If anyone asked you what bodybuilding is, you would probably tell them the name of the first bodybuilder that pops into your head. All of the old world would tell Eugen Sandow while the youth of today would say Arnold Schwarzenegger. Indeed the story of bodybuilding is not complete without the likes of Eugen Sandow the ‘father of modern bodybuilding’ or that of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the American movie superstar.
A look into the annals of story of bodybuilding
The story of bodybuilding first began when the Italian wrestler Milo from Croton, Italy (6th century BC) demonstrated enormous power such as single handedly carrying a bull. It is no wonder then that he won half a dozen Olympic titles.
India entered the story in the 11 century AD mainly because it used ‘nal‘ a weight-training device that gave the Indian bodybuilders an almost perfect body shape. History also has it that those in Greece used ‘halteres‘ for the same purpose.
Exercising and diet supplements for bodybuilding
So, what are the exercises and what is so special about the diet? If you know what the bodybuilding routines are then you would know that development of the muscles are done only by feeding the body with the food supplements meant for that purpose. Creatine and proteins are used extensively for repairing torn muscles and building new ones. Carbohydrate boosters in the form of fruits and juices are taken just before the exercise regimen in order to give a burst of energy. The bodybuilders exercise regimen is designed to build particular sets of muscles, one at a time.
First bodybuilding contest In the beginning of the 18th century bodybuilding was almost unknown. Strongmen would travel all over the land to showcase their strength. However,story of bodybuilding was to see the emergence of the Newton’s apple of bodybuilding, Eugene Sandow. He was not as strong as his physique was perfectly sculpted. It was not that he was strong that made him much admired; it was his physique that was perfectly sculpted that endeared him with the crowd. He was the person to conduct first contest for bodybuilding where he was a judge.
The first worldwide contest in bodybuilding to ever take place was the Mr. America contest. It began in 1939 and was launched by Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). A decade later Ben Weider together with his brother Joe formed the alternate AAU championship named Mr.America IFBB. These brothers were the Arnold Schwarzeneggers of their days. They organized this competition till 1977 when the National Championship Physique organized things. To date they are conducting the contest as the popular Bodybuilding Championship National NPC.
Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe are competitions in the same mold. The trophy used for every Mr. Olympia contest is a sculpted figure of Eugen Sandow; it is named ‘the Sandow’. It is an annual contest and the blue ribbon event of this sport. It is a follow through event for pro-bodybuilders share in glory and fame after they have finished with Mr. Universe. Mr. Universe is the topmost championship that originally began as one for amateurs only in 1948. It was later in 1952 NABBA (Amateur National Bodybuilding Association) then opened the doors for professionals also in 1952.
This is just a quick overview, but the topic is interesting so stay tuned for more of these to come