Re:Why Top Athletes Don't Look Like Fitness Influencers (Usu...
by alephnerd on Tuesday April 09, 2024 @05:07AM
(#39977572)
> do look like fitness influencers
In my experience training in BJJ, Muay Thai, and Judo, the ones at the tippy top look very fit and healthy, but aren't packed muscles of Adonis or washboard abs.
And these are people who have significant win records at Lumpinee, IBJJF, Olympics, etc. Even the fighters at the qualifier UFCs matches (the ones that start 5-6 hours before the main fight) tend to look more "normal".
Though, then again, I guess it depends what your definition of "fitness influencer aesthetic" is - is it someone who concentrates on washboard abs and aesthetics or someone who's conventionally attractive but also competitive in some sport.
That said, towards the very top of the UFC and OneFC pole, some amount of aesthetic training is included due to the whole marketing "schtick".
Also, according to some of my friends and trainers who have competed in UFC, OneFC, etc - there is a bit of an issue around PEDs towards the higher end of the spectrum that has a become a bit of a problem. The USADA and the UFC's new doping agency has become very lax on testing the past few years. McGregor wasn't the only fighter who has had issues surrounding doping - he's just more prominent and inculcating a "bad boy" image.
In my experience training in BJJ, Muay Thai, and Judo, the ones at the tippy top look very fit and healthy, but aren't packed muscles of Adonis or washboard abs.
And these are people who have significant win records at Lumpinee, IBJJF, Olympics, etc. Even the fighters at the qualifier UFCs matches (the ones that start 5-6 hours before the main fight) tend to look more "normal".
Though, then again, I guess it depends what your definition of "fitness influencer aesthetic" is - is it someone who concentrates on washboard abs and aesthetics or someone who's conventionally attractive but also competitive in some sport.
That said, towards the very top of the UFC and OneFC pole, some amount of aesthetic training is included due to the whole marketing "schtick".
Also, according to some of my friends and trainers who have competed in UFC, OneFC, etc - there is a bit of an issue around PEDs towards the higher end of the spectrum that has a become a bit of a problem. The USADA and the UFC's new doping agency has become very lax on testing the past few years. McGregor wasn't the only fighter who has had issues surrounding doping - he's just more prominent and inculcating a "bad boy" image.