Trying to understand through immersion!

[Killabee1818]

The Lives of Hardcore Male Bodybuilders

Introduction

In the recent decade physical fitness has become a huge phenomenon within our society. Some reports estimate that the fitness industry is a billion dollar a year business and is only getting bigger. There are a number of different reasons people choose to exercise, but the most common are physical fitness and body image. It is clear that as a society media plays a significant role in the ways individuals view their bodies. One can not help but notice the media?s idea of the perfect male body. Until recently most of the scientific findings have dealt with female issues with media pressure, but it has become apparent that men are facing similar issues. The studies that have focused on male body image bring to light the pressure men feel to reach the standard set by the media?s portrayal of what a man should look like. Additionally many researchers have found that there are physical and emotional issues that arise as a result of not being able to fit the ideal. More recent work has looked at the ever changing body image of the action figure as a possible evolving ideal of the male body within our society. Action figures such as GI Joe went from being the average guy 30 years ago to modern day muscle men. Research suggests that men have lower self-esteem, and feel worse about the way they look due in part to mass media. The supplement industry is out there preying on these self-conscious individuals with miracle creams, powders, and pills that promise to help them reach the muscular ideal. Once men realize that the legal supplements will not achieve their goal quick enough, they develop complexes and disorders associated with their bodies. The complexes and disorders that show up most prevalently in the research are muscle dysmorphia, Adonis complex, eating disorders, and an obsession with working out. Some researchers believe that these disorders can lead to the use and abuse of steroids. It is being hypothesized that the ideal body image among men is being shaped by the society and they will do almost anything to obtain it. These disorders not only affect the person they see in their mind but the person they see in the mirror. They are never big enough or never defined enough to fit the role of societies ideal male image.
(This only the introduction to my work, but I am trying to convey a message that people do not fully tak the time to fully understand bodybuilding as a whole. Blame who ever you want but thats not the piont because in my own opinion it is a sport that challenges the will of the men willing to try and live the life. Its a 24/7 dedication but I need all of your help to convey this message. I would love to have any bodybuilders comment about why they got into the sport, what they get out of it, explain what their motivation is, or anything else on your mind. It is up to bodubuilders to help spread a more positive message of the sport because right now much a the literature puts such a negative spin on the sport.)
I have a survey as well, which I am using to tabulate data.
Link
http://blog.bodybuilding.com/Killabe...10/15/welcome/

[hlimw18]

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[ndr535]

link for the survey doesnt work but i agree theres definitely a huge shift towards muscle building whereas in the 60s or so it was weird if you were muscular, almost like a freak.

[michaelmendyka]

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