Lee Haney Thinks Trendy Bodybuilding Contest Prep is Too Harmful

Haney thinks present calls for of the game are means too dangerous.

Written by Robert Zeglinski Final up to date on February 9, 2023

Few folks perceive what it really takes to eat, train, and prepare like a dynastic bodybuilding champion. Lee Haney is one among them. With eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1984-1991, Haney spent practically a whole decade on the high of the health world. To today, his eight Olympia titles are tied with fellow legend Ronnie Coleman for essentially the most ever. That’s why a current interview would possibly paint the image of a person who doesn’t recognize the place fashionable bodybuilding stands.

On Feb. 6, 2022, Haney appeared in a podcast episode with Muscular Growth. Amidst a dialogue of assorted present occasions, like the rise of Derek Lunsford, Haney notably centered on fashionable conditioning requirements for one of the best of one of the best. In just a few phrases, he isn’t a fan.

Similarly to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Haney thinks fashionable bodybuilding is simply too fixated on measurement somewhat than aiming for symmetry and steadiness. Per the legend, the highest names is likely to be bigger than ever, however they’re lacking very important particulars that was once a main focus throughout his period.

When one elements in probably extreme dehydration to show much more muscular element, Haney thinks this general mentality comes at a big value to the athletes’ well being.

“A whole lot of athletes find yourself sick or find yourself dying due to making an attempt to attain that degree of dryness,” Haney defined. “I feel we have to change the cultural mindset of what’s taking place relating to judging these competitions.”

Finally, whereas he appreciates the dedication to competitors and health, Haney expressed that what bodybuilders are requested of these days goes too far. For him, having a protracted and gratifying life is extra essential than having a fruitful, inflexible profession that would probably put that in danger.

“On the finish of the day, you wish to get pleasure from your self as an athlete, however you wish to stroll away together with your well being,” Haney stated. “You shouldn’t should die to succeed in this degree of conditioning. They’re asking an excessive amount of of the athletes, interval. You take a look at the previous college of bodybuilding. Individuals say ‘old style,’ that’s the actual college. It is the college. Neglect that ‘old style.’ … We reached a degree of conditioning that permit us stroll away after the competitors and nonetheless be alive, and nonetheless be wholesome.”

The 63-year-old Haney maintained that earlier bodybuilding contest requirements let the icons of his period go on to guide lengthy lives. He defined that figures just like the late and influential Bill Pearl, three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane (1977-1979), and even Schwarzenegger lived or have all reached their senior years, properly into their 70s and 80s, for purpose. Their bodybuilding preparations didn’t ask an excessive amount of of them.

As such, it is likely to be time to reassess and hint steps again to these previous days earlier than it’s too late. Haney means that the onus could also be on the bodybuilding judges to solely reward sure physiques within the context of earlier bodybuilders.

“They bear in mind the truth that we had been wholesome. No person handed out on stage. Perhaps we obtained a little bit dehydrated, obtained a little bit light-headed, however no one needed to name in paramedics to revive anyone. So, there’s a sample that already exists. I’m saying, let’s get again to these patterns,” Haney stated. “It doesn’t take quite a bit to try this. It simply takes a becoming a member of of the minds. … I feel we’ve got to step again and rewrite, reassess, as a result of the blood of those athletes which might be dying, is in your arms. They’re in your arms.”