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for changing the shape of one's body.
WHAT GOES AROUND -- COMES AROUND
In the ensuing years, weight training continued to gain popularity throughout the world. The once
cult hobby is now recognized by leading medical authorities as the most effective method of
controlling weight, staying healthy and living longer. To millions of people, it's a way of life.
Bodybuilding has gone through many changes. There have been innumerable men and women who've
shaped it along the way. It has also been a product of the changing tides, often dictated by
ephemeral fashions -- for better and for worse.
From the 1980's to the 1990's and into the new century, fads have come and gone. New theories, new
apparatus and new magazines have made a splash -- then were gone as quickly as they appeared. But
one thing has remained -- bodybuilding itself. The pursuit of a stronger, more muscular body
remains because it's an integral part of human nature. Just as muscle was admired by cultures long
gone, it continues to captivate another generation and will continue to do so as long as people
yearn to transform themselves into something greater.
It doesn't matter where you are in your bodybuilding journey, for as long as you have the desire
to turn your body into the best it can be, you too are a part of bodybuilding's great history -- a
link in the long chain of devotees that started at the turn of one century and has led to the
beginning of another.
Bodybuilding's past may not be common knowledge to a lot of people -- even bodybuilders.
Nevertheless, its roots are deep and its had an impact on all of us...whether it's realized or
not. Many great individuals have made it possible for today's trainees to build their bodies into
something that was considered inconceivable just a few short decades ago. We've reaped the rewards
of their pioneering efforts. We owe a great debt to the men and women who refused to accept the
negative connotations about bodybuilding which were flung their way and continued with what they
believed in. It took a long time, but we made it.
Today, if you're a bodybuilder, you don't have to explain yourself. Thanks to the understanding
most people have about the benefits of weight training, your intentions are well understood -- and
admired. Bodybuilding truly has a great heritage. Be proud of it.
THE (Abridged) ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BODYBUILDING GREATS
Each day, millions of bodybuilders sweat and strain in an effort to make the most of their bodies.
And although even the more casual gym-goer may know of many of today's muscle stars, how many know
of the men and women who brought bodybuilding to where it is today? It's fair to say that without
the pioneering efforts of the iron game's ancestors, we would not have the muscle building
advantages we now enjoy. As bodybuilders, we should recognize and appreciate their efforts.
It would be impossible to mention everyone who has contributed to the state of modern
bodybuilding, but there are certain individuals who need to be acknowledged. In an effort to
broaden the understanding of our lineage, presented is a montage of some of bodybuilding's
forefathers -- those who were the first, and those who were the finest. You may not be familiar
with some of the names, but they've all been influential in the sport of bodybuilding as we now
know it.
PAUL ANDERSON...The first undisputed strongest man in the world. Anderson was never defeated in
Olympic competition. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having lifted the greatest
weight ever raised by a human in his 1957 backlift of 6,270 lbs.
CHARLES ATLAS...Perhaps the most famous and most recognizable name in all bodybuilding. Born
Angelo Siciliano, Atlas started a mail order course with little success until 1928 when Charles P.
Roman joined the company as campaign director and suggested the company advertise in comic books.
The plan worked. The Charles Atlas course of Dynamic Tension sold millions of copies and continues
to be advertised in comic books to this day. Some people feel Atlas did bodybuilding a disservice
since his course didn't advocate weight training, even though Atlas would employ weights in his
personal program. The Dynamic Tension system was mostly isometrics, calisthenics, general health
information and self-empowering affirmations, making the course a precursor to today's "self-
help" books. It can be fairly stated that Charles Atlas introduced more people to bodybuilding
than any other individual.
PROFESSOR ATTILA...The first known strength coach to employ barbell and dumbell techniques. If he
only knew what he started.
RHEO BLAIR...Nutritionist who developed the original "engineered food." At a time when protein
supplements were made from soy flour, Rheo experimented with a combination of milk, whey and whole
egg in an effort to match the amino acid ratio of human mother's milk. When Rheo died, his
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