Thread: What are the things that separate a bodybuilder from a person who lifts to be fit?

Interesting, everyone that I saw is like that.

http://www.onelook.com/?w=bodybuilder&ls=a

I guess I'm a poser then

I could care less what title I get, personally I like Anti-gravity Warrior. Even if everyone started calling us fags you would still find me pumping iron.

Originally posted by maniclion
I guess I'm a poser then

I could care less what title I get, personally I like Anti-gravity Warrior. Even if everyone started calling us fags you would still find me pumping iron.

It's not that I care what other people call me. It is just my opinion that the word bodybuilder applies to more than just people who compete. Unfortunately, as I stated, no one really agrees with me so the point is moot. I like anti-gravity warrior too. Very inventive.

Originally posted by CowPimp
http://www.onelook.com/?w=bodybuilder&ls=a

Main Entry: body·build·ing

the developing of the body through exercise and diet;

specifically : the developing of the physique for competitive exhibition

Originally posted by Robert DiMaggio
I do not want to turn this into a debate cause we have it several times before, but my opinion is you can only indentify yourself as a "bodybuilder" if you're competitive, otherwise you just lift weights.

If you lift weights and follow a "bodybuilding lifestye" that alone does not qualify you to carry the title "bodybuilder", and to do so is insulting to competitive bodybuilders, especially professionals. There is so much more involved being a competitive bodybuilder, just ask anyone that has competed.

fair enough

Originally posted by CowPimp
Some dictionaries specify competition as criteria. Some only specify that people weight lift and eat to enhance their musculature. It depends which dictionary you consult.

The point of my previous post was to say that there is still some distinction between many people on these boards and weight lifters. Some people lift weights, plan and simple. However, many people take it a level beyond that. There needs to be some kind of term to specify someone who bodybuilds but isn't a bodybuilder, because weight lifter doesn't do them justice.

Well personnally the term means nothing. Regardless if you call yourself a weight lifter, weight trainer(as I do), bodybuilder,, the point is a name doing them justice means nothing. I say let your body do the talking. The comments, looks and compliments you receive in person is justice enough. Just go out and do it and leave the labels at the door.
just my opinion.


What I"m really saying is this: If your 260 Plus pounds with arms 20inches you basically can call yourself anything you want. Problem is when regular guys we see at the gym or on the beach with their 14inch calfs and 16 to 17 inch arms are calling themselves bodybuilders that it becomes a joke and detracts from the real men and women of muscle as I described above. Point I'm making is if you have the physic that can walk out on a stage tomorrow and place in the top 5 then by all means call yourself a bodybuilder because you have the body to back up the statement.

Originally posted by Robert DiMaggio
good points, and I also see both sides of the debate.

It requires a much higher level in all aspects of "bodybuilding", there is no cheating on your diet, there is no skipping a work-out cause you want to go to that baseball game (or whatever), there is no "partying", there is no skipping a meal.

It's 24/7 bodybulding: training, eating, resting. You eat every 3 hours, and it's basically the same bland foods every meal, day after day, week after week. You cannot skip cardio, you cannot have a half assed work-out of bullshitting with your gym buddies, it's all business! You cannot eat that icecream bar that everyon else is eating....etc., etc., etc.

You have to practice your posing every day, you have to go tan, you have to think in advance of your meals and prepare them, especially if you're going somewhere. It does not end! Same with your supplements.

That is the difference.

Sounds just like my life to the T! But hey its what ever anyone feels like callin it...the only thing that matters is you keep at it.

Originally posted by Robert DiMaggio
Main Entry: body·build·ing

the developing of the body through exercise and diet;

specifically : the developing of the physique for competitive exhibition

6 out of 8 mention nothing of competition.

Originally posted by firestorm
Well personnally the term means nothing. Regardless if you call yourself a weight lifter, weight trainer(as I do), bodybuilder,, the point is a name doing them justice means nothing. I say let your body do the talking. The comments, looks and compliments you receive in person is justice enough. Just go out and do it and leave the labels at the door.
just my opinion.


What I"m really saying is this: If your 260 Plus pounds with arms 20inches you basically can call yourself anything you want. Problem is when regular guys we see at the gym or on the beach with their 14inch calfs and 16 to 17 inch arms are calling themselves bodybuilders that it becomes a joke and detracts from the real men and women of muscle as I described above. Point I'm making is if you have the physic that can walk out on a stage tomorrow and place in the top 5 then by all means call yourself a bodybuilder because you have the body to back up the statement.

Call me what you want, I already said that I really don't care. It's results that I am after, not a title. My point was that there is a difference between weight lifters and those who bodybuild. There should be some kind of distinction between them just as you feel that there should be a distinction between people who lift weights and don't compete and those who do compete.

If you don't want to consider someone who doesn't compete a bodybuilder fine, then I don't want to consider someone who goes beyond a simple lifting routine a weight lifter. In reality, we have the same opinion on the situation. We both feel there needs to be a distinction between a competitive bodybuilder and a recreational bodybuilder. However, I'm the only one who feels their needs to be a distinction between a recreational bodybuilder and a weight lifter.

Well various opinions here... It really is hard to draw a straight line in a gray area. Personally I really think that "bodybuilder" is a tittle that cannot be fully restricted to competitors alone because there are some individuals out there who have no interest in competition but possess a bodybuilder's physique. In my opinion someone can be either be a recreational bodybuilder and competitive bodybuilder. I guess thats the best distinction that sets lines in between the two. ANyone can bodybuild ergo we refer to him as a bodybuilder, someone who competes we call competitive bodybuilder. I know arguments will fly here and there and its and endless debate and the best I can think of is to be specific when it comes to what sort of bodybuilder are you.

Originally posted by CowPimp
Oh well, I guess I will concede that I am wrong. Although I bodybuild, I am not a bodybuilder. No one really seems to agree with me. I think it's unreasonable for me to argue otherwise when everyone else obviously disagrees with me.

I agree with you.

^i agree with cowpimp as well

It seems like the "bodybuilders" here

think that they are better than the other people just becuase they went a little farther and competed

so they think they deserve more respect....

Originally posted by CowPimp
Call me what you want, I already said that I really don't care. It's results that I am after, not a title. My point was that there is a difference between weight lifters and those who bodybuild. There should be some kind of distinction between them just as you feel that there should be a distinction between people who lift weights and don't compete and those who do compete.

If you don't want to consider someone who doesn't compete a bodybuilder fine, then I don't want to consider someone who goes beyond a simple lifting routine a weight lifter. In reality, we have the same opinion on the situation. We both feel there needs to be a distinction between a competitive bodybuilder and a recreational bodybuilder. However, I'm the only one who feels their needs to be a distinction between a recreational bodybuilder and a weight lifter.

no no I totally see your point of having a distinction but that is a little off the topic. I would see no problem with having that distinction in fact as I've stated, when people ask me if I'm a bodybuilder I say I'm a weight trainer. That is exactly what your talking about right? I gave myself my own title. lol Please feel free to join my club of weight trainers. The more the better.

Originally posted by firestorm
no no I totally see your point of having a distinction but that is a little off the topic. I would see no problem with having that distinction in fact as I've stated, when people ask me if I'm a bodybuilder I say I'm a weight trainer. That is exactly what your talking about right? I gave myself my own title. lol Please feel free to join my club of weight trainers. The more the better.

I usually say something like, "Yeah I'm a bodybuilder. I don't compete or anything, but I take it pretty seriously..." Something of the sort. Everyone else can refer to me however they want though. Someone mentioned anti-gravity warrior earlier in the thread; I think I'm going to try that one on for size.