TV3 Program on female bodybuilders "Modern Ireland: Supersized Shes"-tuesday 16th 8pm

rubadub

Modern Ireland: Supersized Shes
(Documentary)

Supersized Shes is an intimate, behind the scenes look at the extraordinary world of bodybuilding in Ireland. This programme follows the stories of two female bodybuilders, Inga Beinara and Sophia McNamara, over the course of one day, as they prepare to take to the stage of the Millennium Theatre in Limerick, for the Republic of Ireland Bodybuilding Federation Championship.

http://tvguide.tv3.ie/dgx/wbl.dll?a=37&h=69&dt=4a37dda0

Dumb

Right. I didn't think they were Irish. TV3 usually import that kind of tripe. :pac:

Malteaser!

A little bit more about it: http://www.screenscene.ie/index.php?/edit/mo

amacachi

Wonder if they'll mention steroids or just imply that women lifting weights for one day will make them look like that.

fatmammycat

amacachi wrote: »

Wonder if they'll mention steroids or just imply that women lifting weights for one day will make them look like that.

Heh, cue a lot of women hurling away their 1k pink dumbbells in terror of getting too 'bulky'.

Hanley

Wonder if Sophia's any relation of Ger Mc.

Roper

amacachi wrote: »

Wonder if they'll mention steroids or just imply that women lifting weights for one day will make them look like that.

Well it would only be correct to mention the steroid use, even though the girls would probably be reticent to mention it on camera. It would also be irresponsible to neglect their role in bodybuilding in a documentary for just the reason you mentioned. Telling girls they won't turn into muskley freaks because they lift is a strong and positive message for everyone. To do that, they need to point out that bodybuilders take gear to get big.

amacachi

Roper wrote: »

Well it would only be correct to mention the steroid use, even though the girls would probably be reticent to mention it on camera. It would also be irresponsible to neglect their role in bodybuilding in a documentary for just the reason you mentioned. Telling girls they won't turn into muskley freaks because they lift is a strong and positive message for everyone. To do that, they need to point out that bodybuilders take gear to get big.

I'm thinking "no" so. :P

Roper

Well given that the standard documentary follows the usual tripey path of avoiding the real issues at stake, I would also say no.

Pro-Nutrition

rubadub wrote: »

http://tvguide.tv3.ie/dgx/wbl.dll?a=37&h=69&dt=4a37dda0

God Dam it, I knew I forgot something. Anyone watch it? Was it any good? Dam it

MagicMarker

I watched it, didn't think it was all that great tbh.

Firstly, I was amazed that there was a bodybuilding catagory for women in Ireland, I didn't think there would be any demand for it, and I was right. The woman who entered that catagory was the ONLY one.

The fitness catagory had 4 or 5 women, I think only one of which was Irish, and imo the one that won that should have been in the bodybuilding catagory!!

Anyway, the reason I didn't think it was that great was because it only followed 2 women on the day of the competition, that's it. It could have been a lego building tournament and it wouldn't have mattered. I would have liked it to be a bit more indepth regarding bodybuilding itself, showing what they go through in the months leading up to a competition, training, diet etc.

Overall it was a bit meh

rubadub

Pro-Nutrition wrote: »

God Dam it, I knew I forgot something. Anyone watch it? Was it any good? Dam it

Ah balls, I was meant to bump this yesterday. It is online though
http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=modernireland

g'em

Roper wrote:

Well it would only be correct to mention the steroid use... It would also be irresponsible to neglect their role in bodybuilding in a documentary for just the reason you mentioned.

Why? There's never any mention of steroid use in documentaries about other sports where gear use is rife.

MagicMarker wrote: »

Firstly, I was amazed that there was a bodybuilding catagory for women in Ireland, I didn't think there would be any demand for it, and I was right. The woman who entered that catagory was the ONLY one.

The RIBBF shows tend to be a lot smaller than the NABBA Dublin ones and that's one reason for the small turnout overall, although it's true that in general women are very under-represented in Irish bodybuilding. In the upcoming September NABBA show there should be a few home-grown physique girls and maybe some visitors (e.g. Avril Cunliffe at the '07 NABBAs).

MagicMarker wrote:

The fitness catagory had 4 or 5 women, I think only one of which was Irish, and imo the one that won that should have been in the bodybuilding catagory!!

I remember seeing Nicoletta at the NABBAs a couple of years ago and she was in phenomenal condition - petite, amazing abs and very, very feminine. Not so much anymore and I agree with you, she's too blocky to be a Figure girl now.

Roper

g'em wrote: »

Why? There's never any mention of steroid use in documentaries about other sports where gear use is rife.

I'm struggling to think of another activity where steroids are legal and necessary. I can't think of one off hand. The issue for me is that already I have a teenage sprinter who doesn't want to use too many weights because she doesn't want to look like a man. That perception is everywhere.

That said I watched a bit last night and it was your typical fluff piece to fill a Tuesday evening slot, so they were hardly going to mention roids.

g'em

Roper wrote: »

I'm struggling to think of another activity where steroids are legal and necessary.

Steroids aren't 'legal' in bodybuilding. They're used and no-one will pretend otherwise, but they aren't a pre-requisite.

Roper wrote:

The issue for me is that already I have a teenage sprinter who doesn't want to use too many weights because she doesn't want to look like a man. That perception is everywhere.

Aye, it is, and it's remarkably frustrating. When I tell people what I compete in I invariably get a quizzical look accompanied by a "you don't look like a bloke" exclamation. But in the program last night of all the women who were shown (6) only two actually looked like they could be on gear (the receding hairline was tres attractive :rolleyes:) and the other four had figures VERY easily attained by diet and training for someone who knew what they were doing, definitely not trying to diminish the hard work done by these girls!

There's plenty of female physiques in various sports that are aided by heavy lifting but definitely don't look "mannish" that you could point out to her.

rubadub

Roper wrote: »

I'm struggling to think of another activity where steroids are legal and necessary.

It might be viewed necessary for professionals, I wonder what other professionals would benefit by taking them, i.e. it might not be essential but they could get more pay or work faster. e.g. male models, bouncers, WWE wrestlers, builders (I know a lad who was paid by the bricks he shifted so would load lots up in the holder thing)

MargeS

I didn't think the programme was too bad. Though I would loved to have seen more of the work they put in to get to competition fitness. (steak at 9am - yum :eek:) I felt sorry for the woman who had to compete on her own. She described it as an 'empty win'. But she looked great.
I was quite surprised how many women were not Irish. Then again, there aren't any women in my gym doing free weights, that I know off.

g'em

MargeS wrote: »

I didn't think the programme was too bad. Though I would loved to have seen more of the work they put in to get to competition fitness. (steak at 9am - yum :eek:)

A friend of mine is one of Ireland's few competitive female BBers and listening to her describing her comp prep is both fascinating and horrifying. She'll be starting her comp diet this week @13 weeks out and from here on in it just gets ugly - for her that is!! The dedication involved is just phenomenal. iirc she'll be doing a fats/ protein diet (0 carbs) for the first while and this may change in a few weeks. Workout intensity will increase and LIT cardio is ramped up. She'll be living, breathing, eating nothing but training and comp prep until September.

In the meantime I need to learn how to use those tanning brush thingys properly

Hard work - pity pretty much all of them don't make a semi-decent living out of it.

dudara

MagicMarker wrote: »

The fitness catagory had 4 or 5 women, I think only one of which was Irish, and imo the one that won that should have been in the bodybuilding catagory!!

Glad to see I'm not the only one thinking that. I did think that the winner looked more like a 'physique' competitor than a 'fitness' competitor.

Anyway, the reason I didn't think it was that great was because it only followed 2 women on the day of the competition, that's it. It could have been a lego building tournament and it wouldn't have mattered. I would have liked it to be a bit more indepth regarding bodybuilding itself, showing what they go through in the months leading up to a competition, training, diet etc.

Agreed. It would have been a lot more fascinating to see their routines (diet and exercise) from the 3 months out.

But my god, I've never seen so much paint-rolling in my whole life. Just when you think there couldn't be any more, out comes the little roller for another coat.

eclectichoney

dudara wrote: »

But my god, I've never seen so much paint-rolling in my whole life. Just when you think there couldn't be any more, out comes the little roller for another coat.

I know. Talk about attention to detail / hard work. I wonder how long it takes to wash / wear off! :eek:

d'Oracle

Roper wrote: »

The issue for me is that already I have a teenage sprinter who doesn't want to use too many weights because she doesn't want to look like a man. That perception is everywhere.

You could always get some pics of Alyson Felix, Lolo Jones or Michelle Perry.
Ask her if they look like men.

Or Kim Geveart.

Edit: http://magazine.stack.com/TheIssue/Article/4346/Allyson_Felixs_Workout_Plan_for_Track.aspx

She is lovely.
Sorry of the off topic.

Roper

g'em wrote: »

Steroids aren't 'legal' in bodybuilding. They're used and no-one will pretend otherwise, but they aren't a pre-requisite.

Maybe not, but the I can guarantee that the serious competitors use. I don't judge them for it. asfar as I'm concerned they're entitled to it but i think people need to know. Girls like my kid, young men etc.

There's plenty of female physiques in various sports that are aided by heavy lifting but definitely don't look "mannish" that you could point out to her.

Yes and I do but she's 18 and doesn't listen to people over 25.

g'em

Roper wrote: »

Maybe not, but the I can guarantee that the serious competitors use. I don't judge them for it. asfar as I'm concerned they're entitled to it but i think people need to know. Girls like my kid, young men etc.

Oh believe me, I know that too! I agree with you though to the extent that people deserve to know that steroids contribute towards those physiques, but I would rather they were attributed as the *sole* reason as to how they are achieved. Steroids are, no matter what ANYONE says, the 'finisher' to bring you from 99 to 100%.

Roper wrote:

Yes and I do but she's 18 and doesn't listen to people over 25.

I teach the same age group too, nothing else is guaranteed to make me feel more ancient than when I start talking about the 90s and I realise the decade is only a year or so away from being "retro".

imho I don't think talking about steroid use would have added to the show at all, I think it would have oversensationalised it unnecessarily (and let#s face it, there's enough "freak" tags on it as it is, again very unnecessarily). Bodybuilders look they way they do primarily through training and diet - steroids are a factor, no doubt about it, but all you have to do is look at someone taking gear who doesn't look after the t & d aspect and the results (or lack thereof) are blatant.

Roper

g'em wrote: »

imho I don't think talking about steroid use would have added to the show at all, I think it would have oversensationalised it unnecessarily (and let#s face it, there's enough "freak" tags on it as it is, again very unnecessarily). Bodybuilders look they way they do primarily through training and diet - steroids are a factor, no doubt about it, but all you have to do is look at someone taking gear who doesn't look after the t & d aspect and the results (or lack thereof) are blatant.

I agree. Remember I made the original post before the show aired but now having seen it, there would have been no point in discussing steroids since all the docu makers were worried about was how much tan they put on. It was fluff.

d'Oracle

Roper wrote: »

Yes and I do but she's 18 and doesn't listen to people over 25.

I hope you are being paid well to be ignored....:D

g'em

Roper wrote: »

I agree.

I had to quote it. For posterity

I forgot you hadn't seen it - fluff indeed, it didn't give you a hint of the hard work put into getting in that condition.

dudara

The closest they got to mentioning steroids was when they said the previous title holder had to drop out last year due to 'heart problems'.

itsallaboutheL

dudara wrote: »

The closest they got to mentioning steroids was when they said the previous title holder had to drop out last year due to 'heart problems'.

Where exactly does that imply steroids??

dudara

They didn't imply steroids per se - it's what I interpreted.

MagicMarker

dudara wrote: »

They didn't imply steroids per se - it's what I interpreted.

Me too.

Amiebabie

Hi Everyone
I competed in the spring classic 2009 in the figure category (I was the Irish girl with the blonde hair) and I just want to say that I didnt take any steroids. I trained hard and dieted for 8 weeks before hand. It was really really hard work. I think all the girls looked fab and fair play to everyone that competed because its such a strain on your life!!

xxxx

Amie

MagicMarker

Amiebabie wrote: »

Hi Everyone
I competed in the spring classic 2009 in the figure category (I was the Irish girl with the blonde hair) and I just want to say that I didnt take any steroids. I trained hard and dieted for 8 weeks before hand. It was really really hard work. I think all the girls looked fab and fair play to everyone that competed because its such a strain on your life!!

xxxx

Amie

You're the one who had your hand on her ass?

davmol

i thought all the girls looked great apart from the winner TBH.I think she looked very muscular for a fitness category and if anyone was on gear it would be her.Then again i havent a clue if she was or wasnt so i wont speculate.
The other girls seemed in great shape and not the typical gear and testosterone consuming freaks with deep voices and a chest arnie would be proud of.
Great work amiebaby by the way ,your hard work and diet worked great,you looked savage.

Amiebabie

yeah im the one who had the hand on her ass!!

Cheers guys, thanks for the nice comments.

xxxxx

Amie

g'em

Amiebabie wrote: »

Hi Everyone
I competed in the spring classic 2009 in the figure category (I was the Irish girl with the blonde hair) and I just want to say that I didnt take any steroids. I trained hard and dieted for 8 weeks before hand. It was really really hard work. I think all the girls looked fab and fair play to everyone that competed because its such a strain on your life!!

Hi Amie

Fair play on your placement in the competition, I hope you decide to stick with it, you could really make an impact on the Irish Figure scene - more girls are badly needed!!

Do you mind me asking was the 8 weeks of training/ diet you did the only pre-comp preparation you did? Were you previously an athletic person or engaged in a lot of sports or were you literally working from a blank canvas?

Glad to see you here, and the best of luck in the future!

Roper

Just to emphasise Aimie that it's the overmuscled physique which I was referring to when I was talking about steroid use, not the fitness model physique which is attainable for women without steroid use... and is hawt!

amacachi

Me also.

arybvtcw0eolkf

dudara wrote: »

The closest they got to mentioning steroids was when they said the previous title holder had to drop out last year due to 'heart problems'.

And how does that hint at steroid use?.

.

MagicMarker

Karlee Uneven Scotch wrote: »

And how does that hint at steroid use?.

.

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

Where exactly does that imply steroids??

dudara wrote: »

They didn't imply steroids per se - it's what I interpreted.

..

arybvtcw0eolkf

MagicMarker wrote: »

..

Maybe its because of sleep deprivation, I've come off a night shift and waiting to go squad training in an hour (if I slept I've never wake up for it).

But your reply has flown right over my head

.