Posted 2023-05-06
The Bronze Era (1894-1939) marks the beginning of bodybuilding as we know it, which was initiated by Eugen Sandow, also known as the "Father of Bodybuilding," in 1894. Sandow, who had previously competed as a strongman, began incorporating posing into his shows, shifting the audience's focus from feats of strength to the body itself. During this period, there were limited opportunities for weight training, with barbells and dumbbells being the primary equipment available. There were also few gyms and contests for bodybuilders. Diets were similar to those of strongmen, resulting in muscle and fat gain, with steroids still decades away from being developed. Various theories on muscle growth were circulating, but there was no consensus in the bodybuilding community. The Bronze Era can be considered as bodybuilding's "Wild West," with limited structure or rules. Notable bodybuilders from this period include Eugen Sandow, Siegmund Klein, Earle Liederman, George Jowett, Tony Sansone, and Bert Goodrich.
The Golden Era (1960-1983) began with the use of steroids in the early 1960s. Bodybuilders experimented with these drugs to determine what worked and what did not. Natural bodybuilders soon realized that they would need to use these drugs to keep up with their competitors or sit on the sidelines during competitions. The health effects of steroids were unknown at the time, and many of these drugs could be easily obtained with a doctor's prescription. Although most competitors used steroids towards the end of the era, bodybuilders' physiques were still generally symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing. Many competitors claimed that they only used steroids for the last month or two before a competition to give them a more polished look. The Golden Era saw a significant increase in popularity towards its end, with the release of the movie Pumping Iron and Arnold Schwarzenegger's rise to fame with the Conan movies. Frank Zane's Mr. Olympia wins from 1977-1979 were particularly popular as his physique was seen as desirable and attainable by the general public. The 1970s also saw the creation of machines by Arthur Jones and others that isolated muscles, and the split system of training, which involved training a few muscles with higher sets, became more popular than full body workouts. The diet changed to a high protein, low carb diet that still dominates bodybuilding circles today. Notable bodybuilders from this period include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Larry Scott, Dave Draper, Sergio Oliva, Serge Nubret, and Franco Columbu
During the Haney Era, Lee Haney was the most dominant bodybuilder and his physique was a mix of shape and aesthetic muscle. Although he did not fit into the symmetrical bodybuilder category of the Golden Era, he was not as massive as those from the Mass Era. Some bodybuilding historians believe that Haney could have ended Arnold Schwarzenegger's reign as Mr. Olympia if Schwarzenegger had continued competing instead of transitioning to movies. The judges started putting more emphasis on size over symmetry during this era, which negatively affected bodybuilders like Bob Paris who focused on symmetry and aesthetics. Overall, there were no significant changes during this period, except for the shift in judging criteria. Notable bodybuilders from the Haney Era include Lee Haney, Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, Rich Gaspari, Lee Labrada, Vince Taylor, and Mike Christian.
In conclusion, bodybuilding has come a long way since its inception in the Bronze Era. From Eugen Sandow's posing shows to John Grimek's dominance in the Silver Era, the sport has seen significant changes over the years. The Golden Era brought the use of steroids, along with advancements in training techniques and nutrition, while the Haney Era marked a shift in judging criteria. Throughout all these eras, notable bodybuilders have left a mark on the sport, and their physiques continue to inspire and motivate people today. As we commemorate VE Day and remember the sacrifices made in World War II, we can also reflect on how bodybuilding has evolved over time and appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into building a champion physique.
In our store, we have products that cater to every individual's body goals, regardless of whether they aim to lose or gain weight. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, we have everything you need to achieve your desired physique. We only offer genuine products that come directly from trusted manufacturers like Hilma Biocare and Somatrop-Lab, so you can be sure that you're getting exactly what you paid for when you shop with us.
Exploring the Different Eras of Bodybuilding
As historical day the "VE Day" approaches, we want to deep in to the hisotry and explore soem of the facts associated with bodybuilding. There are nummerous social media accounts, blogs, and newsfeeds that focus on "Old School" bodybuilding, attracting a large number of followers. These accounts typically showcase prominent figures from the current Mass Era, including Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. While the definition of "Old School" may differ among generations, our objective is to offer a thorough overview of the different bodybuilding eras throughout history.
Brionze Era
The Bronze Era (1894-1939) marks the beginning of bodybuilding as we know it, which was initiated by Eugen Sandow, also known as the "Father of Bodybuilding," in 1894. Sandow, who had previously competed as a strongman, began incorporating posing into his shows, shifting the audience's focus from feats of strength to the body itself. During this period, there were limited opportunities for weight training, with barbells and dumbbells being the primary equipment available. There were also few gyms and contests for bodybuilders. Diets were similar to those of strongmen, resulting in muscle and fat gain, with steroids still decades away from being developed. Various theories on muscle growth were circulating, but there was no consensus in the bodybuilding community. The Bronze Era can be considered as bodybuilding's "Wild West," with limited structure or rules. Notable bodybuilders from this period include Eugen Sandow, Siegmund Klein, Earle Liederman, George Jowett, Tony Sansone, and Bert Goodrich.Silver Era
During the Silver Era of bodybuilding, which lasted from 1940-1959, John Grimek was the star who dominated the scene after winning the AAU Mr. America contest in 1940. Grimek had previously been a weightlifter and competed in the 1936 Olympics for the US. His unprecedented size and shape brought bodybuilding into the mainstream, and he continued to win the AAU Mr. America contest from 1940-1949, remaining the only undefeated bodybuilder in major contests to this day. The popularity of bodybuilding saw a modest increase during this era, as gyms became more common and annual contests were frequently held. Interest in the sport accelerated in the late 1950s, thanks to Steve Reeves appearing as Hercules in movies, inspiring young boys to lift weights to achieve his physique. The Silver Era saw the advancement of weight training to higher reps to stimulate muscle growth instead of strength, and the typical workout was performed on the full body. Diet had also modestly advanced to avoid processed foods and sugar, but during World War II with rationing in effect, bodybuilders ate what they could find. Notable bodybuilders from this period include John Grimek, Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Clarence Ross, Alan Stephan, George Eiferman, and Armand Tanny. Steroids became available in 1958 with the creation of Dianabol by Dr. John Ziegler, but it is generally accepted that bodybuilders did not start taking steroids until the early 1960s. The bodybuilding lifestyle was becoming more defined, with tips on exercise and diet spread throughout muscle magazines of the day.
Gold Era
The Golden Era (1960-1983) began with the use of steroids in the early 1960s. Bodybuilders experimented with these drugs to determine what worked and what did not. Natural bodybuilders soon realized that they would need to use these drugs to keep up with their competitors or sit on the sidelines during competitions. The health effects of steroids were unknown at the time, and many of these drugs could be easily obtained with a doctor's prescription. Although most competitors used steroids towards the end of the era, bodybuilders' physiques were still generally symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing. Many competitors claimed that they only used steroids for the last month or two before a competition to give them a more polished look. The Golden Era saw a significant increase in popularity towards its end, with the release of the movie Pumping Iron and Arnold Schwarzenegger's rise to fame with the Conan movies. Frank Zane's Mr. Olympia wins from 1977-1979 were particularly popular as his physique was seen as desirable and attainable by the general public. The 1970s also saw the creation of machines by Arthur Jones and others that isolated muscles, and the split system of training, which involved training a few muscles with higher sets, became more popular than full body workouts. The diet changed to a high protein, low carb diet that still dominates bodybuilding circles today. Notable bodybuilders from this period include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Larry Scott, Dave Draper, Sergio Oliva, Serge Nubret, and Franco Columbu
Haney Era
During the Haney Era, Lee Haney was the most dominant bodybuilder and his physique was a mix of shape and aesthetic muscle. Although he did not fit into the symmetrical bodybuilder category of the Golden Era, he was not as massive as those from the Mass Era. Some bodybuilding historians believe that Haney could have ended Arnold Schwarzenegger's reign as Mr. Olympia if Schwarzenegger had continued competing instead of transitioning to movies. The judges started putting more emphasis on size over symmetry during this era, which negatively affected bodybuilders like Bob Paris who focused on symmetry and aesthetics. Overall, there were no significant changes during this period, except for the shift in judging criteria. Notable bodybuilders from the Haney Era include Lee Haney, Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, Rich Gaspari, Lee Labrada, Vince Taylor, and Mike Christian.Mass Era
The Mass Era, which began in 1992 and continues to this day, is characterized by bodybuilders who prioritize muscle mass above all else. Dorian Yates' rise to Mr. Olympia in 1992 marked the beginning of this era, and Ronnie Coleman later became the most prominent representative of this style, surpassing Yates in size. However, this focus on size has led to distended stomachs, which are now negatively judged in competitions. Although exercises and diet have remained primarily the same as during the Golden Era, the use of steroids has skyrocketed, with bodybuilders consuming much more than in previous eras. This era may be coming to a close as there is a growing demand for a return to the more aesthetic bodies of the Golden Era, with Classic and Physique contests emerging. Notable bodybuilders from this era include Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, Kai Greene, Phil Heath, and Shawn Rhoden.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bodybuilding has come a long way since its inception in the Bronze Era. From Eugen Sandow's posing shows to John Grimek's dominance in the Silver Era, the sport has seen significant changes over the years. The Golden Era brought the use of steroids, along with advancements in training techniques and nutrition, while the Haney Era marked a shift in judging criteria. Throughout all these eras, notable bodybuilders have left a mark on the sport, and their physiques continue to inspire and motivate people today. As we commemorate VE Day and remember the sacrifices made in World War II, we can also reflect on how bodybuilding has evolved over time and appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into building a champion physique.In our store, we have products that cater to every individual's body goals, regardless of whether they aim to lose or gain weight. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, we have everything you need to achieve your desired physique. We only offer genuine products that come directly from trusted manufacturers like Hilma Biocare and Somatrop-Lab, so you can be sure that you're getting exactly what you paid for when you shop with us.