On that same theme, my article below is featured in the February 2011 edition of Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness.
There are a couple of things that irk me about the way bodybuilders are perceived. One is that we are “meatheads,” meaning that the only thing running through our brains are thoughts of training, cardio, and diet. Fortunately, all natural bodybuilders have real world jobs; it would seriously concern me if I ran across any natural bodybuilder who actually thought his “profession” was bodybuilding. My own interaction with numerous elite natural bodybuilders suggests that this cliché is simply not true – most have a variety of outside interests, including business, academics, or even community activism.
The second thing that bothers me is that bodybuilders are generally perceived as egotistical. To some extent this is understandable – our primary measure of “success” is a ranked placement in comparison to other competitors. However, most people we see on a daily basis DON’T see us onstage. Where do they get this idea that we are egotistical? From actions in everyday life – notably, in the gym.
How many times have you seen the following in your gym:
- Loading weights up with excessive force, or dropping dumbbells to make sure people notice
- Using a weight that is way too heavy, then lifting it using half-reps
- Yelling / unnecessary grunting during or after a lift
- The “face wipe” with the bottom of a t-shirt, while making sure to check out the abs in the mirror at the same time
- Flexing in the mirror
- The guy who wears a tank top or sleeveless t-shirt every day
Every single one of these actions gives off a vibe of egotism. And my frank opinion is that none of them deserves a place in the world of competitive bodybuilding. Why do people act like that? In short, to get attention. People generally want to be complimented on how strong they are, how great they look, or how lean they are. As a competitive bodybuilder, condition and muscularity are essential to doing well – but do you really need the approval of everyday gym-goers to improve them? Similarly, posing practice is mandatory – but not in front of everyone else. Work on your posing in a secluded room at the gym, or at your own home, or with a trusted fellow bodybuilder. Hitting a most-muscular shot in front of the dumbbell rack while wearing your string tank top mostly makes people roll their eyes and think, “another vain bodybuilder.”
Some people will say, “But I need to see the muscle working to make sure I’m hitting it properly.” Really? You can’t tell your form is good if a ½ mm thick shirt is covering you? Then you need a trainer, not a tank top. You also hear, “I get too hot if I wear sleeves.” I don’t buy that one either. A couple of inches of cloth on your arms aren’t going to make anyone overheat. Getting a compliment from someone in the gym might be nice to hear, but the unspoken thoughts of most people in attendance probably feeds into the general consensus that “bodybuilding = egotistical.” Don’t play into that.
We’ve all also seen the guy who feels compelled to make sure that everyone knows he is a competitive bodybuilder. This guy will loudly discuss his contest plans for the year, which shows he has won, and if he has won his pro card, you will certainly be reminded of that at every opportune moment. Don’t get me wrong - I wear WNBF t-shirts from some of my old contests - but I only discuss bodybuilding when someone else brings it up. Constantly yammering about contest condition and the importance of quarter turns don’t exactly dispel the “meathead” myth.
So, consider this article an open invitation to all competitive bodybuilders out there. Keep the tank tops in your closet. Throw away those sleeveless t-shirts. Don’t feel the need to discuss your bodybuilding exploits every time you open your mouth. Train with the goal of improving your physique, not to impress other people in the gym. There is no need to advertise what you do, just do it, because you enjoy it. The people I respect most in my gym are NOT the ones constantly in front of the mirror, staring at their bared skin – they are the ones who work the hardest. They might be scrawny guys in the corner, barely getting 10 reps with 185 on the squat bar, but maintaining perfect form and pushing themselves as hard as humanly possible. Or, they can be advanced powerlifters, pulling 600 lbs for reps – but without fanfare or need for recognition. The common theme: No Ego, No Juice – Just Train.
