Bodybuilding isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about shaping strength, resilience, and longevity. Think of your body as a high-performance machine. If you don’t maintain it, it breaks down. But when fine-tuned, it runs like a dream.

Building Muscle Is More Than Just Aesthetics

Forget the oil, the stage lights, and the exaggerated flexing. That’s not what bodybuilding means to me.

I’m not chasing sheer size. I’m after balance, an aesthetic, functional, and capable physique. Think of a Greek statue, sculpted yet athletic. Whether that’s “big” depends on who you ask.

For me, bodybuilding is about health, power, and proportion. It’s about crafting a body that doesn’t just look good but performs with precision.

From the Track to the Gym. Why Strength Matters

I’ve competed in track and field, football, and bodybuilding. My muscles weren’t just for show; they were built for action. The stronger and better-conditioned I was, the better I performed. It’s as simple as that.

Of course, there’s a limit. Adding size starts slowing you down at some point, but context matters. In bodybuilding, mass is an asset. In sprinting? Not so much.

Strength Progression: The Chain Reaction of Gains

Fitness is a domino effect:

✔ Improved muscle function → Better mechanics, fewer injuries

✔ Better muscle conditioning → Greater endurance, higher output

✔ Enhanced performance & aesthetics → A physique that moves as well as it looks

Beyond “Functional”. The Next Level of Strength

“Functional” is a buzzword in fitness. Functional training. Functional movements. Functional bodybuilding. Toss in “functional,” and suddenly, everyone’s paying attention.

But function is the bare minimum. It just means you can move without pain. That’s fine for the average person. But for me? I expect more. I want my body to operate at its full potential while maintaining peak health.

When I was competing, none of us cared about just “getting by.” We wanted to push the limits, and we wanted to win.

Being functional gets you in the game. Being performant—stronger, faster, more conditioned—makes you dominate.

The Physical and Mental Benefits of Strength Training

Physical: More Than Just Looking Good

Building muscle isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about ability.

• Need to sprint across an airport? No problem.

• Hauling groceries, moving furniture, lifting your kid? Easy.

• Life-saving situations? Your body will be ready.

I’m not at my peak right now, but I’m grateful every day for what my body can do. Some people don’t have that choice. I do.

Life deals you a hand. You can play it or fold. If you choose to play it, play it smart. 
I choose to play my cards to the best of my ability. Every. Single. Day.

Mental: Confidence, Control, and Resilience

Let’s be real—having a strong, athletic body boosts self-esteem. Who doesn’t feel good when they catch someone checking them out?

But strength is more than vanity. If you’ve ever lost mobility—through injury, illness, or age—you know how mentally exhausting it can be. It wrecks confidence. Shifts your self-image. Makes optimism harder to hold onto.

Your mindset changes when your body moves the way you want it to. You start believing things are possible. Even if something takes effort, you know you can do it. Most people take that for granted. I see it every day. But I remind myself: 

Don’t waste what you have!

You Don’t Know What You Have Until It’s Gone

Ever climbed a flight of stairs and felt winded when you didn’t used to? Notice that getting up from the couch takes more effort than before? Feel a push-up get twice as hard overnight?

That’s your body telling you something. Wake yo’ a$$ up!! Time is catching up.

The good news? You can slow it down.

A strong, capable body lets you stay useful, help others, and chase what you love. A well-balanced physique keeps your confidence high and your quality of life strong.

So, when it comes to the question of how long I think people should work out and do some form of resistance training, aka bodybuilding, I have only one thing to say:

You should be a ‘bodybuilder’ for as long as you can!

Till next time,

Zhimmithee “Bodybuilder for life” Banks