“Bodybuilding—South American Style”

On Saturday afternoon, I accompanied my trainer from the gym and his friend to the South American Bodybuilding competition. It was held in a public gymnasium in downtown Quito and was quite full. The competition started at 4pm and had weight classes from 65-100 kilos in 5 kilos increments. The male part of the competition included a short “dance routine”—a short 45 sec. piece of music accompanied by dancing/flexing action to show off their body. Hilariously, many of the men used slow, love music (Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Pussycat Dolls)! At the end of the 45 sec. performance of the last participant in that weight class, they would all come out together and stand in a line flexing specific muscles.

Although women did compete, there were only 2 groups of them and they were classed according to height not weight. They came out various times, in different “wear” each time—something along the lines of a bathing suit with sparkles. Some of the women were too muscular (so I thought, as an audience member and non-bodybuilder). Some however, looked fantastic and I hope they preserve themselves at that stage and don’t go any further!

Although not something I take very seriously, it was quite interesting to see the bodybuilders compete. What they can make a human body achieve was quite astonishing and left me in awe of my own.