Are bodybuilders vain?

You have to have a level of vanity because the point is to look better than your competition. But many competitors attitudes of vanity depend on how they view themselves compared to average people. If they were ridiculed as a child about their body (whether skinny or fat) then make a transformation, they could be taking out a lot of vented up anger on those who used to ridicule them.
IMO, if your attitude is that you're superior to everyone else around you in physique, then it's beyond vanity and edging on narcissism. If you feel good about how you look and want to keep getting better, then it's just normal vanity.
And vanity doesn't just apply to bodybuilders and figure, fitness, bikini competitors. There are people who are vain who spend money on clothing, plastic surgery, cars, etc.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I was that "skinny-fat" dork before making the decision to compete and it has done WONDERS to my confidence and self esteem, not to mention my health and body. Now I put forth more of an effort in my decisions, whether about food or work outs, training, etc. I had ZERO self esteem before, even right before and now I feel right by my body and not because others tell me so, but because I feel that way about myself.

If it's not intended to get people bashing then why not ask "What do you think of bodybuilders?" instead of "Are bodybuilders vain?" The question seems worded to cause bashing. This seems confirmed by the "no bashing" admonition.

Fact is, there has yet to be any such bashing, just a conversation back and forth about people's opinions (which is what the op was looking for at any rate, right). You, actually, are the only person I've seen post on here with an opinion that doesn't actually address the question as to whether or not you think that bodybuilders are vain.

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'm sorry, but this post is worded to encourage bashing, regardless of the "play nicely" admonition.

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.

What I think is the funnies part of this statement is that I spend less time now looking in the mirror than I did before. I don't compete, but I do build. Bodybuilding has given me the self-confidence to not obsess with what I see in the mirror and to know that I'm pushing myself so whatever is looking back at me is the best that I can do, where as before I would sit and stare and obsess about my cellulite on my *kitten*, and the inches I could pinch here or there, or looking at my reflection as I walked to make sure that I wasn't in fact falling apart at the seams. Now I only look in the mirror long enough to a) check my form while lifting to make sure I don't hurt myself, b) apply my (gasp) make-up in the (oh-my) vanity, or c) make sure that I can still wear this outfit while bulking because when you put on some weight you end up with unslightly camel toe and if you push it for way too long a little moose knuckle.
I suppose I’m with puffy when I admit that there is some vanity in wanting to look a certain way, but for me I have to have a goal. I’m a competitor at heart, starting sports at 4. Without a competitive goal I don’t see a purpose in doing something. Every time I run I do it for fun, but also to beat the time I ran last time, and then I enter races to see how I stack up. I want to compete because every time I go into the weight room I want something to strive for (other than the ability to open a jar without banging it on the counter first), this one happens to be esthetics, and my competitive nature is curious as to how I stack up. I’m actually particularly shy and terrible at being in front of people (at least I used to be more so than I am now that I teach group fit classes). I had to do a speech in 8th grade for my friend running for class treasurer, I shook so bad that I couldn’t finish my speech. Even considering getting in front of people to be judged for anything is huge at overcoming this fear.
I guess I never saw it as being anymore vain than anyone else training for a sport or setting a goal that would be both physically challenging and challenging to who you are as a person in general.

I suppose I should have qualified my statement with "most" bodybuilders. There is no 100% when it comes to individuals. And.. if any of us looked in the mirror and hated what we see, it would be closer to self-loathing than anything else. A person shouldn't have negative feelings when looking in the mirror. I still think my original statement is 99% true. Maybe you are in the 1%, or just not willing to admit you're vain. And, there's nothing wrong with being vain unless you are inflicting your (perceived) superiority on others.

I have to wonder what would motivate you to ask this question? Give me a list of qualities that ALL..........I guess I just can't understand the reasoning that brought you to ask this question.