Are bodybuilders vain?

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Replies

  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Yes, but who said "vain" was inherently bad?


    no one, but my initial thought is to vain = bad. I really just wanted a friendly discussion on the subject, nothing more.

    And that was my contribution to the discussing. Yes body builders are "vain" but no, vanity is not inherently "bad", therefore bodybuilders are not "bad" simply because they are vain. They might be "bad" for other reasons however, (maybe they flick boogers at people for example).
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    Yes, but who said "vain" was inherently bad?


    no one, but my initial thought is to vain = bad. I really just wanted a friendly discussion on the subject, nothing more.

    And that was my contribution to the discussing. Yes body builders are "vain" but no, vanity is not inherently "bad", therefore bodybuilders are not "bad" simply because they are vain. They might be "bad" for other reasons however, (maybe they flick boogers at people for example).

    lol, people at work are going to wonder what is wrong with me (having random fits of hysteria). That was too cute.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Yup, what Rae said. There's some vanity involved, but there's vanity involved in any competition of any kind. The vanity of a bodybuilder is no more or less vain than that of a spelling bee champion. Both are competing because they want to win.
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    But they're too sexy for their shirts...

    doh, now that song is stuck in my head, lol.
  • busywaterbending
    busywaterbending Posts: 844 Member
    Vain is to be excessively overconfident! The sport of Body/Fitness/Figure/Bikini is not vain at all. The goal of all bodybuilders when they get up on a stage is to sell themselves to the judges.

    Confidence! Sometimes that comes off as vanity. Tell these beautiful athletes in their respective sports that they are vain because they run around in athletic wear performing feats of fitness and beauty that the average joe / jane can only admire and appreciate and they will politely shrug you off as the uneducated person you would sound like saying that to them.

    athletes10.jpg

    athletes09.jpg

    athletes04.jpg

    athletes06.jpg

    leighsa.jpg
  • juscallmeb
    juscallmeb Posts: 369 Member
    Someone must have seen my earlier post, today, where I said body builders were vain. When a person takes time to admire themselves in a mirror... THAT'S VANITY! I don't care how hard you work to get there, the motivation is vanity (so you, and others, can admire you). As I said in the other post, you don't have to build muscles to be in good shape and healthy.

    Edit: van·i·ty/ˈvanətē/
    Noun:

    Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.

    Key word here being: excessive. You can have pride in yourself without it being excessive. The excessive part is what separates those who are proud of their achievements and those who take it to a higher degree (i.e., those that are vain

    i like this :)
  • TrueBlueBruin78
    TrueBlueBruin78 Posts: 311 Member
    This is just a question to see how others feel about it, so please play nicely. Opinions are welcome, so long as they are not bashing anyone else's opinions or each other....


    So, do you think bodybuilding from bikini to fitness to figure to physique to bodybuilding is vain? And, why or why not?


    my response - no. Why not? Because it takes someone with a great amount of restraint, discipline, dedication, determination, willpower, motivation, etc. to even consider getting into this sport.

    I agree with you completely. For me at least, i am building my body, so if that makes me a body builder, then yes i am, but i dont do it for stage (not yet at least maybe in the near future). But me personally, i like to pay if forward, things that i know and have learned throughout my journey, I love to share my knowledge with people who are willing to accept it. But i guess it depends on the person, a vain person is a vain person, no matter what. Thanks for bringing this up.
  • Z_I_L_L_A
    Z_I_L_L_A Posts: 2,399 Member
    BWB you just bogart the whole post? I say you worked for it, you earned it and you can flaunt it all you want because you deserve it. Haters and trolls beware Hulk smashes puny haters and trolls. Okay I'm done.....Yeah the other day I looked in the mirror and admired the work that I have done, that I have worked and sweated for mind you and I said daaayuum you go Zilla. I stopped just shy of kissin my finger and touchin my brazilian butt lifted buttocks and giving the sizzle sound. lmao trump that....
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    This is just a question to see how others feel about it, so please play nicely. Opinions are welcome, so long as they are not bashing anyone else's opinions or each other....


    So, do you think bodybuilding from bikini to fitness to figure to physique to bodybuilding is vain? And, why or why not?


    my response - no. Why not? Because it takes someone with a great amount of restraint, discipline, dedication, determination, willpower, motivation, etc. to even consider getting into this sport.

    I agree with you completely. For me at least, i am building my body, so if that makes me a body builder, then yes i am, but i dont do it for stage (not yet at least maybe in the near future). But me personally, i like to pay if forward, things that i know and have learned throughout my journey, I love to share my knowledge with people who are willing to accept it. But i guess it depends on the person, a vain person is a vain person, no matter what. Thanks for bringing this up.


    I think you could compete, but I know how it feels wanting to be better than you are to present yourself on stage (or at least that's where I was before and am now that its been a while since training). I totally love the helping those who want to be helped and am actually looking at getting certified to become a trainer and hopefully (fingers crossed) will be able to quit my job to do that full time soon after. :bigsmile:
  • americaistoxic
    americaistoxic Posts: 7
    My wife and I used to go to a gym where it was mostly bodybuilders (www.metroflexplano.com) and they were the nicest guys and gals we've ever met in a fitness environment. If you've never read about what exactly they go through to get ready for a show, you should. If they're a little vain because of that, then fine. What they do is extremely hard, and deserve a lot of credit for it. Is it healthy? Well, that's another question... But honestly, what is 100% healthy in our society?
  • busywaterbending
    busywaterbending Posts: 844 Member
    jajaja! Zilla I love your confidence! ;) So, when will you be contest ready? There's humor there!

    BTW, right click any of the above pictures and open in a new tab or window to get the FULL picture!
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    My wife and I used to go to a gym where it was mostly bodybuilders (www.metroflexplano.com) and they were the nicest guys and gals we've ever met in a fitness environment. If you've never read about what exactly they go through to get ready for a show, you should. If they're a little vain because of that, then fine. What they do is extremely hard, and deserve a lot of credit for it. Is it healthy? Well, that's another question... But honestly, what is 100% healthy in our society?


    I can honetly say I've never been more healthy, nor have I ever eaten more than when I started training to compete.
  • Anthonydaman
    Anthonydaman Posts: 854 Member
    What's wrong with vanity, as long as it's not obsessive
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    But they're too sexy for their shirts...

    I like to keep my shirt on, but I'm definitely too hot for my pants
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    when you are ready to move up into figure fitness can I be your choreographer then? Great minds.... sabes? :)

    Eeek, figure? Doesn't training last longer? I barely held it together the first time for bikini and getting back at it this time, lol, BUT in my defense I had a wee set back... but, if I do decide to up it to figure - definitely!!

    I've thought about this too, but have very little idea what it entails.
  • Z_I_L_L_A
    Z_I_L_L_A Posts: 2,399 Member
    I must finish my BBL workouts to get the symmetrical butt cheek look before I'm ready to compete with the other male fitness competitors.
  • Mehagon
    Mehagon Posts: 83
    My wife and I used to go to a gym where it was mostly bodybuilders (www.metroflexplano.com) and they were the nicest guys and gals we've ever met in a fitness environment. If you've never read about what exactly they go through to get ready for a show, you should. If they're a little vain because of that, then fine. What they do is extremely hard, and deserve a lot of credit for it. Is it healthy? Well, that's another question... But honestly, what is 100% healthy in our society?


    I can honetly say I've never been more healthy, nor have I ever eaten more than when I started training to compete.

    That's great that you can maintain your physical and emotional health! :) The start of training was great! As things got closer, I found I was not mentally prepared to try and compete with the diet I had to go through to lean out among other things, so I bowed out of that world for the time being. :)

    But I would agree that it is a very hard thing to do to compete! Takes a lot mentally and physically to subject yourself to that kind of judging. And as it's been said, if that means it takes a little bit of vanity, then so be it! I think it might be more like confidence though. ;)
  • ljd0693
    ljd0693 Posts: 289 Member
    With all the time and effort bodybuilders put into getting into shape they deserve a little vanity. Some take it over the top and put everyone else down but those are the type of people that would put people down no matter what.
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    when you are ready to move up into figure fitness can I be your choreographer then? Great minds.... sabes? :)

    Eeek, figure? Doesn't training last longer? I barely held it together the first time for bikini and getting back at it this time, lol, BUT in my defense I had a wee set back... but, if I do decide to up it to figure - definitely!!

    I've thought about this too, but have very little idea what it entails.


    same here, I know they have a lower body fat percentage and different back structure, I think... If I ever do decide to go that route, I AM going to hire busy, for sure.
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    My wife and I used to go to a gym where it was mostly bodybuilders (www.metroflexplano.com) and they were the nicest guys and gals we've ever met in a fitness environment. If you've never read about what exactly they go through to get ready for a show, you should. If they're a little vain because of that, then fine. What they do is extremely hard, and deserve a lot of credit for it. Is it healthy? Well, that's another question... But honestly, what is 100% healthy in our society?


    I can honetly say I've never been more healthy, nor have I ever eaten more than when I started training to compete.

    That's great that you can maintain your physical and emotional health! :) The start of training was great! As things got closer, I found I was not mentally prepared to try and compete with the diet I had to go through to lean out among other things, so I bowed out of that world for the time being. :)

    But I would agree that it is a very hard thing to do to compete! Takes a lot mentally and physically to subject yourself to that kind of judging. And as it's been said, if that means it takes a little bit of vanity, then so be it! I think it might be more like confidence though. ;)


    oh, I'm not gonna lie, I was an EMOTIONAL basketcase over the food restrictions. I would literally cry and sometimes gag eating at work, especially tilapia and boiled eggs and smell everyone else's french fries and cheeseburgers. It was HARD, but worth all that I learned from that experience.
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    What's wrong with vanity, as long as it's not obsessive


    nothing wrong at all, was just curious on others thoughts was all. I think its been a pretty good, respectful discussion so far and I can see where people on either side are coming from.
  • Mehagon
    Mehagon Posts: 83
    My wife and I used to go to a gym where it was mostly bodybuilders (www.metroflexplano.com) and they were the nicest guys and gals we've ever met in a fitness environment. If you've never read about what exactly they go through to get ready for a show, you should. If they're a little vain because of that, then fine. What they do is extremely hard, and deserve a lot of credit for it. Is it healthy? Well, that's another question... But honestly, what is 100% healthy in our society?


    I can honetly say I've never been more healthy, nor have I ever eaten more than when I started training to compete.

    That's great that you can maintain your physical and emotional health! :) The start of training was great! As things got closer, I found I was not mentally prepared to try and compete with the diet I had to go through to lean out among other things, so I bowed out of that world for the time being. :)

    But I would agree that it is a very hard thing to do to compete! Takes a lot mentally and physically to subject yourself to that kind of judging. And as it's been said, if that means it takes a little bit of vanity, then so be it! I think it might be more like confidence though. ;)


    oh, I'm not gonna lie, I was an EMOTIONAL basketcase over the food restrictions. I would literally cry and sometimes gag eating at work, especially tilapia and boiled eggs and smell everyone else's french fries and cheeseburgers. It was HARD, but worth all that I learned from that experience.

    Yeah I took away some great stuff from that experience! And what's weird is I loved eating the food. . . love tilapia and eggs. . . just psychologically couldn't handle the diet idea of "depriving myself." Maybe when I'm lower in body fat I'll try again. :) Definitely gained a new respect for the people that can live that life healthily. :)
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    My wife and I used to go to a gym where it was mostly bodybuilders (www.metroflexplano.com) and they were the nicest guys and gals we've ever met in a fitness environment. If you've never read about what exactly they go through to get ready for a show, you should. If they're a little vain because of that, then fine. What they do is extremely hard, and deserve a lot of credit for it. Is it healthy? Well, that's another question... But honestly, what is 100% healthy in our society?


    I can honetly say I've never been more healthy, nor have I ever eaten more than when I started training to compete.

    That's great that you can maintain your physical and emotional health! :) The start of training was great! As things got closer, I found I was not mentally prepared to try and compete with the diet I had to go through to lean out among other things, so I bowed out of that world for the time being. :)

    But I would agree that it is a very hard thing to do to compete! Takes a lot mentally and physically to subject yourself to that kind of judging. And as it's been said, if that means it takes a little bit of vanity, then so be it! I think it might be more like confidence though. ;)


    oh, I'm not gonna lie, I was an EMOTIONAL basketcase over the food restrictions. I would literally cry and sometimes gag eating at work, especially tilapia and boiled eggs and smell everyone else's french fries and cheeseburgers. It was HARD, but worth all that I learned from that experience.

    Yeah I took away some great stuff from that experience! And what's weird is I loved eating the food. . . love tilapia and eggs. . . just psychologically couldn't handle the diet idea of "depriving myself." Maybe when I'm lower in body fat I'll try again. :) Definitely gained a new respect for the people that can live that life healthily. :)

    Yes!!! It wasn't that I hated the foods, well, ok, not so in love with tilapia, but when it was ALL of the time EVERY single day, EVERY single meal, it got old. That was also when I found a serious love for sweets! What?!? Only when I said I couldn't have it did I want it... lol
  • Mehagon
    Mehagon Posts: 83


    Yes!!! It wasn't that I hated the foods, well, ok, not so in love with tilapia, but when it was ALL of the time EVERY single day, EVERY single meal, it got old. That was also when I found a serious love for sweets! What?!? Only when I said I couldn't have it did I want it... lol

    Exactly! I've always had a sweet tooth, but I feel like I almost developed an eating disorder with it, so I'm getting that back under control. :) Stupid mind games!!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,031 Member
    That's why that post competition meal is the best..........................pizza.



    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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