The evolution of bodybuilding has seen several changes in its century-long history, not only in the appearance of its athletes but in the sport in general. Media coverage & channels/avenues are different. The bodybuilders (and associated weight classes) are bigger. But an appeal for a return to aesthetic physiques by audiences & enthusiasts has also forced a recent shift in the industry, let alone influenced the incredible bodies we see on stage.
In the Beginning
It all started with Eugen Sandow, a young German man inspired by statues dating back from the classical era he had first seen on a trip to Italy. He, eventually, had developed what most people (I suppose) would consider a good build, even by today’s standards. He was muscular, but not overwhelming (to the mainstream population, that is). He was lean, but with minimal vascularity & striations… at least in comparison with those we’ve become accustomed to (i.e., he was just about as chiseled as the statues he admired throughout his youth).
This “look” maintained its glory for several years; decades, in fact. Some would say it’s timeless, with the world’s leading bodybuilding organization naming its highly-esteemed first-prize trophy after Sandow being a testament to that notion.
The Golden Era
With the introduction of steroids and other PEDs (i.e., performance-enhancing drugs) along with HGH (i.e., human growth hormones) in the sport of bodybuilding (just as with virtually all other sports, but especially strength sports), came larger AND LARGER physiques. Still, this transitory phase saw natural-looking bodies taken to new heights, whilst keeping its aesthetic appeal (meaning, it was still pleasing to the eye… subjectively speaking, that is).
Mass Monsters
It’s difficult to say exactly when professional bodybuilders became what many (even many competing athletes) would consider to be too big. However, there are notable pioneers spanning across the globe; Victor Richards (who never actually competed, but rather did guest pose appearances), Dorian Yates (6-time IFBB [i.e., International Fitness and Bodybuilding] Mr. Olympia winner), Paul Dillett, and later Ronnie Coleman (whom fanatics of these more monstrous physiques often deem as being the best bodybuilder of all-time) are usually top of mind.
While there continues to be a fascination with enhanced levels of hypertrophy, it comes (as it previously came) at the cost of health — the least of which being extended stomach bellies (not to be confused with muscle bellies) in several cases.
A Return to the Natural
It’s pretty well-established that natural physiques tend to be more pleasing to the eye. The majority of mass monsters themselves have likely been quoted as saying that the smaller guts, the V-tapers (i.e., decreasing shoulder-to-back-to-waist/mid-section width ratio), etc are generally very appealing… regardless of whether it will win them a competition.
Speaking of which, in the last few decades, new federations/organizations and categories have been introduced into the world of competitive bodybuilding. This has opened up income opportunities for smaller, yet more classic-type physiques to grace the stage; champions such as Chris Bumstead, Breon Ansley, Danny Hester, Arash Rahbar, as well as strictly natural (as opposed to simply natural-looking) competitors such as Jim Cordova, Skip La Cour, and John Hansen before that.
Fans of the latter have felt vindicated with this introduction since their theory of more natural-looking (once again, classical-inspired) bodies being marketable has proven to be correct. But whatever the fans prefer (or the market/profit-potential dictates), we can all agree that (health aside) variety within the sport & overall culture of bodybuilding is a good thing.