Are you actually a bodybuilder? A British bodybuilding quiz

This British bodybuilding quiz isn’t about ego. It’s about mindset

BODYBUILDING isn’t just training regularly. It isn’t protein shakes, gym selfies, or being “into fitness.” It’s a mindset – obsessive at times, uncomfortable often, and completely unnecessary unless you genuinely want it. This British Bodybuilding Quiz isn’t about numbers on a bar or how you look in a hoodie. It’s about habits, priorities and how you actually think. Answer honestly and you’ll know which side of the line you’re on.

Answer honestly. There are no trick questions – just exposure.

1. Someone asks how much you bench. You:

A) Tell them immediately
B) Ask “raw or paused?”
C) Don’t really bench much anymore
D) Say nothing — it’s irrelevant

2. December diet plan looks like:

A) “I’ll start again in January”
B) Looser, but still tracked
C) Same food, fewer arguments
D) Exactly the same — Christmas is a date, not a licence

3. You hear “bodybuilding federation”. You think:

A) NPC
B) PCA / NABBA / IFBB
C) Judges and politics
D) All of the above

4. Your gym closes early on Christmas Eve. You:

A) Panic
B) Train earlier
C) Train somewhere else
D) Already planned around it

5. Someone says they’re in “prep”. You ask:

A) “For what show?”
B) “What federation?”
C) “When are you stepping on stage?”
D) All of the above

6. Your opinion on cardio is:

A) Necessary evil
B) Tool, not punishment
C) Context-dependent
D) All of the above

7. Your idea of a “rest day” is:

A) No gym at all
B) Steps and mobility
C) Light pump work
D) What the plan says

8. Christmas Day training:

A) Definitely not
B) Only if it fits
C) Usually, yes
D) Already done by 10am

9. Someone says “Dorian Yates”. You picture:

A) Mass
B) Back thickness
C) HIT training
D) All of the above

10. You’ve argued about this at least once:

A) Carb timing
B) Natural vs enhanced
C) Volume vs intensity
D) All of the above

11. Your gym bag contains:

A) Towel and headphones
B) Straps and belt
C) Chalk / bands / spare socks
D) More prep than most people pack for a holiday

12. When progress stalls, you:

A) Change everything
B) Add cardio
C) Check adherence first
D) Check data before emotion

13. You see someone filming everything in the gym. You:

A) Avoid the area
B) Wait patiently
C) Roll your eyes
D) Train regardless

14. A proper leg session includes:

A) Squats
B) Leg press
C) Something you dread
D) All of the above

15. Your relationship with food is best described as:

A) Emotional
B) Functional
C) Strategic
D) Situational

16. You know your bodyweight:

A) Roughly
B) Within 2–3kg
C) This morning
D) Fasted, post-toilet

17. Posing practice is:

A) Optional
B) Embarrassing
C) Necessary
D) Non-negotiable

18. Your view on “genetics” is:

A) Excuse
B) Reality
C) Overused
D) Contextual

19. You’ve trained through:

A) Bad weather
B) Bad mood
C) Bad sleep
D) All of the above

20. Final question — no pretending:

Do you actually want to compete one day?
A) No
B) Maybe
C) Probably
D) Yes

SCORING (Unofficial — you’ll know)

Mostly A: You train. That’s fine.
Mostly B: Serious gym-goer.
Mostly C: Bodybuilder in mindset.
Mostly D: You already know what this is.

There’s no score to screenshot here and nothing to prove in the comments. Bodybuilding isn’t a badge — it’s a choice, repeated quietly over time. Some people train hard and live full lives outside the gym. Others organise their days around it. Neither is right or wrong. But they aren’t the same thing. If this British bodybuilding quiz made that clearer, it’s done its job.

Why is gym clothing so revealing now?

Time to get a grip and put an end to crazy gym fashion

Walk into almost any gym now and it’s immediately noticeable: gym clothing is more revealing than it used to be. From minimal shorts to fitted crop tops, the shift is obvious. But the reasons behind it are more complex than simply “fashion” – involving performance, social media and changing attitudes towards body image.

The Louise Plumb Column

I BEGAN going to the gym in 2010. At that time, weight training among women was relatively uncommon, with typically only one or two women in the weight section (maximum), while most used the cardio equipment.

Over the past 15 years, there has been an increase in the number of women who have discovered weight training. This is a marvellous thing. I’m thrilled ladies are cottoning on to the fact that there are many health benefits of strength training. This includes improved fitness, stronger and leaner muscle tissue, prevention of osteoporosis, enhanced heart health and relief from depression and anxiety, among other advantages.

The gym is now a totally different environment

Back then, the gym ‘fashion’ for women training was crazy-patterned, loud leggings, with a T-shirt or vest. Think black leggings with neon stars all over, or patterned with Christmas trees/Halloween skulls/flowers/multi-coloured zebra prints etc. Us girls were happy to show a little flare, but still covered up, as the gym was a serious environment. And to be honest, we were happy to quietly get on with our training, then go home. To this day, while I may not wear the mad leggings any more, my ethos is to get in the gym, train, then leave.

Let’s fast forward to today. The gym is now a totally different environment. The number of women training has increased dramatically and I’m here for it. Some reports suggest that, in 2010, roughly 17 per cent of women lifted weights. In 2025 it is estimated that about 25 per cent of women are pumping iron.

The meteoritic rise of social media now sees ‘influencers’ posting their daily workouts, their latest booty gains and whatever supplement or discount code they are flogging. This has led to a kind of competition to see who can gain the most followers, clicks and controversy.

These girls have started wearing less and less during their workouts. Now we could argue that these girls are filming for content and it may well be the way they earn their living. But full workouts are being done in a 'gym fashion' that can only be described as photoshoot attire. Tiny shorts that ride up their bottoms and the smallest of sports bras that are very pretty, but don’t offer anything with regards to support or modesty.

What they are wearing is glorified underwear

As with everything, what is popular on social media has trickled down into popular culture. More and more women are copying the trend of training in next to nothing. It is now seen as normal or the new gym fashion. Gym apparel companies are jumping on the band wagon by selling scrunch bum leggings/shorts and the tiniest of bra tops. They are basically glorified underwear. And as such, a whole new genre of gym fashion, etiquette and potential hurdles has arisen.

Let’s unpack this carefully. In the wake of the explosion of social media and everyone wanting to be an influencer, loads of women are now wearing what I can only describe as inappropriate gym wear. Some are bordering on outright thirsty clothing. This is an obvious attempt at attention seeking and it works! It is nigh on impossible NOT to look at that girl working out in very skimpy clothes, especially in an environment where we are packed close together. And there are mirrors everywhere. I’d argue it’s really hard not to look at a girl working out in next to nothing. They want attention – and they get it. Here’s the kicker though, the same girls who work out in their underwear will be the first to complain if a guy stares.

Why are we so acutely aware of this phenomenon? To make an observation, some individuals arrive at the gym with their tripods, phones and sometimes microphones to record their training sessions for social media content. This has led to instances where innocent gym-goers are accused of staring or being ‘creepy,’ making these individuals feel vulnerable and upset.

The rise of creators such as Joey Swoll shows that the majority of men are not leering but may glance over at women who are exercising while filming. And who wouldn’t when their shorts are so far up their behinds you can see what they had for breakfast?! And they have a whole production set up to film their set). Joey Swoll’s page highlights such situations, bringing much-needed attention for fairness and understanding in these contexts. These individuals often record, zoom in and show those they perceive as ‘predators’. All in the name of views, likes and comments. Pretty disgusting behaviour, if you ask me.

It's not gym fashion when you see a guy's lunchbox...

I don’t want to bash women, well… those who think it’s OK to train with all their bits hanging out, maybe. But let’s not forget the fellas. I have seen men train in the tightest leggings and shorts that leave nothing to the imagination. It's borderline indecent. What the hell is wrong with the current gym culture that this is deemed as OK? No one comes to the gym hoping to see a very definite outline of a guy’s lunchbox. It is really off-putting. Like rubbernecking a car crash, it’s basically impossible not to look. But, ugh, I really don’t want to see that. Thanks, but no thanks.

And we haven’t even touched on the health and safety aspect. Just like guys who train without a top on, women who train in tiny shorts and bras are pretty unhygienic. Sweat will have no barrier to drip everywhere. And if I’m honest, I rarely see them wiping their stations down after they have trained.

And don’t get me started on scrunch bum leggings. These truly have to be the most unflattering item of clothing ever invented. Even if you have the most perfect set of glutes or a pert peach, at best it looks tacky and desperately thirsty. And at worst it looks downright ugly. It’s a terrible look in my opinion. How these girls ever expect to be taken seriously is beyond me.

Have I worn them in the past? Unfortunately, yes but, in my defence, it was because I had been sent them and was asked to wear them. But you better believe I only wore them a couple of times. I felt incredibly self-conscious the whole time, then they were relegated to the bottom of the pile. And I just couldn't bring myself to wear them and degrade myself. I have too much self-respect.

So, here's what I've noticed. This new gym fashion trend just doesn't seem to have much class or respect, for themselves or others. Sure, you should wear whatever's comfy for your workout, as long as it fits your gym's dress code. If you're not into all the attention that revealing clothes bring, maybe go for something a bit more appropriate. Let's be real and tackle this issue in a sensible way.

And for all the thirsty girls out there… get a grip and just put it away. We don’t want to see it all hanging out. Signed, every right-minded gym goer.

*Read more from Louise Plumb here.

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One response to “Why is gym clothing so revealing now?”

Jessica

March 2, 2025

Louise should write for the Daily Mail with her sanctimonious judgements. Somehow she leapfrogs from the scantily clad to scrunch bum leggings based on the fact that she thinks they're attention seeking. Who knows why anyone chooses to wear what they choose to wear, who knows why some women choose to build extremely muscular physiques that also get others staring at them, maybe they're attention seeking too...maybe not, does it really matter? A really disappointing, unnecessarily pious piece of writing from someone who could do so much better than take cheap shots for the sake of a few column inches.

Reply

Why Sam Sulek is so successful

The reasons behind the astonishing rise within bodybuilding of a 21-year-old who has never competed

Why is Sam Sulek so popular is a question many in bodybuilding are asking. In a crowded fitness industry full of polished influencers, his rise has been different. With minimal production, a simple training style and a rapidly developing physique, Sulek has built a following that goes far beyond bodybuilding.

COMMENT by Gary Chappell

DURING the recent Arnold Classic, former IFBB Pro and current bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev posted a picture of himself with Sam Sulek.

Alongside the picture, Sarcev included the caption: "With superstar Sam Sulek. Sensational young bodybuilding prospect that took the world by the storm. Super polite young man."

If you do not know this "superstar" and "sensational young bodybuilding prospect", who is not just polite but "super polite", then some would accuse you of living under a rock. In the world of social media, you are not allowed to have a life outside of bodybuilding. You must have been living under a rock, therefore, had you not been buried pages-deep in social media watching Sam Sulek.

WINNERS' ENCLOSURE: Milos Sarcev (left) and Sam Sulek

Sam Sulek has made a name for himself in the bodybuilding and fitness world via TikTok and YouTube. He has never competed but certainly boasts a physique that looks as though he has.

I made a two-word comment on that post by Sarcev. It simply said: "The world?"

You see, ask 10 people in the street who Sam Sulek is and my guess is eight will say no. That is not "taking the world by storm".

Sulek was so successful he took seven billion people by storm. No perspective allowed

I work in an industry infected with people lost in a seemingly impenetrable bubble. Every sport they attend is "incredible" and anything their interview subjects say are the "best quotes" or "best story ever".

The lack of perspective grows tiresome and so I called for some perspective over Sam Sulek. Hence, yes, while he might have taken the bodybuilding world by storm, he has not taken the world by storm.

Ergo, I am now a "goof", according to social media. A "jealous" goof at that. One who cannot see his potential. One who needs to "sit down, bro".

Playground mentality aside, it leads to a wider point. How is a 21-year-old who has never competed in a bodybuilding show seemingly bodybuilding's next big thing? Why is Sam Sulek so successful?

Frontdouble.com caught up with bodybuilding coach Justin Harris, who offered detailed insight into why Sam Sulek is so successful.

Sulek is so successful because he represents the exact age group who are obsessed with bodybuilding

Harris said:"Sam is successful because he's the exact demographic of the largest portion of people who are currently obsessed with adding muscle mass. Males in their early 20s.

"I used to watch Jay Cutler eat, train, get groceries and send out mail for four hours in those 'days in the life' videos 15 years ago. When you're obsessed with bodybuilding, that's all you think about and you'll watch videos all day long.

"Those people are also of the age who don't have money, so if Sam went the coaching route, it wouldn't have worked as well. But he nailed it. HOURS of YouTube content, frequently posted, of him just training and talking about bodybuilding. And of him showing the bodybuilding lifestyle that a large percentage of 18-26 year old men love. All in a way that they don't have to spend money to access.

"It was brilliant and obvious in hindsight. It also worked because that wasn't Sam's plan. He was also one of those young obsessed men. He wasn't working, he was just having fun filming what he loved to do.

"If he tried to monetise himself out of the gate, it would have gone nowhere. If he tried to monetise his videos (guided them that way) it would have gone nowhere. But because it was real, it was what he loved and it was very high volume – it can't seem like someone is "everywhere" if they're only posting one reel a week, they have to be literally everywhere you go online – it worked brilliantly.

"His is a really cool story in my opinion; young kid follows passion, passion pays off. Thousands of others attempt to replicate it for monetary purposes and they all fail (or will anyway)."

Sam Sulek is certainly successful. He has millions of followers, something ordinarily reserved for champions. He is also now sponsored by Hosstile, the bodybuilding company owned by former IFBB Pro Fouad Abiad. One wonders now whether he will ever compete, however. Maybe now he has too much to lose...

Written and edited by Gary Chappell, UK Masters bodybuilder, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Advisor, prep and lifestyle coach and former national newspaper sports journalist.

This British bodybuilding quiz isn’t about ego. It’s about mindset

1. Someone asks how much you bench. You:

2. December diet plan looks like:

3. You hear “bodybuilding federation”. You think:

4. Your gym closes early on Christmas Eve. You:

5. Someone says they’re in “prep”. You ask:

6. Your opinion on cardio is:

7. Your idea of a “rest day” is:

8. Christmas Day training:

9. Someone says “Dorian Yates”. You picture:

10. You’ve argued about this at least once:

11. Your gym bag contains:

12. When progress stalls, you:

13. You see someone filming everything in the gym. You:

14. A proper leg session includes:

15. Your relationship with food is best described as:

16. You know your bodyweight:

17. Posing practice is:

18. Your view on “genetics” is:

19. You’ve trained through:

20. Final question — no pretending:

SCORING (Unofficial — you’ll know)

MORE FROM FRONTDOUBLE:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Time to get a grip and put an end to crazy gym fashion

The Louise Plumb Column

The gym is now a totally different environment

What they are wearing is glorified underwear

It's not gym fashion when you see a guy's lunchbox...

One response to “Why is gym clothing so revealing now?”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The reasons behind the astonishing rise within bodybuilding of a 21-year-old who has never competed

Sulek was so successful he took seven billion people by storm. No perspective allowed

Sulek is so successful because he represents the exact age group who are obsessed with bodybuilding

MORE FROM FRONTDOUBLE:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply