B. The activity of doing exercises (such as lifting weights) to make the muscles of your body larger and stronger.
So as we can see, one of the definitions is clearly focused on the competitive aspect of bodybuilding, but the other, in my opinion, includes almost everyone that takes part in any type of strength training program.
This includes young kids and teens looking to gain strength to improve at their sports, or first time gym goers looking to gain muscle to feel more confident, or someone who may have “lost their way” and is looking to get back in shape, or just that elderly person who wants to gain strength to improve their overall health.
Whatever the scenario, we can all benefit from having stronger muscles!
And while I understand that as the competitive stage of bodybuilding and fitness will continue to evolve, and the expectations and criteria for what a winning physique will always change, and the “athletes” will only continue to get bigger, and leaner, and at times more “freakish”, which will only make the separation from the general population even larger, I can hope that the stigma that is carried with someone who identifies himself as a bodybuilder will soon be lifted.
Because for a lot of us, it has given us an avenue to set goals and put into action a gameplan, and the feeling of accomplishment when you achieve what you’re working towards cannot be taken away from you.