Benefits of being a big, strong, bodybuilder..

[dxkj]

Any real life benefits? i knew several guys back in college who were at the gym 1-3 hours a day almost every day (sure, some of that time is probably socializing)


I guess this is a two part question..


1) If you are really strong what kind of benefits does this help you on in a daily basis... IE if you were a computer programmer/worked a desk job, im assuming it would help almost none. Sure you might be able to move furniture easier by yourself (but I could move all but a 9' long awkward couch by myself in our hous)

2) Is it possible to be in EXCELLENT shape, and maintain a large amount of muscle mass/low body fat simply by eating healthy and working out 3 days a week 1hr a day max?




#2 is kinda interesting because i can imagine depending on diet the answers would vary greatly. IE, eat a ton of bad food, and you are going to have to add 1-3 more days of cardio just to keep even.

 

[junkerman123]

being in good shape has a lot of benefits: a healthy lifestyle, plus you are more attractive to people of the opposite sex. in general if you are better looking you will have more success socially.

however, i never saw the benefits of being HUGE unless you are an athlete.

 

[blazerazor]

You can kick peoples @ss.

 

[brikis98]

i find exercise and a gym regiment to have VERY noticeable effects on my life. for the last year and a half, i've hit the gym 3 times a week and (time permitting) usually do cardio (read: play sports) 3 days a week.

i don't mean to sound like some motivational speaker, but the benefits are awesome:

- i'm much more energized during the day
- i've lost fat, gained lots of muscle
- i'm much healthier (resting heart rate of 45, I never get sick, i just FEEL better and am more confident)
- i look much better (it's awesome when wearing a sleeveless shirt turns heads)
- a stable exercise program lets me structure my day much more efficiently
- i eat better
- i sleep much better
- i have more fun playing sports

you can never say enough about getting in shape. the benefits are HUGE for everyone, not just athletes.

and yes, you can get in very good shape from working out 3 days a week. The key is to really stick with it and have a decent diet. I split my lifting into a 3 day cycle:

Day 1: chest, tris, abs
Day 2: back, biceps
Day 3: legs, shoulders

doing this routine, i've added 100lbs to my bench press, and comparable weight to everything else. that results in some very noticeable muscle gain, weight loss and general health improvement. btw, you usually WANT to limit your workouts to about an hour, as you tend to fatigue too much after that.

some cardio would be good too, and if you're pressed for time look up HIIT (high intensity interval training).

it's surprisingly easy to get into an exercise routine, and after you see some results, it becomes very addictive and enjoyable.

 

[Toasthead]

i just like that I can do things most people cant. when my inlaws need something heavy moved... who do they call? Me.
I think people respect you more too, or at least I respect people who I see are physically fit more, because I know the dedication and discipline it takes to achieve high levels of fitness.

 

[Eli]

You can pick up women and hold them in.. different.. positions?

 

[0roo0roo]

you can eaat a lot and have the muscles burn it off just as upkeep

 

[jonessoda]

Benefits to being a bodybuilder? No, at least not an actual bodybuilder. Actual bodybuilders (the kind of people who you see in Mr. Universe competitions, etc.) have it bad. In order to get that kind of physique, you have to take steroids, which cause innumerable health problems. You have to spend almost literally all day in the gym. Sometimes you are actually incapable of putting your arms down against your sides because of the muscle buildup. And most women find such a build incredibly unattractive (like most men think of women with similar builds).

Now, having a physique like Brad Pitt or Die Hard-era Bruce Willis? Yeah, that's great and very healthy for you.

 

[Saint Nick]

ask doboji, he knows a thing or two about body building.

 

[Stinkfinger]

Me and my friends were talking about this very subject not too long ago and the only practical (although its not even that practical) reason we could come up with for being huge was to compete in the strongest man competition on ESPN.

 

[Trygve]

Originally posted by: dxkj

1) If you are really strong what kind of benefits does this help you on in a daily basis... IE if you were a computer programmer/worked a desk job, im assuming it would help almost none. Sure you might be able to move furniture easier by yourself (but I could move all but a 9' long awkward couch by myself in our hous)

Being strong and in shape makes your entire life easier. It gives you added freedom too: you can move furniture, build something, go scuba diving, climb the Eiffel tower, and all sorts of other things without being sore the next day. You don't even have to be all that much stronger for a lot of that; as much as anything, you just need to be used to working your muscles. There's a sort of subtle sensual pleasure that large muscles and low bodyfat adds to every movement you make; it's nice.

2) Is it possible to be in EXCELLENT shape, and maintain a large amount of muscle mass/low body fat simply by eating healthy and working out 3 days a week 1hr a day max?

Maybe. That all depends on your genetics. It's not fair, but some people put on muscle and maintain low bodyfat without bothering with diet and exercise and there are lots of people who don't seem to be able to add significant amounts of muscle no matter how long and hard they try. You can always get better, though, so that's not a reason not to try.

 

[exilera]

Originally posted by: brikis98
i find exercise and a gym regiment to have VERY noticeable effects on my life. for the last year and a half, i've hit the gym 3 times a week and (time permitting) usually do cardio (read: play sports) 3 days a week.

i don't mean to sound like some motivational speaker, but the benefits are awesome:

- i'm much more energized during the day
- i've lost fat, gained lots of muscle
- i'm much healthier (resting heart rate of 45, I never get sick, i just FEEL better and am more confident)
- i look much better (it's awesome when wearing a sleeveless shirt turns heads)
- a stable exercise program lets me structure my day much more efficiently
- i eat better
- i sleep much better
- i have more fun playing sports

you can never say enough about getting in shape. the benefits are HUGE for everyone, not just athletes.

and yes, you can get in very good shape from working out 3 days a week. The key is to really stick with it and have a decent diet. I split my lifting into a 3 day cycle:

Day 1: chest, tris, abs
Day 2: back, biceps
Day 3: legs, shoulders

doing this routine, i've added 100lbs to my bench press, and comparable weight to everything else. that results in some very noticeable muscle gain, weight loss and general health improvement. btw, you usually WANT to limit your workouts to about an hour, as you tend to fatigue too much after that.

some cardio would be good too, and if you're pressed for time look up HIIT (high intensity interval training).

it's surprisingly easy to get into an exercise routine, and after you see some results, it becomes very addictive and enjoyable.

I was going to respond, but this post sums up what I was going to say pretty well. Great post brikis98 :thumbsup:

I work out about 4 days a week; been lifting for the past few years. Yes, it's a nice feeling to know you're more attractive in a tight shirt than the average joe blow. Everything else he said is pretty much on the money as well.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: blazerazor
You can kick peoples @ss.

Not if you are really big, muscle bound, lose flexibility and mobility

 

[PingSpike]

Isn't this like asking "What are the benefits of having lots of money?"

 

[blackdogdeek]

i find when i exercise regularly i think more clearly.

when i exercise less, my mind gets more lethargic as well.

 

[vi edit]

There's a big difference between being a body builder and working out frequently.

Being a *true* body builder is basically a profession/job. Working out frequently to build up your body is a hobby/lifestyle choice.

The benefits of it have largely been mentioned. You feel better. You look better. Other than loosing an hour a day 3-4 days a week, there's not much you can do to help out your body more.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: jndietz
ask doboji, he knows a thing or two about body building.

He's a powerlifter.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Isn't this like asking "What are the benefits of having lots of money?"

no... think about it


In order to be a body builder with a LARGE muscle mass and maintain it, many people work out 1+hrs EVERYDAY in a gym.... that adds up, for some people to, 10+ hours a week, add in shower and travel time to the gym, etc


hence its a very valid question to ask what are all the numerous benefits for the people who do this and are NOT doing it for competition,

 

[91TTZ]

A lot of people seem to be confused in this thread, although some have it dead on.

Working out is good and can get you in great shape, but you can only optimize for one or the other. A true bodybuilder won't be very athletic since they have so much muscle that they can't run. I read an interview with Ronnie Coleman and he said he can't even jog because he has no endurance.

On the other hand, if you do tons of cardio like Lance Armstrong, you'll be in great cardio shape but you won't have much strength like a powerlifter. And if you're a powerlifter, you won't have the physique of a bodybuilder or the endurance of an endurance athlete, but you'll be able to lift a lot of weight.

It all depends on what you want to do. You don't see many people like Ronnie Coleman competing in the Tour de France and you don't see many people like Lance Armstrong trying to bench 500 lbs.

Even now, when I try to lift heavy and bulk up, I feel sluggish on the field. That's why I cut down to the low 180's, because I want to be an athlete, not a statue.

 

[NuclearNed]

In addition to what everyone else has said, I find that I have more confidence in myself ever since I started lifting a year ago.

 

[rh71]

I like to enjoy my food. I could never live that life. Eating healthy sucks. At the rate I'm going, I'm not overweight and I'm in game shape. I love the normal life.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: dxkj

In order to be a body builder with a LARGE muscle mass and maintain it, many people work out 1+hrs EVERYDAY in a gym.... that adds up, for some people to, 10+ hours a week, add in shower and travel time to the gym, etc


hence its a very valid question to ask what are all the numerous benefits for the people who do this and are NOT doing it for competition,

Yup, and truthfully a normal person can't hold that much muscle anyway, since their testosterone level won't allow it. Professional bodybuilders use loads of steroids, and sadly, a friend that used to compete in "natural" competitions told me that they do, too.