I recently came across these two websites and thought I would provide links for those of you who are, like me, intrigued by the century-long history of bodybuilding. The first site is very handsomely laid-out and provides a wealth of carefully-researched information. The second site is an extensive photo gallery archive that includes excellently reproduced images from several decades, as well as offering some amusing tangents, such as "Brian's Drive-In Theater" (THE MANY FACES OF HERCULES; TARZAN; MORE B-MOVIE BEEFCAKE, etc.) and a list of links to an impressive variety of other, bodybuilding-related sites.

SANDOW MUSEUM
CLASSIC BODYBUILDERS OF THE GOLDEN ERA

I'll admit that I found myself debating where this post might properly be placed -- whether in the "HOT JOCK TALK" forum or here, among the "OTHER SPORTS," but because the "SANDOW" site, above, contains so much historical detail reaching back even to the late 1800s, I felt this could qualify as a sports topic in its own right. Be on your good behavior now, gentlemen, or our moderator may have cause to transfer us to "HOT JOCKS" (which would be perfectly understandable.) I enjoyed the insights and the images, both, and hope others will, too...


[Title edited to correct case - Outsports moderator]

[ March 01, 2003, 06:40 AM: Message edited by: m1 ]

Wow, what interesting sites, particularly the Sandow Museum page. I need another snowy day to get through all the information and phots. Thanks for the heads up.

Woof!

[ March 01, 2003, 07:55 AM: Message edited by: AU Tiger in LA ]

Does anyone know a web site or book giving suggestions on 8 weeks leading to a bodybuilding event, such as dropping weight, proportion of protein/carb diet, talking glycerol the day before, etc.? I already have information but want some additional perspective.

Sorry, not quite in line with the subject but thought I'd sneak this in instead of creating new bodybuilding thread. By the way, the guy I most admire is classic and long-career Bill Pearl, vegetarian bodybuilder. And while I'm on this, most people don't appreciate that the sport teaches you about nutrition and human physiology.

Greetings, Tom Brooks; your message about the nutritional aspect of bodybuilding is absolutely welcome on this thread. (If I hadn't been so lazy when I first started this topic I could have searched-out a previously-posted subject-heading relating to the sport of bodybuilding in general, within "OTHER SPORTS", rather than beginning an entirely new thread here...)

I'm far from being a bodybuilder myself (actually I more closely resemble the typical 98-pound weakling-type) but for a long time I have been impressed with the combination of disciplines necessary for success in bodybuilding, including nutrition. Since I've spent about 20 years working in the "natural foods" sector I've also acquired an enduring interest in diet as a component in achieving and maintaining fitness goals. I'm certainly not a nutritional expert, either, but I'll be glad to e-mail you information about books and internet resources available in New Zealand that may help you attain some of the results you're seeking.

One of the features I found fascinating in the SANDOW website above was the perspective on early bodybuilders who modeled their own proportions after Greco-Roman examples, so that renowned statues from Classical Antiquity were carefully measured to determine ideal size-ratios between all body parts. An exact mathematical formula was discovered for computing these ratios precisely, and the SANDOW website provides a built-in calculator for demonstrating these measurements, based on wrist-size. Also included on this same webpage is a photo of an ancient Italian statue that was admired for its perfection in this regard.

CLASSICAL PROPORTIONS FOR THE IDEAL MALE PHYSIQUE

Several early bodybuilders made a point of developing the oblique (side) muscles in the waist, because the historical paradigm they valued most had been derived from ancient statuary that was not narrow-waisted. GEORGE HACKENSCHMIDT was an exemplar of the massively-muscled waist. Today's highly-tapered torso was actually considered "weak-looking" a century ago (and throughout previous eras that found inspiration in the Greco-Roman world.)

I've also learned how descriptive a couple of terms from early physical-culture actually were, when they were coined many years ago. A few early bodybuilders prided themselves on their ability to deftly isolate and subtly move each individual muscle on their frame, in rapid, wave-like sequence: hence the term "rippling" muscles; this was considered one of the skills unique to the artistry of bodybuilding. And "dumbbells" were truly dumb (silent) bells: heavy cast-metal bells that had had their clappers removed so they could be used as weight-training devices.

[ March 02, 2003, 02:56 AM: Message edited by: fielderschoice ]

Tom, a website with valuable info on pre-contests diets is:
http://www.gettinglean.com/precontest.htm

A couple of other websites on related information is:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbmaincont.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/index.html

Enjoy.

Tom, is it possible you're adding yet another discpline to your lengthy repertoire? Although bodybuilding isn't an outdoor activity, which would be unlike you.

fielderschoice, thanks for all the great information and links on the historical stuff.

luadun, thanks for the links. It is what I was looking for to add more perspective to the preparation.

Redsoxbreath, there is no apparent connection between bodybuilding and outdoor things, but I began the training to bulk for for a surf lifesaving event called surf canoe which requires bigger guys to crew. But the weight training did get out of hand and learned a lot about nutrition and body growth in the process.

Tom

It's somewhat of an education to see (from the Sandow site) that bodybuilders were put on display with the "freaks"; that is, in the beginning, building the musculature was so different from what men and women did that bodybuilders were only showcased during fairs and circus events.