The thing that I don't get with these bodybuilders:

Okay, I'm all for improving yourself, and if weight lifting is your thing, be the best you can be.. why not.. Personally, I think I lift about 2-3 times/week, but not consistently.. I'll have good weeks and bad weeks when it comes to nutrition and exercise.. but my goals are modest, stay reasonably in shape, and try to add a little muscle.

The point is, why go through all the work to just ultimately cheat yourself? I mean, I wouldn't feel satisfied or happy with my own personal results if I shoot up every week.. it would be tainted.. I'd most certainly rather work hard to achieve minimal gains (which are big gains in my eyes) than take a shortcut and achieve big gains.. I'm sure any of these people would still be in fitness mags and be successful without steroids.. just not on a Mr.Olympia type level.

 

I've seen a video detailing Ronnie Coleman's workout routine, and his food intake etc. The man is a freak! He could probably become a powerlifting champion also, if he chose to. Very disciplined...I respect him for that, but bodybuilding (to this extent) isn't really my thing.

 

I've been offered to go on it before and didn't even have to think about it. I go to the gym because I enjoy it and I like seeing the results because I know that I earnt them. I couldn't look in the mirror and be proud of what I'd achieved knowing that I'd used drugs to get it.

 

Back on topic:
I believe whoever "deserved" to win Mr. O was whoever was feeding from Joe Weider's hand at the time. In this case, it was Ron Coleman. I've been around these shows long enough to realize it's very political. It doesn't matter if it's bodybuilding or fitness, it all boils down to who the judges are influenced by. I'm in the fitness industry and know first hand that if you don't have any help from the sponsors or promoters of the show you're entering, you have zero chance of winning, regardless of how spectacular you look or perform. Personally, I can't tell much difference between the top five finishers and I consider myself pretty good at seeing minute details. I do believe that Jay Cutler turn at Mr. O is coming up soon.

Back off topic:
I know many bodybuilders and fitness competitors in my area and truely applaud the hard work they put into their training and dieting programs. It's true there are cheaters in this sport, as in many other sports, but you have to give credit where credit is due. The temptation to juice is strong because the monetary rewards only go to a select few. It is a money losing sport for most competitors.

 

Is it "cheating" to use steroids in bodybuilding? In other words, are there rules/regulations that prohibit steroid use?

 

I once saw two guys kissing in the park, and that was the gayest thing I ever saw until I read this thread.

 

I believe so but it's plain as day that the testing regimen is a farce. People like Joe and Ben Weider would have you believe it is largely a clean 'sport' and that their supplements play a big role in obtaining the level of muscularity some of these contenders achieve.

You can't deny that top level contenders put in the hard yards but the whole 'sport' of professional bodybuilding is based on dishonesty when it comes to drug use, supplements and training advice (as seen in certain publications) IMO.

A lot of these contenders also abuse other drugs, diuretics, 'masking' drugs, HGH and insulin, along with steroids.

 

I highly doubt he could be a powerlifter. (let alone a professional powerlifter)... The only bodybuilder that I have known that incorportated powerlifting in his exercises was Franco Columbo. Bodybuilding (as im sure you know) is completely different from powerlifting.

 

^^^

I used to work in the same office as the British Amateur Body Building champion. He HAD to stay clean, and was checked at every event and could be called at any time between events to take a drugs test. I really respected him for the time and effort that he put in to his body building.

I can't, however, respect people who take things this far through the use of drugs.

Just MHO though