Have you ever realized you make a shitty bodybuilder?

[iron lifter]

I remember a segment where someone asked Dennis James if he had what it takes to be a pro Dennis looks at him, pause,s and says "Man nothing wrong ,just working out and having fun in the gym "I don't think he liked that answer lol.

Too many people think that if they can access gear, food, and a gym and put in the work, they will turn pro. However, as Broerecik said, doing this for 5 years with purpose and intent will shake you out, and you will realize if this is for you or not.

 

[kadafi2]

and like you said...its too much time and too much money

I know many people don't even count how much they spend on bodybuilding (unless they're competitors!), but these are terrifying numbers over the years.

I don't know what's so magical about bodybuilding? Is there another sport where completely untalented individuals can put in so much work, heart, health, and money, all while knowing that they can only impress someone in the gym or on the street?

We can speculate, but in the meantime, let's take a protein shake, take a tren injection, and... enjoy it, because we love this sick shit anyway and will always come back to it.

Oh, and I think many of you—if you applied yourself, would be locked up like a monk for five years, with a supply of food and steroids, and all you had to do was eat, sleep, shit, and train—would go further than you think under good supervision. You don't believe in yourselves enough.

Signed, Gym rat

 

[Karađorđe]

I feel like I might physically have the tools to be a decent bodybuilder but mentally I'm not cut out for it. Ive pulled out of my last 2 preps due to not being able to hack it. Most recent one I would actually have anxiety going to the gym because I'd know how I've been feeling whilst there (absolute dog shit) and I would be dreading that feeling, but being too stubborn to take extra rest or "miss a day" or anything like that. Id go in knowing it was going to be a dog fight to hit my numbers and I'd probably keep slightly regressing like I have been. At times I was genuinely borderline suicidal, I'd go sit in the bathroom mid session at times and have a little cry asking myself why am I putting myself through this. I just get to a point where I say "how much longer am I going to keep feeling like shit, punishing myself, going backwards, and for what?" Like cool I might win a national show, I might get my pro card but what then?

On top of this doing the extra stuff that in I'd probably need to do if I wanted to actually take this anywhere is something that I really don't like. Things like training abs, daily mid section control routines, daily posing. It's a bit disappointing because I feel the potential COULD be there. I just haven't been able to break through the mental barriers that are holding me back from giving it a proper proper go.

I'm only around 4-5kg up from my leanest point but feel significantly more soft, training less, not as strong, still can't consistently string together 2-3 workouts where I continually progress in load/reps etc. it's actually something I've never figured out in the 8 years I've been training and I do wonder if things could be different if I ever figured out how to properly progress. I don't really know why but the best part is I DONT REALLY CARE. Yeah it's kind of annoying at times but it feels like the depression/dread/anxiety has been lifted. And before anyone says it's the drugs I'm using the exact same amount and same compounds, my typical "year round" stack, the only difference is I'm eating significantly more.

Do you feel you could ever be truly content being around/in the industry as a coach without competing? Everyone’s mindset is different, some simply cannot be around a sport like bodybuilding without competing.

If holding size and being big and lean make you content enough, that seems like what you should strive for. Is it the potential that you see in yourself that makes you strive to compete and be the best? Is it your true desire to compete? One sounds like obligation, while the other sounds like genuine passion.

People have potential in multiple areas, often times. No shame in shifting priorities or “wasting potential”. No one can truly judge you for it. Thinking about you brother. Praying for you and the anxiety.

 

[madcap71]

Yes and it is completely liberating. I'm never going to be big enough, my legs are never going to be big enough, so I just enjoy the training, lifestyle and making the most of what I'm good at (conditioning)

 

[gauge22-v2]

This might not be true for everyone. Think of it like this. I eat food every day, but when I am stoned the munchies turn me into a five star chef with zero self control. Just because someone would not train natty does not mean they do not love lifting. They just enjoy the enhanced edition the same way the munchies make regular food taste like heaven.

Absolutely it does imo.

We are talking about a decrease in performance and outcomes when extrinsic factors (steroids) are taken out. Without the extrinsic factors they would quit. How the hell can that be stated as a love for lifting? That is a love for the drugs....

Look at some of the old heads on the board do you think performance and ability to build muscle does down as you age? It absolutely does even if you supplement with various exogenous substances.

We keep lifting as it is a passion.

 

[Virtues]

Absolutely it does imo.

We are talking about a decrease in performance and outcomes when extrinsic factors (steroids) are taken out. Without the extrinsic factors they would quit. How the hell can that be stated as a love for lifting? That is a love for the drugs....

Look at some of the old heads on the board do you think performance and ability to build muscle does down as you age? It absolutely does even if you supplement with various exogenous substances.

We keep lifting as it is a passion.

You are mixing up passion with performance. They are not the same thing. Performance drops with age no matter what you take, but the passion stays. That is why guys in their sixties and seventies still show up and train even when the numbers are not what they used to be.

If someone stops lifting when they come off, that is not proof they never loved lifting. It usually means they do not like the sudden change in recovery, strength, or the way they feel. That is a physical issue, not a lack of passion.

Plenty of people love driving, but they would not enjoy it if you pulled two cylinders out of their engine. It does not mean they hate driving. It means the experience changed.

Lifting is the same. The passion does not die just because performance dips. The body changes, but the love for training does not magically disappear.

 

[finephysique]

I think I was lucky enough to meet a few true genetic freaks early in my bodybuilding journey which made me realise I didn’t have what they had and likewise I met a few people who spent everything they had on bodybuilding and destroyed their health or worse in a few people and that further made me realise I love the training, I like being in shape and enjoy dabbling in a bit of gear but would never be anything more than that without way too much cost health wise, financially and cost to life in general.

 

[stackdizzy]

Maybe I would think different if access wasn't so simple. Who the fuck would train without juice, its just smarter to take something. Who the fuck would come along and tell people you don't like training unless you live up to their arbitrary, narrow-minded views.

 

[bigbumpkin2003]

Did one show and was disastrous. lol. So I know as a “ real bodybuilder “ I suck. But that’s ok. I enjoy every of my gym time. Meet some great people. And as said in first post. Get to look pretty good at almost 60 at this point. Bonus points for hopefully having it mae me healthier and live longer

 

[alfresco]

I remember a segment where someone asked Dennis James if he had what it takes to be a pro Dennis looks at him, pause,s and says "Man nothing wrong ,just working out and having fun in the gym "I don't think he liked that answer lol.

Too many people think that if they can access gear, food, and a gym and put in the work, they will turn pro. However, as Broerecik said, doing this for 5 years with purpose and intent will shake you out, and you will realize if this is for you or not.

A good interview with Dennis James is on a recent Cutlercast. I liked it. And it gives you some insight into the genetic elite in bodybuilding.

 

[TheOtherOne55]

You dont have to be a good "competitive" BBer to be a good bodybuilder.

I am not a good competitive BBer. I will never clean up at a national level show. I have structural issues, joint injuries, etc. And all of this means I can't pose correctly and can't show my physique in the best way possible. But...i am a damn good gym bodybuilder. I honestly use the stage, the times i do get on it, just as a way to accurately assess progress. I mean, I spend all year (if not longer) dedicating all my time and effort to transforming my body, finding ways to progress no matter what...I neeeed a goal. A "vacation" doesnt do it for me. A trip, a beach thing, nope. I need a day to peak toward. I know myself, and even when I step away from the stage, i'll still probably do a photoshoot every so often so that I can peak towards something and chase it. I look at it very much like Skip Hill. I have no illusion of my potential, but i love doing it and enjoy it so much. Stage days willl end soon and honestly, i will probably keep doing my thing, peak myself once a year and probably try to coach a lot more.

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

It is all perception brother. I have won a pro card in a few different natty orgs, which means nothing, because natty BB is fucked up, but I felt like I achieved something by crossing over a few. I won't few pro shows, but would get blown open like a Chernobyl reactor if I went Worlds, or the Yorton.

I liked the way I look, and the presentations I brought in my comps.

I'd describe myself as a touch above a mid natural pro.

That said, my nephew thinks I look like a superhero and says I am the greatest bodybuilder in the world lol. He doesn't know shit but In his eyes I am great, in mine Im at least "not shitty"

I say control what you can control. You may not be able to control shape or mass, but you can always be the leanest, you can always have the best color / tan / oil, and you can perfect posing / maximizing your strengths hiding your weaknesses. That can get you farther than you think.

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

A good interview with Dennis James is on a recent Cutlercast. I liked it. And it gives you some insight into the genetic elite in bodybuilding.

It's a great sentiment. I didn't start training or bodybuilding because I wanted to be a bodybuilder, I started training because I fucking loved to train and years later one thing led to another and it just became a thing.

 

[Siggy]

What I find maddening is the fact that I continue to take steroids. I am just an addict deep down and really don't want to train without them. I ask myself why are you putting your health at risk doing this shit when there is no "pot of gold" at the end of this for me. If I live to be 80 I will still be on then no doubt thinking about jacking the doses up. I use to say as a kid jokingly that you continue to get as big as you can until it kills you. Not that I am too terribly big, but I think weightlifting is going to kill me and I am fine with that.

At least you arent delusional or in denial. That will be a big thing in your favor if you ever want or need to come off for whatever reason.

 

[Dens228]

That realization is how I got into power lifting.

 

[P30LEM]

For real, moving from 6-10 rep range to 12-15 is where I started making real progress. Still a shit bodybuilder though

Do you think that time spent in the 6-10 range was essential for you on some level, or do you feel more like you could have done things better by starting at the higher rep range all along?

 

[OldManLogan]

Question: Have you ever realized you make a shitty bodybuilder?

Yes. Daily.

 

[OldManLogan]

But it’s how I keep the fat kid dead and buried…besides that, I absolutely LOVE the bodybuilding lifestyle. I’ll do this until they shovel the dirt on me.

This right here- fucking dead on right, Larry!!

 

[Cv215]

I’m definitely not a bodybuilder. I’m personally not a fan of feeling like shit. I do this for quite the opposite. However I feel like I can develop a pretty good look to me though. Im 5’9, have pretty tiny bones, when I put on muscle it tends to pop very well. For 25 years training has sort of been the glue that has held me together mentally. I did compete in powerlifting for a few years. I mostly do this because I like the way lifting makes me feel and I enjoy not looking like a giant bag of shit compared to the general public. I can diet and get pretty lean but yah I’m not cut out for contest prep. That’s a whole other level of human being.

 

[Yousef12O2]

Whenever people ask me “are you gonna be a pro” etc I like to show them this pic

He was about 17 here I believe and even he couldn’t make it particularly far in the pro ranks and I didn’t start bodybuilding until I was 30 so not a perfect comparison but just shows you there are many levels to this

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there is zero chance this is 17. this is multiple years in steroids. id say early 20s.