The Anabolic Evolution of Modern Bodybuilding
by Mario
Strong
zone3
Today, drugs in some professional sports have become mainstream. The
hypocrisy of Major League Baseball serves as a wake up call for an
American culture that indulges in careless living by risking its health
through poor nutrition, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, etc. Before we
can hope to see bodybuilding return to its roots in physical culture, we
will first have to witness a 'new way of life' throughout our
society.
In 1979, while participating as a judge for the W.B.B.G. World
Championships held at New York City's Madison Square Garden, I had the
good fortune to be sitting alongside the honorary guest of the evening,
Mr. Steve Reeves. During the shows intermission I introduced myself
and broke into a conversation with the legendary Hercules. One of
the topics I recall Steve Reeves being passionate about, was the use of
anabolic steroids in the sport of bodybuilding. Long before the
evolution of natural competitive bodybuilding took hold, Reeves predicted
that the sport would break into two different philosophies. He told
me that bodybuilders who continued to abuse the use of chemical agents to
enhance their physiques risked not only impairing their health but death
as well. Decades later the Herculean legends predictions sadly came
true as many amateur and pro bodybuilders alike died long before their
time.
Since the early days of physical culture, modern man has been searching
for the elusive ''Fountain of Youth''. The promise of radiant health,
enduring strength and a Herculean physique has drawn millions on this
quest for physical perfection.
Through the early decades of bodybuilding, the forefathers of physical
culture established basic guidelines for the muscle enthusiast to follow.
Natural foods, resistance training, plenty of rest, and a positive outlook
in life were the primary ingredients for achieving ones goals. The demand
for knowledge on 'how to' reach the stars would result in millions of
booklets being sold by mail order, while magazine stands and bookshelves
were continually restocked with the latest 'muscle building secrets'. Tons
of steel and exercise equipment would find its way into the homes of
thousands of Americans all across our nation. Health clubs and iron gyms
would sprout up in local neighborhoods and towns, while physique
competitions were held to determine who the best in the land was. The
strong roots of physical culture were taking grip in our society, and the
mighty oak of bodybuilding would soon branch out through every city in
America.
A new 'way of life' became a reality for many as the 'body beautiful'
movement swung into high gear. For decades the much traveled road to
muscledom kept its promise, then by the mid-60's what seemed pure and
natural took a wrong turn setting the course of modern bodybuilding down a
dead end. The introduction of anabolic steroids into the sport of
bodybuilding would usher in a new era of super sized and equally strong
muscular physiques that would attract millions of young men with a desire
to achieve the same naturally unattainable goals.
Along with the growth of the sport, the physiques continued to become
bigger and more vascular as bodybuilders experimented with 'stacking' the
latest in designer muscle enhancing pharmaceuticals. Magazine and ticket
sales were at a peak and bodybuilding competitions were seen regularly on
network TV. The popularity of the sport was soaring high. Then, what could
have been mostly prevented by not promoting and rewarding individuals
whose physiques were chemically altered became a reality as the widespread
use of drugs in the sport became relevant.
Words such as steroids, cycling, and growth hormones became common
place in our gyms, and juicing no longer meant enjoying your favorite
health drink. Reports of bodybuilders on dialysis and with heart ailments
became a frequent occurrence while the eventual death of several
competitive pros hit home hard. What had been a dark cloud in a sport with
such great potential turned into a storm that spread its vast shadow on a
culture that once shined.
Organizations dedicated to natural bodybuilding and a healthy lifestyle
would soon respond to the call for a return to the ideals set forth by the
forefathers of physical culture. Physique promoters throughout the land
created natural bodybuilding competitions so athletes could compete on a
level playing field without running the risk of ruining their health.
Publications featuring natural bodybuilders began to spread the gospel of
healthy living through proper nutrition and exercise. The televised media
developed new bodybuilding and fitness programs to inspire future
generations of natural iron pumpers. And as the age of cyber space came
upon us, the Internet became a resource of concepts and opinions for
bodybuilders to learn and express their views with other physique artist
throughout the World. The new millennium is here and those dedicated to
physical culture have begun to prevail as the radiant beacon of light from
the torch of natural living begins to shine through the storm.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mario Strong is a published author with over 40 years as a proponent
for natural bodybuilding. To learn more about bodybuilding's golden
era please go to http://www.mariostrong.com/
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