 |
Eugene Sandow
|
The father of modern day bodybuilding is widely considered to be Eugene Sandow. He began his career in the late 1800s with a "strongman" act but later concentrated his efforts on achieving a physique that emulated Greek and Roman sculpture and made posing a focal point of his act. This was the beginning of the "training for size and shape" ideology that began to solidify in the 1940s and became the way modern day bodybuilding competitions are judged. This training emphasis separated the sport of bodybuilding from its close cousin - weightlifting.
Around this time, international bodybuilding organizations began to appear, the most prominent ones being the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) in 1946 and the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA) in 1950.
Many consider the 1940s through the 1970s to be bodybuilding's Golden Age. This was a time before anabolic steroids, becoming prevalent in the bodybuilding world in the early 1960s, tainted the sport's healthy image. Although not totally attributable to illegal drugs - advances in training and diet science have been great - today's top professionals are much larger than the bodybuilders of the past, to such a degree that many purists feel this has hurt the sport.
The Mr. Universe competition, started by the NABBA in 1950, continues with annual competitions today and is one of the sports most well-known and prestigious events. In 1965, the IFBB began a new competition called the Mr. Olympia. Along with the Ms. Olympia competition begun in 1980, these competitions have become the ultimate prize for professional bodybuilders. One of the first winners of the Mr. Olympia title (as well as a Mr. Universe champion) has become the sports most recognizable figure - Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Today's competitive bodybuilding world is thriving. Both amateur and professional competitions are held all over the world. The term "natural bodybuilding" has come into existence to denote the drug-free side of the sport and drug testing has become an issue at all competitions.
It is important to note that the majority of the sport's enthusiasts have little interest in competitive bodybuilding. Instead, their focus and motivation is based solely on competing with themselves, using bodybuilding techniques and methods to improve upon their own physiques.
The Global Game
Overview
Improve
Play/Watch
-
Musclemixer.com
A collection of You-tube videos about muscle - bodybuilding, powerlifting, strongman and other power sports.
Organisational bodies
-
International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB)
Largest of the bodybuilding organizations and the main sponsors of professional competitions including the Mr. and Ms. Olympia.
-
National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA)
Second largest organization. Based in England, it is the main force behind European competitions and sponsors the Mr. Universe.
-
National Physique Committee (NPC)
Official amateur organization for the IFBB. Competitors in the USA must move through the NPC to get to the IFBB's professional ranks.
-
International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)
Also home of the ABA and PNBA. Primarily holds competitions in the western United States and sponsors the Natural Olympia.
-
Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders (OCB)
North American organization holding bodybuilding, fitness and figure competitions.
-
World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO)
Canadian based organization sponsoring fitness, figure and natural bodybuilding competitions in North America. Also has branches in other regions of the world.
-
International Drug Free Athletics (IDFA
) Advocating Drug Free Bodybuilding Worldwide. Based out of Toronto Canada. News, rules, contest schedules, drug testing
-
Australasian Natural Bodybuilding (ANB)
Branch of the WNSO holding drug free bodybuilding, fitness, figure and modelling competitions throughout Australia and New Zealand.
-
Neutron Fitness and Sports Organization (NFSO)
Canadian based promoters of drug-free bodybuilding, fitness, fitness model, sports athletic and figure competitions.
Competitions
-
Competitive Bodybuilding
Summarizes the sport of bodybuilding with information on competitions, judging and contest preparation.
-
Lift for Life
Articles on natural bodybuilding with a focus on competitive bodybuilding. Includes a competition calendar.
-
Competitor Guide
A comprehensive guide to competing in bodybuilding and fitness competitions with information on finding shows, supplies, tanning and other topics.
Servers-Blogs-Forums
Ask the Expert
Use this form to ask one of our experts about this sport. Submitting this form will take you
to another screen where you can complete your request.
