gaining size to their ENTIRE body from their original frame.

*Diet comes into it to. As body building is separate to weight training and the diet helps build your body. So a specific, strict diet to gaining mass.

*Attending the gym 5+ a week.

*Working to be as big as you possibly can.

If any of those do not describe you, I would say you're not a body builder.