Attitudes towards bodybuilders

[mulman]

Introduction

In my view, I believe due to the negative media intrusion on our bodybuilding culture, people believe that all bodybuilders are ignorant, aesthetics obsessed, and just plain dumb ass muscle heads. I have seen multiple articles in mainstream British tabloid newspapers claiming that supplements are steroids but they don’t argue the fact that supplements are just that - supplements for your diet, or that they are bad for the body , one example tried to point out that Creatine was bad for you by trying to change the way your muscles are used during exercise! this wasn’t backed by any evidence apart from so called experts claiming the “facts”. Another event that I saw completely blown out of proportion was the court case of Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan, some newspapers even went as far as saying that bodybuilding had increased their aggression due to steroids and raised testosterone levels this may have been a contributing factor to the case but most papers claimed it was definitely true and again got their band of ten a penny experts to confirm it.
I think as a collective we need to fight to alter this image of our hobby/lifestyle it is detrimental to our sport and our culture. In my experience, when you say to people you are a bodybuilder they automatically assume you take steroids or other performance enhancing drugs which I think personally is complimentary (but I guess you could take it as offensively!). Most of us have worked hard to gain the muscles that we have and we will continue to do so, and don’t want to be tarnished with this image that we are all ‘roided up to our eyeballs, In my opinion even if some bodybuilders do use steroids it is their body, their life and their personal choice and I don’t believe they should be hounded by the government or the public.
I believe that some people can also be intimidated by bodybuilders because they cannot understand why we train in the fashion we do or why we put ourselves through virtual torture when we diet and train. This happens all over the world with all different issues not just bodybuilding I just believe it is people being scared of what they don’t know enough about

My Experiences

One example for me is when I was at a party with some friends and a few of the “others” (people who do not bodybuild!) and they kept asking “why aren’t you drinking?” and my response was “I don’t need to drink to have a good time and even if I did I’d then feel shit tomorrow when I could get into the gym and grow some more”. to which they responded by saying I was a freak and why couldn’t I be like other students
Another example was at college when I had just come out of the gym after doing a hard session of bi’s, tri’s and chest and seeing as I had not had much sleep the night before I was more than a little cranky, just as I sat down with my chicken and tuna salad, one of my friends came over and started quizzing me about steroids and as you can guess by now, I detest the thought of people thinking I use steroids, so without thinking I snapped and shouted at him and to my annoyance he walked off and said to his friend “oh it must be the drugs making him angry” this is what annoys me about the “others” their ignorance to sporting supplements and other manipulations of the body e.g. lowering sodium intake and dropping carbs before a contest. Like I said before I think this is because they are just scared of what they don’t know or they don’t want to understand.
This has happened to me numerous times with protein shakes when people have said “that’s cheating” they don’t seem to understand that the supplements are just a helping hand because it would be either impossible or extremely hard to get all our essential nutrients daily in the diet that is available to us when at college or at work. I believe the negative attitude starts when the media incorrectly label all athletes that are exceptionally talented at their chosen sport take steroids because this then transfers to other sports due to the “others” saying , “oh if that sprinter can do it then why can’t that weightlifter or that rugby player do it as well”
Another stereotype I have been confronted with in daily life is the belief that bodybuilders have eating disorders, for example I was at a friends house and they decided to order out and because it was around 10 P.M I said I would instead just have a shake and some fruit and automatically one of the people that was with us decided I had an eating disorder, I tried to argue my way out, I even tried reasoning (which is rare!) but she was stubborn and would not accept it would actually be better for me in the end than eating a greasy and saturated fat loaded, cheap pizza.

How do we change it?

I believe if we can just show the world that we have some exceptional people among us for example Bob Cicherillo (one of my idols!) who is articulate, funny, and well educated we can change this image that all bodybuilders are stupid and vain, or perhaps if we show some of the pro’s have great business minds for example Jay Cutler, also the majority of our pro bodybuilders have degrees in kinesiology and other human sciences which details that this person must have an in depth degree of knowledge and the ability to learn which in turn tells us they are an intelligent person.
How can a person who can tell you how the intricate processes of the human body work and that has studied kinesiology be stupider than someone who chooses to take a different route and study say for example philosophy.
We need to expose the fact that we all have something to offer apart from muscular bodies (we think so anyway!).


P.S I’m not this miserable all the time!
Thanks for reading, there should be more articles soon. Any comments, suggestions or ideas just email me.
Josh Mullin. (mulman55@hotmail.com)

[bronson]

We all have our own point of views. I like to be around people who kind of share the views on bodybuilding that I have.Not those that would want to try to piss me off. Hang out with people more like Bob Cicherillo and Jay Cutler.

[mulman]

yeah i try to surround myslef with positive, upbeat people and block out negativity. i was just saying, we as a collective have got to fight to change the image of our sport,

[gpowlftr]

I've experienced much of what you've written.....from being accused of taking "something" to people making comments on my eating habits. I don't hang out much because most of my friends think you can't have a good time without drinking. Personally, it doesn't bother me because it's my life and I'm going to live the way I want to live it.

As for as changing the public perception, I don't know if you can change it. You may reach a few. For instance, I have a working knowledge of economics, but whenever I quiz people on basic economic principles (supply and demand with oil prices; profit margins; etc.) people are ignorant to simple economic facts. Listen to any political campaign, and you'll realize that it plays to the ignorance of people. The point is that people are going to believe what they want to believe. Perception is very hard to change. Yes, it's doable, but it'll take time.

[mulman]

dude you are wise lol!

[bronson]

I have been friends with union reps in the United Steel Workers for over 30 years. I myself have been involved as a union man. Changing minds is a very difficult thing to do.That is why you here the word arbitration. And even what an arbitrator says is just an opinion when it comes down to it.It can be frustrating but look out for number 1. In this case that would be the mulman. Good luck with your goals and dont worry about those negative wannabees.They are just jealous of those who want to hit the gym.

[gpowlftr]

Stereotypes are hard to change. From the workplace standpoint and on the positive side, bodybuilders and those that keep in shape are often seen as being productive. The thinking is being goal-oriented in training translates to being goal-oriented in business. Also, the ladies like to comment on your build and you're the one they call on when they need something heavy moved .

I read recently that obese and fat people are facing a difficult time in the workplace
because they are viewed as sluggish and lazy. Also, from a health care standpoint, businesses see obese workers as driving up the cost of the company health insurance as opposed to someone who keeps in shape. So, there are some advantages of being a bodybuilder in the workplace.

[bronson]

You make a good point about fitness in the workplace. Back here there are people that fight hard to form wellness committees and to put fitness areas inside plants and warehouses. Its free to workout and very few take advantage of it.You can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink. Are you close to the fairfield works apowlftr? And footballs here. Do you say ROLL TIDE?

[gpowlftr]

bronson, No, I'm not near the fairfield works. As for as the football, I say WAR EAGLE!!

You're right in that fitness has to be a personal decision and those that make an effort should be commended and always have my respect. There's not much you can do for a person if he or she wants to hog the donut table and not exercise.

However, it is interesting to hear that some businesses and governments are making employees who smoke pay more insurance premiums. There are some cases in which an employer will refuse to hire or even fire a persons who smokes. This can possibly modify behavior.

What do some of y'all think about this policy? If a business is paying your health insurance, then should it have a right to require no smoking or participating in fitness?

[mulman]

i think that idea is totally right, because its more than just an incentive if it appeals to people due to saving money because no one wants to spend money unnecessarily, i think smoking should be banned in all public places except outside of course, the only problem with both of these things is people will complain it is breaching humkan rights of choice etc.