The article discusses the growing issue of "distended gut" or "bubble gut" in the bodybuilding community. This phenomenon, also known as "Palumbo-ism", refers to a condition where the stomach appears to be protruding, often due to years of steroid use and other performance-enhancing substances. The article highlights several prominent bodybuilders, including Scott Steiner, Phil Heath, Jean-Pierre Fux, Kai Greene, Ronnie Coleman, Markus Ruhl, King Kamali, Greg Kovacs, and Dave Palumbo, who have all suffered from this condition.
The article suggests that the emphasis on bulk and mass in modern bodybuilding has led to a decline in aesthetics and an increase in health problems. Many bodybuilders on the list have passed away prematurely, often due to heart-related issues. The article also notes that the sport's reliance on performance-enhancing substances has led to the creation of a "natural" division, where competitors do not use such substances.
The article concludes by highlighting the need for change in the bodybuilding industry, citing the risks associated with steroid use and the impact on athletes' health and well-being.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. Scott Steiner is a wrestler who has been known for his physique and has appeared in bodybuilding videos and articles.
2. Phil Heath is a bodybuilder who has won seven straight Mr. Olympia competitions from 2011 to 2017.
3. Phil Heath is 37 years old and has developed a "bubble gut" as he has gotten older.
4. Jean-Pierre Fux is a bodybuilder who had a severe accident during a weightlifting session and almost ended his career.
5. Jean-Pierre Fux was attempting to squat almost 700 pounds when he collapsed with the weight on his back.
6. Kai Greene is a bodybuilder who has finished second at the Mr. Olympia competition multiple times behind Phil Heath.
7. Kai Greene grew up in the foster care system and residential treatment centers and started bodybuilding as a way to channel his emotions.
8. Ronnie Coleman is a bodybuilder who won eight Mr. Olympia competitions in a row and holds the record for the most IFBB professional wins.
9. Ronnie Coleman is now retired and 53 years old.
10. Markus Ruhl is a bodybuilder who is considered one of the largest in the sport, with a weight of around 310 pounds and measurements of 25 inches for his arms, 70 inches for his chest, and 35 inches for his legs.
11. King Kamali is a 45-year-old bodybuilder who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from George Mason University.
12. King Kamali is nicknamed "The Persian Pearl" and "The Terminator".
13. Greg Kovacs was a Canadian bodybuilder who passed away in 2013 at the age of 45 due to heart failure.
14. Greg Kovacs was one of the largest pro bodybuilders in the latter half of the 1990s, with a height of 6'4" and an "off-season" weight of 330 pounds.
15. Big Lenny is a bodybuilder who has one of the largest "bubble guts" in the sport.
16. Big Lenny has a video on YouTube where he discusses his case of "bubble gut" and blames it on too much cardio and his weight of 450 pounds.
17. Dave Palumbo is a retired bodybuilder who is now the CEO of RX Muscle and the Editor of Muscular Development Magazine.
18. Dave Palumbo is 49 years old and is considered an icon in the sport.
19. The term "Palumbo-ism" has been used to describe the condition of having a "bubble gut" or distended stomach, which is often associated with bodybuilding and steroid use.
20. Many bodybuilders suffer from a form of body dysmorphia called Bigorexia, which causes them to be never satisfied with their appearance and to engage in extreme behaviors to achieve their desired physique.