Each year on my birthday I make a list of new things I want to try. Some are easy, some are difficult, some are shockingly mundane. You can read about past adventures here.
Things of note:
1. All of the competitors had a ‘routine’ that they performed to music of their choice. Â A sampling? Â Stacy’s Mom, Britney’s I Wanna Go, and that one operatic piece of music that’s used in every slow-motion war scene in every Super Serious Movie.
2. A sampling of performance moves: skipping in a circle while pointing at the audience, stomping and flexing in time to the crescendos of the music, doing the robot.
3. There are two levels of competitors – ‘figure’ and ‘bodybuilding.’ Â Both groups are about a million times more fit than everyone else in the world, but the ‘bodybuilding’ group is what you think of when you think of Arnold Schwarzenegger. When you see two competitors of different levels standing next to each other, the difference is shocking.
4. Did you know you could have striated butt muscles? Â BECA– USE YOU CAN.
5. As each contestant performed their routine, they worked their way through a series of poses that showcased different groups of muscles. Â One of these poses involved turning their back to the audience and flexing their back and butt. Â At one point, a male competitor apparently didn’t feel that his briefs showcased his gluts well enough because he hooked his thumbs into back panel and pulled it up to show more cheek.
5. Products sold in the lobby: protein drink powder, sparkly tiny swimsuits, tanning stuff, educational videos.
Reading through this post, it sounds as though I viewed this experience through a lens of snark. Â But I really, really didn’t. Â I mean it when I say that I’m impressed by anybody who’s excited about a hobby and committed to doing something difficult. Â Honestly, watching this competition influenced me to buy a pair of ten pound weights! Â Watch out, now. Â It’s only a matter of time till I’m flexing my way around a stage to this song.
Have you ever watched a bodybuilding competition? Or lift weights seriously?
photo via naturalmnbodybuilding.com
I have been lifting weights and working out religiously for about 18 years. Before we moved to Manila this past May, I thought I might even try to compete in the Asian Int'l fitness competition (at the suggestion of a trainer in my old gym). Life got in the way … as it always does. I've always kinda been curious if I could do it — just dig in and get super duper fit. What a cool thing to be able to look back on right? "Remember when I was in that fitness competition 40 years ago?" But no matter what, I would always lean toward the fitness competitions and not the bodybuilding. I'm ok looking like I could kick a normal girl's ass but I'm not sure how I'd feel if my biceps were bigger than the hubs. 😉
This post really needs more photos. Also, I'm pretty sure there a couple or so figure competitors who come to my gym sometimes.
Right?! I was too busy clapping with joy and intrigue! Also: I hate taking photos with a flash in public places 😉
My mom used to be a bodybuilder. She could beat you with a shoe like nobody's business.
I've a bunch of friends who have done figure competitions over the years. I'm always in awe of their commitment to gym time and competition prep.
This is such an interesting hobby, because for those of us not in the inner circles of butt muscle striation, it just seems like… what is the POINT? What on earth could be the practical benefits of being a crazy buff-bot? But, I suppose, you could say the same for, say, needlepoint or watercolor painting. Whatever floats yer boat!
My friend also grew up with a bodybuilder mom, and… wow. It's something, all right.
Rachel's friend is me! I was just about to post a comment and then saw hers. (Hi, Rach!) But yeah, my mom (and my step-father) were champion bodybuilders in Minneapolis for about 10 years, mainly when I was in high school. If you went to this in the Twin Cities, I can almost guarantee they were there.
I did! That's so awesome!
Great post, very interesting.