In praise of bodybuilding
. Bodybuilding gets some bad press because many people consider body-
building as the exclusive territory of excessively narcissistic, drug-using, all-
appearance-and-no-function, frivolous freaks. For sure, some bodybuilders
do give weight training dreadful publicity because of their gym antics, drug
use and dealing, and appalling ignorance of the type of training that is
needed by drug-free typical people. But this has nothing to do with what I
consider bodybuilding to be.. Because most commercial gym training instruction is usually called “body-
building,” and because it is usually so paltry, it gives bodybuilding a bad
name.. I have great respect for any drug-free person who can lift huge weights. But
because I have a strong bias towards appearance and aesthetics, I see appear-
ance first and lifting performance second. If appearance is heavily compro-
mised I have little interest in the strength achievements.. To my mind, bodybuilding is about molding your physique so that you
are satisfied with its appearance and performance. It is nothing to do with
drugs, excessive narcissism, obsessive concern with bodyfat percentages,
conventional bodybuilding routines, or training frivolity.. Bodybuilding as I interpret it is very healthy, but a pure-strength focus can
become unhealthy. e bodybuilding that I promote encourages muscular
and strength balance throughout the body, mostly achieved through focus-
ing on compound exercises.. e bodybuilding I promote never puts health second to appearance or
performance. Aerobic conditioning, and maintaining a bodyfat level below
(for a male), are usually neglected by pure-strength devotees. Some big
modern-day strength supermen seriously neglected their health and appear-
ances and are dead as a result.. Rational bodybuilding keeps appearance at the forefront. is is good.
When appearance matters, overeating is out, and bodyfat is never allowed
to exceed (for a man). When health is the number one concern, aerobic
work is not neglected and nutrition is not just about protein, protein and
more protein. An excessive focus on animal products is unhealthy.