985plowboy
Poster Extraordinaire
Yeah…
Apex of 90’s bodybuilding was Hanz und Franz on SNL.
Apex of 90’s bodybuilding was Hanz und Franz on SNL.
Old School Bodybuilding
- Thread starter Stanford Guitar
- Start date
ZackyDog
Friend of Leo's
I followed Arnold, Franco and some other body builders. It was a sad for all when Franco passed away---especially for Arnold.
I loaned Franco's book to a friend circa 1990 (but I never got it back). I think my aunt gave it to me for Xmas (1980?).
I read most of Arnold's book.
I loaned Franco's book to a friend circa 1990 (but I never got it back). I think my aunt gave it to me for Xmas (1980?).
I read most of Arnold's book.
GRAVITY-LHP
TDPRI Member
At one point, I was a competitive bodybuilder, qualifying for NPC nationals (lightweight division). I would contend that the healthy people were in the audience (I was ripped but that did not qualify me as healthy, and I was not). When I was a competitive cyclist (post-gym life) is when I felt real, tangible health benefits both physically and mentally (diet and cardio). If longevity is the goal, cardio 3-4x per week with some core strength training and a clean diet is probably more beneficial than "bodybuilding" or weight training as the primary mode of exercise. No disrespect, just my thoughts from practical experience and having to understand diet and different types of training and the effects on the body and mind at a more advanced level.
chris m.
Doctor of Teleocity
"If longevity is the goal, cardio 3-4x per week with some core strength training and a clean diet is probably more beneficial than "bodybuilding" or weight training as the primary mode of exercise. "
I agree that a mix of disciplines is the way to go. The back squat and deadlift are wonderful exercises for maintaining full body strength, so I get to the gym at least once a week to do squats. When I do go to the gym I typically focus on just a few exercises that maintain full body fitness and strength-- back squat, bench (or pushups), lat pull-downs, military press, and deadlifts.
If you're like me you probably get a lot of junk emails and FB posts about how there are a lot of body weight exercises that can be better than the weight room and easier on the joints. I really can't argue with that, but then again I am still unable to do a pistol (one-legged squat), so back squats work better for me. But I can pretty much do resistance exercises for every other part of my body without going to a gym.
As long as you use correct form and don't load on too much weight I think lifting weights is actually good for your musculo-skeletal system, too. People think doing squats hurts your knees, but I think if you do them right it maintains your knees-- use it or lose it, as they say. But I would say only about 20% of people I see in the gym are using correct form.
Competitive power lifters and bodybuilders are definitely prone to joint injuries. Going that hard is really hard on the body. For longevity and health, going easier gets all the benefits without any of the downsides.
People overdo it on cardio, too. I know some ultra-marathoners, and while they are as skinny as greyhounds, they are aging rapidly before my eyes. You pay a price for running for 100 or 200 miles.
I agree that a mix of disciplines is the way to go. The back squat and deadlift are wonderful exercises for maintaining full body strength, so I get to the gym at least once a week to do squats. When I do go to the gym I typically focus on just a few exercises that maintain full body fitness and strength-- back squat, bench (or pushups), lat pull-downs, military press, and deadlifts.
If you're like me you probably get a lot of junk emails and FB posts about how there are a lot of body weight exercises that can be better than the weight room and easier on the joints. I really can't argue with that, but then again I am still unable to do a pistol (one-legged squat), so back squats work better for me. But I can pretty much do resistance exercises for every other part of my body without going to a gym.
As long as you use correct form and don't load on too much weight I think lifting weights is actually good for your musculo-skeletal system, too. People think doing squats hurts your knees, but I think if you do them right it maintains your knees-- use it or lose it, as they say. But I would say only about 20% of people I see in the gym are using correct form.
Competitive power lifters and bodybuilders are definitely prone to joint injuries. Going that hard is really hard on the body. For longevity and health, going easier gets all the benefits without any of the downsides.
People overdo it on cardio, too. I know some ultra-marathoners, and while they are as skinny as greyhounds, they are aging rapidly before my eyes. You pay a price for running for 100 or 200 miles.
kuch
Friend of Leo's
I'm going to be 70 in a couple of months. I have a set of adjustable dumbbells, bench, chin up bar, a TRX, a stationary bike and a treadmill in my home workout room. I do weights/bodyweight exercises and at least 30 mins of cardio 4 times a week followed by 25-30 mins of sauna. I'm in no way an "Ahnold" wanna be.
Yes, weight workouts are not only good for muscle tone, but also good for bone strength.
Want a good core exercise, try the ab roller and/or planks.
Have fun kids!
Yes, weight workouts are not only good for muscle tone, but also good for bone strength.
Want a good core exercise, try the ab roller and/or planks.
Have fun kids!
Even Arnold was well into the freak show days. I kinda draw the line at Spartacus. Someone that looks like they got their muscles in the course of feeding their family, rather than a bunch of guys in the gym showing off each other. It's all sort of academic from this end of the spectrum though.
posttoastie
Friend of Leo's
Quadzilla
Farming.
GRAVITY-LHP
TDPRI Member
I doubt he impresses the ladies (cough cough)
Skully
Doctor of Teleocity
When I saw this thread, I immediately thought of the line "somewhat of a bodybuilder." I didn't remember its origin, I just recall it being used as a razz (as the kids in the '70s used to say) forever on her a long time ago.
Lifting weights is great. Bodybuilding -- especially the habits and the mindset that go with it -- not so much. I also don't think deadlifts and squats (with weights) are a good idea at all, because it has to be very hard on both the back and knees. I used to do those exercises when I played football and wrestled in high school. I don't need that kind of strength now.
Lifting weights is great. Bodybuilding -- especially the habits and the mindset that go with it -- not so much. I also don't think deadlifts and squats (with weights) are a good idea at all, because it has to be very hard on both the back and knees. I used to do those exercises when I played football and wrestled in high school. I don't need that kind of strength now.
Cosmic Cowboy
Tele-Afflicted
Bodybuilding as a means of personal gratification is a great hobby. The community has been fairly poisoned by the competition circuits showcasing 260-300 lb steroid freaks who if they live to 40, usually have 3 heart surgeries and ***** ****.
Dunno if it adds to "longevity and quality of life." I used to lift weights all the time but stopped when my left elbow got sore. It's been a dozen years or so and my elbow still starts to bark after a few sets of pushups. Perhaps smart weightlifting adds to longevity and quality of life. But my dumbass max weight/minimum reps regime backfired.
Man two doors down has a 20 something son who is a bodybuilder. He spends hours in the garage lifting weights and then sleeps the rest of the day. Perfect failure to launch example. Not that bodybuilding is the cause, but it does require a lot of time and effort. I actually like the kid, very nice and polite and excellent taste in music (70's vinyl collection, mostly blues).
posttoastie
Friend of Leo's
At various stages of my life, I embarked on "getting in shape." All of those endeavors petered out in time. The best "shape" I was ever in was when I hunted with hounds. Walking and running around at six to seven thousand plus feet of elevation in the mountains will toughen you up like nothing else can.
In the end, there is a book that says, exercise profits you little, I think it is probably 100% correct!
posttoastie
Friend of Leo's
I am temporarily somewhat of a bodybuilder atm. I've cycled into it after doing about a year of strength/power work. I needed a break from lifting the Heaviest Possible Weights...
Boy, what's shocking to me is how hard it is to hit the protein quota: 175 grams of protein is like 2 lbs of chicken--every day...
Boy, what's shocking to me is how hard it is to hit the protein quota: 175 grams of protein is like 2 lbs of chicken--every day...
I am still a huge believer in cardio being the better attribute, but if you can do both, then you have something...most do not.
Also reminds me of my favorite weightlifting joke:
"How many bodybuilders does it take to change a light bulb?"
"The answer is 5"
"One to actually change the bulb and 4 to yell...You are looking huge!"
Also reminds me of my favorite weightlifting joke:
"How many bodybuilders does it take to change a light bulb?"
"The answer is 5"
"One to actually change the bulb and 4 to yell...You are looking huge!"
posttoastie
Friend of Leo's
The 1975 movie documentary "Pumping Iron" about the lead up to the Mr Universe and Mr Olympia events is worth a watch.
