Bodybuilding is an excellent form of exercise, meditation, and a means to improve a self-image.  Noncompetitive bodybuilding, particularly, is a way for someone to get in touch with the athletic self without fear of humiliation, or having to worry about looking good in front of all your friends.  It works by tearing down and building up the muscle, and when you can find a good regimen, the results can start showing very quickly.  This can be quite a boost to the confidence of a young person, and can lead into other problems if not checked.  By the same token, bodybuilders also experience the runner’s high, where endorphins are released to fight the physical pain, and this can also be addictive.

In itself, addiction to exercise is not necessarily a bad thing.  It can be seen as something similar to addiction to food and to sleep, and therefore can be enormously healthy.  For some athletes who do it competitively, it can be tempting to cross over into the realm of steroids.  Steroids boost the body’s output of testosterone, the male hormone that promotes muscle growth, along with other “masculine” traits, like aggression and paranoia.  They are very addictive, and long term uses of steroids can lead to severe physical problems.  There are many reasons why they are banned in professional sports, beginning with the unfair advantage, and ending with severe health problems.