by Lacey Lenning

Created on: September 24, 2010   Last Updated: September 25, 2010

Buff Biased Bodybuilders

Often accused of being witless meatheads, hard-core bodybuilders can experience varying reactions from outsiders ranging from deep admiration to jealous animosity.  A confession would be appropriate here:  before I started the sport of bodybuilding, I mistakenly assumed that bodybuilders were completely vain, mindless creatures.  That harsh statement was proven to be utterly false once I began training to compete myself.

Yes, I am a woman who enjoys the sport of bodybuilding and figure competition.  This realm of athleticism is usually a bit intimidating for my gender, yet I have ventured into this zone with no regrets.  Ever since I was a young girl, I have always thrived on competing with the boys in their sports.  Some might think this to be quite ironic, as one would have called me a “girly-girl,” too. 

There is something very intriguing when a woman begins lifting heavy in the gym.  For some reason, the men begin to notice her and find her a bit mysterious.  Whenever I am privileged to meet other women with a similar mindset, we effortlessly connect on a plane of mutual respect.  As a woman, it is proven to be more challenging to gain lean muscle than it is for our male counterparts.  For me, that is what makes bodybuilding and weight training more attractive!  Who does not love a challenge?  Graduating from knee push-ups to several sets of military-style push-ups is a significant triumph.   I can recall with a bit of pride the first day I could perform 10 body-weight pull-ups. Once I can lift more weight than the guys, I begin to feel a sense of pride in my accomplishments.

What I have discovered once I began consistently training for more than 6 months was that those male buff bodybuilders were extremely disciplined men.  My respect for the masters of physique recreation grew incredibly the more that I studied successful training methods.  Strict nutrition habits characterize each and every meal consumed. Food is viewed as fuel. Bodybuilding becomes a lifestyle not only a workout regimen.  Passionate exertion, huffing after that last rep, and grunting noisily through that last drop set, distinguish the serious bodybuilders from the rest of the pack. 

What is there not to like about the pursuit of bodybuilding?  Only those of us who have adopted this as our lifestyle can understand the sacrificed conveniences for the sake of the sport!  No euphoria compares with the sense of achievement after completing an intense leg workout.  We are definitely a unique group of individuals intent upon the goals we have set for ourselves.  If you are inspired to join the ranks, we welcome you to quest of lifelong bodybuilding.

Learn more about this author, Lacey Lenning.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.