Body building is a well-known sport that is practiced in many countries. From Arnold Schwarzenegger to Charles Atlas, bodybuilders have been seen as the strongest men on earth. Body building competitions are held throughout the world, with the winner of the Mr. Olympia title being considered the top bodybuilder in the world.

Competitive body building involves bodybuilders displaying their physiques. Judges then proceed to rank the bodybuilders based on their appearance. Many bodybuilders use tanning lotions and oils to highlight their muscles and accentuate the lack of fat on their bodies.

German Eugen Sandow is considered to be the “Father of Modern Bodybuilding.” Sandow would put on muscle display performances for audiences. Sandow then opened a business to help others obtain his physique. He marketed a number of nutritional products that were designed to enhance a person’s body. He is also believed to be the first person to sell exercise equipment such as dumbbells.

In the early 1900s, the United States held its first bodybuilding competition. Madison Square was the venue for the first competition. The winner of the competition was named “The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World.” From that point, body building continued to grow and spread to other parts of the world.

With all of the gains and successes in body building, there have been dark moments. The use of anabolic steroids has been attributed with the massive gains of bodybuilders such as Schwarzenegger and Lee Haney. Many of the people that participated in competitive body building were accused of using anabolic steroids. Officials in the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB), implemented anabolic steroid testing in hopes of discouraging the use of the drugs.

Despite the stand that the IFBB has taken against anabolic steroids, the use of the drugs within body building has continued. In the United States, anabolic steroids are considered to be illegal without a valid prescription. Although they have been banned, the use of the drugs continue.

Many supporters of body building have attempted to have the sport become an official Olympic sport. Despite the IFBB’s attempt to clean up the sport from its drug use, the International Olympic Committee has refused to add body building to the Olympics.

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