Bodybuilding involves the physical act of lifting weights with the intent of developing muscles. Successful bodybuilding requires full dedication to a workout regimen, dietary plan, and restful downtime. Bodybuilders may participate in competitions, where they stand in front of a panel of judges and display their physiques. The participant who earns the most points based on aesthetic appearance wins the competition. Famous bodybuilders include Steve Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Mentzer, Larry Scott, Jay Cutler, and Ronnie Coleman.

Modern bodybuilding did not exist as a competitive sport prior to the 19^th century. In fact, the art of displaying a body's physique did not emerge until Eugen Sandow showed his muscles to an audience. Sandow's public display marked the birth of modern bodybuilding, which has garnered him recognition as the "father" of bodybuilding. Athletes had showcased their bodies prior to this isolated event; however, they mainly did it as part of wrestling matches and strength demonstrations. After creating his own display stage, Sandow's success exploded to the point of him creating products branded with his name. He was also credited for inventing the first exercise equipment for the masses. Sandow's goals were to mirror the "Grecian Ideal," or to acquire a physique that resembled ancient Greek and Roman statues. This became a standard among competitions in its earliest years.

The "Great Competition," also known as the first bodybuilding contest, took place on September 14^th, 1901. The contest sold out as hundreds of enthusiasts were turned away. The winner received a bronze statue of Sandow, a trophy image still presented to winners in modern competitions. Other early influential bodybuilders include Al Treloar, Bernarr Macadden, Charles Atlas, Alois P. Swoboda, Earle Liederman, Seigmund Breitbart, George F. Jowett, Sig Klein, Lionel Strongfort, Monte Saldo, Alan C. Mead, and more. All of these bodybuilders pioneered muscle-building with the pure intent of public display.

The "Golden Age" of bodybuilding took place between the years 1940 and 1970. The bodybuilders of this era focused on gaining mass for aesthetic appearance while still maintaining muscular symmetry and definition. This shift to stronger men arose from the inspiration gained during the Second World War. Bodybuilders accomplished bigger mass by adjusting their nutrition and dietary plan, improving training techniques, and using better equipment. New publications came into print and new contents emerged as the popularity grew exponentially. Popular organizations also came into existence during the "Golden Age" of bodybuilding, including the Amateur Athletic Union and the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB). Famous bodybuilders of this time period include Steve Reeves, Larry Scott, Reg Park, Irvin Koszewski, Bill Pearl, and John Grimek.

Bodybuilding took a turn for the best during the 1970s, mainly because of the major publicity spawned by Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1981, the National Physique Committee (NPC) came into existence and has grown to become one of the most popular bodybuilding organizations within the United States. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the rise of anabolic steroids, which prompted the IFBB to introduce drug tests for steroids and forbidden substances. Despite these efforts, the majority of bodybuilders still used anabolic steroids for competitions. In 1990, Vince McMahon formed a new bodybuilding organization that would cause a whirlwind of controversy about the use of anabolic steroids. In addition, it caused a rift among those bodybuilders who left traditional bodybuilding organizations to join the World Bodybuilding Federation (WBF) created by McMahon. The WBF was eventually disbanded due to unsuccessful sales and ratings. In the early 2000s, the IFBB attempted to make bodybuilding an Olympic sport but failed to make it happen. Today, bodybuilding remains a growing competitive sport unrecognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Many people view bodybuilding as an outlet to get into shape and stay fit. Others view it as a controversial sport that advocates the use of banned substances, such as anabolic steroids. Contrary to popular opinion, bodybuilding does not need to involve rigorous training to compete in contests. In fact, people can dedicate themselves to a basic workout plan to build muscle and strength. Bodybuilding basics mainly require a good workout and dietary plan with proper instruction. Beginners can start by finding a competent trainer that will motivate and keep them on a progressive schedule. The trainer will help beginners to accomplish two goals, including increased muscle mass and cuts, with successful weightlifting. After time has lapsed, the bodybuilder will gain strength, endurance, and a pleasing aesthetic appearance. The discipline of working out every day builds inner-character by instilling patience and prudence to reaching personal goals. The successful bodybuilder considers what they eat, how they sleep, and what they do in accordance to their sport.

Further Resources

Here are some helpful links to tell you more about bodybuilding:

• The History of Bodybuilding
• Bodybuilding.com: Workouts
• The Bodybuilding Lifestyle (PDF)
• Universal 12-Week Bodybuilding Course (PDF)
• Zyzz's Bodybuilding Bible (PDF)
• Joe Weider's Flex: Bodybuilding 101
• The United States Bodybuilding Federation
• Bodybuilding and Fitness Magazines
• Wheelchair Bodybuilding
• INBA World: Natural Bodybuilding
• Muscle and Fitness Magazine
• Iron Man Magazine
• HowStuffWorks: Top 10 Biggest Bodybuilders
• Muscle Growth Part 1: The Science Behind Why, And How, Does A Muscle Grow And Get Stronger?
• Nick Tumminello's Full Spectrum Bodybuilding
• T-Nation: Exercise Videos
• The Anabolic Solution for Recreational and Competitive Bodybuilders (PDF)
• Bodybuilding Science Journal: Nutrition for Bodybuilding Competition Preparation (PDF)
• Vegan Bodybuilding: Links