Natural Bodybuilding

[Zlowrider]

How "natural" is natural bodybuilding? Does it mean no supplements?

[gt190]

it means natural so no steriods/gh/insulin

suppliments are allowed like protein/creatine but not banned substances (pro hormones)

[Zlowrider]

Why do we make this distinction? Is steroid use ok in Bodybuilding as opposed to Natural Bodybuilding? Or does it mean there are no tests for steriods in competition. I'm not asking if its rampant, I'm just trying to understand the distinction.

[Wizz]

Originally Posted by Zlowrider

Why do we make this distinction? Is steroid use ok in Bodybuilding as opposed to Natural Bodybuilding? Or does it mean there are no tests for steriods in competition. I'm not asking if its rampant, I'm just trying to understand the distinction.

Here's what i think (probably room for correction):

Somebody who uses steroids and build muscle is still called a bodybuilder. Although steroid use is frowned upon, they are still used by certain people for certain reasons. So the term Bodybuilding can be applied to anyone who is building muscle by whatever means.

The term Natural Bodybuilding refers to somebody who does not use any steroids etc. Wikipedia sums it up very nicely:

Natural bodybuilding is the practice or participation in the form of body modification, known as bodybuilding; and to do this without the use of banned substances. Most commonly refering to the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. In the sport of natural bodybuilding, the classification of natural is based on the organization you are competing in.

More information here

[Frankoman]

Bodybuilder -


Natural Bodybuilder -



Basically, Bodybuilders are those that have done steroids at some point in there life, whether they regret it or not, they can't reverse the effects. They are significantly larger then others, and sometimes more blockier. Natural bodybuilders stay away from all that and bulk and cut without that. There was a time where Steroids weren't really a problem, mainly Arnolds time, and most bodybuilders were using them. Coleman was around that era too, and he might not now but he did then and because of that he can never be a natural bodybuilder.

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Zlowrider

How "natural" is natural bodybuilding? Does it mean no supplements?

No it doesn't mean no supplements in general, but some may be banned. Prohormones, DHEA (some orgs), some testosterone boosters for example.

If you look on the websites of the natural organizations, they'll have a list of what substances are allowed and which are banned. Some also require the competitor to be lifetime drug free, and others have a time limit like 5 years drug free etc.

The testing also varies from org to org.

[Damien]

Philip Ricardo is lifetime natural and have a phenomenal physique:

[NicoSuave32]

like Damien said some federations only require a 5-7 year banned substance free, but stricter federation require life time drug free and if it's the IFBB it's a don't ask don't tell no testing deal

[BrianTheLion]

I've thought about this for a while, but some steroids, like some drugs, don't remain in your system for an extremely long time. What prevents a "natural bodybuilder" from taking steroids or some other performance enhancer in the offseason while bulking up? Could/Do some "natural bodybuilders" do this and get away with it?

[carl1174]

Originally Posted by BrianTheLion

I've thought about this for a while, but some steroids, like some drugs, don't remain in your system for an extremely long time. What prevents a "natural bodybuilder" from taking steroids or some other performance enhancer in the offseason while bulking up? Could/Do some "natural bodybuilders" do this and get away with it?

Competitors can be polygraphed as well before a competition to see if there has been any use of illegal substances before the comp.

Carl.