Is bodybuilding worth it?

[bbxtreme]

I know this is such a dumb and simple topic coming from me, but hear me out first…

Over the weekend a question my wife asked me has been playing over and over in my head, because it was a good one.

She asked me- “do you think this will all be worth it on the other side, or that you are going to look back and regret it?”

My immediate answer out of my mouth before thinking was- “only if I lose”. LOL just being honest.

Then I thought what the hell was that stupid answer and gave it some thought. I told her that I regret things I have done in this sport, but that at this time I feel I would regret NOT seeing this through more than if I didn’t do it. This sport has always been a part of my identity if I am being honest with myself.

There is no “sacrifice” as I “choose” to do this and always have. Doing this sport makes me better as a person and have found that how much I put into this sport translates into every other aspect of my life. This IS part of my story and life.

We have had a lot of “anonymous” trolls/new members on here lately, a lot of death, and health scares, BUT we also I feel are at a point where we have a lot of members here who are young, middle aged (like myself) and many extremely smart vets of the sport who are actively posting here.

This general conversation and topic has been had on here, but I think we are at a unique point on here where this can be a true discussion from each side- those who are starting, those in the thick of this sport and those who have accomplished great things.

This thread could turn into something extremely valuable for everyone who comes here to gain different perspectives. It could also turn into a bunch of judgment or BS- let’s not do that. Keep your moral judgments to yourself. Let’s keep this professional.

As with all my threads, where this goes is up to you guys, if anywhere at all.

So what do you think- is this sport worth it, or for those on the other side- was it, and why?

 

[aHarness]

As of right now, the cost of this lifestyle is worth the joy it brings me. Can I say that forever or will I regret it down the line? Impossible to say really.

 

[Sacario]

I don't post much and don't compete but even being stuck on trt for life for no real reason I don't regret any of it for the simple reason that the discipline alone translates into other life aspects. It teaches you to stick through shit even when it's tuff. It truly develops you as a man. Not to mention you get a lot more respect holding muscle even in the workplace. Just the look alone shows you carry commitment.

 

[plane]

I've lost and regained my physique several times so I've gotten used to my physique not being my identity - I don't feel bad If I'm not bodybuilding or small.

On the times I want to get back there, I only regret allowing situations in my life to get in the way, I regret the setbacks I cause myself with self destructive behaviour lol

If I am to die, I THINK on just a hunch - I would drop dead and not have anymore time left to consider any regrets LOL

Unfortunately I never got the benefits of discipline and it never broke my bad habits like other people talk about, I just give it 100% on all factors when i am bodybuilding and within 10 weeks I'm better than ever lol - the rebound is always crazy for me and I respond very well to hormones.

I wish it had a carry over, personally I flick a switch and I just label everything as 'easy' - (injecting/training/dieting) and I don't consider injecting multiple times a day and whatever comes with bodybuilding difficult whatsoever, you just have to want to do it at the time.

For people who do find it uncomfortable and difficult, I find they look for shortcuts constantly and never stick to a plan for a long period of time, that's the main issue really, its not for those types.

 

[thethinker48]

Bodybuilding at the end of the day is what an individual himself makes it to be

If you are trying fill the pit of insecurity, it will never be enough and might lead to an early death. Partly because that problem is deeper and bodybuilding scratches the symptom

If you see it as a positive thing, both the physicality (strength and size) and the lessons you learn from it. Then it's worth it. There's zero reason to die unreasonably early especially a recreational bodybuilder. Even as a competitor, you can draw a line for where your risk tolerance is according to genetics, and you won't be playing Russian roulette with your health

Bodybuilding is a Rorschach mask in real life. It will showcase whatever is on the inside to the world. For some it's positivity, discipline, overcoming personal adversity; for others it's insecurity, jealousy, impulsivity...

 

[WeakFNG]

Bodybuilding and training has been a lot of different things for me in my life.

Going back to to the start of my lifting, it was to try and be a better athlete and look better in high school.

In college it became my best friend and worst enemy. I lost my father when I was 19. For years my life was alcohol/drugs or lifting. In many ways, the gym kept me from taking the partying and drug abuse to the next level. It also kept me from going to class and work at times. It became therapy for me, when I should have been in therapy for real.

At 23 I became a cop. My physical abilities and presence became a tool and asset on the street. It literally kept me alive. Also, I avoided a lot of issues and altercations smaller and out of shape guys found them in. Shined boots and big pecs send a message. Hahaha.

After law enforcement I went to work in the schools and hated it. The gym became my escape at the end of the day.

I work in mental health now. Working out keeps me grounded after a days work. The gym along with my other experiencesmakes me relatable to a subset of our societythat does not always look to or trust our mental health professionals.

My boring ass story aside, the guy and bodybuilding has ment something to me since the very first workout. And I think if we find that meaning for us, there are no regrets.

 

[3BILLS]

Well I love to workout and probably over train. So no regrets there.

I still eat a flexible diet with probably to much ice cream and I'm not a complete mess. So no regrets there.

We good

 

[npcout]

Competed for ~10 years, fully invested in the lifestyle. I had a supplement sponsor that covered a lot of costs, travel and hotel for nationals, etc. I loved living the life, competing, etc. looking back, i don’t have regrets because I wouldn’t be who I am today, but I would never do it again. I was very selfish and I’m not proud of that.

 

[Fleezy]

i can definitely see how competitive bodybuilding at a high level can not be worth it if your life is not otherwise sorted

can't imagine dedicating so much time, effort, and money into an endeavor to make money - only to keep losing because im not genetically gifted.

but recreationally? it's definitely been worth it IMO

 

[control]

Well I love to workout and probably over train. So no regrets there.

I still eat a flexible diet with probably to much ice cream and I'm not a complete mess. So no regrets there.

We good

I'm eating ice cream while reading this

 

[control]

I sometimes think; what if I got into painting 25 years ago instead of bodybuilding? How good would I be at painting? Would I be selling paintings for $20,000?

 

[pupu]

Great reply and so true.

Bodybuilding at the end of the day is what an individual himself makes it to be

If you are trying fill the pit of insecurity, it will never be enough and might lead to an early death. Partly because that problem is deeper and bodybuilding scratches the symptom

If you see it as a positive thing, both the physicality (strength and size) and the lessons you learn from it. Then it's worth it. There's zero reason to die unreasonably early especially a recreational bodybuilder. Even as a competitor, you can draw a line for where your risk tolerance is according to genetics, and you won't be playing Russian roulette with your health

Bodybuilding is a Rorschach mask in real life. It will showcase whatever is on the inside to the world. For some it's positivity, discipline, overcoming personal adversity; for others it's insecurity, jealousy, impulsivity...

 

[3BILLS]

I sometimes think; what if I got into painting 25 years ago instead of bodybuilding? How good would I be at painting? Would I be selling paintings for $20,000?

Big H

 

[svenrpb]

Yes.

It gives me a lot of headspace during training and I don't think about anything.

I love it and it partly cured my depression. When I was rock bottom and didn't wanted to do anything I still trained and it was the only time of the day I forgot about everything.

Do what you love.

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

I am natty, and I only say that because I cannot speak to the drug component of the sport / worthiness from a cost / health standpoint, but from every other aspect, yes, 1000% worth it. I am a pro in the OCB, WNBF, and NGA. Outside of the drugs, the commitment to every other aspect of the sport is the same for a natural.

 

[pins]

Im 66 years old and training,eating right and doing cycles is the only lifestyle that I know! This is what I do......

 

[b-boy]

ITS A HOBBY!
All my hobbies have been worth it, it's something I enjoy doing.

 

[pins]

ITS A HOBBY!
All my hobbies have been worth it, it's something I enjoy doing.

This...

 

[Mufasa123]

I've never been a bodybuilder per se but I've enjoyed the hell out of lifting for 35+ years. The barbell will be pried from my cold dead hands.

 

[Swifto]

Bodybuilding has taught me about discipline, progression and how to work hard. It has taught me about supplements for health, food choices, which foods I have allergies to and in that endeavour I have been able to help others.

Yes, I have damaged my health along the way using AAS, but who really gets bloods/scans more than we do?

Regrets? Not really. I'm not hurting those around me. I have hurt those around me by misusing alcohol/C so bodybuilding has been a savour, not a burden.

As someone that doesn't compete and is not at the extreme end of this sport (drugs doses, sacrifices of mental/physical health) and has found a balance, "regrets" don't really come into it.