This past weekend the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding event was held, with a new champion being crowned in the prestige men’s open division: Nick Walker. Walker was a fan favourite as an underdog overcoming some injuries. Plus he wears glasses on stage, which is something I respect. He came in well conditioned, and his only real competition, I thought, was from the gigantic Samson Dauda, who could easily have won. But I thought the judges’ decision was fair.
I follow bodybuilding just a little bit, and have since the glory days of Arnold Schwarzenegger, before he became a movie star. I don’t think it’s healthy though. In fact, quite the opposite. This kind of training (and massive drug use, which at least competitors today are far more open about) will probably take 10 years off your life. But when it comes to athletic competition people do go to extremes.
The one thing that really struck me watching this year’s event was the overdeveloped deltoids. Here’s the final four line-up from this year’s competition (you can click the pic to make them even bigger!).
Some well-rounded characters.
Now saying these round, bulging shoulders don’t look natural, or that they look downright freaky, isn’t really a valid critique because everything about these bodies looks freaky and unnatural. But I don’t remember bodybuilders’ shoulders looking like this before 2000. It’s like they have bowling balls stuffed under their skin in a place where you don’t expect to see such massive growth. It’s not at all aesthetically pleasing and like I say, it seems like something new. Nevertheless it’s taken over elite level bodybuilding. When you add in the distended bellies or bubble guts (Palumboism), it just screams ill health to me, which is why I prefer the classic physique competition. Still, it’s hard not to stare at the big guys.
I can’t think why people do this to themselves. Some severe mental health problems maybe? And is it supposed to be a sport or a kind of ‘beauty’ contest for men? They quite revolt me.
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I think there are mental health issues, yeah. Body dysmorphia or something. My main problem with it is that it’s just not good for you. Causes all kinds of damage to your system. But a bit of working out is fine.
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I WISH I could blame my belly on roids. Sadly, it’s just eating too much, hahahaha 😀
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There’s actually one old fellow at the gym I go to who has a big pot belly and he seriously claims it’s because he does so many sit-ups and crunches.
It is not because of that.
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Yeah, those exercises will definitely NOT give you a potbelly. Someone is lying to themselves
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My favorite sports figure is Charlie Hough, a knuckleball pitcher for the Rangers back in the day, who used to smoke in the dugout between innings. He’s 78 and still going.
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Ah there’s always a George Burns. I doubt many of these elite bodybuilders are going to make it to 78. And if they do they’ll be in rough shape.
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Well, I meant I preferred the old days when a country doctor could handle all the “sports medicine” required. None of these finely tuned wimps who miss games left and right. I’m starting to think robots might be the future of sport.
These guys…yeah, you could stick em on an island with the competitive eaters and I’d be happy.
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“Just rub some dirt on it and get back out there!”
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And other great advice, like “Concussion? Shake it off!”
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