Natural Vs Assisted Debate

Squatty · 31-08-2006, 02:37 PM

I never know when I get up in the morning how I'm gonna be thinking about my attitudes towards natural bodybuilding vs assisted bodybuilding. I keep coming across different examples of, at best, scorn from one camp to the other. I'm interested in other's thoughts and experiences around this

The other day, I went into a natural forum as a mate of mine, who competes naturally, posts a lot there and I was interested in what was going on. I became riveted by a thread about a guy who has been stripped of his title after failing a test. At first the attitude was "he thoroughly deserved it" kind of stuff but as the thread wore on, it became pretty sanctimonious,in a "aren't we better human beings" sort of way

Then blow me down, today the opposite happens. I'm reading a thread on another forum (I guess where the main players are mainly assisted) and the attitude towards the natties was patronising and scornful. I came away thinking I don't like that attitude either

Am I being naive in hoping for less hostility from the two camps.Iknow that, at the end of the day, I've chosen my path for what I believe is right for me and that should be all that concerns me. It just seemed a shame that within our sport such attitudes exist

**LeeB** · 31-08-2006, 04:08 PM

i think because the choice for so many is a moral one youll always get extreme viewpoints...

also, and this isnt meant in a derogatory way.. natural bodybuilders in general have to be a little more intelligent in my opinion in order to be able to understand fully the ins and outs of their bodys and nutrition. because of this i have seen instances of "holier and more intelligent than thou" attitudes.

also, some assisted bodybuilders think that because someone is natural and therefore not particularly built like a brick sh*t house then they are not a real bodybuilder.

personally i take the view that when i look at a physique i can like it or dislike it... whether assisted or drug free... its about appreciation for me... and size isnt the only thing i appreciate!

there are some fantastic natural athletes... vicky mccann, rob hope, andrew merrifield, neil ashley to name just a few.... but theres loads more... and that side of the sport is getting more and more publicity these days!

rob hope for one (world champion) would in mine and many others opinion be capable of winning his IFBB pro card whilst natural as his physique is THAT GOOD!

altho i do speak my mind im also quite happy to point out that there are some not so great natural physiques as well as some not so great assisted physiques.

id also be interested to know just how "natural" natural is... as im sure there are some people who interpret the rules..... which is the same in any sport.. again that was not meant in a derogatory way... its just a curiosity ive always had!

i also feel that sometime natural athletes can be more passionate about "being natural" than about bodybuilding itself.. which is a shame!

Nick500 · 31-08-2006, 05:04 PM

Its a constant dilemma in my mind too. I respect the fact that natural bodybuilders probably have to watch their diet harder than 'unnaturals', and therefore to do REALLY well, they have to put a lot of effort in. However it seems that, mostly when talking to people who don't know anything about training, their first question to me is do you take steroids. I say no, but feel like i'm a worse person for it, and that kinda pisses me off. Simply because I think most people believe that if you take steroids its an instant ticket into huge huge monster mass, and that you don't have to train hard or eat right to put on size.

Also, people STILL seem to think that not all pro bodybuilders are on steroids! why is this??

In short I respect the naturals majorly but I think that sometimes they think they are in another league and dismiss anybody who has taken steroids as cheaters and lightweights and people who haven't tried hard to gain naturally at all (this is true i suppose for some idiots, i think we can all think of a few)

Nick

Squatty · 31-08-2006, 07:01 PM

Sorry Nick - but did you mean when you say no(about taking steroids) and end up feeling a worse person for it. You feel worse for not taking steroids?
Surely in most layman's eyes that would make you a "better person"

kriptikchicken · 31-08-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick500

their first question to me is do you take steroids. I say no, but feel like i'm a worse person for it,

My moto is "it's ok to lie if it is none of their buisness"

Nick500 · 31-08-2006, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squatty

Sorry Nick - but did you mean when you say no(about taking steroids) and end up feeling a worse person for it. You feel worse for not taking steroids?
Surely in most layman's eyes that would make you a "better person"

I mean I feel bad about lying ...

vickymc · 18-09-2006, 01:57 PM

The natural vs assisted debate will carry on forever. I do think that some people are too caught up in the debate rather than just respecting them both as a part of bodybuilding. I think that whetever your choice you should be respected for the work you put in. I have friends who are assisted and those who are not I have total respect for both.

In my opinion the champions in both would have been champs if they had chosen the other way. That is because to be a champ takes dedication hard work and commitment assisted or not.

31-08-2006, 02:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Squatty Legend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: www.counselling-for-men.co.uk Posts: 651 Rep Power:	Natural Vs Assisted Debate I never know when I get up in the morning how I'm gonna be thinking about my attitudes towards natural bodybuilding vs assisted bodybuilding. I keep coming across different examples of, at best, scorn from one camp to the other. I'm interested in other's thoughts and experiences around this The other day, I went into a natural forum as a mate of mine, who competes naturally, posts a lot there and I was interested in what was going on. I became riveted by a thread about a guy who has been stripped of his title after failing a test. At first the attitude was "he thoroughly deserved it" kind of stuff but as the thread wore on, it became pretty sanctimonious,in a "aren't we better human beings" sort of way Then blow me down, today the opposite happens. I'm reading a thread on another forum (I guess where the main players are mainly assisted) and the attitude towards the natties was patronising and scornful. I came away thinking I don't like that attitude either Am I being naive in hoping for less hostility from the two camps.Iknow that, at the end of the day, I've chosen my path for what I believe is right for me and that should be all that concerns me. It just seemed a shame that within our sport such attitudes exist

31-08-2006, 04:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
LeeB Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,982 Rep Power:	i think because the choice for so many is a moral one youll always get extreme viewpoints... also, and this isnt meant in a derogatory way.. natural bodybuilders in general have to be a little more intelligent in my opinion in order to be able to understand fully the ins and outs of their bodys and nutrition. because of this i have seen instances of "holier and more intelligent than thou" attitudes. also, some assisted bodybuilders think that because someone is natural and therefore not particularly built like a brick sht house then they are not a real bodybuilder. personally i take the view that when i look at a physique i can like it or dislike it... whether assisted or drug free... its about appreciation for me... and size isnt the only thing i appreciate! there are some fantastic natural athletes... vicky mccann, rob hope, andrew merrifield, neil ashley to name just a few.... but theres loads more... and that side of the sport is getting more and more publicity these days! rob hope for one (world champion) would in mine and many others opinion be capable of winning his IFBB pro card whilst natural as his physique is THAT GOOD! altho i do speak my mind im also quite happy to point out that there are some not so great natural physiques as well as some not so great assisted physiques. id also be interested to know just how "natural" natural is... as im sure there are some people who interpret the rules..... which is the same in any sport.. again that was not meant in a derogatory way... its just a curiosity ive always had! i also feel that sometime natural athletes can be more passionate about "being natural" than about bodybuilding itself.. which is a shame! ______________________ If your not a part of the greatest... you got to be the greatest yourself*! For the best supplements: www.extremenutrition.co.uk

31-08-2006, 05:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nick500 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bristol Posts: 3,230 Rep Power:	Its a constant dilemma in my mind too. I respect the fact that natural bodybuilders probably have to watch their diet harder than 'unnaturals', and therefore to do REALLY well, they have to put a lot of effort in. However it seems that, mostly when talking to people who don't know anything about training, their first question to me is do you take steroids. I say no, but feel like i'm a worse person for it, and that kinda pisses me off. Simply because I think most people believe that if you take steroids its an instant ticket into huge huge monster mass, and that you don't have to train hard or eat right to put on size. Also, people STILL seem to think that not all pro bodybuilders are on steroids! why is this?? In short I respect the naturals majorly but I think that sometimes they think they are in another league and dismiss anybody who has taken steroids as cheaters and lightweights and people who haven't tried hard to gain naturally at all (this is true i suppose for some idiots, i think we can all think of a few) Nick ______________________ - Obsession is what lazy people call dedication -

18-09-2006, 01:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
vickymc Under Construction Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 30 Rep Power:	The natural vs assisted debate will carry on forever. I do think that some people are too caught up in the debate rather than just respecting them both as a part of bodybuilding. I think that whetever your choice you should be respected for the work you put in. I have friends who are assisted and those who are not I have total respect for both. In my opinion the champions in both would have been champs if they had chosen the other way. That is because to be a champ takes dedication hard work and commitment assisted or not. ______________________ pronaturalmuscle.com

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31-08-2006, 07:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Squatty Legend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: www.counselling-for-men.co.uk Posts: 651 Rep Power:	Sorry Nick - but did you mean when you say no(about taking steroids) and end up feeling a worse person for it. You feel worse for not taking steroids? Surely in most layman's eyes that would make you a "better person"