The 1990 Mr. Olympia contest was an IFBB professional bodybuilding competition held on September 15, 1990, at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago , Illinois .
99-783: The World Bodybuilding Federation ( WBF ) was a bodybuilding organization founded in 1991 by Vince McMahon . It operated as a subsidiary of his company Titan Sports, the owners of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). Tom Platz announced the WBF during the closing ceremonies of the International Federation of BodyBuilding (IFBB) Mr. Olympia competition in September 1990, which he and McMahon had attended as representatives of an accompanying magazine. The WBF aimed to bring bigger prize money and more "dramatic" events to
198-456: A $ 25,000 fine; at its 1993 Night of Champions event, an opening skit referencing the 1991 event featured Dorian Yates " resurrecting " the WBF bodybuilders, who emerged from coffins and destroyed their own tombstones. After the dissolution of the WBF, Lex Luger made his first official WWF appearance at Royal Rumble in 1993. The same year, McMahon would also be indicted by the FBI for his role in
297-681: A back seat. The National Physique Committee (NPC) was formed in 1981 by Jim Manion, who had just stepped down as chairman of the AAU Physique Committee. The NPC has gone on to become the most successful bodybuilding organization in the United States and is the amateur division of the IFBB. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the decline of AAU-sponsored bodybuilding contests. In 1999, the AAU voted to discontinue its bodybuilding events. This period also saw
396-493: A bodybuilder who has won qualifying competitions as an amateur and has earned a "pro card" from their respective organization. Professionals earn the right to compete in competitions that include monetary prizes. A pro card also prohibits the athlete from competing in federations other than the one from which they have received the pro card. Depending on the level of success, these bodybuilders may receive monetary compensation from sponsors, much like athletes in other sports. Due to
495-527: A booth at the IFBB's Mr. Olympia competition on September 15, 1990, in Chicago , where Platz and McMahon made appearances and signed autographs. During the closing ceremonies, Platz took to the stage to represent the magazine as one of the event's sponsors. Unbeknownst to those in attendance, Platz used that platform to announce that Titan Sports would be forming the World Bodybuilding Federation as
594-534: A category that emphasizes symmetry, proportion, pleasing lines, and a small waist over size and mass. The competitors in this category are not nearly as big as Open class bodybuilders but not as small as Men's Physique competitors. They pose and perform in men's boxer briefs or posing trunks to show off the legs as in the Open class, unlike Men's Physique which hide the legs in board shorts. The judging criteria also looks to see certain poses emphasized, such as ones accentuating
693-432: A direct competitor to the IFBB, and proclaimed that they planned to "kick the IFBB's ass". A group of models with Bodybuilding Lifestyles sashes entered the auditorium to distribute a WBF pamphlet to the stunned audience, while contract offers were slipped under the doors of the competitors' hotel rooms. A press release issued by the WBF stated that it would "revamp professional bodybuilding with dramatic new events and
792-476: A fact which was frequently acknowledged by McMahon in his commentary; the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that "while the idea of promoting a show where the majority of participants had recently failed a steroid test as drug-free on the surface was both ludicrous and fraudulent, the funny thing is, when show time came, it appeared that in the preparatory period for the show among the crew, there
891-580: A figurehead (hosting a WBF television program on USA Network , and planning to make a guest pose during the 1992 championship before being injured in a motorcycle accident) and attempting to sign Lou Ferrigno (who left the organization shortly after the drug testing policy was announced) did not come to fruition. The second PPV received a minuscule audience, and the WBF dissolved only one month later in July 1992. In 2003, Joe Weider sold Weider Publications to American Media, Inc. (AMI). The position of president of
990-445: A higher BV than that of soy , which was additionally avoided due to its alleged estrogenic (female hormone) properties, though more recent studies have shown that soy actually contains phytoestrogens which compete with estrogens in the male body and can block estrogenic actions. Soy, flax , and other plant-based foods that contain phytoestrogens are also beneficial because they can inhibit some pituitary functions while stimulating
1089-536: A hormone enabling cells to get the glucose they need. Insulin also carries amino acids into cells and promotes protein synthesis . Insulin has steroid-like effects in terms of muscle gains. It is impossible to promote protein synthesis without the existence of insulin, which means that without ingesting carbohydrates or protein—which also induces the release of insulin—it is impossible to add muscle mass. Bodybuilders seek out low-glycemic polysaccharides and other slowly digesting carbohydrates, which release energy in
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#17330846406931188-631: A more informed consumer base. Another growing trend with gym-related social media is the phenomenon of gym-shaming; a video posted by content creator Jessica Fernandez on Twitch that went viral showed her lifting weights in a gym while a man in the background stared at her, sparking a widespread debate about narcissism and an increasingly toxic gym culture in the age of social media. The video led to criticism of an emerging trend in which gyms, once known as places for focused workouts, are now being treated as filming locations for aspiring or established influencers with bystanders being unintentionally placed under
1287-436: A more relatable image. These ambassadors, often in the form of fitness influencers or personal trainers, promote the brand by sharing their workout routines, dietary plans, and gym clothing. YouTube in particular has seen a surge in fitness content, ranging from gym vlogs to detailed discussions on workout attire. This not only provides consumers with an abundance of free resources to aid their fitness journey, but also creates
1386-399: A more stable fashion than high-glycemic sugars and starches. This is important as high-glycemic carbohydrates cause a sharp insulin response, which places the body in a state where it is likely to store additional food energy as fat. However, bodybuilders frequently do ingest some quickly digesting sugars (often in form of pure dextrose or maltodextrin ) just before, during, and/or just after
1485-536: A muscle champion despite the fact that he lost a leg in World War I ). Actor Francis X. Bushman , who was a disciple of Sandow, started his career as a bodybuilder and sculptor's model before beginning his famous silent movie career. Bodybuilding became more popular in the 1950s and 1960s with the emergence of strength and gymnastics champions, and the simultaneous popularization of bodybuilding magazines, training principles, nutrition for bulking up and cutting down ,
1584-457: A new line of bodybuilding supplements known as ICOPRO (Integrated Conditioning Program). While rumors emerged that McMahon was also planning to establish a competitor to the long-established International Federation of BodyBuilding (IFBB), the WWF initially denied the reports. Several WWF performers of the era—including Jimmy Snuka and The Ultimate Warrior —had a background in bodybuilding. During
1683-521: A number of IFBB regulars to join its roster, with annual salaries as high as $ 400,000. The WBF held its inaugural championship on June 15, 1991, as a pay-per-view (PPV) event in Atlantic City, receiving mixed reviews for its attempts to mix bodybuilding with WWF-style sports entertainment gimmicks. The second WBF championship was held in Long Beach on June 13, 1992. Amid a steroid scandal impacting
1782-488: A number of IFBB regulars. The IFBB's inaugural championship in June 1991 (won by Gary Strydom ) received mixed reviews. The WBF would be indirectly impacted by a steroid scandal involving the WWF, prompting the organization to impose a drug testing policy prior to the 1992 championship. The drug testing policy hampered the quality of the 1992 championship, while attempts to increase interest by hiring WCW wrestler Lex Luger as
1881-429: A personal choreographed routine to display their physique. A posedown is usually held at the end of a posing round, while judges are finishing their scoring. Bodybuilders are advised to spend a lot of time practising their posing in front of mirrors or under the guidance of their coach. In contrast to strongman or powerlifting competitions, where physical strength is paramount, or to Olympic weightlifting , where
1980-427: A state of anabolism . The cutting phase entails remaining in a net negative energy balance (calorie deficit). The main goal of cutting is to oxidize fat while preserving as much muscle as possible. The larger the calorie deficit, the faster one will lose weight. However, a large calorie deficit will also create the risk of losing muscle tissue. The bulking and cutting strategy is considered effective because there
2079-485: A workout. This may help to replenish glycogen stored within the muscle, and to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. The motor proteins actin and myosin generate the forces exerted by contracting muscles. Cortisol decreases amino acid uptake by muscle and inhibits protein synthesis. Current recommendations suggest that bodybuilders should consume 25–30% of protein per total calorie intake to further their goal of maintaining and improving their body composition. This
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#17330846406932178-474: Is a well-established link between muscle hypertrophy and being in a state of positive energy balance. A sustained period of caloric surplus will allow the athlete to gain more fat-free mass than they could otherwise gain under eucaloric conditions. Some gain in fat mass is expected, which athletes seek to oxidize in a cutting period while maintaining as much lean mass as possible. However, it is unclear whether one can maintain enough fat-free mass during cutting for
2277-570: Is a widely debated topic, with many arguing that 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day is ideal, some suggesting that less is sufficient, while others recommending 1.5, 2, or more. It is believed that protein needs to be consumed frequently throughout the day, especially during/after a workout, and before sleep. There is also some debate concerning the best type of protein to take. Chicken, turkey, beef, pork, fish, eggs and dairy foods are high in protein, as are some nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils. Casein or whey are often used to supplement
2376-473: Is combined with cardiovascular exercise to lose body fat . Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are the three major macronutrients that the human body needs to build muscle. The ratios of calories from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats vary depending on the goals of the bodybuilder. Carbohydrates play an important role for bodybuilders. They give the body energy to deal with the rigors of training and recovery. Carbohydrates also promote secretion of insulin ,
2475-479: Is enhanced at the final stage by a combination of carbohydrate loading and dehydration to achieve maximum muscle definition and vascularity . Most bodybuilders also tan and shave their bodies prior to competition. Bodybuilding requires significant time and effort to reach the desired results. A novice bodybuilder may be able to gain 8–15 pounds (4–7 kg) of muscle per year if they lift weights for seven hours per week, but muscle gains begin to slow down after
2574-401: Is favored by bodybuilders more than myofibrillar hypertrophy, which builds athletic strength. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is triggered by increasing repetitions, whereas myofibrillar hypertrophy is triggered by lifting heavier weight. In either case, there is an increase in both size and strength of the muscles (compared to what happens if that same individual does not lift weights at all), although
2673-528: Is not a sport. The advent of social media had a profound influence on fitness and bodybuilding. It is common to see platforms such as Instagram , TikTok , and YouTube flooded with fitness-related content, changing how the average person views and interacts with fitness culture. Gym clothing brands like Gymshark, YoungLA and Rawgear leveraged this platform to create their brands. By recruiting fitness ambassadors—real people who embody their brand values—these companies personalize their marketing strategy and create
2772-548: Is referred to as a bodybuilder . It is primarily undertaken for aesthetic purposes over functional ones, distinguishing it from similar activities such as powerlifting and calisthenics . In competitive bodybuilding, competitors appear onstage in line-ups and perform specified poses (and later individual posing routines) for a panel of judges who rank them based on conditioning, muscularity, posing, size, stage presentation, and symmetry. Bodybuilders prepare for competitions by exercising and eliminating non-essential body fat . This
2871-407: Is the process of eating at a massive caloric surplus without trying to figure out the exact amount of ingested macronutrients, often down with junk food such as burgers and fries. Weightlifters who attempt to gain mass quickly with no aesthetic concerns often choose to do this. Bodybuilders use three main strategies to maximize muscle hypertrophy : Intensive weight training causes micro-tears to
2970-438: Is to have higher calorie and lower calorie days to maintain a balance between gain and loss. Many clean bulk diets start off with a moderate amount of carbs, moderate amount of protein, and a low amount of fats. To maintain a clean bulk, it is important to reach calorie goals every day. Macronutrient goals (carbs, fats, and proteins) will be different for each person, but it is ideal to get as close as possible. "Dirty bulking"
3069-707: The Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In Canada, steroids are listed under Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act , enacted by the federal Parliament in 1996. In 1990, professional wrestling promoter Vince McMahon attempted to form his own bodybuilding organization known as the World Bodybuilding Federation (WBF). It operated as a sister to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), which provided cross-promotion via its performers and personalities. Tom Platz served as
World Bodybuilding Federation - Misplaced Pages Continue
3168-514: The Royal Albert Hall in London. Judged by Sandow, Sir Charles Lawes, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , the contest was a great success and many bodybuilding enthusiasts were turned away due to the overwhelming number of audience members. The trophy presented to the winner was a gold statue of Sandow sculpted by Frederick Pomeroy. The winner was William L. Murray of Nottingham . The silver Sandow trophy
3267-601: The Royal Rumble pay-per-view (PPV) in 1989, The Ultimate Warrior competed in a "Super Posedown " against Rick Rude , which was judged by the audience. After inevitably losing every round to The Ultimate Warrior, Rude would attack him with a metal exercise bar—setting up a feud that would culminate with him defeating The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania V for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship . Bodybuilding Lifestyles purchased
3366-568: The vacuum to illustrate a tapered torso and lack of the infamous bloated gut of Open bodybuilding. The Classic Physique division in Mr. Olympia began in 2016. Danny Hester was the first classic physique Mr. Olympia. As of 2024 , Chris Bumstead is the 6x reigning Mr. Olympia. The female movement of the 1960s, combined with Title IX and the all around fitness revolution, gave birth to new alternative perspectives of feminine beauty that included an athletic physique of toned muscle. This athletic physique
3465-512: The "off-season") and, approximately 12–14 weeks from competition, lose a maximum of body fat (referred to as "cutting") while preserving as much muscular mass as possible. The bulking phase entails remaining in a net positive energy balance ( calorie surplus). The amount of a surplus in which a person remains is based on the person's goals, as a bigger surplus and longer bulking phase will create more fat tissue. The surplus of calories relative to one's energy balance will ensure that muscles remain in
3564-531: The 1950s (such as Vince's Gym in North Hollywood, California and Vic Tanny 's chain gyms), there were still segments of the United States that had no "hardcore" bodybuilding gyms until the advent of Gold's Gym in the mid-1960s. Finally, the famed Muscle Beach in Santa Monica continued its popularity as the place to be for witnessing acrobatic acts, feats of strength, and the like. The movement grew more in
3663-493: The 1960s with increased TV and movie exposure, as bodybuilders were typecast in popular shows and movies. In the 1970s, bodybuilding had major publicity thanks to the appearance of Arnold Schwarzenegger , Franco Columbu , Lou Ferrigno , Mike Mentzer and others in the 1977 docudrama Pumping Iron . By this time, the IFBB dominated the competitive bodybuilding landscape and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) took
3762-666: The 1990s , such as the ICOPRO banner being displayed inside Manhattan Center during the Raw 25th anniversary special in 2018, Adam Cole starring in an ICOPRO parody commercial during NXT TakeOver: In Your House in 2020, and an ICOPRO sponsorship bumper airing during a "throwback" SmackDown in May 2021. Bodybuilding Bodybuilding is the practice of progressive resistance exercise to build, control, and develop one's muscles via hypertrophy . An individual who engages in this activity
3861-539: The 2011 NPC Armbrust Pro Gym Warrior Classic Championships in Loveland, Colorado , at the age of 75 years and 349 days. In competitive bodybuilding, bodybuilders aspire to present an " aesthetically pleasing" body on stage. In prejudging, competitors do a series of mandatory poses: the front lat spread, rear lat spread, front double biceps , back double biceps , side chest , side triceps , Most Muscular (men only), abdominals and thighs . Each competitor also performs
3960-599: The IFBB was filled by Rafael Santonja following the death of Ben Weider in October 2008. In 2004, contest promoter Wayne DeMilia broke ranks with the IFBB and AMI took over the promotion of the Mr. Olympia contest: in 2017 AMI took the contest outright. In the early 21st century, patterns of consumption and recreation similar to those of the United States became more widespread in Europe and especially in Eastern Europe following
4059-500: The Physique category is primarily judged by the front and back poses. Many of the men's physique competitors are not above 200 lbs and have a bit of a more attainable and aesthetic physique in comparison to open-bodybuilders. Although this category started off slowly, it has grown tremendously, and currently men's physique seems to be a more popular class than open-bodybuilding. This is the middle ground of Men's Physique and Bodybuilding,
World Bodybuilding Federation - Misplaced Pages Continue
4158-558: The WBF's director of talent development, and announced the new organization during an ambush of that year's Mr. Olympia (which, unbeknownst to organizers, McMahon and Platz had attended as representatives of an accompanying magazine, Bodybuilding Lifestyles ). It touted efforts to bring bigger prize money and more "dramatic" events to the sport of bodybuilding—which resulted in its championships being held as pay-per-view events with WWF-inspired sports entertainment features and showmanship. The organization signed high-valued contracts with
4257-600: The WBF, with its competitors destroying tombstones engraved with the names of the WBF's roster. Despite assurances by Platz that the WBF would not attempt to mix traditional bodybuilding competitions with professional wrestling, the WBF would ultimately feature sports entertainment elements. Members of its roster were promoted as "WBF BodyStars" (in a similar fashion to the WWF marketing its performers as "Superstars"), given ring names such as Tony "The Jet Man" Pearson, and had entrance videos during competitions which showcased their kayfabe persona. WWF television programming
4356-404: The WWF steroid scandal. In 2018, Strydom commented that despite the dissolution of the WBF, McMahon still paid him in full for the last year of his contract. In an induction of the 1992 WBF Championship, WrestleCrap commented that the show was "two of the silliest hours in the history of live sports", and that "watching a WBF event was like watching a WWF event, if a WWF event consisted only of
4455-505: The WWF, the WBF introduced drug testing in March 1992—which resulted in many of the competitors being relatively out-of-shape during the ensuing competition. Attempts to have bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno (who left the organization shortly after the drug testing policy was implemented) and former WCW wrestler Lex Luger (who was injured in a motorcycling accident) participate in the event also did not come to fruition. The 1992 WBF Championship PPV
4554-466: The World Bodybuilding Guild (WBBG). Consequently, the contests grew both in number and in size. Besides the many "Mr. XXX" (insert town, city, state, or region) championships, the most prestigious titles were Mr. America , Mr. World, Mr. Universe, Mr. Galaxy, and ultimately Mr. Olympia , which was started in 1965 by the IFBB and is now considered the most important bodybuilding competition in
4653-561: The bronze trophy. Since then, Mr. Olympia winners have been consistently awarded a replica of the bronze Sandow. The first large-scale bodybuilding competition in America took place from December 28, 1903, to January 2, 1904, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The competition was promoted by Bernarr Macfadden , the father of physical culture and publisher of original bodybuilding magazines such as Health & Strength . The winner
4752-430: The bulking phase. Eating more frequently does not increase basal metabolic rate when compared to 3 meals a day. While food does have a metabolic cost to digest, absorb, and store, called the thermic effect of food , it depends on the quantity and type of food, not how the food is spread across the meals of the day. Well-controlled studies using whole-body calorimetry and doubly labeled water have demonstrated that there
4851-633: The collapse of the Soviet Union . This resulted in the emergence of whole new populations of bodybuilders from former Eastern Bloc states. In the early 2000s, the IFBB was attempting to make bodybuilding an Olympic sport. It obtained full IOC membership in 2000 and was attempting to get approved as a demonstration event at the Olympics, which would hopefully lead to it being added as a full contest. This did not happen and Olympic recognition for bodybuilding remains controversial since many argue that bodybuilding
4950-462: The competition, receiving the WBF Championship title and a prize of $ 275,000. The PPV was met with mixed reviews: some critics praised its high production values and emphasis on the competitors' personalities, but felt that its use of sports entertainment gimmicks drew too many comparisons to wrestling. In June 1991, shortly after the WBF Championship, former WWF ringside doctor George Zahorian
5049-478: The diet with additional protein. Whey is the type of protein contained in many popular brands of protein supplements and is preferred by many bodybuilders because of its high biological value (BV) and quick absorption rates. Whey protein also has a bigger effect than casein on insulin levels, triggering about double the amount of insulin release. That effect is somewhat overcome by combining casein and whey. Bodybuilders were previously thought to require protein with
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#17330846406935148-479: The drug testing programs for both the WWF and WBF. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter wrote that in a company meeting discussing the changes, "most of the guys freaked out about being told to give up all their drugs just three months before a contest, despite many willingly spouting the drug-free company line." Ferrigno quit the WBF shortly afterward, without ever competing in its events; although he legitimately cited an upcoming carpal tunnel surgery as reasoning, it
5247-400: The emphasis is different. The high levels of muscle growth and repair achieved by bodybuilders require a specialized diet. Generally speaking, bodybuilders require more calories than the average person of the same weight to provide the protein and energy requirements needed to support their training and increase muscle mass. In preparation of a contest, a sub-maintenance level of food energy
5346-448: The entrants were judged solely on muscularity. In 1980, the first Ms. Olympia (initially known as the "Miss" Olympia), the most prestigious contest for professionals, was held. The first winner was Rachel McLish , who had also won the NPC's USA Championship earlier in the year. The contest was a major turning point for female bodybuilding. In 1985, the documentary Pumping Iron II: The Women
5445-452: The first and only WBF champion, winning the 1991 event and successfully defending his title in 1992. In 1990, as part of an effort to diversify beyond his flagship professional wrestling business, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Vince McMahon 's Titan Sports began to make investments in the sport of bodybuilding . Titan hired bodybuilder Tom Platz to oversee a new magazine known as Bodybuilding Lifestyles , and McMahon invested in
5544-402: The first two years to about 5–15 pounds (2–7 kg) per year. After five years, gains can decrease to as little as 3–10 pounds (1–5 kg) per year. Some bodybuilders use anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs to build muscles and recover from injuries faster. However, using performance-enhancing drugs can have serious health risks. Furthermore, most competitions prohibit
5643-422: The growing concerns of the high cost, health consequences, and illegal nature of some steroids, many organizations have formed in response and have deemed themselves "natural" bodybuilding competitions. In addition to the concerns noted, many promoters of bodybuilding have sought to shed the "freakish" perception that the general public has of bodybuilding and have successfully introduced a more mainstream audience to
5742-439: The heck, we let them have their fun." The IFBB warned that it would blacklist bodybuilders who joined the WBF, and ban them from their competitions. The WBF offered multi-year contracts of at least $ 100,000 per year, in addition to the prize money that would be offered at its events. During a press event on January 30, 1991, at New York City's Plaza Hotel , McMahon announced the WBF's inaugural roster of 13 bodybuilders, and that
5841-579: The hopes of becoming a member of the IOC , the IFBB introduced doping tests for both steroids and other banned substances. Although doping tests occurred, the majority of professional bodybuilders still used anabolic steroids for competition. During the 1970s, the use of anabolic steroids was openly discussed, partly due to the fact they were legal. In the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, U.S. Congress placed anabolic steroids into Schedule III of
5940-438: The influence which bodybuilding content on social media has on young adults and their perception of their own bodies, as they tend to compare themselves to gym influencers online. These concerns get further exacerbated by the poor transparency about steroid use on social media, as many influencers either don't elaborate about whether or not they are "natural" bodybuilders, or firmly deny accusations about being "enhanced". This blurs
6039-412: The larger ones include: MuscleMania, Ultimate Fitness Events (UFE), INBF/WNBF, and INBA/PNBA. These organizations either have an American or worldwide presence and are not limited to the country in which they are headquartered. Due to those who found open-bodybuilding to be "too big" or "ugly" and unhealthy, a new category was started in 2013. The first Men's Physique Olympia winner was Mark Wingson, who
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#17330846406936138-448: The late 1980s and early 1990s. The related areas of fitness and figure competition increased in popularity, surpassing that of female bodybuilding, and provided an alternative for women who choose not to develop the level of muscularity necessary for bodybuilding. McLish would closely resemble what is thought of today as a fitness and figure competitor, instead of what is now considered a female bodybuilder. E. Wilma Conner competed in
6237-589: The line between what can be achieved naturally and what can only be achieved through the use of anabolic steroids. This is also detrimental for adult lifters since they often find their body image being skewed by the content they consume, potentially leading to an unhealthy relationship towards nutrition and exercise. Mental disorders such as body dysmorphia or eating disorders might also be a consequence. However, more and more influencers are opening up about steroid use and strongly advocate for transparency about steroid use online. This has sparked an ongoing open debate about
6336-437: The liver's P450 system (which eliminates hormones, drugs, and waste from the body) to more actively process and excrete excess estrogen. Some bodybuilders often split their food intake into 5 to 7 meals of equal nutritional content and eat at regular intervals (e.g., every 2 to 3 hours). This approach serves two purposes: to limit overindulging in the cutting phase, and to allow for the consumption of large volumes of food during
6435-402: The main point is equally split between strength and technique, bodybuilding competitions typically emphasize condition, size, and symmetry. Different organizations emphasize particular aspects of competition, and sometimes have different categories in which to compete. The general strategy adopted by most present-day competitive bodybuilders is to make muscle gains for most of the year (known as
6534-474: The men simply displayed their bodies as part of strength demonstrations or wrestling matches. Sandow had a stage show built around these displays through his manager, Florenz Ziegfeld . The Oscar -winning 1936 musical film The Great Ziegfeld depicts the beginning of modern bodybuilding, when Sandow began to display his body for carnivals. Sandow was so successful at flexing and posing his physique that he later created several businesses around his fame, and
6633-603: The muscles being trained; this is generally known as microtrauma . These micro-tears in the muscle contribute to the soreness felt after exercise, called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It is the repair of these micro-traumas that results in muscle growth . Normally, this soreness becomes most apparent a day or two after a workout. However, as muscles become adapted to the exercises, soreness tends to decrease. Weight training aims to build muscle by prompting two different types of hypertrophy : sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy leads to larger muscles and so
6732-563: The organization's inaugural championship would be held as a PPV on June 15, 1991, in Atlantic City . The roster included a number of IBFF regulars, including Danny Padilla and Tony Pearson , while Flex reported that the WBF's three-year contract with South African bodybuilder Gary Strydom was valued at $ 400,000 per year. In an effort to compete with the WBF, the IFBB increased the top prize of Mr. Olympia 1991 to $ 100,000. Its 1991 Night of Champions event featured an opening skit mocking
6831-443: The overall process to be worth it. The attempt to increase muscle mass in one's body without any gain in fat is called clean bulking. Competitive bodybuilders focus their efforts to achieve a peak appearance during a brief "competition season". Clean bulking takes longer and is a more refined approach to achieving the body fat and muscle mass percentage a person is looking for. A common tactic for keeping fat low and muscle mass high
6930-456: The pro level. Others were renowned for their spectacular development of a particular body part, like Tom Platz or Paul Demayo for their leg muscles. At the time of shooting Pumping Iron , Schwarzenegger, while never admitting to steroid use until long after his retirement, said, "You have to do anything you can to get the advantage in competition". He would later say that he did not regret using steroids. To combat anabolic steroid use and in
7029-463: The public and challenging each other. The focus was not on their physique, and they possessed relatively large bellies and fatty limbs compared to bodybuilders of today. Bodybuilding developed in the late 19th century, promoted in England by Eugen Sandow . He allowed audiences to enjoy viewing his physique in "muscle display performances". Although audiences were thrilled to see a well-developed physique,
7128-462: The public eye in the process. Bodybuilder Joey Swoll, who voiced his concerns over this culture, addressed the controversy by stating that while harassment in gyms needs to be addressed, the man in Fernandez's video was not guilty of it. Although social media is giving more attention to the world of bodybuilding, there are still some areas that are controversial. For instance, concerns are growing over
7227-423: The richest prize money in the history of the sport." It also announced that Tom Platz would be Director of Talent Development for the organization. In a press conference the next day, McMahon explained that the WBF planned to feature "bodybuilding the way it was meant to be". The comment was interpreted by some as a thinly-veiled reference to a lack of testing for anabolic steroids ; the 1990 Mr. Olympia competition
7326-450: The rise of anabolic steroids in bodybuilding and many other sports. More significant use began with Arnold Schwarzenegger , Sergio Oliva , and Lou Ferrigno in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and continuing through the 1980s with Lee Haney , the 1990s with Dorian Yates , Ronnie Coleman , and Markus Rühl , and up to the present day. Bodybuilders such as Greg Kovacs attained mass and size never seen previously but were not successful at
7425-432: The risks of anabolic steroids. Many people view this as a positive trend as it raises awareness and educates about the effects, uses and dangers of steroids. Another topic which is now widely discussed online is mental health in association with bodybuilding, as aforementioned mental disorders might affect hobby lifters of all ages and backgrounds. In the modern bodybuilding industry, the term "professional" generally means
7524-580: The sport of bodybuilding by including competitors whose physiques appear much more attainable and realistic. In natural contests, the testing protocol ranges among organizations from lie detectors to urinalysis . Penalties range from organization to organization, from suspensions to strict bans from competition. Natural organizations also have their own list of banned substances and it is important to refer to each organization's website for more information about which substances are banned from competition. There are many natural bodybuilding organizations; some of
7623-457: The sport of bodybuilding; its events would incorporate presentation elements inspired by professional wrestling , such as competitors being given ring names and kayfabe personas that were showcased in entertainment-based segments and rounds. WWF television programming featured cross-promotion for the WBF, while the organization would later launch its own weekly television program, WBF BodyStars . The organization signed long-term contracts with
7722-416: The use of protein and other food supplements , and the opportunity to enter physique contests. The number of bodybuilding organizations grew, and most notably the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) was founded in 1946 by Canadian brothers Joe and Ben Weider . Other bodybuilding organizations included the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), National Amateur Bodybuilding Association (NABBA), and
7821-882: The use of these substances. Despite some calls for drug testing to be implemented, the National Physique Committee (considered the leading amateur bodybuilding federation) does not require testing. The winner of the annual IFBB Mr. Olympia contest is recognized as the world's top male professional bodybuilder. Since 1950, the NABBA Universe Championships have been considered the top amateur bodybuilding contests, with notable winners including Ronnie Coleman , Jay Cutler , Steve Reeves , and Arnold Schwarzenegger . Stone-lifting competitions were practiced in ancient Egypt , Greece , and Tamilakam . Western weightlifting developed in Europe from 1880 to 1953, with strongmen displaying feats of strength for
7920-522: The weeks leading up to the event, resulting in fines and six-week suspensions that reduced morale. In their book Sex, Lies, and Headlocks , Shaun Assael and Mike Mooneyham wrote that in between BodyStars ' monthly tapings, the competitors "stayed home, taking copious amounts of drugs to stay in shape while Vince was running around telling America his company was drug-free." Some of the competitors relied on Di Pasquale's ketogenic "Anabolic Diet" as an alternative to steroids. The 1992 WBF Championship
8019-415: The world. During the 1950s, the most successful and most famous competing bodybuilders were Bill Pearl , Reg Park , Leroy Colbert , and Clarence Ross . Certain bodybuilders rose to fame thanks to the relatively new medium of television, as well as cinema. The most notable were Jack LaLanne , Steve Reeves , Reg Park, and Mickey Hargitay . While there were well-known gyms throughout the country during
8118-592: The world. Many other important bodybuilders in the early history of bodybuilding prior to 1930 include: Earle Liederman (writer of some of bodybuilding's earliest books), Zishe Breitbart , George Hackenschmidt , Emy Nkemena, George F. Jowett, Finn Hateral (a pioneer in the art of posing) , Frank Saldo , Monte Saldo , William Bankier , Launceston Elliot, Sig Klein , Sgt. Alfred Moss, Joe Nordquist, Lionel Strongfort ("Strongfortism"), Gustav Frištenský , Ralph Parcaut (a champion wrestler who also authored an early book on "physical culture"), and Alan P. Mead (who became
8217-577: The wrestlers’ entrances and the participants got paid substantially more per year." In 2019, Bruce Prichard remarked that ICOPRO's strong association with the WBF, and the complexity of the system, were likely factors in its market failure. He explained that "the ICOPRO system was where people would often times get confused, as it wasn't just like a protein powder, it was a system. It was you take that supplement here, you take that supplement here, you take that supplement while you're working out at peak time, put this horrible tasting shit under your tongue. It
8316-507: Was Al Treloar , who was declared "The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World". Treloar won a thousand dollar cash prize, a substantial sum at that time. Two weeks later, Thomas Edison made a film of Treloar's posing routine. Edison had also made two films of Sandow a few years before. Those were the first three motion pictures featuring a bodybuilder. In the early 20th century, Macfadden and Charles Atlas continued to promote bodybuilding across
8415-520: Was convicted of illegally supplying anabolic steroids to multiple WWF wrestlers. The WWF would introduce a drug testing policy shortly afterward. In a bid to boost mainstream interest in its competitions, the WBF announced in August 1991 that it would sign bodybuilder and The Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno . The contract was reported to be valued at $ 900,000 per-year. In an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson , Ferrigno stated that he
8514-477: Was a commercial failure, with only around 3,000 buys. A month later on July 15, 1992, McMahon personally phoned Ben and Joe Weider —the co-founders of the IFBB—to inform them that the WBF would be dissolved. The IFBB—which had prohibited those who joined the WBF from participating in its events—agreed to allow WBF members to rejoin the organization after paying a fine. South African bodybuilder Gary Strydom would be
8613-410: Was among the first to market products branded with his name. He was credited with inventing and selling the first exercise equipment for the masses: machined dumbbells , spring pulleys , and tension bands. Even his image was sold by the thousands in " cabinet cards " and other prints. Sandow organized the first bodybuilding contest on September 14, 1901, called the "Great Competition". It was held at
8712-478: Was attracted to the WBF for his return to competitive bodybuilding because it had the "strictest drug testing in all of professional sports." Despite claiming prior to its 1991 championship that steroid testing would be used, the WBF did not actually perform any tests during the competition. Wrestler Lex Luger departed the WWF's main rival, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), to co-host WBF BodyStars —a weekly WBF television series that aired on USA Network . Luger
8811-508: Was co-hosted by Platz, McMahon, and Heenan, with WWF ring announcer "Mean" Gene Okerlund joining them as the emcee . Luger was injured in a motorcycle accident prior to the event, resulting in him being interviewed from a hospital bed during the PPV rather than making an on-stage appearance. The event would see Gary Strydom win his second consecutive WBF Championship. Most of the competitors were relatively out-of-shape due to their drug-free regimens,
8910-509: Was complicated." However, he did admit that the protein bars were "excellent". For a period after the WBF's dissolution, WWF programming continued to regularly feature advertising for the ICOPRO system. This included segments sponsored by the brand, ICOPRO banners displayed in venues, wrestlers being seen wearing ICOPRO shirts, and commercials featuring WWF performers such as Bret Hart , Razor Ramon , and The Steiner Brothers . WWE has occasionally referenced ICOPRO during events paying homage to
9009-467: Was followed by Jeremy Buendia for four consecutive years. Like open-bodybuilding, the federations in which bodybuilders can compete are natural divisions as well as normal ones. The main difference between the two is that men's physique competitors pose in board shorts rather than a traditional posing suit and open-bodybuilders are much larger and are more muscular than the men's physique competitors. Open-bodybuilders have an extensive routine for posing while
9108-469: Was found in various popular media outlets such as fashion magazines . Female bodybuilders changed the limits of traditional femininity as their bodies showed that muscles are not only just for men. The first U.S. Women's National Physique Championship, promoted by Henry McGhee and held in 1978 in Canton, Ohio , is generally regarded as the first true female bodybuilding contest—that is, the first contest where
9207-476: Was interviewed during WrestleMania VIII to promote the WBF, and was scheduled to make a guest appearance posing at the 1992 WBF Championship on June 13 in Long Beach . Promotional material for the event initially billed Ferrigno as a top contender for Strydom's WBF Championship title. In March 1992, McMahon announced that the WBF would begin conducting drug testing; Titan Sports hired Mauro Di Pasquale to oversee
9306-410: Was less steroid use than at any contest of that level in recent years." The 1992 WBF Championship received only around 3,000 pay-per-view buys. Just over a month later on July 15, 1992, McMahon phoned the IFBB's co-founders Ben and Joe Weider to tell them that the WBF would be disbanded, and asked them to allow the WBF members to rejoin the IFBB. The IFBB would allow WBF members to re-join after paying
9405-433: Was observed that "the idea of competing without drugs, as he was so proudly talking of on Carson months earlier, apparently wasn't even considered as an option". Ferrigno would later compete at Mr. Olympia 1992 . Promotion of the 1992 WBF Championship on WBF BodyStars subsequently and repeatedly emphasized the "drug-free" nature of the event. This was despite the fact that many of the participants would fail drug tests in
9504-460: Was presented to second-place winner D. Cooper. The bronze Sandow trophy—now the most famous of all—was presented to third-place winner A.C. Smythe. In 1950, this same bronze trophy was presented to Steve Reeves for winning the inaugural NABBA Mr. Universe contest. It would not resurface again until 1977 when the winner of the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest, Frank Zane , was presented with a replica of
9603-402: Was released. It documented the preparation of several women for the 1983 Caesars Palace World Cup Championship. Competitors prominently featured in the film were Kris Alexander, Lori Bowen, Lydia Cheng, Carla Dunlap, Bev Francis , and McLish. At the time, Francis was actually a powerlifter , though she soon made a successful transition to bodybuilding, becoming one of the leading competitors of
9702-520: Was the first to employ drug testing of participants, but poor reception to the resulting quality of the competition by attendees led the IFBB to reverse course the following year. In the wake of the announcement, IFBB co-founder Ben Weider commented that Platz and McMahon's ambush marketing "wasn't a sophisticated or very honorable thing to do", but that he wasn't angry, and that "if we'd wanted to, we could have turned off Platz's microphone or stopped his people from distributing their literature. But what
9801-768: Was used to cross-promote the inaugural WBF Championship, with segments that featured the WBF roster and wrestlers such as "Macho Man" Randy Savage cutting promos for the event. In turn, both the WBF and WWF would be used as a marketing platform for the ICOPRO supplement system. The 1991 WBF Championship would be held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. It was co-hosted by Regis Philbin and WWF manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan , with guest appearances by Miss Elizabeth and Randy Savage. The competition would consist of two mandatory pose rounds, followed by an "entertainment" round, which consisted of pre-recorded skits in kayfabe that concluded live on-stage. Gary Strydom would win
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