That's My Opinion. What's Yours?
by Marianna Komlos
Marianna Komlos Editorial 


I recently read an article on the Internet that captured my attention. It was
an interview with a pro male bodybuilder. Then I realized it was from an issue
of Ironmanmagazine dated February 1997.

I've never seen a more candid, straight forward interview in any bodybuilding
magazine. My first reaction after reading it was amazement. Not from what was
said, but why I've never read it or heard anything about it before. So I asked
a number of different people if they had ever read this before, and no one
had. There wasn't any follow up on this story either.

Could it be because no one wants to talk publicly about a very serious
problem? Are we ignoring one man's story knowing that it's not only his, but
that it's the typical life of a top contender?

If we know this is commonly happening to male bodybuilders, then we can pretty
much bet that it's happening to female bodybuilders. Here's my opinion on
what's happening to this circus we call a sport.

Between 10 to 15 year ago, bodybuilding was in its prime. Magazines focused on
proper training techniques and had scientific articles that made learning
about bodybuilding so much easier. The Ms. Olympia was rising in popularity,
as was the Mr. Olympia. What happened after this was a steady spiral downward.

Bodybuilding used to be judged for aesthetic lines, symmetry, shape, and of
course, beauty. Now all judges want to see is "the beast"; but the general
public doesn't. I think ticket sales for the last Ms. Olympia prove this
point.

How far are we as women ready to go for a trophy that makes us proud, but
unfortunately doesn't cover the rent? When are we going to say enough is
enough? Why push our bodies to such unhealthy extremes trying to prove we're
worthy of a big fat check we'll never see, and public acknowledgement we'll
never get? You could say we train that hard for ourselves, which we do, but it
seems bodybuilding is more an expensive hobby than a living.

I just read another article by John Romano concerning female bodybuilders who
use large amounts of steroids and deny it. Do these women actually think that
denying it makes them believable? The only people that believe they're clean
are themselves.

I applaud you, John, for coming out with this "in your face" truth. How can I
say it's true? I would be lying if I said I have never used. But let me tell
you, after reading countless articles, talking to women about their
experiences, and having gone through my own, I have to ask, how far are we
willing to go?

It's like selling your soul to the devil. But who's the devil? Us? The public?
The magazines? The judges?

Well, if we're doing the signing, we're half responsible. But telling
competitors that they'll place higher next time if they come in bigger and
tighter only gives them falsehope. It also tells them they need to take more
drugs.

I now want to focus on the hopefuls who have just entered the world of
competition. I used to be one. When you start training, you're told by other
people who compete and train that to remain competitive, you have to take
different drugs or you just won't win. Are we creating false dreams for future
competitors? I think so!

How many pro competitors are doing "wrestling sessions" and "other sessions"
to pay their rent? Too many!

Is this what the hopefuls have to look forward to?

Countless times I've been asked how much money you make in this sport. When I
answer by telling them I do it more for the exposure than the money, they're
amazed.

"If you don't make money winning a contest or doing cover shots for magazines,
where do you make your money?" I'm asked.

Smart marketing and a nine to five job. Don't get me wrong. Bodybuilding can
be very profitable, but we have to be smart about it. It's up to us to say no
to getting bigger and bigger every year. It's up to us to say no to "wrestling
sessions" and posing nude for free (or next to nothing).

The judges may set standards, but we set our own goals. And for heaven's sake,
say no to being in denial! The only people you're fooling are yourselves.

As bodybuilders, we want to be taken seriously as athletes and we want
bodybuilding to be taken seriously as a sport. How can this happen with what's
going on in the sport of bodybuilding today? Do you see top Olympic athletes
doing "sessions" and posing nude for next to nothing?

That's my opinion. What's yours?

I want to hear from you. Reply to mariannakomlos@hotmail.com to respond. If
any female bodybuilders out there want to respond to this, please do. It's
your opinion that matters the most.