Assignment One

Proposal
Although many professional athletes and health and fitness models have the body of
Greek god, anyone can have the body they want. Extended research indicates that
supplementation, proper nutrition, and sculpting can allow a person to attain his/her ideal
physique. This paper considers how one person can shape his/her body in terms of how they eat
and workout in order to reach their full potential. More specifically, I am researching how proper
diet and nutrition techniques have been and can be used to help someone reach his or her
physique goals.
Artifacts

Golds Gym Venice Beach- This is the gym that every aspiring bodybuilding travels to
every year to workout at. Venice Beach Gold Gym has had many legends walk through
its doors. In 1977 Golds Gym in Venice California received international attention after
being feature in the documentary Pumping Iron. Known as The Mecca Golds Gym
at Venice Beach helped paved the road for other gyms to offer pro and amateur
bodybuilders everything they need in order to train and prepare for all competitions.
Some of these luxuries include tanning beds, smoothie and snack bars, clothing and
weight lifting accessories, all accompanied with state of the art machines and free
weights. In Pumping Iron Golds gym look like a rusty old warehouse workout facility.
Inside are a bunch of meatheads that cant take their eyes off of the mirror and their mind
off of the Mr. Olympia trophy.
Pre workout Supplements- I chose pre workout as my second artifact because Arnold
talked about The Pump. A good quality muscle pump is something that all bodybuilders
look for before, during and after a workout. Pre workout supplements work to increase
strength, stamina and size. Creatine helps to increase muscle cell endurance by creating
an excess of energy molecules along with ATP in your cells. Caffeine increases strength,
speed and heart rate and allows users to overcome plateaus, lift heavier and run faster.
Many pre workout supplements also contain Beta-Alanine and L-Arginine. Beta-Alanine
can make a user feel tingly and itchy. This sensation comes from beta-alanines ability to
optimize the perfect pH levels thus allowing a user to lift not only heavier, but for longer
periods of time.
Steroids- Steroids play an important role in the sport of bodybuilding. Steroid use has
both good and bad side effects. Regular checkups with a doctor are necessary due to how
hard steroids are on the liver and kidneys and other major organs like skin and the heart.
Steroids work by allowing the muscle cells in the human body to produce more protein
which can lead to increased muscle strength, size and density. The most common way
steroids are taken is orally or injected. Injectable steroids have been proven to cause less
harm to the liver. Steroids must be cycled on and off. Steroids were developed in the
1930s and have evolved much more since then. Steroid use is a touchy subject due to the
fact that steroid use is illegal in the United States and they are very hard to find. Users
should be cautious and knowledgeable before using steroids because many of the good
and bad side effects pertaining to steroid use are not mentioned publicly.

Main Characters

Arnold Schwarzenegger- Arnold Schwarzenegger began training at the age of 15 and

within five years he won his first Mr. Universe. His accomplishments did not stop there.
Arnold went on to win seven Mr. Olympia contests. He went on to use his body and
social skills to play in Conan the Barbarian , The terminator, Total Recall and
many more famous films. He was the 38 th Governor of California and was born in
Austria. Arnolds legacy will never be forgotten. The level of symmetry on every muscle
in his body will go unmatched by any future bodybuilder. Arnolds net worth was
estimated to be around 800 million dollars in 2006 so that number has increased. In 1977
is acting career won win a Golden Globe award.
Phil Heath- Also known as The Gift, Phil Heath started his bodybuilding career after
playing basketball at the University of Denver. In 2002 Phil Heath one his first National
Physique Committee USA championship title. Phil Heath played an interesting and
important role in the documentary Generation Iron. His level of confidence is seen by
many fans and non-fans as being conceded. I agree with most people that Phil Heath has
an exceptional body and he represented that by winning the 2014 Mr. Olympia in the film
Generation Iron. Unlike Arnold who traveled to this country and made his name in
Bodybuilding, politics and Hollywood after becoming a U.S Citizen and unlike Kai
Greene who was parentless from the time he could walk, Phil Heath grew up in a well-off
family with much easier access to opportunities. I think that is why his success is
sometimes underappreciated.
Kai Greene- Mr. .Getting It Done was born in 1975 in Brooklyn New York. Both of
his parents were nowhere to be found. Jumping around from foster homes to foster homes
Kai had his fair share of obstacles and tough situations. Although Kai has never won a
Mr. Olympia competition he is well known and well respected in the bodybuilding
community. Kai was featured in Generation Iron and was the humble superstar running
for the Mr. Olympia trophy. Unfortunately he fell just short and placed 2 nd behind the all
mighty Phil Heath. In 2015 Kai launched his own supplement brand called Dynamik
Muscle however, Kai Greene was not allowed to compete in the Mr. Olympia
competition. For reasons unknown Kai Greene was not willing to sign necessary
documents for the Mr. Olympia competition. Kais importance in Generation Iron was
reiterated by his humbleness, his realness and mindset during interviews in the film. Kai
believes that hard work and perseverance will conquer any skill or talent that others
possess. Kai has had to fight for everything he has today and that is why I believe he is a
positive role model for not just bodybuilder but every other human being with big
dreams.

Chart

1. Steroid Usage and Side effects

2. NPR Bodybuilding

2.
3.

3.
Steroids and Bodybuilding

4. Ted Talks Bodybuilding

Observation 1- Generation Iron

Observation One: Generation Iron

Background Information: Generation Iron is a documentary that follows some famous
bodybuilders as they eat and train in preparation for the Mr. Olympia show in Las Vegas. This
film focuses on the background of Kai Greene, Phil Heath and Branch Warrens childhood and
bodybuilding careers. The film starts out by interviewing each bodybuilder in their home,
favorite gym, and on stage years before. Each competitor has a different story, different
background, and different reasons for wanting the Mr. Olympia trophy. Some athletes such as
Phil Heath were given opportunities that Kai Greene and others werent so lucky to have. Kai
Greene grew up without parents, moving from foster home to foster home. Phil Heath was a
basketball star with an already amazing physique even in high school.
Observation:
5min- The beginning credits at the start of the documentary focuses on past Mr. Olympia
newspaper articles, steroids, supplements, FLEX Magazines, weightlifting belts and the one and
only Mr. Olympia trophies.
8:00min -At the beginning of the documentary: Generation Iron, the camera focuses in on Phil
Heath flexing his porcelain Greek god-like muscles. The transition to Kai Greenes look on his
face of pain, perseverance and struggle at the 11 minute mark is a huge contrast from (The Gift)
Phil Heaths perspective on bodybuilding. Phil says that he has what Kai Greene lacks, which is
talent. Kai Greene has built his legacy and the foundation of not only his bodybuilding career but
hit his personal life on the belief that hard work triumphs talent.
16min- Eight time Mr. Olympia Branch Warren dripping in sweat his personal gym talks about
his injuries and his age which is 36. At age 36 he has had four major injuries and is much older
than many of the Mr. Olympia competitors. Branch continues to train harder than most of his
competitors and pushes his body beyond any limits his muscles, joints, bones and tendons would
normally expect.
19min- Ben uses scientifically proven evidence and tactics in order to train and keep track of his
body. He believes his approach to winning Mr. Olympia is the only way to win. This science
approach consists of taking vitals, drawing blood samples, scanning his body/muscle fat
percentages using only the most precise high-tech machines and instruments. His trainer is a

doctor in a white lab coat that hooks Ben up to body monitors as he rides a bike and curls heavy
weights so that Bens muscle movement and growth can be tracked.
26min- The camera fades in on Hidetada Yamagishi also referred to as The Dragon being
spray tanned before he steps on stage for the 2014 Mr. Olympia competition. At 5foot 6 inches
tall he is definitely shorter than most competitors. The Dragon also faces the struggle of his
Japanese genetics. Mr. Yamagishi says, There arent many Asian Bodybuilders that make it to
be Mr. Olympia, its just not in genetics. His short stature does make him seem smaller all around
compared to some of his 6 feet and even 62 competitors.
3 Main Characters: The three main characters in the movie Generation Iron are Kai Greene,
Phil Heath and Branch Warren. Phil Heath is a returning Mr. Olympia and his confidence is
easily seen and very amusing. Kai Greene is definitely Phils biggest competition.

Observation 2- Bigger, Faster, Stronger

Background: Bigger, Faster, Stronger is a documentary film about bodybuilding and the
performance enhancing drugs that help many professional bodybuilders reach their full potential.
A brother of a family born to be wrestlers is surrounded by steroids and has to make a choice
whether to take steroids or not. Both of his brothers support steroid use and condone is because
they believe it is stupid to not be as strong as possible. Being faced with this pressure of
becoming bigger, faster and stronger but only by using steroids made growing up very hard for
the narrator.
Note: This documentary jumps from person to person and from topic to topic very quickly and
so I felt that instead of dividing each observation by a time frame or even by character, that I
would just summarize what I observed.
Observation:
With famous successful athletes such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry Bonds, Mark
McGuire and many more it is very hard not to be tempted to dive into performing enhancing
drugs. The majority of this film is based on the legal and social acceptance on steroids and
professional sports regulations. Is using steroids to better your body for a profession wrong or
right? Why are so many athletes in denial about using performing enhancing drugs? Sylvester
Stallone used steroids in both Rambo and Rocky films. Does this make Rocky a liar and a
cheater for not being open about his usage until being caught transporting illegal performance
enhancing drugs?
On the topic of steroids, steroids have been linked to increase blood clotting, strokes and
heart attacks. Other scientists argue that steroids cannot be studied the way they need to be
because steroids are banned. Some other side effects that have been reported by users are
increased aggressions, mood swings and blood pressure. Peanuts, oranges, and hamburger meat
has negative side effects too, so where is the ling drawn. Bodybuilders in this film talk about how
the negative side effects are not as true as movies and reporters make them out to be. The term

steroids refers synthetic derivatives of hormones that the body produces naturally. Steroids help
to increase testosterone so that the body can make more muscle and digest higher amounts of
protein. This high level of cellular processing allows the human body to get bigger and stronger
much faster than the body naturally can. In this documentary Smelly is a brother of three that has
used steroids before. Both of his brothers still use steroids and they have no regrets in how they
have chosen to live their lives. These brothers truly believe that the media represents steroids in
an improper manor. Smelly wrestled in high school and later on for money. Smelly was even
filmed and wanted to become a WWE Superstar. Smelly knew that he would not have a chance
at becoming a professional wrestler if he did not get bigger and stronger. Smelly swore he was
only taking steroids to help his wrestling career. But when his dreams did not come true, I got
into power lifting and to this day he still uses steroids. Smelly believe that it would be waste of
talent and stupid to not take steroids since they have helped him perform so well his entire life.

Pumping Iron
Background: In the sport of Bodybuilding there are two major competitions, Mr. Universe and
Mr. Olympia. Winners of Mr. Universe come together to battle on stage for the Mr. Olympia title.
The stakes are high because not only is money at stake but a loss or gain of new sponsorships,
publicity, honor and a huge trophy is on the table. Winning either competition is a dream goal of
ever bodybuilder who competes. All of the muscle pains, early morning and late night workouts,
the grueling diet all make up for one achievement. This one achievement of Mr. Olympia is the
driving force behind all the pain and struggle. That pain and struggle pays off for some. One of
those lucky persons is the best bodybuilder of all time: Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Note: Each entry is divided by the time frame in the documentary. Actors may be brought up
in more than one entry and in different orders. The main character is Arnold Schwarzenegger
which is why I chose to mention him the most.
Main Characters: Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Katz
Observation:
1min
The introduction to the bodybuilding documentary film Pumping Iron starts out with Arnold
Schwarzenegger practicing posing in a dance studio. Short films of the old time bodybuilders
who made the sport popular are being played in the background.
6min
Arnold is working out with many of his friends and competitors. The viewer can assume that
these athletes being featured are taking performance enhancing drugs and that is why their
muscles are building and their skin is thin and lean. In the past 7 years Arnold never lost a

competition and he has won the Mr. Universe Competition five years in a row at this point but
now he is going for the Mr. Olympia trophy.
10min
Arnold says, Lets say you train your biceps. Blood is rushing into your muscles, and thats
what we call the pump. Arnold says that the pump he gets from working out is equivalent to
ejaculating so to him he is living a life of paradise. Arnold does not mind helping teach other
bodybuilders what they can improve on which shows his humility and also his level of
confidence.
15min
Mike Catz at the age of 31 is one of the top amateur bodybuilders in the world. He was a junior
high school teacher. The camera focuses on his family and how he teaches his son and daughter
how-to pose and how to flex their muscles. Katz talks about how he was bullied growing up as a
kid. The bullying fueled his drive for weightlifting and bodybuilding. Mike Katz loved the
feeling of being bigger than others and so the sport of bodybuilding was very attractive to him.
28 min
Arnold is being interviewed again and he said that his parents were very proud of his
accomplishments especially in the sport of bodybuilding. When Arnold came to America he
wanted to be different he wanted the best for himself. Arnold said he was always dreaming about
powerful people.
32min
Lou Ferrigno at the age of twenty four is Arnolds biggest competition in the Mr. Olympia
competition. He has already won Mr. Universe twice now at this point in time. Lou is the largest
bodybuilder at this time. Lou is six feet five inches and 275 pounds. Lou was very hard of
hearing and from a young age he was fascinated with muscle books and magazines.
Analyze
From my findings during the three observations I underwent, I found that in Professional
Bodybuilding the use of performance enhancing drugs is not frowned upon by the athletes. For
my analysis I will refer to performance enhancing drugs as Anabolics. Most users of Anabolics
defend their decisions by claiming that everyone else is using Anabolics and so it is just
impossible to keep up with the strength, speed and size of other athletes. In all three films that I
observed which were Pumping Iron, Bigger, Faster, Stronger, and Generation Iron,
Anabolics were an important topic of discussion. Arnold Schwarzenegger openly admitted to
using steroids. Arnold claimed that when he was lifting every bodybuilder was using Anabolics
and it was not as taboo as it is in todays time. The person that I chose to interview is a friend of
mine from Lexington, NC. His name is James Atkinson and he is not an IFBB Pro yet, but is
very close and takes very good care of his body. James works full time and is 264 pounds and six
feet four inches tall but yet he makes time to workout at least five days a week and keep his diet
intact. James has never taken steroids but does supplements pre workout and whey protein into
his daily regimen.

In all three documentaries that I observed the main similarity was confidence and
passion. From Phil Heaths cockiness, to Arnolds dry humor all the way to Smellys stubborn
jokes all three steroid users believe that they are better than others and that their work ethic is the
best. No matter how documentary spoke about steroid use, society in general frowns upon steroid
use or use of other Anabolics. What these athletes want viewers to think about is the countless
meals and hours in the gym that they put effort, time and passion into that helped them reach
where they are today. Many bodybuilders make daily sacrifices by not eating what they want, not
being able to see their family like theyd prefer and many more.

Interview with James Atkinson

Question 1- Do you believe that proper nutrition and hydration is a pivotal part of
bodybuilding? Proper nutrition and hydration are extremely important for bodybuilding, and life
in general. I believe that eating properly and staying hydrated allows the body to function
efficiently and also allows the body to recover properly, in order to perform at its maximum
level.
Question 2- Do you take any supplements and what are your views on supplements? I think
supplements play an important role in the bodybuilding process, especially for those with busy
lives. I currently take protein/mass gainer and a pre-workout supplement. However, it is
important to remember, supplements are just that- they are designed to supplement what is
already being done, and they do not replace hard work, hours in the gym or a proper diet.
Supplements are beneficial if used correctly, and if researched.
Question 3- Do you think the use of performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids
should be legalized? Do you find the usage of these drugs to me immoral or justified?
I think performance enhancing drugs or steroids should not be legalized for professional athletes.
Professional athletes are the most superior athletes in the world, therefore there is no need to
make the playing field uneven. I do believe that steroids and performance enhancing drugs
should be legal for amateurs, recreation use, or non-competitive sanctioned activities. As with
supplements the drugs should be researched, correctly used and a user should have regular
checkups with his or her doctor. The use of performance enhancing drugs should not be viewed
negatively unless used to create an unfair advantage.
Question 4-Do you consider bodybuilding to be a sport or a lifestyle? I consider
bodybuilding both a sport and a lifestyle. Anyone that competes is making it their sport and
lifestyle. Anyone that works out and diets properly but does not compete makes bodybuilding a
lifestyle for themselves, not just a sport or a hobby.
Question 5- What, when, how and who got you interested in Bodybuilding? I first became
interested in bodybuilding in high school when I realized that I was one of the smaller players on
the football team. Also around this time the supplement craze began and I noticed other players
taking supplements like whey protein and creatine and I watched them get bigger and stronger
than me. Sports illustrated had an article about creatine and that article inspired me to start some
research of my own.