Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Results
      • Mr. Olympia 2022
      • 2022 WSM
      • Arnold Classic
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
    • Deals
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Results
      • Mr. Olympia 2022
      • 2022 WSM
      • Arnold Classic
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
    • Deals
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
OP-EDOP-ED

5 Big Reasons To Think Twice About Competitive Bodybuilding

Not everyone is cut out for competitive bodybuilding!

Tom Miller, CSCS

Written by Tom Miller, CSCS

Last Updated onJune 23, 2019

Bodybuilder Jay Cutler vs. Ronnie Coleman

Bodybuilder Jay Cutler vs. Ronnie Coleman

Pro Bodybuilding: There are literally thousands of men from all over the world who dream of becoming the next Mr. Olympia (Or just being a successful bodybuilder) but the truth is… it just ain’t happening!

And we’re not saying this to be a “negative nancy” but you really have to know what you’re working with before you waste your precious time; which could be spent on developing your real strengths and talents…

But before you hang up your posing trunks, there are many factors which will determine if you’re right for the sport… or not!

So, let’s discuss 5 reasons to think twice about competitive bodybuilding…

1-Bad Muscle Insertions/Genetics

Ok, so anyone can compete regardless of genetics but the chances of you reaching the pinnacle of the sport (These days especially) or being a household name is slim to none.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should stop training as you should always strive to be your best and outside of bodybuilding no one really cares about your genetics as long as you’re in shape.

However, the sport of bodybuilding doesn’t quite work in favor of the genetically cursed…

Short vs long muscle bellies

Ok, maybe that was a little harsh… but if you have short muscles bellies in comparison to your tendon lengths, you’re just not going to have the same visual appeal as someone with longer and fuller muscle bellies. Plus, a smaller muscle to tendon ratio means a smaller muscle overall as the muscle size and strength is relative to the cross-sectional size of a muscle. (1)

Your proportions will also be thrown off and this is evident when viewed by anyone who knows how to judge a physique.

But, some bodybuilders have a mix of both short and long muscle bellies… and they might still reach the very top of the sport. For example, Ronnie Coleman didn’t have the best midsection, calves or triceps (They were rather flat from the side and attached high up on his arms) but his physique as a whole was mind-blowing.

However, if you have bad insertions (Which create less attractive body parts) all over and it’s very noticeable, then the judges will see it this way (And so will everyone else). There’s no looking past this aspect of competing because aesthetics are highly dependent on muscle flow and symmetry.

Bad muscle insertions = less aesthetic potential.

You don’t necessarily have to be Phil Heath to stand out but good genetics go a very long way in the sport of bodybuilding.

Phil Heath 2017 Mr. Olympia

So with that being said, a small waist plus full, symmetrical muscles/body parts, and excellent conditioning wins the show 9 times out of 10.

Muscle size

But muscle size is also a factor when it comes to genetics and bodybuilding is largely about size and symmetry. If you’re not big and symmetrical then you can pretty much forget about winning any competitions.

This is just a part of the sport that cannot be looked over up since judging is based on balance and good body parts which work together in combination with perfect conditioning to form a great physique. And regardless of how much you train a muscle, it may never catch up… that’s genetics for you! (2, 3, 4)

2-Too Many Tattoos/Bad Tattoos

Have you ever seen a Mr. Olympia winner covered in tattoos? The answer is absolutely not! In fact, most Olympias had no tattoos and maybe a few had ones which were barely visible or insignificant.

And why is this?

It’s rather simple really!… You cover up a lot of definition, muscle insertions, symmetry is hard to gauge, and it could be argued that tattoos do not fit well in a prestigious competition such as the ones at the higher levels of competitive bodybuilding.

Now, amateur bodybuilding events may not be as big of a deal but when you get to the big leagues, there’s been an obvious pattern of athletes having little to no tattoos, and this goes for all divisions.

But another issue would be the type of tattoos you have. Some bodybuilders get tattoos which would be clearly offensive and how would this go over with the judges? Well, it’s likely you won’t be chosen as an ambassador for the sport.

Bad choices affect us over the long haul and it’s something to think about if you’ll be competing and displaying your tattoos for the world to see.

3-You Hate The Process

Bodybuilding is one of the most grueling lifestyles in existence. So, if you don’t at least enjoy it, or you think about giving up every time you have to force feed yourself every 2 hours… then you might want to think about doing something else.

Bodybuilding Diet
Bodybuilding Diet

Bodybuilding isn’t for everyone and everyone isn’t cut out for bodybuilding.

But if you do have the willpower to train and eat likes it’s a full-time job… then congratulations! You’re ahead of most people who attempt this lifestyle.

But don’t forget about the posing, dieting down, frequent competing, plus grinding day in and out… yeah, it’s not so appealing anymore. There’s a lot of fierce competition out there and you have to be willing to accept this and fight no matter what!

4-You Don’t Have a Backup Plan

We’d agree that you should never give up on your dreams but the truth is there are no promises in life ever. And unfortunately, bodybuilding is a sport based on physical appearance.

Losing Gainz
Losing Gainz

So, what is that supposed to mean?

It means you can work your butt off and never make it very far in competitive bodybuilding if you don’t have top-tier genetics and god-like work ethic.

Now, if you keep up with bodybuilding you’d know that the top spots are reserved only for a select few men in the world and it’s been this way since the beginning.

And to take it a step further, there are only a few men who make a living from competitive bodybuilding. Like very, very few!

So, thinking about a career outside of bodybuilding is a very smart idea while trying to work your way up in the sport.

5-Health Conditions

The life of a competitive bodybuilder is not for the faint of heart, as it’s a tough road to follow physically and mentally.

Phil Heath with doctor

Now, yes physical fitness is recommended for everyone to keep healthy and fit but when you consider the intense training, diet, and the mental strength it takes to be great; well… you better make sure you have a clean bill of health.

But there’s also the natural vs. non-natural factor which makes a big difference when talking about health concerns. So, if you’ve had a history of health concerns or a family history of health issues, then it’s best to get fully checked out before beginning a bodybuilding regimen.

People with heart issues, breathing problems, nutritional deficiencies or any other physical abnormalities should not be involved in the intense lifestyle required of a bodybuilder. However, an exercise, in general, is still healthy and recommended. (5, 6, 7)

Final Thoughts

We want to make it clear that this article is not to discourage anyone from competing… but these are real factors to consider before investing a lot of time in the hopes of stepping on stage.

Now, if it’s always been your dream to compete and nothing can convince you otherwise, then you should do it for your own satisfaction and that is a great reason to do it.

But, just know that there are a few things that may not work in your favor, especially if any of these five potential determining factors apply to your situation. If you’re serious about bodybuilding, be smart about it and do your best to position yourself for the highest possible chances of success.

For the latest news and updates please follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn
Categories: Bodybuilding Featured OP-ED
Previous Post

Which is Better Overall: White Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes?

Next Post

Brandon Curry Gives His Top 3 2019 Mr. Olympia Predictions

Tom Miller, CSCS

Tom Miller, CSCS

Tom is a professional content strategist who loves to write about health and fitness, he is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) additionally an expert crap shooter, qualified bro scientist, unmatched at being the best lifter in my local gym.

Recommended For You

No Content Available

Comments 2

  1. Avatar Antonios says:
    1 year ago

    Very informative and helpful article. Keep it up guys.

    Reply
  2. Avatar Sam says:
    1 month ago

    I have no clue why “7. You don’t want to blast a crazy amount of gear” wasn’t included in this list.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Mike O'Hearn Joseph Baena Arms Workout

Mike O’Hearn And Joseph Baena Crush A Killer Arms Workout

Leg Training Increase Testosterone

Does Leg Training Increase Testosterone Production?

Joe Manganiello Workout Program

Joe Manganiello Workout & Diet Program

Recent Reviews

Turkesterone vs. Ecdysterone

Turkesterone vs. Ecdysterone — Which is Better?

Best Cereals

Best Cereals for Muscle and Strength Gain & Taste

Best Protein Chips

8 Best Protein Chips of 2022 (Tasted and Ranked)

Fitness Volt

At FitnessVolt.com Our mission is to help our readers to achieve their fitness goals, regardless of where you’re at on your journey, we are on a mission to educate You with the latest from strength and fitness space. Read more.

Email: sm(at)fitnessvolt.com

Disclosure: FitnessVolt.com has an affiliate relationship with different brands and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, our reviews are based on well research backed analysis.

Follow Us

Trending Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • At Home Workouts
  • Bodyweight Exercises
  • Best Pre-workout
  • Best Fat Burners
  • Bodybuilding Diet
  • Bicep Workouts
  • Triceps Workouts
  • Chest Exercises
  • Back Workouts
  • Leg Workouts
  • Front Squat Guide
  • Calf Workouts & Exercises
  • Forgotten Exercises
  • Jefferson Deadlift

Calculators

  • Calorie Burning Calculators
  • IF Calculator
  • TDEE Calculator
  • Calorie Calculator
  • Keto Calculator
  • RMR Calculator
  • Macronutrient Calculator
  • Creatine Calculator
  • Wilks Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • FFMI Calculator
  • IBW Calculator
  • LBM Calculator
  • Fat Intake Calculator
  • Calories Burned Swimming
  • Calories Per Meal Calculator

  • Food Nutrition Analysis
  • Carb Cycling Calculator
  • Weight Gain Calculator
  • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Calories Burned Calculator
  • Strength Standards
  • One Rep Max Calculator
  • Body Fat Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • Weight Loss Percentage
  • Treadmill Calorie Calculator
  • Body Surface Area Calculator
  • Running Pace Calculator
  • Bench Press Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Water Intake Calculator
  • Body Type Quiz
  • Steps to Miles Calculator
  • Calorie Deficit Calculator
  • Home
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Mr. Olympia
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
  • Training
  • Nutrition
  • Reviews
  • More
    • 2022 WSM
    • Diet
    • News
    • Arnold Classic
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • Food Facts
    • Deals
    • Fitness Calculator

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.