Young guys and guys with high hopes...

[steve_d]

What is it about bodybuilders that everyone who has entered a show thinks they are going to be the next big thing? I particularly see this in guys under the age of 25 and especially the guys under age 20. I can't count the number of times I have talked to someone who was going to be 'pro' in the next 2 years. Or they are going to win nationals, etc etc. This is not only true for bodybuilders, but I hear it in figure and bikini probably just as much if not more.

Yes, people like to aim high, but come on now...shouldn't we all be realistic? These people have just as much chance at being the pope in their lifetime as turning pro. Maybe I am the odd one out here, but when I was young, I competed for the fun of it, and simply making my next show better than the previous was a success...It wasn't until a year ago at age 30 after winning provincials (in a smallish and lighter weight class at that!) that I started thinking I want to compete "for a trophy"...And even now I am still realistic with my chances. Yes i'd LOVE to win nationals, but I feel I only have a marginal chance to do so, and I would be really pleased with top 3. Besides, I could win 1 year, and look better the next and come 5th. So really, does winning matter? And why does it matter so much to the younger guys? Is it a self esteem thing?

Of course, along with this comes the massive doses of supplements, females included, thinking it is what is needed. Then what, you're a young girl with a man voice, placing 5th at nationals and basically going un-noticed. Or a boy isolated from a typical 'teenage' / university life, disappointed with your placing, and then of course the viscious cycle keeps going...'I will show them next year!'...(yes, sure you will).

Again, maybe I am the odd one out, or the pessimist but I'd rather train hard, be realistic and happy, then train hard, be disappointed and angry.

[natenator]

Well, winning matters to me. This comes from my athletic background but there are many ways to look at winning and for me i view it as did i do everything i could have to be better than i was?

I agree with you about the younger aspect of BBing and thinking these guys are going to amount to something they can make a good living from. Truth is, this is not the case and reality is going to bite them hard when they realize in several years that all the money they pissed away on drugs and supplements was for a trophy and some pictures. The job they have likely won't be anything to write home about because their focus wasn't on education or career. They will still be renting when the money they spent on drugs/supplements could have been used as a downpayment if saved up. They will have alienated friends and family due to this focus. Etc etc etc


Some will make it and do well. Most will not. People need to be realistic about themselves. Planning is key.





What is it about bodybuilders that everyone who has entered a show thinks they are going to be the next big thing? I particularly see this in guys under the age of 25 and especially the guys under age 20. I can't count the number of times I have talked to someone who was going to be 'pro' in the next 2 years. Or they are going to win nationals, etc etc. This is not only true for bodybuilders, but I hear it in figure and bikini probably just as much if not more.

Yes, people like to aim high, but come on now...shouldn't we all be realistic? These people have just as much chance at being the pope in their lifetime as turning pro. Maybe I am the odd one out here, but when I was young, I competed for the fun of it, and simply making my next show better than the previous was a success...It wasn't until a year ago at age 30 after winning provincials (in a smallish and lighter weight class at that!) that I started thinking I want to compete "for a trophy"...And even now I am still realistic with my chances. Yes i'd LOVE to win nationals, but I feel I only have a marginal chance to do so, and I would be really pleased with top 3. Besides, I could win 1 year, and look better the next and come 5th. So really, does winning matter? And why does it matter so much to the younger guys? Is it a self esteem thing?

Of course, along with this comes the massive doses of supplements, females included, thinking it is what is needed. Then what, you're a young girl with a man voice, placing 5th at nationals and basically going un-noticed. Or a boy isolated from a typical 'teenage' / university life, disappointed with your placing, and then of course the viscious cycle keeps going...'I will show them next year!'...(yes, sure you will).

Again, maybe I am the odd one out, or the pessimist but I'd rather train hard, be realistic and happy, then train hard, be disappointed and angry.

[Delt King]

Winning is a motivation to continue competing but thinking one has what it takes to go pro is fairly assanine. There are very few even at National level who have the genetic capabilities to be pro. I know that i have as much chance as the pope of going pro in bodybuilding lol. And i won a provincial class.
There are a handful (maybe a half dozen) who could make it in Canada but then what does that give them? A pro card is no guarantee of being paid enough to live on. They'll still have to have another job to support their competitions.
All your eggs in one basket is bad...especially if you drop that basket and it all falls apart. ;)

[fathead]

i think the dangerous thing about bodybuilding is that you generally have to start relatively young and it takes MANY years to develop a top notch physique. it is a lot easier to realize your plans of playing pro baseball are not going to come true by the time your 21 than it takes to fully realize youre not going to be a great bodybuilder. basically by the time you realize its not going to happen... its too late and youve pissed away many years of your life at a time when most people are establishing themselves

[JMP]

When you "talk to them" , do you tell them they dont have a hope in hells chance of doing that , are you honest with them ?



What is it about bodybuilders that everyone who has entered a show thinks they are going to be the next big thing? I particularly see this in guys under the age of 25 and especially the guys under age 20. I can't count the number of times I have talked to someone who was going to be 'pro' in the next 2 years. Or they are going to win nationals, etc etc. This is not only true for bodybuilders, but I hear it in figure and bikini probably just as much if not more.

Yes, people like to aim high, but come on now...shouldn't we all be realistic? These people have just as much chance at being the pope in their lifetime as turning pro. Maybe I am the odd one out here, but when I was young, I competed for the fun of it, and simply making my next show better than the previous was a success...It wasn't until a year ago at age 30 after winning provincials (in a smallish and lighter weight class at that!) that I started thinking I want to compete "for a trophy"...And even now I am still realistic with my chances. Yes i'd LOVE to win nationals, but I feel I only have a marginal chance to do so, and I would be really pleased with top 3. Besides, I could win 1 year, and look better the next and come 5th. So really, does winning matter? And why does it matter so much to the younger guys? Is it a self esteem thing?

Of course, along with this comes the massive doses of supplements, females included, thinking it is what is needed. Then what, you're a young girl with a man voice, placing 5th at nationals and basically going un-noticed. Or a boy isolated from a typical 'teenage' / university life, disappointed with your placing, and then of course the viscious cycle keeps going...'I will show them next year!'...(yes, sure you will).

Again, maybe I am the odd one out, or the pessimist but I'd rather train hard, be realistic and happy, then train hard, be disappointed and angry.

[natenator]

They dont listen lol


The one advantage of athletics is you know pretty early if you have the raw talent to go far and after that it comes down to work ethic. Coaches don't blow smoke up your ass - they want the best possible for their team and if you have any potential growth talent you will be scouted/looked at.

Bodybuilding has no such thing. There are people going to the Canadians this year who didn't even come close to placing top3 in their classes at Provincials this or last year. Waste of money to go.


When you "talk to them" , do you tell them they dont have a hope in hells chance of doing that , are you honest with them ?

[steve_d]

When you "talk to them" , do you tell them they dont have a hope in hells chance of doing that , are you honest with them ?

ALL THE TIME. And as nate pointed out, they really don't listen! I am as blunt as can be with each and everyone of them. They hate hearing it, and for whatever reason, this only encourages them further. IE: the "I'll show him!" attitude. So I am better off not telling the truth, because they do more than ignore it, they use it to further prove my point.

[steve_d]

I partly agree...It takes a while before they realize they have no chance, and its too late. This is true. However, 99% of the time I could have told them half way down the road that they had no shot in hell. It is extermely rare that you come across someone who's put in a good 5 years of training and competing who hasn't stood out but then 5 years later, they seem to continue growing into a beast...

Take a few of the more successful canadian pros out there right now...All of them you could have seen that potential very early on in their competitive career even at a local level show. Its the guys that who have competed 3-4 years already, who have at best gained 10-15 pounds since their first show (which is not bad by any means), who think they will suddenly add 40 more next year...and let's be honest, some of them would need 80 before they would be a decent pro. That is the extreme example...but yeah, shooting for the moon, missing and landing in the stars is an analogy that comes to mind...But the problem is these guys think the stars implies missing the pro card, but being a national champ and successful bodybuilder. Whereas the reality of it, the stars is where as nate put it:

"The job they have likely won't be anything to write home about because their focus wasn't on education or career. They will still be renting when the money they spent on drugs/supplements could have been used as a downpayment if saved up. They will have alienated friends and family due to this focus. Etc etc etc"

[JMP]

Its good you do tell them ( one might listen one day) ...lol , i just wondered ,




They dont listen lol


The one advantage of athletics is you know pretty early if you have the raw talent to go far and after that it comes down to work ethic. Coaches don't blow smoke up your ass - they want the best possible for their team and if you have any potential growth talent you will be scouted/looked at.

Bodybuilding has no such thing. There are people going to the Canadians this year who didn't even come close to placing top3 in their classes at Provincials this or last year. Waste of money to go.

[O-Train]

I think this may have something to do with it.

27657

[TopHatPlus]

I have been working out like crazy and working on my technique and form, my weights and reps, and everything but i have never had the drive to compete. I am doing this solely for myself and to help make my life a tad simpler by not struggling with the little things (like stairs). I just don't like the extremes you guys put yourself through leading unto a show >_< it would probably kill me so i will continue to do this for me and let me girlfriend enjoy the results ;P

But you are correct the guys in there are determined to be the biggest bad ass in there... and i can out lift with better form some of the "big" guys... haha its not the size of the man in the fight but the fight in the man >_<

[Praetorian]

If someone wants to be successful as an athlete...bodybuilding as an example then they need to be realistic and compare themselves to the standard at the national level...ie top three in their weight class....what is their height and weight....as an example if you are 5'9 then you are a natural heavyweight competitor....thus you need to be around 205-219 pealed to be competitive in your class...if you are 185lbs you arent going to be very competitive in light heavy because you are too tall. SO many guys compete out of their true weight class because they are still under developed. This development should also be attainable in 4-6 years...if youve been training for 10 years and are not close then BB is probably not for you. Also you need a very good support structure to be successful...friends, family, partner etc need to be supportive. Dedication is key but do not neglect the other important things in your life...get an education, work towards a successful career (BB is expensive) develop relationships, nurture family relationships, develop your mind as well as your body.
I would never step on someones dream...but I would show them where they should be in order to be successful.
P