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The term "natural" has undergone
multiple revisions in the last few years. New and high tech
bodybuilding supplements have blurred the distinction between
legal supplementation and steroids. The addition of various
pro-hormonal stacks and related supplements to the bodybuilder's
arsenal has caused many to conclude that natural bodybuilding
no longer exists. One could ask also,
Is it natural to consume 5 grams of Creatine-Monohydrate
or 10 grams of L-Glutamine in a single serving?
Is it natural to use Taraxatone to increase muscular definition
and then apply 5 coats of Pro-Tan prior to competition?
Does pre-digested ion exchange whey protein exist naturally?
The obvious answer to these questions is NO!
On the other hand, while it is possible to achieve an impressive
and healthy physique without supplementation you need to be
aware that the proper use and combination of legal supplements
will increase the speed of your physical transformation and
that your competitor (should you decide to compete) is likely
using them to his or her advantage. So how do we resolve this
conflict.
Does Natural Bodybuilding truly exist?
For the competitive bodybuilder the answer lies within the
rules of the sanctioning organization that he or she competes
in. ALWAYS CHECK THE BANNED SUBSTANCES LIST FOR THE COMPETITION
AND OR SANCTIONING BODY THAT YOU ARE COMPETING IN! If you
meet the requirements of the sanctioning body (recognized
group or authority that sanctions and validates competitions)
then you can consider yourself to be "natural".
On the other hand, many events are not drug tested at all.
If you know in advance that you are competing in a non-tested
event and then loose to someone that you believe to be an
enhanced athlete, you have no right to complain. You chose
to compete under those conditions.
A natural bodybuilder must understand and respect their own
genetic limitations. It is important that our physique goals
be reasonable and obtainable. If your goal is to eventually
look like an Olympia contender, than you need to find a black
market pharmacist and start looking over your shoulder. I
have spoken with many nationally ranked competitors who were
sadly asking the question, "How many more drugs do I
have to take". Some were frightened, they see a very
dim light at the end of the tunnel and they know where it
is leading them. Therefore, as a natural trainer, you must
respect your genetics, you must respect your limitations and
you must respect your long term health. Your training, nutrition,
supplementation and recovery program must reflect your goals.
If you're going to call yourself a bodybuilder, then train
like one and educate yourself. Anything less and your just
a person who works out.
You should be aware however that valid and accurate drug
screening is expensive and that cheaters occasionally go undetected.
This is a sad fact about our sport because natural athletes
need and deserve a level playing field. Once caught however,
a failed drug test is usually sufficient to ban the competitor
for life. For the purpose of attempting to define the term
however, suffice to say that the term "natural"
implies that the athlete has not engaged in the use of performance
enhancing drugs or substances banned by the sanctioning organization
of a competitive event.
While this topic is controversial in some circles, it is
important that natural athletes not try to assume a moral
superiority over our enhanced brothers. Our sport has yet
to receive full recognition by the public and quarreling amongst
ourselves will not help our cause. The important thing is
that you remain true to yourselves as athletes, and promote
our sport, not only in word, but in deed.
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