Is bodybuilding sinful?

[Newbie2]

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned steroids. Is injecting your body full of artificial and potentially dangerous chemicals really how a Catholic is supposed to treat his body? That would concern me more than the outfits and the vanity.

Other sports ban steroids, test for them, and don’t encourage using them. You aren’t going to compete as a bodybuilder without steroids.

There are some but the majority do use steroids. However, you aren’t going to go and compete in the IFBB against “pros” without steroids. If you want to win as opposed to just compete in bb you have to use. That is the whole reason that they have organizations for natural bodybuilders who don’t want to use any drugs.

That’s why I posted early in this thread that there is a difference between bodybuilding and bodybuilding. Meaning, amateur and professional-freaky-big-only-way-to-get-that-big-is-on-the-juice.

The actual act of weightlifting, like any other exercise, is not sinful. In fact, when done properly, strengthening one’s muscles through weightlifting can be a healthy, life-prolonging activity.

Where you run into trouble with bodybuilding, however, is the following:

1.) Posing – Striking bodybuilding poses in the mirror can lead one to pay too much attention to one’s physical appearance, and could potentially lead to narcissism. An over-emphasis on one’s physical appearance at the detriment of one’s spirituality is not advisable.

I agree…the key word is can.

2.) Attire – Professional bodybuilders typically wear skimpy attire, which would violate general guidelines of modesty advocated by the Church. Gyms that have athletes wearing this kind of attire are also inappropriate, as they promote immodest looks bordering on voyeurism.

Any different than divers that wear speedos?

3.) Drug use – Some bodybuilders abuse drugs for the purpose of improving strength, refining muscles, etc. This is not only illegal in some cases, but would also generally violate Church norms surrounding drug abuse.

Exactomundo.

4.) Homosexuality – There is a quite dominant part of male bodybuilding culture that is homosexual. This, again, goes against Church doctrine.

I don’t know about “dominant”, as a whole, but other sports such as figure skating and diving are also associated with homosexual-ness.

5.) Magazines – Most of the bodybuilding magazines are one step away from a Playboy or Playgirl magazine. The magazine reading material for the modern-day bodybuilder is awfully close to being pornographic.

Some, I’d say, not most. Muscle and fitness has it’s soft-core porobabe of the month and ads in the back for masturbation devices.

6.) Music – Most of the athletic gyms play loud, sometimes Satanic music over the loudspeakers - music that advocates drug use, sex, etc. This can’t be healthy for an ordinary Catholic to bombard their ears with this kind of music for hours on end daily.

True, but this is not unique to bodybuilding. What do you suppose other athletes have on their iPods? Yikes.

 

[GerardMajella]

Any different than divers that wear speedos?

Well, for one, I don’t see the Olympic swimmers wearing Speedos so much anymore. They seem to wear these skin-tight body-suits and such. But, nevertheless, swimmers, for the most part, are in the water when they are exercising, and generally wear a towel when they exit the pool. I think that’s a little bit different from the skimpy workout outfits used in bodybuilding. But, I get your drift.

I don’t know about “dominant”, as a whole, but other sports such as figure skating and diving are also associated with homosexual-ness.

Agreed. I would also add professional dancing and ballet to the mix. Regardless of the sport, however, the point is that there is, generally speaking, a well-known culture of homosexuality attached to the sport of bodybuilding.

Some, I’d say, not most. Muscle and fitness has it’s soft-core porobabe of the month and ads in the back for masturbation devices.

Anytime you have a magazine with half-naked men and women, it’s not appropriate reading for a Catholic.

True, but this is not unique to bodybuilding. What do you suppose other athletes have on their iPods? Yikes.

The topic under discussion is bodybuilding, not other sports. Certainly, you are correct - Athletes listen to all kinds of music during their exercise routines. Nevertheless, most weightlifting gyms that I have seen blare this kind of music loudly over their loudspeakers.

 

[Alexander_Smith]

As far as clothing is concerned, there really is no parallel between say, swimmers, and bodybuilders.

Bodybuilders wear revealing clothing for just that purpose. They wear speedos and bikinis so as much of their body can be visible as possible. Swimmers wear skintight clothing, and sometimes wear as little as bodybuilders do, but that’s to increase performance, not appearance!

Wearing a speedo because it gives you more speed is different from wearing a speedo because it enables you to show off as much of your body as you can without being naked.

 

[Vico]

In the year 2000, in the year 2000.

Pope John Paul II said: "It is a fitting occasion to *give thanks to God for the gift of sport, *in which the human person exercises his body, intellect and will, recognizing these abilities as so many gifts of his Creator.

*Playing sports has become very important today, *since it can encourage young people to develop important values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, sharing and solidarity."

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20001029_jubilee-sport_en.html

So, does bodybuilding meet those criteria?

We know for certain that men should not be watching the women’s competitions if they are tempted to sexual thoughts or actions as a result, as this is grave matter. The same goes for women watching the men’s events, or homosexuals watching same sex events. Please don’t fool yourself, whenever you show off your body you run the risk of somebody liking it too much, so there is the need for limits.

The vanity may be scandal, and if the body is intentionally shown, like a nude dancer does, the scandal given may be a grave sin. Also the exhibitionist may also get a sexual thrill, from being observed, which may also be gravely sinful.

 

[GerardMajella]

So, does bodybuilding meet those criteria?

In a word, no. Especially if you are referring to professional bodybuilding, for all of the reasons I mentioned earlier. Of all the sports, the most egregious aspect of the particular sport of bodybuilding is the glorification and objectification of one’s physical appearance.

By the same token, a person that engages in weightlifting to strengthen one’s muscles, could potentially engage in the sport without succumbing to the errors noted previously.

 

[Rence]

In the year 2000, in the year 2000.

Pope John Paul II said: "It is a fitting occasion to *give thanks to God for the gift of sport, *in which the human person exercises his body, intellect and will, recognizing these abilities as so many gifts of his Creator.

*Playing sports has become very important today, *since it can encourage young people to develop important values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, sharing and solidarity."

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20001029_jubilee-sport_en.html

So, does bodybuilding meet those criteria?

Yes. I think it can fit that criteria, just like any other sport. Weightlifting isn’t just tanning your body, greasing it down, and posing in front of a panel of judges to see how wonderful looking people think you are. Yes, there are many meatheads at the gym who like to pretend they are body builders, but you can’t paint all of them with the same brush. True body building, power lifting, weight lifting is a sport that challenges atheletes to build and test their muscle power, muscle strength and muscle endurance. It’s hard work and it takes the same components of strict diet, grueling exercise and faithful dedication that comes with the other sports such as swimming. The only way to judge accomplishment is not only by the actual physical test, but by observing the muscles cut to shape in response to the stresses imposed on it during training.

We know for certain that men should not be watching the women’s competitions if they are tempted to sexual thoughts or actions as a result, as this is grave matter. The same goes for women watching the men’s events, or homosexuals watching same sex events. Please don’t fool yourself, whenever you show off your body you run the risk of somebody liking it too much, so there is the need for limits.

Very true. However, this is not specific to bodybuilding. There are many men (and women) who get sexually excited from watching the figure skaters, the gymnastics, swimmers, etc. If it’s one’s weakness, one should know better than to attend these events or watch them. Does that make these sports bad? or immodest? I’d rather think the viewer is the one with the problem. Showing off one’s body doesn’t have to be as the figure skaters…some people should not be watching men or women’s basketball either. If one wants to find a sexual outlet, they will, whether it’s by watching the girls play volleyball in shorts and a t-shirt, watching competitive cheerleading, or flipping through a fashion magazine.

The vanity may be scandal, and if the body is intentionally shown, like a nude dancer does, the scandal given may be a grave sin. Also the exhibitionist may also get a sexual thrill, from being observed, which may also be gravely sinful.

There is definitely a difference between having pride in one’s appearance and/or accomplisments and being an exhibitionist

 

[TheQuestioner]

I’m not trying to say it is intrinsically evil, and I’m really only talking about pro-bodybuilding here anyway. There’s a huge difference between a lot of normal looking bulk, and the double-bicep vein popping look of pro bodybuilders. There’s a problem with pushing your body beyond normal limits simple for looks, and that’s what bodybuilders do. Athletes train for the performance. Bodybuilders train for the looks. It’s not practical application.

I’m not going to argue with some of these points because some of it is your own opinion, and some is just misinformation, but I would like to say that body builders only have the vein popping muscle definition going on for about a week during the competitions because they have to starve themselves. After that they go back to looking like normal, albeit strong individuals.

Modesty is also still an important consideration. Go look up some pictures of bodybuilding competitions, and you will see speedos and bikinis in nearly every single picture. This is not modest.

Those people don’t dress that way all the time everytime. There is a reason why the skimpy clothes are worn. How else will the judges be able to clearly see and compare muscle definition and proportion? This won’t be done easily if the body builders are wearing sweaters. It’s not about being the biggest person there, but also having proportion and definition. The judges need to see the whole body, and the skimpy clothes (for both guys and girls) allow for the body builders to also take positions and flex freely, as depending on your position your muscles will look bigger or smaller. (try flexing your abs with your arms slightly behind your head as compared to your elbows pointing straight up in the air).

IMO beauty contests cannot be called good under any circumstances because they make into a competition what God has naturally given us. Sports competitions are fine because the contestants win or lose based on ability. If you lose a sports competition, you train harder, if you lose a beauty contest, do you get prettier?

But the same thing occurs in body building and beauty contests. Sure someone may have a predisposition to having a better looking body, but that is in every sport. Those body builders don’t just come out of the womb jacked. It takes work. A runner doesn’t come out of the womb fast, it takes work. A beauty contestant doesn’t just come out of the womb with an amazing body, it takes work to maintain as well. Also, it takes hard work to learn to be graceful and at the same time powerful (for body builders) or beautiful (for beauty contestants).

Vanity is not trying to look good. Vanity is wasting your time on something that in the end doesn’t really matter or isn’t really important. In that case, yes, a body builder who holds his looks highly is being vain, because it would not profit him to do so. But in the same way a runner who holds his record highly is being vain too. This doesn’t profit him either. But holding the Lord highly and doing these things to glorify God is not in vain, and it can be done in either.

 

[TheQuestioner]

It’s a contest based primarily on the looks of the person involved. How can you consider that a good thing? Losing because you are not as fast or as strong as somebody else is totally different from losing because you are subjectively not as good looking.

…how? and why does that matter?

 

[st_lucy]

It’s a contest based primarily on the looks of the person involved. How can you consider that a good thing? Losing because you are not as fast or as strong as somebody else is totally different from losing because you are subjectively not as good looking.

It is the same thing, since I had pointed out to that looks in a beauty contest is only a part of what is judged. And on a side a great amount of beauty contest don’t even have the swim wear catagory.

 

[Vico]

…
Vanity is not trying to look good. Vanity is wasting your time on something that in the end doesn’t really matter or isn’t really important. In that case, yes, a body builder who holds his looks highly is being vain, because it would not profit him to do so. But in the same way a runner who holds his record highly is being vain too. This doesn’t profit him either. But holding the Lord highly and doing these things to glorify God is not in vain, and it can be done in either.

That is very true. Yet there is more to explore on this topic, which is a difficult topic to understand, and one where very many venial sins are commonly committed.

Humility is opposed to pride, and we know that humility is to be cultivated as a virtue. False pride is pride in what we are born with, that we did nothing to achieve. Then there is pride. From the 1891 Baltimore Catechism (because it is put simply):

Q. 296. What is pride?
A. Pride is an excessive love of our own ability; so that we would rather sinfully disobey than humble ourselves.
Q. 297. What effect has pride on our souls?
A. Pride begets in our souls sinful ambition, vainglory, presumption and hypocrisy.

Now, modesty includes four virtues:

1. humility
2. studiousness (moderate seeking of knowledge)
3. external modesty in dress
4. external modest in general behavior.

So you can see the factors to consider to decide about both sportswear and sports and the behaviors in sports. One of the Popes (early 1900s) was against women in sports, due to their immodest clothing and postures (consider that gymnastics gives clear views of the most private areas).

The common sins concerning all types of immodesty (vices against the four virtues above) are 1) the pride itself, or 2) scandal, leading others into grave sins, intentionally (mortal sin) or unintentionally (venial sin), of lust (adultery) or covetousness or encouraging others to be immodest too.

So to conclude, every person must decide for themselves what their behavior will be, based upon their intention and the level of spiritual weakness of those around them.

 

[Newbie2]

It’s a contest based primarily on the looks of the person involved. How can you consider that a good thing? Losing because you are not as fast or as strong as somebody else is totally different from losing because you are subjectively not as good looking.

Seriously, I have yet to see a bodybuilder who I’d call “good looking”.

Ever see “Pumping Iron”? Arnold had a segment in there that I thought was pretty good. He said (some) bodybuilders thought as themselves as no different than sculpters…but instead of slapping on some clay to build up their subject to look more muscular, they used exercise to accomplish the same thing.

Interesting thought.

(Especially from someone who was on the juice himself)

 

[NewsTheMan]

Wow why did I only find this thread now? A whole lot of ignorance on this thread from people who have no clue about bodybuilding or bodybuilders. Wow. I can’t remember much after reading 4 pages, but I’ll deal with a few things.

Someone said something along the lines of pro bb’ers not being strong/not caring about their physical ability and wanting pure muscle mass etc. Are you kidding me? Powerlifters and strongmen are at war with each other in certain forums about who is stronger. Bodybuilders are incredibly strong. Ronnie Coleman? Johnnie O Jackson? Jason Huh? These guys can squat 700lbs for reps. Please watch a bodybuilding video and come back and apologize. While I agree the main point is not to be strong and aesthetics dominates - however, any pro or am bodybuilder will tell you they are more proud of their lifting stats than anything else. Also, I need to find that video of a professional bodybuilder sprinting 100m against an Olympic runner. That video was made just for you. The bodybuilder was closer than any of us here could be.

As for those who are saying bodybuilding is not a real sport. That is unbelievably hurtful, and ignorant. You tell any bodybuilder, pro or am, that what he is doing isn’t a sport and he’ll probably break down and cry. Bodybuilding is a sport. Whether you see it or not. Just because the ultimate test is in aesthetics, but in order to get those aesthetics the physcial nature of the sport has to play a role. In other words, if my back is weaker than my opponent - its because he beats me in exercising his back. Get it? The amount of dedication in diet and training is phenomenal in bodybuilding. I can assure you, it is a sport. As for any objections up to this point about the intrinsic evil of the sport, I think someone handled it well by mentioning how every sport is about being the best and doing everything on a superhuman level. Every sport you see is about taking it further than the average person. Hence, we are not all bodybuilders, basketball players, olympians.

As for the drugs. Well, I know it is not much of a defense but… the amount of drugs in all professional sports is astounding. If you don’t know that, you need help. Also, if you think that ‘testing’ really amounts to anything, again, you need help. Testing is flawed from the start because there are literally hundreds of performance drugs available, and no federation can test for all of them. Not only that, but some drugs can be masked and hidden, some after 2 weeks have no traces left in the system, etc. Bodybuilders in the top tier IFBB Pro stage all take performance drugs. Nobody doubts it. But none of these pro’s advocate it. None of these pro’s don’t lift and train like there is no tomorrow. Drugs do not make you huge. Training and diet make you huge and ripped. Commitment and excellence in your sport do these things.

And you forget the NATURALS. Natural bodybuilding is real, and something I much prefer to be honest. Look up Layne Norton. Incredible physique and incredible man. All drug free. He has pushed the limits of what is naturally humanly attainable.

As for the question of why. Well, this is where I will admit a lot of the time it comes from vanity. I started bodybuilding because of vanity. And I still admire my body. But why can I not admire my achievements when a 100m Olympian can smile and admire his? Because if its attached to my body and forms part of me it makes it more vain? Give me a break. It is much more than that anyway. Now I train and I love it. Now I train and I see where I need to work at. Now I train and vanity goes out the window almost, and self discipline and the willingness to have fun and train hard comes in. For what purpose? I am not sure. I won’t compete because I don’t know if competing is in line with my beliefs (i.e. I would rather not compete even though the morality of competing is debatable).

I also don’t understand the homosexuality links. Again, this comes down to the question of modesty and attire. If someone is going to look… how can I stop them? This is the nature of the sport.

I wanted to say more, but I had a lot to say. But suffice to end off with this: A lot of you don’t actually understand bodybuilding. It isn’t about showing off. It isn’t about being stupidly big. I don’t know how to explain what it is about. But sculpting sounds good.It’s sculpting. It’s designing your body. It’s taking what is there and making it better. It’s doing what 99% of people wont do. Punishing your body and be being strong

I want all you naysayers to train, diet and live like I do for a week and then tell me that this isn’t a sport. And I am only an amatuer who does it for fun. Imagine what a top tier pro (natural or not) has to do?

 

[GerardMajella]

You make some excellent points. I have seen, however, firsthand, the professional bodybuilders during competition, and these men are not healthy. The diet restrictions, combined with drug usage, place an enormous strain on the body. Before a competition, a bodybuilder will do all he can to get “lean and ripped”, and this is not a healthy, nor normal process for the human body.

Yes, bodybuilding is a sport. And yes, bodybuilders are physically very strong in terms of muscle strength. Agreed. But bodybuilding also has certain particular components as a sport that would make any devout Catholic cringe. These have already been mentioned in this thread. There are enough red warning flags to stay away. One can become physically fit through conventional means without becoming a bodybuilder.

You admittedly started bodybuilding because of vanity. That is reason enough for a devout Catholic to avoid this “sport” like the plague.

 

[NewsTheMan]

You make some excellent points. I have seen, however, firsthand, the professional bodybuilders during competition, and these men are not healthy. The diet restrictions, combined with drug usage, place an enormous strain on the body. Before a competition, a bodybuilder will do all he can to get “lean and ripped”, and this is not a healthy, nor normal process for the human body.

**Could you expand on this? These not healthy things? You know what the funniest thing to pro and am bodybuilders is? How people call their diet unhealthy. Um. Have you seen what you put into your body? Now, I could, and I have before, go into a long diatribe about it but suffice it to say most bodybuilders are healthier than 90% of the population in terms of diet. And at that, people recognise the truth at start then saying that actually what they meant was mental health with regards to diet. Give me a break. You are all addicted to candy and aritificial flavourings and sugar. Mental. Please. Anyway, I too have witnessed first hand what bodybuilders have to do. The fact is that getting lean and ripped does involve a very specific diet. A healthy one. I think what you may be referring to is the dehydration/diuretics involved. Well, sure this is probably somewhat unhealthy. But done correctly it doesn’t have to be. Not only that, but again, many sports use diuretics and water restrictions. When people talk about how unhealthy bodybuilders are it really makes me smile. Diet - explained. Training - really? Everyone is so brainwashed and lazy that they think 2 hours of lifting weights is bad for you? No idea what the human body is capable of. Drugs - again, grain of truth but really? When most sportsmen around the world take drugs of some kind. When most people in the world are addicted to some sort of drug. When in actual fact steroids is a broad term thrown around but they have little part to play in bodybuilder anymore. Having said that, I don’t advocate drugs and never will. But people forget that most professional bodybuilders are in their late 30’s to late 40’s. And they continue to live long happy lives. Look at Mr.American Dream Arnie the Guv! People forget that he was a pro, and used drugs. Look at Rambo and Rocky, Sly Stallone. People adored him and his phsyique but he was pumped full of drugs.Bodybuilders just train harder longer and better and thus get to where they are. People forget that diet is 80% of where you are gonna land up in this sport. The other 20% is intense training. Drugs don’t do anything without the above. **

Yes, bodybuilding is a sport. And yes, bodybuilders are physically very strong in terms of muscle strength. Agreed. But bodybuilding also has certain particular components as a sport that would make any devout Catholic cringe. As would most sports I would argue. Could you point them out specifically?

These have already been mentioned in this thread. There are enough red warning flags to stay away. One can become physically fit through conventional means without becoming a bodybuilder. But you are mixing things up here. Yes one can become physically fit without becoming a bodybuilder. This is because the terms are unrelated and completely not synonymous. This isn’t much of an argument or proof. If you want to be fit, be fit. But if you want to bodybuild, bodybuild. Different goals and training styles. Suddenly being fit is all nice and well but bodybuilding isn’t? I have never understood this line of thought. So its okay to want to be fit (which is just another way of saying I want to look good - for most people) but saying you want to bodybuild (I want to look good by focusing on muscle size and strength) isn’t okay? Weird.

You admittedly started bodybuilding because of vanity. That is reason enough for a devout Catholic to avoid this “sport” like the plague. **I don’t think that this holds much weight. We may start many different things for many different reasons (some of them bad reasons) but find that good comes of it. When people start dieting and jogging they do it because they are unhappy with their looks and they want to be better looking (in most cases). But somehow these people are commendable. Yet, when a bodybuilder calls it like it is, all of a sudden things are very different. **

 

[NewsTheMan]

It’s a contest based primarily on the looks of the person involved. How can you consider that a good thing? Losing because you are not as fast or as strong as somebody else is totally different from losing because you are subjectively not as good looking.

Totally and utterly incorrect. It is not a contest based on who is good looking. It is difficult to explain what the contests are about without actually being a fan. It is not about being “good looking” and admiring looks. If it is, I must be a full blown homosexual. And I can assure you, I am not, nor is my dad, nor are most bodybuilding fans.

It is about muscle bellies.
It is about striations.
It is about fullness.
It is about seeing how dieting strictly has come into play.
It is about timing.
It is about posing and a routine.
It is about symmetry.
It is about proportion.
It is about size.
It is about muscle quality.
It is about realizing what that person has done in order to get that look.

It isn’t about being ‘good looking’. Now you might say, oh but it is because we are judging guys with six packs and abs oh how typical. Well, you said it not I. If six packs and muscles is what is good looking to you then thats nice. Might not be for someone else. But here’s an even stronger argument. How do judges judge? If its all about looks? Surely then someone would just pop out and win, or surely everybody is equal because they all have six packs and good bodies? Well. Clearly this isn’t the case. Objective checklists have to be ticked in order to win. It takes a lot to win bodybuilding competitions. Sure, some subjectivity plays a part. But if you have ever witnessed a bodybuilding comp you would realise that when 8 guys step on stage you can immediately say “Ok, well that guy didn’t diet right” and “That guy’s muscle bellies aren’t good” etc etc.

 

[vz71]

Yes, bodybuilding is a sport. And yes, bodybuilders are physically very strong in terms of muscle strength. Agreed. But bodybuilding also has certain particular components as a sport that would make any devout Catholic cringe. These have already been mentioned in this thread. There are enough red warning flags to stay away. One can become physically fit through conventional means without becoming a bodybuilder.

Yes, wrestling is a sport. And yes, wrestlers are physically very strong in terms of muscle strength. Agreed. But wrestling also has certain particular components as a sport that would make any devout Catholic cringe. These have already been mentioned in this thread. There are enough red warning flags to stay away. One can become physically fit through conventional means without becoming a wrestler.

When an argument can work just as well against other sports, it ceases to be an argument against a specific sport.

The proper answer to the original question “Is bodybuilding sinful?”
Is that “No. It is not sinful.”
However, just as in every other activity man can engage in, it can become sinful when we allow pride to take over.

 

[GerardMajella]

When an argument can work just as well against other sports, it ceases to be an argument against a specific sport.

You are taking my quote out of context. I gave six (6) specific reasons as to why bodybuilding could “potentially” be considered sinful. I will list them again for you here, in case you missed my prior post:

*The actual act of weightlifting, like any other exercise, is not sinful. In fact, when done properly, strengthening one’s muscles through weightlifting can be a healthy, life-prolonging activity.

Where you run into trouble with bodybuilding, however, is the following:

1.) Posing – Striking bodybuilding poses in the mirror can lead one to pay too much attention to one’s physical appearance, and could potentially lead to narcissism. An over-emphasis on one’s physical appearance at the detriment of one’s spirituality is not advisable.
2.) Attire – Professional bodybuilders typically wear skimpy attire, which would violate general guidelines of modesty advocated by the Church. Gyms that have athletes wearing this kind of attire are also inappropriate, as they promote immodest looks bordering on voyeurism.
3.) Drug use – Some bodybuilders abuse drugs for the purpose of improving strength, refining muscles, etc. This is not only illegal in some cases, but would also generally violate Church norms surrounding drug abuse.
4.) Homosexuality – There is a quite dominant part of male bodybuilding culture that is homosexual. This, again, goes against Church doctrine.
5.) Magazines – Most of the bodybuilding magazines are one step away from a Playboy or Playgirl magazine. The magazine reading material for the modern-day bodybuilder is awfully close to being pornographic.
6.) Music – Most of the athletic gyms play loud, sometimes Satanic music over the loudspeakers - music that advocates drug use, sex, etc. This can’t be healthy for an ordinary Catholic to bombard their ears with this kind of music for hours on end daily. *

This is not a complete blanket condemnation of the sport of bodybuilding. It’s simply pointing out the areas that are pitfalls for devout Catholics. One could, feasibly, engage in weightlifting to improve one’s strength and physique, without delving into the practices noted above.

Could you expand on this? These are not healthy things?

Correct. You mentioned the dehydration and diuretics utilized to prepare for a bodybuilding competition. These practices are unhealthy, especially if done in combination with steroid and drug abuse.

As would most sports I would argue. Could you point them out specifically?

See the comments noted above.

We are not talking about wrestling, or any other sport – only bodybuilding in this thread. Let’s stay on topic and not diverge into a multitude of “other” sports.

Just because another sport – such as wrestling – has some “sinful” or negative attributes, it does not follow that the sport of bodybuilding is therefore exempt from similar scrutiny. No one here is disputing that other sports – such as wrestling – could potentially have similar negative attributes.

So its okay to want to be fit (which is just another way of saying I want to look good - for most people) but saying you want to bodybuild (I want to look good by focusing on muscle size and strength) isn’t okay?

A person can become fit without drugs, without referencing near pornographic trade magazines, and without wearing skimpy attire, nor delving into narcissistic tendencies while working out out to Satanic music. That’s the difference. It’s the combination of all of these components that makes bodybuilding a poor choice for Catholics – all of which are quite common in the sport of bodybuilding.

The sport of bodybuilding has its own sub-culture, and its own set of mores and accepted practices that run directly contrary to Catholic doctrine.

And they continue to live long happy lives. Look at Mr.American Dream Arnie the Guv! People forget that he was a pro, and used drugs. Look at Rambo and Rocky, Sly Stallone.

There is a rather long list of well-known bodybuilders that have died prematurely, primarily due to drug abuse. According to Wade McNutt, a “natural” bodybuilder, he states:

"In the meantime we have an epidemic of top professionals who have died over the last few years including former muscle magazine media darlings “Andreas Munzer, Mohammed Benaziza, Paul Demayo, Don Youngblood, and an ever increasing list off dead athletes whose lives were cut short because of “Mass Monster Mania”.”

 

[NewsTheMan]

1.) Posing – Striking bodybuilding poses in the mirror can lead one to pay too much attention to one’s physical appearance, and could potentially lead to narcissism. An over-emphasis on one’s physical appearance at the detriment of one’s spirituality is not advisable. This point does hold some weight
2.) Attire – Professional bodybuilders typically wear skimpy attire, which would violate general guidelines of modesty advocated by the Church. Gyms that have athletes wearing this kind of attire are also inappropriate, as they promote immodest looks bordering on voyeurism. Skimpy attire is more 80’s bodybuilding to be honest
3.) Drug use – Some bodybuilders abuse drugs for the purpose of improving strength, refining muscles, etc. This is not only illegal in some cases, but would also generally violate Church norms surrounding drug abuse. Good point
4.) Homosexuality – There is a quite dominant part of male bodybuilding culture that is homosexual. This, again, goes against Church doctrine.Completely pulled out from nowhere and untrue hearsay. No part of male bodybuilding is homosexual. A clear sign you know nothing of the sport
5.) Magazines – Most of the bodybuilding magazines are one step away from a Playboy or Playgirl magazine. The magazine reading material for the modern-day bodybuilder is awfully close to being pornographic. Well… Possibly. But bodybuilding magazines are not marketed towards the opposite sex or for the intention to incite lust. They are by males for males and are interest magazines
6.) Music – Most of the athletic gyms play loud, sometimes Satanic music over the loudspeakers - music that advocates drug use, sex, etc. This can’t be healthy for an ordinary Catholic to bombard their ears with this kind of music for hours on end daily. I wont even get into what constitutes Satan music but this point is so out there that it doesn’t hold any weight at all

This is not a complete blanket condemnation of the sport of bodybuilding. It’s simply pointing out the areas that are pitfalls for devout Catholics. One could, feasibly, engage in weightlifting to improve one’s strength and physique, without delving into the practices noted above. I agree, and I see what you are saying

Correct. You mentioned the dehydration and diuretics utilized to prepare for a bodybuilding competition. These practices are unhealthy, especially if done in combination with steroid and drug abuse. In combination with drug use is a nothing statement. There is no proof that diuretic practise is dangerous when combined with anabolics. Pulled this out from nowhere. Coupled with the fact that in most cases, dehydration is very light and not done for more than a day, probably only for about 6-12 hours before a show depending on the circumstances. Again, this may be unhealthy in a small short term way, but nothing to be concerned about. In fact, most people probably dehydrate themselves all day long anyway and are probably less hydrated then most bodybuilders are!

We are not talking about wrestling, or any other sport – only bodybuilding in this thread. Let’s stay on topic and not diverge into a multitude of “other” sports. But other sports are in need of mention, because whats good for the goose is good for the gander

Just because another sport – such as wrestling – has some “sinful” or negative attributes, it does not follow that the sport of bodybuilding is therefore exempt from similar scrutiny. No one here is disputing that other sports – such as wrestling – could potentially have similar negative attributes. I understand the point here, but again see my above comment. We seem to give bodybuilding a lot of negativity without even considering what we would find normal in other sports

A person can become fit without drugs, without referencing near pornographic trade magazines, and without wearing skimpy attire, nor delving into narcissistic tendencies while working out out to Satanic music Completely bias statement. And indeed, even a tad over-the-top and nonsensical. Stating the obvious. Yes, a person can do all those things. But you are trying to correlate these things and fit them in where they have no place. Not only that, but again, being fit and bodybuilding are two different things. That’s the difference. It’s the combination of all of these components that makes bodybuilding a poor choice for Catholics – all of which are quite common in the sport of bodybuilding. No, they are not all quite common. At all. You are not only bias, but you are speaking from outsider experience with your bias.

The sport of bodybuilding has its own sub-culture, and its own set of mores and accepted practices that run directly contrary to Catholic doctrine.Not true at all. Again, every single sub-culture on this planet has negative sides or groups to it. Do we condemn them for some negativity? No.

There is a rather long list of well-known bodybuilders that have died prematurely, primarily due to drug abuse. **I would be rather intrerested to see this list. I have had this argument before on the bodybuilding forum I frequent, and the person I argued with gave about 3 obscure names who didn’t even die as a result of drug use. This is also a nothing point because it is selective information. Many people have died in many different sports as a ‘result’ of that sport. But do we condemn that sport? Again, no. So even if 100 people died from drug usage - they died from drug usage not bodybuilding. And then, if you insist on relating the two, what about the other 10000000 people that didn’t die? And what about other sports? **

 

[NewsTheMan]

"In the meantime we have an epidemic of top professionals who have died over the last few years including former muscle magazine media darlings “Andreas Munzer refused a blood transfusion… but point taken, Mohammed Benazizarefused hospital care, Paul Demayoheroin overdose, Don Youngbloodheart attack not all of these can be directly attributed to bodybuilding, and an ever increasing list off dead athletes whose lives were cut short because of “Mass Monster Mania”.” I do get your point however. p.s. a natural bodybuilder has business in saying this kinda thing, it makes him look better, but I still agree that drugs are to be avoided

 

[Purple_Junebug]

There is nothing wrong with working out and being healthy. But I have watched a documentary about bodybuilding and some of the stuff that people do is actually unhealthy. For instance some bodybuilders go on strange diets that are basically only lean meat and carbs and some don’t drink any water two days before the competition in order for their skin to become tight around their muscles. If you are not doing that then it is alright but you also have to consider the modesty issue. Remember that your body is a sacred place and shouldn’t be shown to just anyone. I see nothing wrong with a competition for beauty as long as you are modest and not being unhealthy but ultimately it is your decision. I suggest you think and pray about it and you will figure out what is the right thing to do