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Bodybuilding as defined by Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary is
“the developing of the body through exercise and diet; specifically : the developing of the physique for competitive exhibition” 1. Merriam Webster online http://www.m‑w.com/dictionary.htm
The pursuit of physical excellence can be traced back to the origin of our species. The more physically intimidating a male was the more likely he was to mate successfully. This characteristic is exemplified by the majority of species on earth where test of physical strength and endurance are commonplace prior to intercourse. While our species has evolved mentally and men with brains easily wield more power than men with brawn, the desire to be physically intimidating still lies within our genetic memory.
Over the years I have asked many men the reason that they began to lift weights. The common response is “To firm up and loose some weight”. I suspected however that a more base instinct was the major influence and that the majority of men are not even aware of the real reason that are at the gym.
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One day I asked myself that same question
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One day I asked myself that same question and upon deep reflection the simple truth came upon me. I wanted to be intimidating to men and attractive to women. It was that simple. It can be veiled in the guise of weight loss, general health or to combat the ravages of ageing but at its root lies the tugging of testosterone. There is no shame in this admission in that it is the result of countless generations in our evolutionary ladder and these characteristics contributed greatly to our success as a species.
While sheer physical attributes can no longer insure the success of a male in society, our culture still attributes great value to the cultivation of physical prowess. Athletes are among the highest paid and most recognized persons on the planet. Magazines and periodicals are painted liberally with pictures of well endowed women and men with washboard abs. In a country where fifty percent of the population is overweight, television programs are populated primarily with “the beautiful people” whose lean and sexy physiques are evidence of a different physical standard than the majority aspire to.
With the constant barrage of entertainment and information that most of us are subjected to, many people are lulled into a fantasy world where they live vicariously through the soap opera existence of others. Occasionally however an individual senses a longing within themselves that won’t rest. A physical urge, ancient as time itself, that lures them from their sedentary lifestyle and into a pair of jogging shoes or a weight room. They will pound the pavement, push the weights, sweat profusely, elevate their heart rates and though exhausted they will experience a euphoria that cannot be explained to the uninitiated. Whatever the motivation, such a person is to be admired as they have taken a significant step towards health and self improvement. While this end is sufficient unto itself, there are a few individuals who go far beyond this level of exertion. They visualize themselves as sculptors and their bodies as blocks of granite. Somewhere within the stone lies a statue of David and with sufficient skill and effort they will chisel forth the body of art that lies within. These are the bodybuilders and they are easily recognized. Their strained faces at the gym are evidence to the degree of pain tolerance, dedication and relentless effort they will put forth in pursuit of their goal. Their large and well defined muscles appear as if vacuum packaged within their skin.
They are, to say the least, not average.
Weight lifters are fairly common and gyms are full of them. True bodybuilders however are rare. They have a unique appearance, a different set of standards and they carry their sport with them everywhere they go.
The above is only a brief explanation of the primitive drive which fuels the internal fires of many bodybuilders, however it is not the only source of this ambition. The two related articles below discuss other contributing factors, both hormonal and psychological, in further detail.
Bigorexia - The Psychology of Bodybuilding
Expect Pain - Do you really want to be a Bodybuilder?
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