Do US/Canadian bodybuilders/fitness athletes smoke as much...

[Espi]

... as Europeans?

Honestly, at times it almost seems as if every single person I know who competes, is also a (chain)smoker.
Sofar I've been to about 3 bodybuilding/figure/fitness contests and I was truly amazed at the amount of smokers among both the competitors and the public. I've also been to a few 'dedicated' gyms: same thing.

Since today is the day that my country finally applies the smoking ban in public areas like pubs, restaurants and sports facilities with a bar, I started talking about this phenomenon once again.

Since the smoking ban has been in place for so long already in the US & Canada it's harder to see whether or not the average competitor or a person striving for an extreme physique smokes as much.

On one hand I can't believe why there are so many smokers when you'd think that people are into fitness for health reasons. But apparently once you strive for extreme physiques, things change and health no longer comes first place. Instead comes the mentality of wanting to achieve results like yesterday. An addictive personality so to say, which explains the abuse of different substances.

Am I totally wrong here?

And please also tell me, do you smoke? Why? Why not? If not, have you ever smoked.. and why did you give up on it most of all?

[Blondell]

I don't think I personally know any competitors who are also smokers. Seems to be contradictory to a healthy lifestyle. :shrug:

[Inatic]

dont know anyone that smokes and is into health and fitness. In the US, dont think that happens much if at all. Must be a Euro thing.

Was a light smoker and gave that up over 17ys ago (way before i even knew what fitness was) I'd never smoked in the house or around the family.

[Espi]

Re the nicotine: it doesn't seem to stop optimal muscle growth and assists in fat loss, so there's the rationale for not giving up if you're already smoke.

But generally it seems like the reasons why people get started in lifting weights and wanting to increase muscularity, are different. In the US/Canada and probably Oz/NZ too, lifting weights is more a performance thing, while in Europe it's more about looks.

Would this explain the difference as well? Or do you all think it's just the smoking bans?

[Blondell]

Re the nicotine: it doesn't seem to stop optimal muscle growth and assists in fat loss, so there's the rationale for not giving up if you're already smoke.

But generally it seems like the reasons why people get started in lifting weights and wanting to increase muscularity, are different. In the US/Canada and probably Oz/NZ too, lifting weights is more a performance thing, while in Europe it's more about looks.

Would this explain the difference as well? Or do you all think it's just the smoking bans?


You think that people in the US lift for performance rather than looks? I'd differ from you in that opinion. MOST people here are not lifting to be able to perform better. Just to look better.

What does the ban have to do w/ this?
:blink:

[Inatic]

MOST people here are not lifting to be able to perform better. Just to look better.


exactly. if most knew that they'd look better with out working out, they'd prolly not exercise at all.

[Espi]

Really? I though weight lifting was pretty big in the US (& Canada) as there's such a focus on football & ice hockey where being strong is very important and lifting weights is an absolute necessity.
Also, there seems to be more admiration for 'farm' traditions and once again, strength is one of them. Not sure though where the strongman competition ever got started.

Just thinking out loud...

[Meechel]

I know of a few folks who smoke who compete but not many.

I also know a HUGE majority of your every day folks in the gym are there to look good. i.e. the eye candy in my closest gym :hehe:

[Blondell]

Really? I though weight lifting was pretty big in the US (& Canada) as there's such a focus on football & ice hockey where being strong is very important and lifting weights is an absolute necessity.
Also, there seems to be more admiration for 'farm' traditions and once again, strength is one of them. Not sure though where the strongman competition ever got started.

Just thinking out loud...

Strongman is not 'big' here. :sad:


We like to WATCH sports. Not actually DO them. :lol: