history of bodybuilding

Eugen Sandow

Bodybuilding developed in the late 19th century, promoted in England by the 'Father of Modern Bodybuilding, German-born Eugen Sandow. He allowed audiences to enjoy viewing his physique in "muscle display performances". Although audiences were thrilled to see a well-developed physique, the men simply displayed their bodies as part of strength demonstrations or wrestling matches. Sandow had a stage show built around these displays through his manager, Florenz Ziegfeld. The Oscar-winning 1936 musical film The Great Ziegfeld, depicts this beginning of modern bodybuilding, when Sandow began to display his body for carnivals.

Sandow was so successful at flexing and posing his physique that he later created several businesses around his fame, and was among the first to market products branded with his name. He was credited with inventing and selling the first exercise equipment for the masses: machined dumbbells, spring pulleys and tension bands. Even his image was sold by the thousands in "cabinet cards" and other prints.

Sandow was a perfect "gracilian". This was a standard of ideal body proportions close to those of ancient Greek and Roman statues - see Golden Mean. Men were judged by how closely they matched these proportions,The Golden One represents some of these statues.

First large-scale bodybuilding competition
Sandow organised the first bodybuilding contest on September 14, 1901 called the "Great Competition" which was held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK. Judged by himself, Sir Charles Lawes, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the contest was a great success and with a capacity crowd many bodybuilding enthusiasts were turned away.The trophy presented to the winner was a gold statue of Sandow sculpted by Frederick Pomeroy. The winner was William L. Murray of Nottingham, England. The silver or spelter Sandow Trophy was presented to the second-place winner, D. Cooper. The Bronze Sandow Trophy, the most famous of all, was presented to the third-place winner, A.C. Smythe. In 1950 this same bronze trophy was presented to Steve Reeves for winning the inaugural NABBA Mr. Universe. It would not resurface again until 1977 when the winner of the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest, Frank Zane, was presented with the Bronze Sandow Trophy, or at least a replica of it. Since then, Mr. Olympia winners have been awarded a replica of the bronze trophy.

On January 16, 1904, the first large-scale bodybuilding competition in America took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The competition was promoted by Bernarr Macfadden, the father of physical culture and publisher of the original bodybuidling magazines including Health & Strength. The winner was Al Treloar and he was declared "The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World". Treloar won a $1,000 cash prize, a substantial sum at that time. Two weeks later, Thomas Edison made a film of Al Treloar's posing routine. Edison also made two motion pictures of Sandow a few years before. Those were the first three motion pictures featuring a bodybuilder. In the early 20th century, Bernarr Macfadden and Charles Atlas, continued to promote bodybuilding across the world. Alois P. Swoboda was an early pioneer in America.

Notable early bodybuilders

Many other important bodybuilders in the early history of bodybuilding prior to 1930 include: Bernarr Macfadden, Earle Liederman (writer of some of the earliest bodybuilding instruction books), Zishe Breitbart, Georg Hackenschmidt, Emy Nkemena, George F. Jowett, Finn Hateral (a pioneer in the art of posing), Frank Saldo, Monte Saldo, William Bankier, Launceston Elliot, Sig Klein, Sgt. Alfred Moss, Joe Nordquist, Lionel Strongfort (Strongfortism),Gustav Frištenský (the Czech champion), Ralph Parcaut, a champion wrestler who also authored an early book on "physical culture," and Alan P. Mead, who became an impressive muscle champion despite the fact that he lost a leg in World War I. Actor Francis X. Bushman started his career as a bodybuilder and sculptor's model before beginning his famous silent movie career. Bushman was a disciple of Eugen Sandow.


Model Jackie Coey with Mr. Los Angeles contestant Ed Holovchik (also known as Ed Fury), 1953
1950s and 1960s[edit]
Bodybuilding became more popular in the 1950s and 1960s with the emergence of strength and gymnastics champions joining the culture, and the simultaneous popularization of bodybuilding magazines, training principles, nutrition for gaining bulk and reducing weight, the use of protein and other food supplements, and the opportunity to enter physique contests. Simultaneously, the number of bodybuilding organizations grew, most notably the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB), founded by Joe and Ben Weider. Other bodybuilding organizations included the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), National Amateur Bodybuilding Association (NABBA), and the World Bodybuilding Guild (WBBG). Consequently, the number of male-dominated physique/bodybuilding contests grew both in number and in size. Besides the countless number of "Mr. (insert town, city, state, or regional)" titles, the most prestigious titles were Mr. America, Mr. World, Mr. Universe, Mr. Galaxy, and (ultimately) Mr. Olympia (which began in 1965 by the IFBB, and continues to this day). During the 1950s, the most famous competing bodybuilders were Bill Pearl, Reg Park, Leroy Colbert, and Clarence Ross. Certain bodybuilders rose to fame thanks to the relatively new medium known as TV, as well as the movies. The most notable were Jack LaLanne, Steve Reeves, Reg Park, and Mickey Hargitay. And while there were well-known gyms throughout the country during the '50s (such as Vince's Gym in North Hollywood, CA and Vic Tanny's chain gyms), there were still segments of the United States that had no "hardcore" bodybuilding gyms until the advent of Gold's Gym in the mid-sixties. Finally, the famed Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, CA would continue it's popularity as the place to be for witnessing acrobatic acts, feats of strength, and the like. The 1960s grew more in TV and movie exposure, as bodybuilders were typecasted in popular shows and movies.[citation needed]

1970s onwards
New organizations
In the 1970s, bodybuilding had major publicity thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu, Lou Ferrigno and others in the 1977 film Pumping Iron. By this time the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) dominated the competitive bodybuilding landscape and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) took a back seat.

The National Physique Committee (NPC) was formed in 1981 by Jim Manion,[6] who had just stepped down as chairman of the AAU Physique Committee. The NPC has gone on to become the most successful bodybuilding organization in the U.S., and is the amateur division of the IFBB in the United States. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the decline of AAU sponsored bodybuilding contests. In 1999, the AAU voted to discontinue its bodybuilding events.

Anabolic/androgenic steroid use

Ronnie Coleman, eight times Mr. Olympia - 2009
This period also saw the rise of anabolic steroids used both in bodybuilding and many other sports. In bodybuilding lore, this is partly attributed to the rise of "mass monsters", beginning with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sergio Oliva and Lou Ferrigno in the late 1960s and early 1970s and continuing in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s with Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman and Markus Ruhl. Also the emergence of bodybuilders such as Greg Kovacs, Paul DeMayo and Victor Richards who, while not being particularly successful at the pro level, attained mass and size at levels that were not seen previously.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, at the time of shooting Pumping Iron, while never stating he used steroids, did say "you have to do anything you can to get the advantage in competition"[citation needed]. But in later interviews acknowledged steroid use, saying he does not regret using anything. At the time Schwarzenegger was the face of bodybuilding, so this had a large impact [clarification needed].

To combat this, and in the hopes of becoming a member of the IOC, the IFBB introduced doping tests for both steroids and other banned substances. Although doping tests occurred, the majority of professional bodybuilders still used anabolic steroids for competition. During the 1970s the use of anabolic steroids was openly discussed partly due to the fact they were legal.[8] However the U.S. Congress in the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 placed anabolic steroids into Schedule III of the Controlled substance act (CSA). Similarly in Canada, steroids were added to the Canadian Criminal Code as a Class IV controlled substance (that class was created expressly for steroids).

World Bodybuilding Federation

Main article: World Bodybuilding Federation
In 1990, wrestling promoter Vince McMahon announced he was forming a new bodybuilding organization, the World Bodybuilding Federation (WBF). McMahon wanted to bring WWF-style showmanship and bigger prize money to the sport of bodybuilding. A number of IFBB stars were recruited but the roster was never very large, with the same athletes competing; the most notable winner and first WBF champion was Gary Strydom. McMahon formally dissolved the WBF in July 1992. Reasons for this probably included lack of income from the pay-per-view broadcasts of the WBF contests, slow sales of the WBF's magazine Bodybuilding Lifestyles (which later became WBF Magazine), and the expense of paying multiple 6-figure contracts as well as producing two TV shows and a monthly magazine.

Olympic sport discussion
In the early 2000s, the IFBB was attempting to make bodybuilding an Olympic sport. It obtained full IOC membership in 2000 and was attempting to get approved as a demonstration event at the Olympics which would hopefully lead to it being added as a full contest. This did not happen. Olympic recognition for bodybuilding remains controversial since many argue that bodybuilding is not a sport.

Recent developments
In 2003, Joe Weider sold Weider Publications to AMI, which owns The Nationwide Enquirer. The place of president associated with the IFBB was filled by Rafael Santonja following the death of Ben Weider in October 2008. In 2004, contest promoter Wayne DeMilia broke has a high ranking with the IFBB and AMI took over the promotion of the Mr. Olympia contest. Other expert contests emerged in this time period, such as the Arnold Classic, Night of Winners, and the European Grand Prix of Bodybuilding.

In the 1990s and the early 21st millennium, patterns of consumption and recreation comparable to those of the United States became more wide-spread in Europe and especially in Western Europe following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This resulted in the emergence of whole new populations of bodybuilders emerged from former Eastern bloc states. In 2014 the FTM Fitness Meeting hosted the FTM Fitness World Bodybuilding Competitors, which was the first on your body competition for transgender men.

Areas
Professional bodybuilding
Main article: Expert bodybuilding

Frank Zane, a former professional strength athlete and three-time Mr. Olympia.
In the modern bodybuilding industry, "professional" generally means a bodybuilder who has won qualifying competitions as an amateur and offers earned a "pro card" from their respective business. Experts earn the right to compete in competitions that include monetary prizes. A pro card also prohibits the athlete from competing in federations some other than the one they have received the professional card in. [11] Depending on the level of success, these body building may receive monetary compensation through sponsors, much like athletes in other sports.

Natural muscle building 

Main article: Organic bodybuilding
Due to the growing concerns of the high cost, wellness effects and illegal nature of steroids many organizations have formed in response and have deemed themselves "natural" muscle building competitions. In addition to the concerns noted, many marketers of bodybuilding have sought to shed the "freakish" reputation that the general public perceives of bodybuilding and have successfully released a more mainstream audience to the sport of bodybuilding simply by including competitors whose physiques appear much more obtainable and realistic.

In natural challenges the testing process ranges among businesses from polygraph testing (lie detection) to urinalysis. Penalties also range from organization to organization from suspensions to strict bans from competition. It is also important in order to note that normal businesses also have their own list of banned ingredients and it is important to refer to each organization's website for more information about which substances are banned from competitors.

There are many organic bodybuilding organizations that exist. Some of the larger ones include MuscleMania, Ultimate Fitness Events (UFE), INBF/WNBF and INBA/PNBA. These businesses either have North American or worldwide presence and are not limited to the nation in which they are headquartered.

Other significant natural muscle building organization consist of the Nationwide Physique Committee (NPC) and the North United states Natural Bodybuilding Federation (NANBF). NPC contests screen rivals using a polygraph test to ensure fair methods. Though it is not fool-proof, rivals are selected at random and not all are examined. This is how the NPC differs from the NANBF. The NANBF takes a more direct method by taking pee samples from all competitors that examination for steroids and any some other substances on the prohibited list. The NANBF differs from the NPC also when it comes to judging. The criteria of certain poses differs from organization to organization. The actual NANBF even has an elevated calf present which is particularly unique for their competitions.

Female bodybuilding

Pro female strength athlete Nikki Fuller performs a side chest pose.
Main article: Female bodybuilding
The first U.S. Can certainly National Physical structure Shining, promoted by Henry McGhee and held within Canton, Ohio in 1978, is typically regarded as the 1st true woman bodybuilding contest - that is, the first contest where the entrants were judged solely on muscularity.[12] In 1980 the first Ms. Olympia (at first known as the "Miss" Olympia), the the majority of prestigious contest for experts, was held. The first winner was Rachel McLish who had also won the NPC's USA Championship earlier in the year. The contest had been a major turning stage for the sport of women's bodybuilding. McLish inspired many future competitors to start training and competing. In 1985, a movie called Moving Iron II: The Women was released. This movie documented the preparation of a number of women for the 1983 Caesars Palace World Cup Championship. Competitors prominently showcased in the film were Kris Alexander, Lori Bowen, Lydia Cheng, Carla Dunlap, Bev Francis, and Rachel McLish. At the particular time, Francis was actually a powerlifter, though she soon made a successful transition to bodybuilding, becoming one of the leading competitors of the later 1980s and early 1990s.

In recent years, the related areas of fitness and figure competitors have gained in popularity, surpassing that of female muscle building, and have provided an alternative for ladies who choose not to develop the level of muscularity required for bodybuilding. Rachel McLish would closely resemble what is thought of today as a fitness and figure competition rather of what is now regarded a female strength athlete. Fitness contests also have a gymnastic element to them.

A recent study by the Clinical Journal of Sport Remedies has found that woman bodybuilders who are taking anabolic steroid drugs are more likely to have qualified for substance-dependence disorder and have been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness and have a historical past of intimate abuse.

E Wilma Conner taken part in the 2011 NPC Armbrust Pro Gym Warrior Traditional Competition in Loveland, Colorado, USA, in the age of 75 many years 349 days.

Competition

A bodybuilder, Lukas Osladil, posing onstage during a competitors. The pose is a variance of the "most muscular".
In competitive muscle building, bodybuilders aspire to develop and sustain an aesthetically pleasing body and well balanced physique.[15][16] In prejudging, competitors carry out a series regarding mandatory poses - the front lat spread, the rear lat spread, the front twice biceps, the back double biceps, the side chest, the side triceps, the Most Muscle (men only), and the thigh-abdominal pose. Each competitor also performs a routine to display the physique. A posedown is generally held at the end of a posing round, while idol judges are finishing their scoring. Bodybuilders spend time exercising their posing, since they are evaluated on it.

In contrast to strongman or powerlifting contests where physical power is important, or to Olympic weightlifting, where the main point is equally split between strength and technique, bodybuilding competitions typically emphasize situation, size and symmetry. Different organizations stress particular aspects of competition, and occasionally have different groups in which to compete.

Preparations

Cutting and also bulking
The general strategy adopted by most present-day competing bodybuilders is to make muscle benefits for most of the year (known as the "off-season") and approximately 12-14 several weeks from competition attempt to lose body fat (referred to as "cutting"). The fiber bulking phase entails remaining in a net positive energy stability (calorie surplus). The quantity of a surplus that a person remains in is based on the person's goals, as a bigger surplus as well as longer bulking phase will create more fat tissue. The surplus of calories from fat relatives to one's energy balance will ensure that muscle tissues remain in a state of anabolism. The cutting phase entails remaining in a net unfavorable energy balance (calorie deficit). The main goal of cutting is actually to oxidize fat while preserving because much muscle since possible. The larger the calorie deficit, the faster one will lose weight. However, a large calorie deficit will also create the risk of losing muscle mass tissue.

The precise usefulness of the cutting and bulking technique is unknown, with only limited observational case studies on the subject. No scientific studies involving accurate hypercaloric feeding combined with opposition exercise have been carried out.

Clean bulking

Many non-competitive body building choose not to adopt the traditional strategy, as it often results in significant undesirable fat gain during the "bulking" phase. The attempt to increase muscle mass in one's body without any gain in fat is called clean bulking. Competitive bodybuilders focus their efforts to achieve a peak appearance during a brief "competition season".[citation needed]

Dirty bulking

"Dirty bulking" is the process of eating at a caloric surplus, without finding the exact number of macronutrients (carbs, fats, and proteins). Weight lifters who are attempting to gain mass quickly often choose to use the "dirty bulk" method.

Pre-competition

In the week leading up to a contest, bodybuilders may decrease their consumption of water, sodium and carbohydrates, the former two to alter how water is retained by the body and the latter to reduce glycogen in the muscle. The day before the show, water is removed from the diet, and diuretics may be introduced, while carbohydrate loading to increase the size of the muscles through replenishment of their glycogen. The goal is to maximize leanness and increase the visibility of veins, or "vascularity." The appearance of veins is further enhanced immediately before appearing on stage by darkening the skin through tanning products, and applying oils to the skin to increase shine. Some competitors will eat sugar-rich foods to increase the visibility of their veins. A final step is the use of weights to fill the muscles with blood and further increase their size.

Muscle growth
Bodybuilders use three main strategies to maximize muscle hypertrophy:

Strength training through weights or elastic/hydraulic resistance.
Specialized nutrition, incorporating extra protein and supplements when necessary.
Adequate rest, including sleep and recuperation between workouts.
Weight training
Main articles: Weight training and Strength training
Weight training causes micro-tears to the muscles being trained; this is generally known as microtrauma. These micro-tears in the muscle contribute to the soreness felt after exercise, called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It is the repair to these micro-trauma that result in muscle growth. Normally, this soreness becomes most apparent a day or two after a workout. However, as muscles become adapted to the exercises, soreness tends to decrease.

Weight training aims to build muscle by prompting two different types of hypertrophy: sarcoplasmic hypertrophy and myofibrillar hypertrophy. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy leads to larger muscles and so is favored by bodybuilders more than myofibrillar hypertrophy which builds athletic strength. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is triggered by increasing repetitions, whereas myofibrillar hypertrophy is triggered by lifting heavier weight. In either case, there is an increase in size and strength of the muscles (compared to if that same individual does not lift weights at all). However, the emphasis is different.

Many trainees like to cycle between the two methods in order to prevent the body from adapting (maintaining a progressive overload), possibly emphasizing whichever method more suits their goals. I.e, a bodybuilder will use sarcoplasmic hypertrophy most of the time, but may change to myofibrillar hypertrophy temporarily in order to move past a plateau. However, no real evidence has been provided to show that trainees ever reach this plateau, and rather was more of a hype created from 'muscular confusion.'

Nutrition

The high levels of muscle growth and repair achieved by bodybuilders require a specialized diet. Generally speaking, bodybuilders require more calories than the average person of the same weight to provide the protein and energy requirements needed to support their training and increase