Bodybuilding | Strength Training, Nutrition & Supplements | Britannica

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External Websites VeryWell Fit - What Is a Bodybuilding Diet? WebMD - What to Know About Bodybuilding After 50 Verywell Fit - Powerlifting vs Bodybuilding: Which is best for you? Healthline - Bodybuilding Meal Plan: What to Eat, What to Avoid Livescience - How long does it take to build muscle? Print Cite verified Cite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook Twitter URL https://www.britannica.com/sports/bodybuilding Feedback External Websites Feedback Thank you for your feedback

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External Websites VeryWell Fit - What Is a Bodybuilding Diet? WebMD - What to Know About Bodybuilding After 50 Verywell Fit - Powerlifting vs Bodybuilding: Which is best for you? Healthline - Bodybuilding Meal Plan: What to Eat, What to Avoid Livescience - How long does it take to build muscle? Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Article History Table of Contents bodybuilding See all media Category: Arts & Culture Key People: Arnold Schwarzenegger Eugen Sandow Charles Atlas (Show more) Related Topics: Mr. World Mr. Universe Mr. Olympia Mr. America physical conditioning (Show more) See all related content

bodybuilding , a regimen of exercises designed to enhance the human body’s muscular development and promote general health and fitness. As a competitive activity, bodybuilding aims to display in artistic fashion pronounced muscle mass, symmetry, and definition for overall aesthetic effect. Barbells, dumbbells, and other resistance training devices are used in the exercises. For the use of similar exercises for sports training and conditioning, general conditioning, and rehabilitation therapy, see weight training .

Bodybuilding by the ancient Greeks served as the origin and inspiration for its practice by most later societies. Modern competitions grew largely out of European strongman theatrical and circus acts of the late 19th century. The first American physique contest, staged by physical culturist Bernarr Macfadden (1868–1955), took place in 1903 in New York City . The winner, Al Treloar, was named “The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World.” Similar contests were held by Macfadden in 1921 and 1922, with Charles Atlas the winner both times. But bodybuilding contests were rare until the inception of the Mr. America contest in 1939 under the auspices of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) of the United States. Thereafter, Mr. America winners John Grimek (1940–41) and Steve Reeves (1947) served as role models for a generation of aspiring bodybuilders. The sport developed quickly after World War II , and the AAU Mr. America contest reached the height of its popularity in the late 1950s and the 1960s. Concurrently there emerged two rival organizations, the International Federation of BodyBuilders, founded by Canadians Joe and Ben Weider in 1946, and in Britain the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association, founded by Oscar Heidenstam in 1950. The latter’s Mr. Universe contest, staged in London , was the most prestigious international bodybuilding event for about 25 years. It was surpassed in the 1970s by the Mr. Olympia competition conducted by the Weiders.

More From Britannica physical culture: Bodybuilding

The most important figure in the history of bodybuilding is the Austrian-born American bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger , who won the Mr. Olympia title seven times (1970–75, 1980). His awesome physique, winsome personality, and subsequent successful career in films was revolutionary in its impact, fostering a greater acceptance of bodybuilding and fitness-related activities in American society. His Arnold Classic, a physique and fitness gala held annually in Columbus, Ohio, has become a premier event for physical culturists. Six-time Ms. Olympia Cory Everson sparked a similar awakening in women’s bodybuilding, which began holding competitions in the 1970s.

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