Cuban Bodybuilding

[Hegemonicretribution]

I was reading an article in Mens Health (not the most political magazine I know) recently about the plight of Cuban Bodybuilders. Aside from not being able to afford protein to work an entire body, gyms are frowned upon. I know not everyone is a fan, but actually improving your body (without steroids) is fun and rewarding, you feel and look better. Gyms have been closed down for various reasons, and those that exist are made from scrap in most cases. Although I am sure in tourist areas gyms are deemed as normal.

Unfortunately I can't find a link to the article online, but I was wondering what everyone thinks of the idea of closing down illegal gyms, and just the place of working out in general in a future society. Would you say it is vanity, or simply people exercising their right to improve their bodies?

I will add the actual article as soon as I find the mag.

[Karl Marx's Camel]

but I was wondering what everyone thinks of the idea of closing down illegal gyms


Why not nationalize the gyms and give those who created it a little sum of money as a compensation?

Why are the gyms illegal?

[resisting arrest with violence]

Bodybuilding is nothing but bourgeoise decadence. Does your gluteus maximus (i.e. your buttocks) have any utilitarian value in being pumped up?

[fernando]

I think a gym could be functional for excerzise (sp?) I mean not everybody in Cuba would be part of the proletariat who perform heavy physical labour, there would be many people who perform more mental work (intelligencia) so a gym for them isnt such a bad idea, why would it immediatly be bourgeoise decadence? <_<

[Commie Girl]

:lol: Maybe take a walk? Ride a bike? I hate gyms, they are just another way to get "consumers" to spend money on worthless shit.

[Eastside Revolt]

Originally posted by resisting arrest with [email protected] 8 2005, 07:32 PM
Bodybuilding is nothing but bourgeoise decadence. Does your gluteus maximus (i.e. your buttocks) have any utilitarian value in being pumped up?
Oh give me a break.

I haven&#39;t touched a weight set since I played hockey years ago, but the truth is that when you are stronger, you are more productive. Not only that, but when you work out, it sends endorphins(sp?) to your brain, which make you feel much better. Or let me guess, your gonna tell me feeling good is bouregois. <_<

As for the Cuban bodybuilding issue. From what I read of Cuba, it seems typical to me that this would be frowned upon. The truth is though that there should really be no problem with people working out. I could see how it would become a problem however if all these "bodybuilders" wanna do is work out. But just as long as they&#39;re not becoming decedant, it shouldn&#39;t be illegal.

[novemba]

Has anyone here actually ever been to a REAL gym?

I&#39;m talkin rundown busted up duct taped punching bag smell of sweat and mildew place?

Nothin like it. Truely bliss.

[Hegemonicretribution]

Originally posted by Commie [email protected] 8 2005, 07:49 PM
:lol: Maybe take a walk? Ride a bike? I hate gyms, they are just another way to get "consumers" to spend money on worthless shit.
There are other ways of getting exercise I agree, and I partake inmany of them, I do not use running machines, rowing machines or bikes, theycan be done outsideof a gym. The whole machine thing is a joke as well. I use a gym because it is not practacle, or affordable for me to own my own weights. If you want certain results then youneed to take certain action, 1000 sit-ups a day won&#39;t give you a six pac, and doing a few hundred press ups a day won&#39;t make you super strong. Exercise has many benifits, but in a gym you can hone the results, whichis bestwhen you are working on limited time, aswell as sleep and energy.

Not all the gyms are illegal, but there are a number that have been closed down, the sentiment is that of many here, working out is decadance.

[fernando]

Originally posted by Commie [email protected] 8 2005, 07:49 PM
:lol: Maybe take a walk? Ride a bike? I hate gyms, they are just another way to get "consumers" to spend money on worthless shit.
Ride a bike...you want people to buy bikes??? make them consume...you evil capitalist&#33;&#33;&#33; :rolleyes:

I still dont see how evil a state sponsored gym would be, so mainly financed by the government, skilled instructors for the people who want to use the gym, might be handy since people in Cuba are known to die from "western" diseases such as cardial things and cancers (probably due to smoking), so excercize and cardial training etc might be a good thing.

[Decolonize The Left]

I think what people are trying to say here is that working out in EXCESS, as in thats all you do, is decadence.

Working out, in a gym or not, to improve your health is healthy and should be encouraged. In America we have an enormous obeceity(sp?) problem (no pun intended) and more gyms might help.
This of course is not the only problem, the food we eat etc... is also a problem, but that is another argument and thread.

As for Cuba, I think gyms should be legal and state sponsored. I assume that the body builders in question are an extreme minority and that this does not reflect the feelings on the general public.

-- August

[Hegemonicretribution]

Originally posted by [email protected] 8 2005, 08:44 PM
I still dont see how evil a state sponsored gym would be, so mainly financed by the government, skilled instructors for the people who want to use the gym, might be handy since people in Cuba are known to die from "western" diseases such as cardial things and cancers (probably due to smoking), so excercize and cardial training etc might be a good thing.
When it comes to healthcare I would say that is something Cuba have right. It beats many countries today, possibly second to none in some respects. Althougheverywhere people could do with being healthier.

[Seeker]

"Working out" is a sign of conceit and low self-esteem. Who are you trying to impress, and why is the person you are now not good enough?

[bolshevik butcher]

Theres state gyms in the UK. Gyms are just another way to keep fit.

[Decolonize The Left]

"Working out" is a sign of conceit and low self-esteem. Who are you trying to impress, and why is the person you are now not good enough?

Seeker in your comment above you have made a faulty assumption that when I, or anyone, speak of working out, that we are doing so for the purpose of impressing someone.

If you re-read closely, I have never stated that, and actually think otherwise.

Working out, in a gym or not, to improve your health is healthy and should be encouraged.

I believe that people should work out for their health, as it promotes a healthy body, and in turn, a healthy mind. Also, your comments seem to be filled with a lot of anger, perhaps self-reflection as to why you oppose self-improvment is in order.

-- August

[Hegemonicretribution]

Originally posted by [email protected] 8 2005, 10:12 PM
"Working out" is a sign of conceit and low self-esteem. Who are you trying to impress, and why is the person you are now not good enough?
My esteem is high, I am a sexy ***** and know it :lol: , why you may ask? Because I go to the gym.

The person I am now is alright but I prefer me in a month, similar but I can press a few more pounds.

Using beauty (not hygeine) products is a sign of low self esteem, using steroids is a sign of low esteem and impatience, or perhaps just people that take hitting the wall to seriously. Using a gym is somethingyou should be doing, get fit and strong for a revolution ;).

[Decolonize The Left]

My sentiments exactly Hegemonic, with my name in place of yours.

-- August

[redstar2000]

I am in agreement with the Cuban government on this one.

If one wants additional physical exertion in one&#39;s life, there is plenty of useful work to be done in Cuba or anywhere else.

Spend a few hours a week unloading a truck or working construction...and watch those arms get big and hard.

There&#39;s a lot of housing in Cuba that needs major repairs.

And need I mention agricultural labor? They could volunteer for that and really "build their bodies".

I do not understand the appeal of "gyms" at all...there are plenty of ways to get exercise that cost nothing at all and may create something useful in addition to your "abs of steel".

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[Hegemonicretribution]

Originally posted by [email protected] 8 2005, 11:43 PM
I am in agreement with the Cuban government on this one.

If one wants additional physical exertion in one&#39;s life, there is plenty of useful work to be done in Cuba or anywhere else.

Spend a few hours a week unloading a truck or working construction...and watch those arms get big and hard.

There&#39;s a lot of housing in Cuba that needs major repairs.

And need I mention agricultural labor? They could volunteer for that and really "build their bodies".

I do not understand the appeal of "gyms" at all...there are plenty of ways to get exercise that cost nothing at all and may create something useful in addition to your "abs of steel".

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif
In a way I agree, but for building real big arms, or any muscle for that matter what you need is specific training not available from just work. There would be positive outcomes from the suggested volunteer work, but ask any other bodybuilders, the gym plays a vital role

Plus I can think of worse hobbies.

[Red Heretic]

Is weight lifting not a sport? It is something that people do for enjoyment, like playing soccer...

[fernando]

People need entertainment and enjoyment, not on a capitalist level that we need to watch tv shows about 10 morons in a house together, but people need some form of entertainment to let go of the work/study/etc for just a little while. You can preach that you want everybody to work about the whole day and then just sleep, so work and sleep...good luck trying to enforce that on people&#33;