It's a fairly typical (though blatantly prejudicial) assumption that bodybuilding is a not a true sport in that there is no competition based on definable and measurable athletic skills, but rather that it is a muscle ridden beauty contest of sorts where a group of obsessed, narcissistic self worshipers gather together to praise themselves and each other and compare bodies. I have, for years, heard these comments in a wide variety of circles: among both the educated and uneducated, old and young, males and females. The criticism might be crude, or reasonably compelling depending on the critic, but the content is virtually the same.
While I have always been active, athletic, and, if not in the gym then in a dance studio, I have pretty much ignored these comments. Still, I never really appreciated the degree to which such false simplifications misrepresent the spirit of bodybuilding and strength training in general. Not until I attended the Jay Cutler Desert Classic recenty at the Palms in Las Vegas.
HBB Fitness and Fashion was proud to bring our Hardbody Bling jewelry and HBB Hot Fit Clothes to the event, and had the privilege of our booth being placed right next to Jay Cutler's booth. Excellent real estate.
Directly behind our booth was a monitor so we could watch the competition while exhibiting. It was while watching some of the competitors on stage that I really had an Aha moment thanks largely to friend and HBB rep, Michelle MacDonald. In a sea of beautiful bodies, it was quite obvious when not so perfect individuals took to the stage, proudly strutting their not so perfect stuff. At one such moment Michelle just said quite nonchalantly, "You never know what people have been through. She might have lost 100 pounds, or may have just beaten cancer. You just don't know. For her, she may look and feel terrific and is just proud to be able to show what she's accomplished." WOW!
What a truly insightful, compassionate and positive perspective! (And this, by the way, is partly why I train with this cool lady and recommend her to you!) But those words just say so much. Not just about bodybuilding, but about the human spirit.
Strength training doesn't just strengthen your body, it pushes your spirit, your determination, your perseverance, and your self discipline. It tests your desire to challenge yourself, to follow through on your goals, and to work through and overcome adversity. It is a contest of YOU vs YOU, to be better than you were the day before, to take yourself to new heights of strength and endurance, and while doing so to stumble upon that Aha moment of your own when you really see what you are made of. Strength training can do for your body what prayer and meditation do for your soul; it can allow you to face your weaknesses head on, work through them, conquer them, and sore to heights unheard of as you work to maximize all of the potential you were born with. It's much more than just trying to look good in a bikini.
As I reflected on this, I thought about how unkind (and generally wrong) some of the bodybuilding criticism is. Like in any organization, it is not a monolithic subgroup. I'm sure there are the share of shallow egomaniacs, but this is not the majority, and it has not been my experience. As Michelle rightly pointed out, this community is made up of all sorts of people- all with different stories and motivations.
Training at its best is about YOU vs YOU, on a path that is between you and your higher power. It's not about anybody else. And maybe that's why this all reminded me so much of something Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that's worth sharing. So I'll close this entry with her words.
