Should Christians do bodybuilding?

Three things to consider if you want to start training for gains.

Bodybuilding is becoming a popular activity for many young men. If you haven’t heard of it, bodybuilding basically involves doing certain exercises and consuming certain foods to build a very muscular physique.

But should Christians do bodybuilding? Here are some ideas to consider.

Bodybuilding takes time

Bodybuilding takes up a lot of time if you’re committed to it. Most bodybuilders spend hours a day in the gym, and more time preparing high-protein meals. It can become quite an obsession that occupies a significant proportion of every week.

Anything that takes up so much time has a tendency to distract us from our other activities that we need to do.

If you find yourself spending inordinate amounts of time on your body, try and wind back the time and instead replace that time with more worthwhile pursuits like reading the Bible, praying, spending time with friends or even getting ahead on homework!

Remember what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:8:

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Bodybuilding can be good for you, but only with the right approach

Bodybuilding can be great for your health! It can improve your strength, make your body work better, and even boost your happiness.

On the other hand, if your only goal with bodybuilding is to become more attractive or achieve a certain body shape, you can quickly run into problems.

Sometimes the search for the perfect body can lead to unhealthy choices, overtraining and eating strange diets and questionable supplements.

Plus, seeking that hard-to-attain physique can lead some young people to serious mental health issues such as body dysmorphia or eating disorders.

Its a good idea to honestly ask yourself why you want to do bodybuilding and make sure you're approaching it in a healthy way.

The temptations

In the pursuit of perfection, some bodybuilders turn to drugs to help build huge muscles and burn excessive fat. But not all of these substances are legal to purchase or consume.

Getting involved in bodybuilding can lead to dangerous temptations as people strive to obtain a look that may not actually be naturally possible for their bodies.

Be careful

Bodybuilding isn’t inherently sinful or wrong, but young Christians who are considering getting involved with it do need to exercise caution.

Make sure you’re not becoming overly obsessed with your appearance, or you may risk wasting your time or falling into temptations that endanger your health and your faith.

As the Apostle Paul writes, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." – 1 Timothy 4:8