Lee Haney Thinks Fashionable Bodybuilding Contest Prep is Too Harmful

Similarly to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Haney thinks fashionable bodybuilding is simply too fixated on measurement somewhat than aiming for symmetry and steadiness. Per the legend, the highest names is likely to be bigger than ever, however they’re lacking very important particulars that was a main focus throughout his period.

When one elements in doubtlessly extreme dehydration to show much more muscular element, Haney thinks this total mentality comes at a major value to the athletes’ well being.

“Plenty of athletes find yourself sick or find yourself dying due to attempting to attain that stage of dryness,” Haney defined. “I believe we have to change the cultural mindset of what’s occurring on the subject of judging these competitions.”

In the end, whereas he appreciates the dedication to competitors and health, Haney expressed that what bodybuilders are requested of these days goes too far. For him, having a protracted and fulfilling life is extra essential than having a fruitful, inflexible profession that would doubtlessly put that in danger.

“On the finish of the day, you wish to take pleasure in your self as an athlete, however you wish to stroll away together with your well being,” Haney mentioned. “You shouldn’t must die to achieve this stage of conditioning. They’re asking an excessive amount of of the athletes, interval. You take a look at the previous college of bodybuilding. Individuals say ‘old skool,’ that’s the actual college. It is the college. Overlook that ‘old skool.’ … We reached a stage of conditioning that allow us stroll away after the competitors and nonetheless be alive, and nonetheless be wholesome.”

The 63-year-old Haney maintained that earlier bodybuilding contest requirements let the icons of his period go on to guide lengthy lives. He defined that figures just like the late and influential Bill Pearl, three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane (1977-1979), and even Schwarzenegger lived or have all reached their senior years, nicely into their 70s and 80s, for an excellent cause. Their bodybuilding preparations didn’t ask an excessive amount of of them.

As such, it is likely to be time to reassess and hint steps again to these previous days earlier than it’s too late. Haney means that the onus could also be on the bodybuilding judges to solely reward sure physiques within the context of earlier bodybuilders.

“They keep in mind the truth that we had been wholesome. No one handed out on stage. Perhaps we obtained slightly dehydrated, obtained slightly light-headed, however no one needed to name in paramedics to revive anyone. So, there’s a sample that already exists. I’m saying, let’s get again to these patterns,” Haney mentioned. “It doesn’t take quite a bit to do this. It simply takes a becoming a member of of the minds. … I believe we have now to step again and rewrite, reassess, as a result of the blood of those athletes which are dying, is in your palms. They’re in your palms.”