Natural? - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

MattPower · 10-11-2006, 12:21 AM

This is a picture of the three winners from this years BNBF Champs,

The short guy on the end is a buddy of mine.

Your thoughts on how 'natural' these guys are?

**hackskii** · 10-11-2006, 01:19 AM

Well given genetic disposition and a very good diet one could look awesome.

I wont say any more.

Ralphy · 10-11-2006, 10:24 AM

Thats the lightweight class.

Which one's your mate? Glen Danbury on the left?

Not having a go mate but I dont understand why you're questioning how natural they are. Those guys in the pic have been competing/training for a number years and still compete under 70kg/154lbs. Hey, Andrew Merrifield in the middle has been training since the age of 13!!

Never understand why it's difficult to believe or why one raises doubt if they're natural.

**Pscarb** · 10-11-2006, 10:35 AM

ralphy good post mate i have all the respect in the world for anyone who competes naturally and would not question if they are natural or not....

Tatyana · 10-11-2006, 01:21 PM

Yes, I am wondering about the question myself.

Read up on genetic polymorphism of the myostatin gene, (actually I will be posting some of this).

WHY bodybuilding gets that natural-non-natural stuff all the time, maybe because people are so honest, and people that LOVE the look will do ANYTHING to get it at times?

I have been around enough guys now to know that MOST will not make the sacrifices that are required to have that fantastic physique.

AND then they point the finger and say 'he must take SOMETHING', NOT that they haven't gone out and caned it on drugs, alcohol, Maccy D's, KFC for years and years.

The BNBF caught approximately 4 cheats this year, and they do test people out of season if there is a a push because of doubts. One was caught this way this year by being called in for a urine test.

Just my take, and now when I get asked if I take anything, I just view it as a compliment.

x
x
x

T

Fivos · 10-11-2006, 01:40 PM

Matt... i guess the question is coming from your friend? Did he come third? Well the other two in the Pic are to be honest some of the elite of Natural BB. Andy Merryfield ranks amongst the best this country has ever seen. I just did the UIBBN Natural World Champs with Andy and he won the <70KG class. As Ralphy says Andy has been training since he was 13 and after spending the weekend with him i can honestly say i have never met such a diciplined and intelligent BB like him. He is one in a million, pure class.

Fivos

MattPower · 10-11-2006, 03:47 PM

The friend is in fact the third placed competitor John Berry, his first ever natural competition, the boy did fantastically well and has been invited to the worlds.

The question was in reference to a friend of mine who is a moderator on this fair site, i showed him the show images and he was leaning towards the sceptical side with regard to the 'natural' aspect of their physique.

I pointd out that i believed John was indeed a natural competitor, is quite frankly gifted with genetics, and trains and diets like an absolute beast.

I am glad that you all agree, and i myself areby no means a sceptic, check out what else john has been up to :

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jberry.htm

Fivos · 10-11-2006, 03:53 PM

Yep John is a superb BB. Just a shame he came up against 2 of the best. Although i think if he got his quads a bit harder he may of pushed for 2nd. Mezza is just unbeatbale at the moment.

Good luck to John in his next show...

Fivos

DB · 10-11-2006, 03:58 PM

Andrew is rediculous! he is re defining conditioning man!! 70kg?? how tall is he??

i have never seen him in real life does he look quite small in real life? liek walkin in a t shirt?

as he is only 11stone on stage?

Ralphy · 10-11-2006, 04:29 PM

Yeah Baz you heard right dude. under 70kg I tell you!! not sure how tall.. 5ft 8/9 at a guess.. Fiv? He looks small in clothes, but when you see him do his thing he looks huge, especially those freaky quads!

Me personally, i've yet to meet a natural bodybuilder who looks "huge" in clothes.
Its when you see the flesh you are thinking damn, he looks massive and shredded. Same applies to Merrifield.

You look at a top heavyweight natural athlete in clothes stood next to a top heavyweight assisted athlete in clothes and the assisted dude will 9 times out of ten look much bigger. Just my opinion.

MattPower · 10-11-2006, 04:33 PM

John did very well, for info pointers, John is 5,5", and went in at just over 10 stone, his main problem was he was entering the amateurs (beginners, whatever category its called) so went in heavy instead of ripped and ended up against guys a good few kilos heavier.

I was present for the debrief with the judges, he would have placed second if he had gone in ripped.

And with some more leg work would have been challenging for first, hence the invite to the worlds.

To reinforce you guys, the winner was fanastic, he had a lot more confidence on stage, and legs that were frankly superhuman, he deservedly took the silverware for the whole show.

Id like to extend a hand to Mr Berry for doing so well in his first ever outing as a body builder.

I just wanted to clear up the one point, i was in no way sceptical with regard to these 'natural' body builders, when you see a 5'5 12 stone guy benching nearly 180 k without gear its quite impressive, and the effort they put in is far and above any level of self discipline i could hope to achieve.

tkd · 10-11-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatyana

Just my take, and now when I get asked if I take anything, I just view it as a compliment.

So what are you taking?

**hackskii** · 10-11-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattPower

when you see a 5'5 12 stone guy benching nearly 180 k without gear its quite impressive,

Woah that is very impressive.
Well, we can always go back to the genetic arguement here.
Man, that is just so crazy, and he is so young too.

10-11-2006, 01:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
hackskii UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Southern California U.S.A. Posts: 22,958	Well given genetic disposition and a very good diet one could look awesome. I wont say any more. __________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - George Carlin Scott To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-11-2006, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ralphy train alone, eat alone, sleep alone Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: E. London/Essex Posts: 892	Thats the lightweight class. Which one's your mate? Glen Danbury on the left? Not having a go mate but I dont understand why you're questioning how natural they are. Those guys in the pic have been competing/training for a number years and still compete under 70kg/154lbs. Hey, Andrew Merrifield in the middle has been training since the age of 13!! Never understand why it's difficult to believe or why one raises doubt if they're natural. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. face="Arial">25% off for UKM members (discount code UKM25) Last edited by Ralphy; 10-11-2006 at 10:47 AM.

10-11-2006, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pscarb UK-Muscle Moderator and NABBA Champion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,887	ralphy good post mate i have all the respect in the world for anyone who competes naturally and would not question if they are natural or not.... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Admin at To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Nutrition is your greatest anabolic agent everything else is just the icing on the cake

10-11-2006, 01:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Fivos Gym Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 283	Matt... i guess the question is coming from your friend? Did he come third? Well the other two in the Pic are to be honest some of the elite of Natural BB. Andy Merryfield ranks amongst the best this country has ever seen. I just did the UIBBN Natural World Champs with Andy and he won the <70KG class. As Ralphy says Andy has been training since he was 13 and after spending the weekend with him i can honestly say i have never met such a diciplined and intelligent BB like him. He is one in a million, pure class. Fivos __________________ Romans 8: 18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us".

10-11-2006, 03:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
MattPower Newbie Trainer Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9	An honest reply The friend is in fact the third placed competitor John Berry, his first ever natural competition, the boy did fantastically well and has been invited to the worlds. The question was in reference to a friend of mine who is a moderator on this fair site, i showed him the show images and he was leaning towards the sceptical side with regard to the 'natural' aspect of their physique. I pointd out that i believed John was indeed a natural competitor, is quite frankly gifted with genetics, and trains and diets like an absolute beast. I am glad that you all agree, and i myself areby no means a sceptic, check out what else john has been up to : http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jberry.htm

10-11-2006, 01:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tatyana My name is EARL Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: On my bloody bike doing cardio Posts: 3,456	Yes, I am wondering about the question myself. Read up on genetic polymorphism of the myostatin gene, (actually I will be posting some of this). WHY bodybuilding gets that natural-non-natural stuff all the time, maybe because people are so honest, and people that LOVE the look will do ANYTHING to get it at times? I have been around enough guys now to know that MOST will not make the sacrifices that are required to have that fantastic physique. AND then they point the finger and say 'he must take SOMETHING', NOT that they haven't gone out and caned it on drugs, alcohol, Maccy D's, KFC for years and years. The BNBF caught approximately 4 cheats this year, and they do test people out of season if there is a a push because of doubts. One was caught this way this year by being called in for a urine test. Just my take, and now when I get asked if I take anything, I just view it as a compliment. x x x T

10-11-2006, 03:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fivos Gym Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 283	Yep John is a superb BB. Just a shame he came up against 2 of the best. Although i think if he got his quads a bit harder he may of pushed for 2nd. Mezza is just unbeatbale at the moment. Good luck to John in his next show... Fivos __________________ Romans 8: 18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us".

10-11-2006, 03:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
DB UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SW London Posts: 11,168	Andrew is rediculous! he is re defining conditioning man!! 70kg?? how tall is he?? i have never seen him in real life does he look quite small in real life? liek walkin in a t shirt? as he is only 11stone on stage? __________________ DB To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. often imitated never duplicated To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DB sleeps with a night light. Not because DB is afraid of the dark, but the dark is afraid of DB. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-11-2006, 04:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ralphy train alone, eat alone, sleep alone Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: E. London/Essex Posts: 892	Yeah Baz you heard right dude. under 70kg I tell you!! not sure how tall.. 5ft 8/9 at a guess.. Fiv? He looks small in clothes, but when you see him do his thing he looks huge, especially those freaky quads! Me personally, i've yet to meet a natural bodybuilder who looks "huge" in clothes. Its when you see the flesh you are thinking damn, he looks massive and shredded. Same applies to Merrifield. You look at a top heavyweight natural athlete in clothes stood next to a top heavyweight assisted athlete in clothes and the assisted dude will 9 times out of ten look much bigger. Just my opinion. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. face="Arial">25% off for UKM members (discount code UKM25)

10-11-2006, 04:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
MattPower Newbie Trainer Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9	J Berry John did very well, for info pointers, John is 5,5", and went in at just over 10 stone, his main problem was he was entering the amateurs (beginners, whatever category its called) so went in heavy instead of ripped and ended up against guys a good few kilos heavier. I was present for the debrief with the judges, he would have placed second if he had gone in ripped. And with some more leg work would have been challenging for first, hence the invite to the worlds. To reinforce you guys, the winner was fanastic, he had a lot more confidence on stage, and legs that were frankly superhuman, he deservedly took the silverware for the whole show. Id like to extend a hand to Mr Berry for doing so well in his first ever outing as a body builder. I just wanted to clear up the one point, i was in no way sceptical with regard to these 'natural' body builders, when you see a 5'5 12 stone guy benching nearly 180 k without gear its quite impressive, and the effort they put in is far and above any level of self discipline i could hope to achieve.