TweetThats a good question, Sarge. I think from the perspective of the general public, when they see someone who obviously works out, they label him/her a bodybuilder...If someone begins a "bodybuilding" workout for the purpose of adding muscle, then I guess he could say he is bodybuilding from the 1st day he walks in the gym. If someone competes, then they are most definitely defined as a bodybuilder.
That word Bodybuilder has never been something I fully embraced, even though I have competed in a lot of competitions over the past several years(Am still planning to compete again soon). We inside the sport often don't realize that a lot of the general public does not LOVE bodybuilders. We sometimes assume that everyone that sees us is going to think "Damn that guy looks great!"...But a lot of people see a bodybuilder and assume "What a douchebag"..LOL...thats the sad truth.
I also prefer calling them Bodybuilding Competitions or Contests vs a "show", because I do think it is an athletic feat to train to compete on stage. It is a sport that requires 24/7 dedication and discipline. So, I guess in the long run, being called a bodybuilder is pretty cool. I guess we could look up the Websters definition of bodybuilding.

Tweeti never did say i am really...others decribe me as that.

TweetI had two competitions behind me and I really haven't given it any thought until my bf at the time introduced me to a friend and said I was a bodybuilder. I started to correct him and then I thought yes, I was a bodybuilder.

Tweeti have no desire to ever compete, so i don't call myself a bodybuilder. more of a person who enjoys training and making myself a better me because of it.

Tweeti am absolutely not a body builder. but a i would define it as a person who works out to build their body. just because they arent big or cut dosnt mean they are they arent BBs. i mean i am a golfer and i only play a few times a year and suck really bad but i am indeed a golfer, right?

TweetITS ONE OF THOSE STRANGE ONES ISNT IT JIPPED. I USED TO FIGHT MMA ASWELL. SO I WAS A FIGHTER BUT THEN WE WOULD HAVE GUYS WHO JUST TRAINED WITH NO INTENTIONS OF EVER FIGHTING CALLING THEMSELVES MMA FIGHTERS. DOES THE SAME APPLY TO THEM?

Tweet

Originally Posted by BIGSARGE

ITS ONE OF THOSE STRANGE ONES ISNT IT JIPPED. I USED TO FIGHT MMA ASWELL. SO I WAS A FIGHTER BUT THEN WE WOULD HAVE GUYS WHO JUST TRAINED WITH NO INTENTIONS OF EVER FIGHTING CALLING THEMSELVES MMA FIGHTERS. DOES THE SAME APPLY TO THEM?

brother i am not a fighter either as i dont fight. i just train. i call myself a martial artist. but as you said if you fight you are a fighter, if you bake cookies frequently you can be called a baker. if you jerk off in the shower every day...........................well you know

Tweet

Originally Posted by jipped genes

brother i am not a fighter either as i dont fight. i just train. i call myself a martial artist. but as you said if you fight you are a fighter, if you bake cookies frequently you can be called a baker. if you jerk off in the shower every day...........................well you know

right! your horsepower!, lol

i agree with you guys...in fighting, i'd have to say you'd have to fight or you enjoy mma training! in bodybuilding i dont think you ever have to compete...you are just commited to a lifestyle with the intention to build your body into the best it can be...be it 150lbs or 300lbs!! i'll leave it for others to decide if thats how they'd decribe me or not...i just want to lift! lol

TweetI've always considered it "training" as opposed to body building. A few of you above mention what i was going to say in terms of public view. I do get approached and asked if I am a body builder. I say no and that i train daily at the gym and eat right.

TweetI THINK ITS JUST ONE OF THOSE THATS GOING TO BE SELF OPINION

Tweet

Originally Posted by BIGSARGE

I THINK ITS JUST ONE OF THOSE THATS GOING TO BE SELF OPINION

Agreed. If you go to the gym and train to build the body you want, I would classify that as a bodybuilder. I don't personally think you must compete to get the title. I hear a ton of people say that so and so is a MMA fighter because he trains in BJJ, Muay Thai, kickboxing, etc....but I don't think that's the case. You must fight to be a fighter, etc....

TweetI've fought in the cage, I've built my body from being skinny to somewhat more muscular. If any are like me then we are never big enough. I don't consider myself a competitor for trophies, just want to bigger and stronger. I guess it depends on what a person thinks a body builder is. I think it's more of a mind set. You are or you're not. I remember a signature of someone, "If you have to tell people your a body builder, then you're probably not".

TweetI would say if you are actually competing then you are a bodybuilder. Also, and im sure many people will be upset with this comment, bodybuilding is not a sport IMO its an activity I guess. I have personal friends who have freaky good genes (in terms of pure size and "looks") and are massive who dont posses an athletic bone in their body.