My first time at the Arnold (yes, as in that Arnold), really got me thinking about bodybuilding stereotypes. Sure, the huge ones take steroids, that’s pretty obvious. But, there are plenty of natural competitors out there that don’t. And, why is it that our society is so PC about hush-hushing comments about overweight people but it’s okay to call someone skinny or a “muscle head”? Why do these body prejudices still exist?
I didn’t really tell my non-fitness friends much about my trip to Columbus, OH because I didn’t think they’d understand or I’d get negative comments about meatheads. But, there are many bodybuilders (in reality a bodybuilder is anyone who works on their body to maintain good health and a great physique through working out, a good diet and supplements) who are not just smart but over the top brilliant and productive people. Think about it: many of these people go to great lengths to dig up specific ways to train to hit small muscle groups, they can regurgitate parts of biochemistry I don’t remember and many know more about nutrition than my average client.
Here’s an example – I met one of my friend’s wives for the first time on my trip. She is the mother of three children, an emergency room nurse and has a body that any 20 year old girl would be jealous of. She is indeed a bodybuilder. And take my favorite example of an awesome female physique – Serena Williams. She is strong, powerful, smart and feminine (as is her sister). Aren’t both of these women fantastic role models for young girls?
The next time someone makes a snide remark about skinny people or bodybuilders, I challenge you to question them. What we consider skinny in the U.S. is normal in many other countries. And no, it isn’t okay to walk up to a skinny person (even if you know them) and tell them they need to gain weight. In addition, there are plenty of bodybuilders all around you. They are young and they are old, male and female and many are indeed far from the “meathead” stereotype.
To learn more about bodybuilding, go to www.bodybuilding.com and click on the Supersite and “Mind Articles” on the right-hand side.