Philosophy of bodybuilding

[Cort]

That's the thing though, lifting heavy weights doesn't mean packing on 250+ lbs of lean muscle. If you don't want to you don't have to.

Nor does lifting heavy weights mean ignoring flexibility and cardiovascular exercise.

[threenorns]

hmmm... i haven't had that problem, translating stuff to everyday activities. i helped someone move and honestly, the only reason i had someone help me carry furniture up teh stairs was because i couldn't see where i was going to manoeuvre around corners up the stairs. i also help carry fridges, full-size freezers, washers, dryers, engine blocks, etc. i carried a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" aspenite in one hand.

my big problem now is i'm back to breaking dishes when i wash them...

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Todd
Bodybuilding and the lifestyle that encompasses it, is the only thing that can and does dramatically slow the aging process in human life.

Originally Posted by arbit

I strongly disagree.
That claim has not been proven at all.

Really? Take a look at some of the bodybuilders from say 30 years ago or more...Clarence Bass for example? he's what....in his 60 or 70's now? Look at his body and health? You mean to tell me that bodybuilding is not proven to slow down the aging process? How about even Ronnie Coleman for another example? He is in his 40's now, just think what is obtainable for this guy when he retires and is to keep up his workouts, good eating habits, etc....he will most likely be in his 70's with a fantastic body and health.

And for better examples, how about this guy, who I personally know. His name is Derrick Brown, and he's in his 40's and looks better than what is shown here currently. He still competes and shows no sign of slowing down at all...he gets better and better with age! You show me any other sport or activity that slows the aging process like bodybuilding, eating right and getting the right amount of sleep (in a nutshell - the bodybuilding lifestyle).

The most convincing method to slow down aging has been low calorie diets. Admitedly, the trial is on for humans, but for rats/chimps(?) for whom it was done indicated nothing else came close, not exercise, not anti-oxidant pills.

Sorry, but eating a low calorie diet alone isn't going to slow down the aging process anywhere near as effective as combining it with weight training and proper rest.

If anything, becoming "huge" may put a strain on the body. Your organs will have to work harder - kidneys, liver etc.
Bodyweight is good enuf. And anyway, if u can handle u'r bodyweight, u'r good, its not like we haul another person on our back in old age, or deadlift 1.5x bodyweight.

Who said anything about hauling around tons of extra weight. I simply said in my previous post, and meant that by following the bodybuilding lifestyle (training all muscle groups, eating clean foods, and getting enough rest), that it is the number 1 way to slow down the aging process.

Altho, weight training is good if u cannot handle your own bodyweight, and would like to gradually increase resistance.

Weight training is good no matter what!

Thats a very narrow minded view. Exapand fitness criteria to mean more than just strength and u see tons of other better fitness activities:
Martial arts, yoga, gymnastics, bicycling, athetics, basketball, soccer etc. And I submit these activities are much more functional than weight training

Yes, almost any form of physical activity will do your body and health good...so yes, martial arts, yoga, gymnastics, bicycling, basketball, etc are all very good physical activities...that you cannot argue with. My point was tho....lol, bodybuilding allows you to build all muscle groups, bring up weakpoints, enhance your entire musculature and strength throughout YOUR ENTIRE body.

And yes, it provides great functionality throughout your body. It greatly improves your entire quality of life!!! Bicycling, gymnastics and yoga is great, but it's not the optimal form of physical activity. Bodybuilding emcompasses much more than just burning off some calories and keeping you agile. The entire lifestyle that goes with dedicated training is what makes it #1 for slowing down the aging process. :

[jcmuscles]

I guess I lift because I don't want to be the small guy around (#1) cause everyone else is lifting. And secondly I lift because of the energy it gives me for the rest of my day and also for the strong urge to sleep. Lifting weights is like doing a hard days work in the sun, without the heat, and dehydration.

To me it feels good and my body looks better.

There you have it, my first reply.

[threenorns]

and a good one it is!

[arbit]

Todd, You are citing Ronnie Coleman as an ideal?? U have got to be kidding !!!!!
And citing a couple of guys does not constitute proof.
Eating right is critical to longevity.
I am not aware of ANY study which says so and so segment lives longer because of weight training. Its usually attributed to their diet.

[ajarvis]

I wouldn't say that lifting weights = longer life. I'd say being active and challenging yourself continuously will give you longer life. Living a healthy lifestyle will give you longer life. If you lift weights and eat McDonald's everyday you're not neccessarily "healthy". Who knows where your cholestorol etc. would be.

Lifting weights contributes to a lifestyle of healthy living. So many other activities do as well though. Yoga can be a full body workout if practiced properly. Many cyclists are in top condition. Runners. Etc. The list goes on. If you lift weights you most likely do a form of cardio, or should. If you're a runner, or a cyclist you most likely train your muscles in some way. Either bodyweight exercises, lifting weights etc.

I personally don't think it matters what your passion is. If you are into weight lifting, cycling, running, and so on, you're eventually going to change your eating habits, and cross train with other activities to be better at what you like. Whatever it is you choose to do is going to help you live longer as long as you do SOMETHING.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by arbit

Todd, You are citing Ronnie Coleman as an ideal?? U have got to be kidding !!!!!
And citing a couple of guys does not constitute proof.
Eating right is critical to longevity.
I am not aware of ANY study which says so and so segment lives longer because of weight training. Its usually attributed to their diet.

Not saying Ronnie Coleman is an ideal, I was simply stating him as an example of a guy who is in his 40's and lives a super healthy lifestyle, meaning he eats right, trains hard, has built an incredible physique and if he keeps it up, even to half the degree he is at now, he will enjoy a pretty fit life ...even well into his old ages. That is all I meant by that.

As I have posted before....it is the BODYBUILDING LIFESTYLE which will attribute to super enhanced longevity...not just lifting weights...and not just eating right....it's a combination of 3 things : Training hard to improve your physique in a balanced and functional way, eating right to support your efforts and to enhance your mental and physical health, as well as resting properly. And in order to do all three of those things optimally as can be, you have to live a healthy lifestyle that will enable you to do so on a consistent basis.

That is all I meant...and yes, I only gave a few examples because what, you think I should sit here and list 100 examples for you? Those are just a few examples (which yes, it does consitute proof) of people who are defying the aging process in a major major way.

[Todd]

I think there are many many different forms of exercise or physical activities that will get and keep a person in shape and help slow the aging process.... but what I meant from my posts is that living the bodybuilding lifestyle (eating clean, weight training, and getting adequate rest) will attribute to defying the aging process a whole lot more than those other activities...simply because your physical health and development is that much greater than doing other activities such as yogo, basketball, running, or bicycling on their own.

[Cort]

You've really never seen a study that shows resistance training to increase bone, tendon, and muscle strength as we age? Not saying those things improve your longevity, but they sure as hell matter if you don't want to be an 80 year old who needs their own personal golf cart to ride around and assistance putting on your clothing.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Cort

Not saying those things improve your longevity, but they sure as hell matter if you don't want to be an 80 year old who needs their own personal golf cart to ride around and assistance putting on your clothing.

Damn rights they do, and yep, all that can make a huge difference the older you get. As you get older gravity takes over....that we all know. And nothing combats gravity and the aging process of less testosterone, dry joints, tight muscles, tendons, ligaments, and basically your body being less functional in all facets, than weight training, eating right and resting properly to promote maximal body developement. Weight training keeps things alive per say, and perky, and full and toned! Keeps you alive inside and out as a whole.

As you age, body/muscle imbalances and brittleness and injury becomes even more of a concern or a likeliness to happen, unless you are doing something about it, that is! So believe me, living the bodybuilding lifestyle does more for you than you may think.

[arbit]

Originally Posted by Cort

You've really never seen a study that shows resistance training to increase bone, tendon, and muscle strength as we age? Not saying those things improve your longevity, but they sure as hell matter if you don't want to be an 80 year old who needs their own personal golf cart to ride around and assistance putting on your clothing.

Yes, resistance training does increase bone strenght etc, but u dont need to be a "bodybuilder" and be big to reap the benefits.
Working with bodyweight - biking,yoga,pushups/pullups, basketball, martial arts all increase bone/tendon/muscle strength.
And Ronni Coleman does not lead a healthy lifestyle. I do not see how taking insane amount of drugs can be considered part of a healthy lifestyle.

What I AM knocking bodybuilding off is for some of its practioners to put too much emphasis on appearance.
The ideal fitness routine IMHO is to cycle thru various activities. Biking for 2 month, basketball for 2 months, lifting for 2 months, yoga ....

[Todd]

John Raposo is almost 50 years old, but still has a physique that can beat men half his age! http://www.bodybuildinglive.com/ (scroll down a bit to see his pic)

Now, you can't sit here and tell me that bodybuilding and the bodybuilding lifestyle promotes less of a anti-aging effect than other physical activities..... you don't need more proof than this.

I don't think basketball, yogo, bicycling or any other sport or activity is going to give you the same physical or mental results for keeping you young as possible...not even close.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by arbit

And Ronni Coleman does not lead a healthy lifestyle. I do not see how taking insane amount of drugs can be considered part of a healthy lifestyle.

Ok, forget Ronnie Coleman then, bad example....I will stick to all natural guys..hows that?

What I AM knocking bodybuilding off is for some of its practioners to put too much emphasis on appearance.

Appearance is simply a result of hard work, effort, proper eating habits and rest implementation. But hate to break it to you, but appearance has A LOT to do with how fit you are overall.

The ideal fitness routine IMHO is to cycle thru various activities. Biking for 2 month, basketball for 2 months, lifting for 2 months, yoga ....

That is your opinion yes, but the point we are making here is that living the bodybuilding lifestyle is more of an anti-ager than doing one of those activities you mentioned above on their own...that is my only point...not what the ideal fitness routine is.

[Chain]

Originally Posted by Cort

You've really never seen a study that shows resistance training to increase bone, tendon, and muscle strength as we age? Not saying those things improve your longevity, but they sure as hell matter if you don't want to be an 80 year old who needs their own personal golf cart to ride around and assistance putting on your clothing.

True. They do increase longevity indirectly. Since most people break their hip because the bone is weak and then fall (instead of the reverse which is what used to be believed) strong bones will lead to longer life. Many older people die of an illness they are more susceptible to while they are incapacitated from something that's musculoskeletal related.