19 April 2009
The History of Bodybuilding
A well-defined physique has always been closely associated with strength, success and fertility. Since ancient times,
human beings were highly engrossed in developing their physical structure. Their intent was to attract the opposite sex
as well as be useful in several functions of daily living. Today, the activity is more commonly referred to as body building.
The world has embraced it since its date of origin.
The Birth of Bodybuilding
The origin of bodybuilding is estimated to be between 1880 and 1930. Bodybuilding as an art form wherein individuals pose
and display symmetry and muscularity, did not exist before the 19th century. Human beings have been actively building strength
to prepare for games and other popular sports for more than 3000 years. The ancient Greeks were known for possessing well-developed
symmetry by doing a variety of exercises, including weight lifting.
The single person who could be accredited with initially promoting modern day bodybuilding would be Eugen Sandow, from Prussia (Germany).
He is now referred to as the father of Modern Bodybuilding.
Sandow was the first person who pioneered the sport of displaying well-defined physiques solely, since strongmen at the time were more
concerned about showing feats of strength through wrestling matches, lifting meets and strength demonstrations. Florenz Ziegfield served
as Sandow's manager, who put on stage shows where the first bodybuilder displayed his body in carnivals and other events.
The First Bodybuilding Contest
Sandow became widely famous for his posing and flexing routines. He later went on to market products using his name. Some of the first
exercise equipment available to the public were created and developed by the pioneer. This equipment included tension bands, machined
dumbbells and spring pulleys. Sandow followed the Grecian Ideal where he built his physique relative to the ideals of the ancient Greeks
and Romans.
Sandow arranged the very first bodybuilding contest on September 14, 1901 in the royal Albert Hall, London, UK and named it the Great
Competition. The winner was William L. Murray, who was presented with a bronze statue of Eugen Sandow himself. Today, the Mr. Olympia
competition is the most famous and prestigious bodybuilding contest in the world. Since 1977, winners were awarded with the same bronze
statue of Sandow.
The Muscle Mecca
The 1930s and 1940s saw a continuous rise in the sport of bodybuilding, particularly at Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, California. Bodybuilders would arrive in droves especially in the summer to perform a variety of strength stunts and display their muscular bodies.
Some of the icons at the site were Jack La Lanne, Joe Gold, who founded Gold’s Gym, Harold Zinkin, who founded Universal gym and AAU
Mr. America John Grimek. Muscle Beach closed in the 1950s, but the west coast remains the Mecca of bodybuilding. Today, Venice Beach,
California is the center, where the first Gold’s Gym is located.
The AAU or American Athletic Union sponsored body building competitions since 1939. Ben and Joe Weider, from Canada, established the
IFBB or International Federation of Bodybuilders which is the premier group of bodybuilding at present. Together, the brothers
circulated bodybuilding magazines as well as founding the Mr. Olympia contest.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger from Austria shaped and popularized the sport like no one else before or after him. The immigrant won 7 Mr. Olympia
titles, along with other amateur and professional championships and is highly regarded as the most influential and greatest bodybuilder
of all time.
The bodybuilding craze continued throughout America and the world as The Oak displayed his genetic prowess, drive, determination and charisma.
Bodybuilding has became closely associated with sexuality and power. When Arnold left the scenes and set his sights on Hollywood and politics,
the world continued to improve the art of the sport. Amateurs, natural and competitive alike, enter the sport hoping to be the next Arnold.
Today, bodybuilding is still the same as it was a century ago. Although new rules, regulations and materials have been incorporated to keep
the sport intense, all bodybuilders mainly participate to boost strength, gain confidence and for the love of it.
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