By TJ Hatchett

Photo credit: essentiallysports.com.

Bodybuilding dates back to the ancient Greeks, where they were fascinated by enhancing the muscles on the human body. Greeks celebrated the strength of others, and becoming stronger was part of their culture. The purpose of modern bodybuilding is to train your muscles so they have an appealing and fit appearance, and the first bodybuilding contest in the United States was in 1903.

All competitions consist of several judges who rank bodybuilders based on their muscularity, condition, size, shape, proportion, symmetry, and balance. Judging bodybuilders is different compared to other sports. Bodybuilding wasn’t well known until 1939, when a new contest called Mr. America was created. These contests began to attract more and more attention over the years. In 1948, in London, sports writer David Johnston and his team created the Mr. Universe contest. That year John Grimik, a professional bodybuilder, won the first ever Mr. Universe title. The Mr. Universe championships are organized by the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (NABBA) and still continue today. In 1970, the Mr. Olympia competition was created so bodybuilders could have another way to compete and win prize money. 

In all of these competitions, very few have claimed to have won naturally. In the most competitive level of bodybuilding, many of the competitors are enhanced or are taking steroids. In past years, the Mr. Olympia contest has conducted drug testing because of steroid abuse. People claim that the industry isn’t taking effective tests, which has caused controversy. While Mr. Olympia has rules against using certain steroids or other substances, tests are not always administered.

Schwarzenegger in 1975. Photo credit: Harry Chase, Los Angeles Times via Wikimedia Commons.

The popularity of the Mr. Olympia contest can be attributed to Arnold Schwarzenegger. As an Austrian bodybuilder, he won his first title, amateur Mr. Universe, in 1967. Now a legendary actor and former governor of California, Schwarzenegger gained his initial fame when he won Mr. Olympia seven times before he retired from bodybuilding competition in 1975.

Joseph Ferry (‘21), a former Collegiate student currently at James Madison University, is passionate about bodybuilding and began participating because he wanted to see the progress he could make and what he was capable of achieving. He has been consistently lifting weights since the summer before his Senior year and recently competed in a bodybuilding competition. Before his bodybuilding lifestyle, Ferry had lifted in the weight rooms for sports but hadn’t yet found his passion for the gym. I took the time to interview Ferry about his time lifting in the gym and his experience after his first time competing. 

Ferry has been lifting for about three years, which means he has made it past the popular New Year’s resolutions to be consistent in the gym. Many people set goals for themselves to go to the gym and become more fit, but as the year continues, these goals tend to dissipate, and people stop working out. When asked what kept him wanting to keep going to the gym, rather than others, Ferry replied, “Motivation and discipline are why I’m so consistent with the gym.” It’s easier for Ferry to be in the gym regularly because it’s one of his strong passions. He also added, “I can’t see another way than to give all of my effort.”

Ferry said, “The best bodybuilders are made outside of the gym.” He stated that in order to be a great bodybuilder, things outside of the gym are crucial for success. Having enough sleep and eating enough food is crucial for having a healthy body and obtaining the physique you want.

Throughout his experience, Ferry has been able to learn from other bodybuilders he looks up to. Since Ferry has started lifting, he has been inspired by Anthony Mantello, David Laid, Ronnie Coleman, Schwarzenegger, and many more.

Ferry at the OCB Colonial Open in 2023. Photo credit: Jack Ferry.

On June 24, 2023, Ferry wanted to take the next step in his bodybuilding career. He entered the OCB Colonial Open in Williamsburg, Virginia. All competitors leading up to the show were required to take a drug test, because the competition was held for natural lifters.The rewards given to winners consisted of medals and swords.  

Ferry found that preparing for the competition would have many roadblocks. At the time, he was working two jobs over the summer, lifeguarding and working at a physical therapy clinic. He found it difficult to have time for working out and doing the cardio he needed. Ferry had to track all of his macronutrients (“macros”), such as protein, calories, and carbs. He set a limit for himself so he would be able to lose body fat but also gain enough muscle in order to be ready for the show. He found that he was always hungry, because he wasn’t able to eat whatever he wanted, and he had to be less social with friends so he could stay on top of his sleep and get all of his meals in. Another struggle he faced was previous injuries. Ferry had a slipped disc in his back and tendinitis and cartilage damage in his knees. He stated, “It made working out much more difficult than I wanted.” Before working out, he would have to stretch many times. Although he’s had these setbacks, he’s been able to persevere.

Ferry placed third in his class at the Colonial Open, and although he didn’t win, he said, “Competing was a totally unique experience.” After his competition, Ferry was able to relate to other competitors and the steps they have to take to be successful. When asked if he would compete again, Ferry replied, “If I could somehow get big enough, I would compete in the classic Mr. Olympia.”