More Than Vanity: What You Should Know About Bodybuilding as a Hobby

Some people believe that bodybuilding is only for active competitors and people who care way too much about how they look. But the reality is that bodybuilding is a rewarding and engaging hobby – and one that anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, can enjoy.

The Many Sides of Bodybuilding

You probably already know what bodybuilding is, at least on a general level. Bodybuilding is the practice of increasing the size and improving the shape of bodily muscles, ultimately making yourself stronger, bigger, and more adherent to conventional aesthetic form in the process. There are many different types of bodybuilding competitions that encourage people to push the limits of their own body in their self-discipline, but you don’t have to attend competitions to enjoy bodybuilding.

These are just some of the reasons why people pursue bodybuilding as a hobby:

•       Strength. You’ll find some controversy on this subject, but in many cases, building bigger muscles is also the path to becoming stronger. To become a successful bodybuilder, you’ll need to progressively overload the weight you lift, lift weights many times per week, allow your body time to rest and recover, and eat the right combination of foods. It’s impossible to follow this formula and not gain at least some strength in the process.
•       Health, fitness, and awareness. Similarly, bodybuilding is a path to greater health and fitness. Bodybuilders are practically required to exercise on a regular basis when they lift weights, and they have to pay close attention to what they eat. Accordingly, they become passionate about nutrition and healthy lifestyles, so they get to enjoy the many benefits of leading a healthier life.
•       Competition. For some bodybuilders, it’s all about the competition. The health benefits and increased fitness are nice, but it’s even nicer to win a big trophy or cash prize. Some people love the thrill of victory and pursue it relentlessly, while others just feel motivated by pursuing their rivals.
•       Bonding. Bodybuilding is a hobby that’s hard to do alone. If you’re in the competition circuit, you’ll be engaging with your fellow competitors on a regular basis. If you’re training in a gym, you’ll be interacting with the regulars every day. And even if you’re spending most of your time at home, you’ll be relying on the support of your family members to achieve your goals. No matter your scenario, bodybuilding could be a valuable way to build stronger bonds with the people around you.
•       Accessibility and flexibility. It’s also relatively easy to get started with bodybuilding, even if you don’t have much fitness experience. For amateur bodybuilders, body weight exercises, resistance bands, and free weights are a great place to start. After just a few weeks of lifting weight, changing your eating, and getting plenty of rest, you’ll notice a difference in your muscle mass in the shape of your body.

The Benefits of Bodybuilding

As a result of bodybuilding more regularly, you’ll enjoy the following benefits and more:

•       Fitness. Some people enjoy bodybuilding because of the amount of fitness improvement they see in the process. Eating healthier foods makes them feel better and have more energy, while losing body fat and building muscle makes them feel more capable.
•       Confidence. Bodybuilding also boosts your confidence in many different ways. As you build muscle and become stronger, you’ll have more faith in your physical capabilities. As you feel yourself becoming more fit and more attractive, you’ll feel more socially Influential. And as you set goals and achieve them with new record lifts, you’ll believe in your own abilities more and more.
•       Friends. Whether you meet them through the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) or just at the local gym, bodybuilding can introduce you to a plethora of new friends. You’ll have plenty of time to socialize between sets and while you’re resting, and you’ll feel fulfilled by the camaraderie that comes with the territory.
•       Knowledge. To become a successful bodybuilder you have to learn a lot. You’ll learn about nutrition, human anatomy, the science of weightlifting, and other topics related to health and fitness. Granted, you don’t have to lift heavy weight or get involved in competitions to learn these things – but it’s a nice added bonus if you’re pursuing the hobby.

Is Bodybuilding Right for You?

As you can see, bodybuilding isn’t just for competitive meatheads, nor is it for anyone demographic. People of all backgrounds can benefit from the many advantages that bodybuilding offers – and it doesn’t take much to get started as an amateur, especially if you’re more interested in self-development than in winning major competitions. 

If you’re interested in beginning as a bodybuilder, consider hiring a personal trainer or talking to some of the regulars at your local gym for tips and advice.