| Bodybuilding can be easily defined as the activity | | | | saw the formation of various bodies which catered for |
| through which muscle mass is developed through | | | | many aspects of the sport. The IFBB was formed |
| exercising; this is mainly through the lifting of varying | | | | during this period as mentioned by Ben and Joe |
| weights in repetitious sets. There are many | | | | Weider. This federation is responsible for the |
| competitions through which bodybuilders can make | | | | organization of the Mr. America competition. In Britain |
| names for themselves on the international arena. | | | | the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association or |
| These competitions are normally sanctioned by the | | | | NABBA was formed. NABBA is responsible for the |
| International Federation of Bodybuilders. The IFBB was | | | | organization of the Mr. Universe contest which has |
| founded by Joe and Ben Weider. Eugen Sandow, a | | | | remained a popular contest to this day. |
| native of Prussia is credited as a forerunner in the | | | | Among the icons of the sport it is Arnold |
| development of bodybuilding and ensuring that the | | | | Schwarzenegger who has enjoyed the most success. |
| sport became a popular activity that is admired and | | | | The native of Austria but now a citizen of the United |
| awed by many across the globe. Sandow was | | | | States wowed audiences through the late 60s and all |
| responsibe for organizing the maiden bodybuilding | | | | over the 70s. Schwarzenegger won a remarkable 4 |
| contest that was held in London, England on 14th | | | | Mr. Universe titles and an unprecedented 7 Mr. Olympia |
| September 1901. The contest was dubbed The Great | | | | titles which included a five time consecutive win. After |
| Competition and its winner was William Murray from | | | | his successes the sport saw the emergence of other |
| Nottingham in England. | | | | legends including Lou Ferrigno, Dorian Yates and Lee |
| The premier event in modern bodybuilding is obviously | | | | Haney. These stars of yesteryear have found worthy |
| the Mr. Olympia competition. The winner of the annual | | | | successors in the likes of Ronnie Coleman and Jay |
| event receives a trophy that is made with an effigy of | | | | Cutler. |
| Eugen Sandow. The trophy has been affectionately | | | | The 1980s saw an influx in the usage of bodybuilding |
| referred to as the Sandler. From 1901 when the first | | | | steroids. The IFBB and the Olympic Committee |
| contest was held there have been great | | | | spearheaded campaigns and activities that were |
| developments in the sport. The greatest developments | | | | aimed at reducing or discouraging the use of these |
| were however experienced between the 1930s and | | | | steroids. Tough anti-doping regulations were introduced |
| the 1970s. These four decades saw the emergence | | | | and these measures continued well into the 90s. The |
| of athletes who had began to thoroughly understand | | | | current crop of bodybuilders is reverting back to more |
| the benefit of intense training techniques and the | | | | natural training methods without too much of steroids. It |
| importance of proper nutrition. This made for great | | | | has been established that with proper resistance |
| competitions where audiences were awed by the | | | | training, proper diets and adequate rest one can |
| massive frames of these athletes. This same period | | | | achieve top results. |