Olympic bodies - evidence that nothing beats simple training
Discussion
I don't see the problem with the vanity of it. I'm not really bothered about competing so much as participating which I can do whether I'm 70kg or 120kg. 
Thusly, the only reason why I train so hard is to look good.
I enjoy climbing hard routes as much as I do the easier routes. I enjoy a Sunday drive as much as I do racing round a track.
Thusly, the only reason why I train so hard is to look good.I enjoy climbing hard routes as much as I do the easier routes. I enjoy a Sunday drive as much as I do racing round a track.
Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 31st July 15:34
ewenm said:
Quite a lot of the training threads on PH seem to revolve around body image rather than competition. Probably why most of the threads are in Health Matters rather than Sports 
I guess that it's simply because far more people are concerned with looking good rather than competing in a sport, which is the ratio I would expect 
essexplumber said:
Well in march I started going to the gym, I was 17.5 stone and had done bugger all activity wise for 10 years.
I have lost 3 stone and can see a huge difference in muscle across my body.
I have cut all the crap from my diet but enjoy every piece of food I eat.
For me, gym 6 times a week and a good diet (0 suppliments) has worked wonders.
Well done for that but you will always notice the biggest difference when you start training. Then you start reaching plataeus and the gains become harder and harder to get.I have lost 3 stone and can see a huge difference in muscle across my body.
I have cut all the crap from my diet but enjoy every piece of food I eat.
For me, gym 6 times a week and a good diet (0 suppliments) has worked wonders.
I'm also sure many athletes have used gear to create a base level physique.
The only sport I can think of where the aesthetic, cosmetic appearance is of any concern is bodybuilding. Otherwise its all about performance in the given activity. Its doesnt matter a damn thing how you look, as long as you are performing your sport at your maximum capacity. The whole 'fitness' look is a marketing thing for the masses, visible '6-pack', shapely arms and defined chest......all pushed to the general public as what embodies 'fitness' and sporting achievement. Its rubbish.
Take a shotputter for example, do you think he/she gives a toss that they may not have visible abs?
Take a shotputter for example, do you think he/she gives a toss that they may not have visible abs?
Leptons said:
Well done for that but you will always notice the biggest difference when you start training. Then you start reaching plataeus and the gains become harder and harder to get.
I'm also sure many athletes have used gear to create a base level physique.
Cheers pal. I noticed a plateu around a month ago so I up'd all my levels, the thing thats helps is I fI'm also sure many athletes have used gear to create a base level physique.
king love the gym, its become an obsession.Maxymillion said:
The only sport I can think of where the aesthetic, cosmetic appearance is of any concern is bodybuilding. Otherwise its all about performance in the given activity. Its doesnt matter a damn thing how you look, as long as you are performing your sport at your maximum capacity. The whole 'fitness' look is a marketing thing for the masses, visible '6-pack', shapely arms and defined chest......all pushed to the general public as what embodies 'fitness' and sporting achievement. Its rubbish.
Take a shotputter for example, do you think he/she gives a toss that they may not have visible abs?
Sure, but they don't think, "Bloody six pack. Pass me that pie!" It is a side-effect but still impressive.Take a shotputter for example, do you think he/she gives a toss that they may not have visible abs?
It isn't difficult. You'll find plenty of people in any decent gym that have bodies like that. When I've had a hard week of training I look quite cut, it's not for appearance that I bother doing excersise. It's just a by product.
Do more eat less. Or in my case, do a lot more eat the same.
Do more eat less. Or in my case, do a lot more eat the same.
goldblum said:
HonestIago said:
Essentially true but a lot of Olympic bodies are chemically enhanced, just remember that.
Another thing is that normal people do not have the time to train all day every day like athletes. Protocols like carb-backloading are an excellent way for the rest of us to stay in shape whilst doing a moderate amount of training/exercise and still enjoying our food.
You don't need to 'train all day every day'.I know many people who don't know what carb-backloading is and who do a moderate amount of exercise and are in excellent shape.If you want to in very good shape you have to make some sacrifices and enjoying your food might have to be one of them.The people I'm referring to are dedicated that's all.Another thing is that normal people do not have the time to train all day every day like athletes. Protocols like carb-backloading are an excellent way for the rest of us to stay in shape whilst doing a moderate amount of training/exercise and still enjoying our food.
Furthermore if you think one (athlete or not) has to give up enjoying food to look good then I feel sorry for you as you clearly don't have much of a handle on the actual truths of nutrition and body composition. If being "dedicated" in your eyes means blindly following the usual dogma of eating "clean" foods the whole time then I'll happily say I'm not dedicated
HonestIago said:
you clearly don't have much of a handle on the actual truths of nutrition and body composition.
Assuming you have a big mouth because you think you have more qualifications than anyone else might I ask what your Degrees are in?
goldblum said:
HonestIago said:
you clearly don't have much of a handle on the actual truths of nutrition and body composition.
Assuming you have a big mouth because you think you have more qualifications than anyone else might I ask what your Degrees are in?
The assumption that most top athletes have used illegal substances in their past to get their body shape is ludicrous IMO. Sure some have used to give them an advantage but the athletes competing at the very top have done so using nothing short of hard work and dedication. The very same things that separate us from them.
goldblum said:
I have a Sports Science Degree from Chester University and am doing a BA at MMU in Theoretical Coaching and Fitness right now.Both Degrees featured comprehensive modules on nutrition.I have trained numerous Martial artists as far as the English Kickboxing squad and have competed myself in MA.I'm also a qualified PT.
Assuming you have a big mouth because you think you have more qualifications than anyone else might I ask what your Degrees are in?
Here we go... Assuming you have a big mouth because you think you have more qualifications than anyone else might I ask what your Degrees are in?
Qualifications in nutrition are founded on broscience which has been pedaled for decades. Holding a PT qualification counts for very little as far as actually having a clue is concerned. Lots of PTs are pathetic physically (not saying you are just that its not the be all and end all). I have a 2.1 in Economics (MA) from a UK top 10 university if you must know.
My argument is that "clean" foods vs "dirty" foods have no discernible effect on body composition and that hitting appropriate calories/macros is ALL that counts with regard to getting/staying lean or gaining muscle. Micronutrients can be supplemented to make up any shortfall from food alone. Thus any foods within reason can be incorporated into one's diet alongside whatever training one pursues and a great physique will still be the result.
HonestIago said:
Holding a PT qualification counts for very little as far as actually having a clue is concerned.
But it's actually a more relevant qualification than any you have,isn't it? I can think of several other PTs on this forum who are extremely knowledgeable and have earned their PT quals through their degree,not as part of a training course paid for by the local Leisure Centre.Did you not know this was possible? I can also think of a number of posters who are time served lifters or fighters in one discipline or another who because of their experience have useful knowledge beyond that of a casual PT.You do not seem to fall into either of these categories.
If you want to be taken seriously you can always back up your comments about nutrition with references and/or cite sources.
MrMagoo said:
The assumption that most top athletes have used illegal substances in their past to get their body shape is ludicrous IMO. Sure some have used to give them an advantage but the athletes competing at the very top have done so using nothing short of hard work and dedication. The very same things that separate us from them.
Considering how important the games are deemed politically, and what we now know about the 'stars' of yesteryear (Carl Lewis et al), I would suggest the ludicrous portion of that would be thinking they hadn't used any.edit
Oh and if anyone is interested I have a degree and a masters, but they're both in Humanities which are generally disregarded around here.
Edited by Halb on Wednesday 1st August 17:53
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