    bodybuilding is the use of progressive resistance exercise to control and develop one's musculature. an individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. in competitive amateur and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders appear in lineups doing specified poses, and later perform individual posing routines, for a panel of judges who rank competitors based on criteria such as symmetry, muscularity and conditioning. bodybuilders prepare for competition through a combination of dehydration, fat loss, oils, and tanning (or tanning lotions) which make their muscular definition more distinct. well-known bodybuilders include charles atlas, steve reeves, reg park, arnold schwarzenegger and lou ferrigno. the winner of the annual mr. olympia contest is generally recognized as the world's top male bodybuilder. the title is now held by ifbb professional phil heath of the united states. == history == thumb|right|250px|sandow in 1894 === early years === stone-lifting traditions were practiced in ancient greece and egypt. western weight lifting developed in europe around 1880 to 1953, with strongmen displaying feats of strength for the public, and challenging each other. the focus was not on the make up of their physique, and these strongmen often had a large stomach and fatty limbs. === eugen sandow === bodybuilding developed in the late 19th century, promoted in england by the 'father of modern bodybuilding', german-born eugen sandow. he allowed audiences to enjoy viewing his physique in "muscle display performances". although audiences were thrilled to see a well-developed physique, those men simply displayed their bodies as part of strength demonstrations or wrestling matches. sandow had a stage show built around these displays through his manager, florenz ziegfeld. the oscar-winning 1936 musical film the great ziegfeld, depicts this beginning of modern bodybuilding, when sandow began to display his body for carnivals. sandow beca
Athletic_sports Body_modification Bodybuilding Individual_sports