- Joined
- Nov 7, 2014
- Messages
- 206
I just asked Spark why and here was the response…accurate?
The differences in physiques between bodybuilders from the 1980s and 1990s compared to those of today can be attributed to several factors:
1. **Training and Dieting Approaches**: The training methods and dietary strategies of the 80s and 90s often emphasized symmetry, proportion, and aesthetic appeal. Bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, and Flex Wheeler focused on achieving a V-taper with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and full muscle bellies. Modern bodybuilding tends to prioritize sheer size and extreme conditioning, sometimes at the expense of symmetry and aesthetics.
2. **Drug Regimens**: The types and combinations of anabolic steroids, growth hormones, and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) used have evolved. In the 80s and 90s, the use of PEDs was less advanced and perhaps less aggressive. Today's bodybuilders use more potent drugs, including insulin and growth hormone, which can lead to distended abdomens (often referred to as "tortoise shell stomach" or "GH gut") and different muscle shapes.
3. **Focus on Mass and Conditioning**: Modern bodybuilding competitions emphasize extreme muscle size and low body fat percentages. This focus on mass and dryness has led to physiques that are larger but often less aesthetically pleasing compared to the more balanced and proportionate physiques of the past.
4. **Genetics and Muscle Bellies**: The round muscle bellies seen in bodybuilders from the 80s and 90s can also be attributed to genetic factors. The champions of that era often had naturally fuller and more aesthetically pleasing muscle shapes. While modern bodybuilders are massive, the muscle shape is influenced by both genetics and the types of drugs used.
5. **Evolution of Judging Criteria**: The criteria used by bodybuilding judges have shifted over time. In the past, aesthetics, symmetry, and overall proportion were highly valued. In recent years, the emphasis has been more on size and extreme leanness, sometimes at the cost of aesthetics and balance.
6. **Nutrition and Supplementation**: Nutritional strategies and supplementation have also evolved. While today's bodybuilders have access to more advanced supplements, the diets of the past focused on achieving a balanced, healthy look that supported the development of fuller muscle bellies and tighter waists.
7. **Training Techniques**: The training techniques and philosophies have also changed. Bodybuilders in the past often trained with a focus on sculpting and shaping the muscles, while modern training can sometimes prioritize adding as much mass as possible, regardless of the aesthetic outcome.
In summary, the difference in physiques is a result of changes in training and dieting approaches, drug regimens, focus on mass and conditioning, genetic factors, judging criteria, and nutritional strategies. These changes have led to the modern look of bodybuilders, which often features larger but sometimes less aesthetically pleasing physiques compared to the balanced and proportionate bodies of the 80s and 90s.
The differences in physiques between bodybuilders from the 1980s and 1990s compared to those of today can be attributed to several factors:
1. **Training and Dieting Approaches**: The training methods and dietary strategies of the 80s and 90s often emphasized symmetry, proportion, and aesthetic appeal. Bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, and Flex Wheeler focused on achieving a V-taper with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and full muscle bellies. Modern bodybuilding tends to prioritize sheer size and extreme conditioning, sometimes at the expense of symmetry and aesthetics.
2. **Drug Regimens**: The types and combinations of anabolic steroids, growth hormones, and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) used have evolved. In the 80s and 90s, the use of PEDs was less advanced and perhaps less aggressive. Today's bodybuilders use more potent drugs, including insulin and growth hormone, which can lead to distended abdomens (often referred to as "tortoise shell stomach" or "GH gut") and different muscle shapes.
3. **Focus on Mass and Conditioning**: Modern bodybuilding competitions emphasize extreme muscle size and low body fat percentages. This focus on mass and dryness has led to physiques that are larger but often less aesthetically pleasing compared to the more balanced and proportionate physiques of the past.
4. **Genetics and Muscle Bellies**: The round muscle bellies seen in bodybuilders from the 80s and 90s can also be attributed to genetic factors. The champions of that era often had naturally fuller and more aesthetically pleasing muscle shapes. While modern bodybuilders are massive, the muscle shape is influenced by both genetics and the types of drugs used.
5. **Evolution of Judging Criteria**: The criteria used by bodybuilding judges have shifted over time. In the past, aesthetics, symmetry, and overall proportion were highly valued. In recent years, the emphasis has been more on size and extreme leanness, sometimes at the cost of aesthetics and balance.
6. **Nutrition and Supplementation**: Nutritional strategies and supplementation have also evolved. While today's bodybuilders have access to more advanced supplements, the diets of the past focused on achieving a balanced, healthy look that supported the development of fuller muscle bellies and tighter waists.
7. **Training Techniques**: The training techniques and philosophies have also changed. Bodybuilders in the past often trained with a focus on sculpting and shaping the muscles, while modern training can sometimes prioritize adding as much mass as possible, regardless of the aesthetic outcome.
In summary, the difference in physiques is a result of changes in training and dieting approaches, drug regimens, focus on mass and conditioning, genetic factors, judging criteria, and nutritional strategies. These changes have led to the modern look of bodybuilders, which often features larger but sometimes less aesthetically pleasing physiques compared to the balanced and proportionate bodies of the 80s and 90s.
I didn’t make this non sense, you did. 
