LET'S TAKE BACK REAL BODYBUILDING!!!

There was a time when bodybuilding, in its noblest meaning of harmonic construction of the physique, also aimed at the typical competitive aspect of healthy competition, as well as basic pre-athletics for all sports, experienced its golden age.

Taken out of prejudice and anonymity by two historical federations, first the FIACF, and then the IFBB Italy, male and female bodybuilding had taken on precise rules in terms of harmonic muscular development, symmetry, line and artistic connotation of posing, and a clear stance against doping. All elements, these, which had brought our sport much closer to the always hoped-for Olympic recognition.

For some, however, this probably began to no longer be enough, if it is true that, in order to excel at a competitive level, a certain number of athletes made the mistake of relying on unscrupulous principals, and began to circumvent rules and canons of evaluation, pushing themselves towards levels of muscular exasperation and unacceptable emaciation that seriously jeopardised their health and the very image of true bodybuilding.

Not to mention an incomprehensible proliferation of categories and competitive specialities and pseudo-federal acronyms that increased confusion and disorientation not only among competitive athletes (who are the tip of the bodybuilding iceberg), but also among the vast majority of people who saw and still see in this sport a true and healthy way to health and to staying well and fit to deal with the stress to which modern life subjects everyone.

If someone, many or few, can be happy with this state of affairs, this is certainly NOT the case for the WBPF-ITALY, which, on the contrary, intends to raise its voice metaphorically, to oppose the deleterious involution of the bodybuilding movement and to strongly affirm its return to its origins, those that are healthy and clear for all.

Clearly stated, the need to rely on a strong federation is stressed from many quarters, which, as in the intentions of the WBPF-Italy, can return to aggregate and orient gyms, athletes and in general all wellness and fitness enthusiasts, channelling aspirations and objectives in the right direction.

The WBPF-ITALIA presents itself on the national and international cultic scene as a young but already strong federation, recognised by many bodies linked to the national Olympic committee. There is certainly an awareness that the road to Olympic recognition is not easy, but the difficulties, far from bringing us down and demoralising us, strengthen us and spur us on to do better and more.

Starting with the conscious sharing of the categorical stance on doping, in full compliance with the rules dictated by WADA (the international anti-doping body par excellence) to avert the many premature deaths that unfortunately continue to litter the road towards the mirage of success that is by no means a foregone conclusion.

For these reasons, if we think of the competitive aspect, we want to say ‘enough’ with improvisation, with myriads of competitions scattered here and there and with the mirage of easy successes, with the muscular exasperation that tends to take over, and with the chemical shortcuts that endanger health and life; On the contrary, let us resume the work undertaken some thirty years ago and try to rebuild bodybuilding by restoring dignity and its true image, the healthy one, which passes through the canons of line, symmetry, intelligent muscular development and posing understood as ‘art’ and originality.

In this sense, competitions should be understood as a quest for perfection (or perfectibility) and a spectacle that can be enjoyed both by the athletes themselves and by spectators and fans in general.

A self-respecting federation must also strongly promote athletes‘ and gyms’ adherence to its rules and ethical principles, certainly not with the prospect of concessions and discounts, but with the awareness of performing an important social function, which is to offer health, longevity, basic pre-athletics for all sports, as well as prevention of hardship and social integration to all, athletes and ordinary people alike.

If gyms, starting from a serious sense of belonging, take on this important role, it is clear that they will be able to count on a ‘return’ in terms of credibility and concrete visibility of their work, which also translates into non-negligible job opportunities for those working in the sector.

Of course, it is understood that appropriate training courses for instructors and personal trainers, but also for competition judges, who must be the authoritative guarantors of compliance with the guidelines and assessment canons, must contribute to the quality of the work of gyms and professionals.

In order to provide visibility and clear and exhaustive information on federal initiatives and objectives, the importance and usefulness of an official information organ is also evident, which also offers a concrete opportunity for dialogue and dialectical and constructive confrontation among all members.

In essence, if the WBPF-ITALIA, without any false modesty, acts as a beacon to guide the bodybuilding movement back to the levels it is due, the gyms, athletes, supporters and ordinary people who love sport and physical wellbeing are a kind of ‘tsunami’ that brings it back to what we were, and what we want to be again.