Scott Crews

Clark,

I’m having an argument with my friend who says that bodybuilders aren’t athletes. What do you think?

Scott Crews

Santa Monica, CA

Scott,
What are you trying to do to me here? How am I supposed to be PC and answer this one?

Let me say this: Like many generalizations, there’s an element of truth to the notion that bodybuilders are short on athletic skills that require stretching, moving, and hand-eye coordination. The reason is simple: in their quest for size and strength, many bodybuilders neglect specific training protocols that could make them more athletic.

On the other hand, because strength is important for athletes, bodybuilders have a solid foundation of conditioning from which they can improve their athleticism, and I’ve seen some very athletic bodybuilders over the years. Many have made solid transitions into “sports entertainment” or otherwise known as wrestling. Now those guys are athletes!