Your opinion: Tattoos and Competitive Bodybuilding?

**AnglicanBeachParty** · 10-22-2010, 07:42 AM

At the tender young age of 52, I am considering getting my first tattoo(s).

I have been fascinated by tattoos ever since I heard this song at the age of 17:

So, my questions are:

How much of a liability are tattoos in competive bodybuilding?

Where (other than under the posing trunks) would the ink be least detrimental? I am thinking of one on each medial delt.

**RawLifter** · 10-22-2010, 07:50 AM

I have a half sleeve and it doesn't deter from my physique. Once that dream tan goes on you could hardly tell I have anything there.

**Pheedno** · 10-22-2010, 08:01 AM

Best physique wins(save politics). I've never seen an instance in which tattoos were a factor to even consider.

**AnglicanBeachParty** · 10-22-2010, 08:02 AM

Wow, thanks everybody.

I could have sworn I had heard some bodybuilding competitors worrying about this ... I am glad to know that it is not a concern.

**AnglicanBeachParty** · 10-22-2010, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Pheedno

Best physique wins(save politics). I've never seen an instance in which tattoos were a factor to even consider.

So, I'm still screwed!

**Jon Bodin** · 10-22-2010, 08:06 AM

Personally, I tend to find them distracting on a physique during competition. Unless they are pretty well hidden by makeup or tanning products I find my attention focusing on them rather than the whole physique. It all is still a personal choice and preference some people like then & some don't.

**Tre** · 10-22-2010, 08:13 AM

Dark tattoos look stupid on black people, regardless of whether they're bodybuilders.

*no racist*

**Big Sky Guy** · 10-22-2010, 09:02 AM

Wife and I were in our mid-30's before we got our 1st ink. The more you work the tattoo into your natural body lines, the less distracting your tattoos will be during comps.

**GDavis** · 10-22-2010, 04:14 PM

Distract from the physique, and large tattoo's run a hard earned body

**Ibarramedia** · 10-22-2010, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by sassy69

Smaller tattoos aren't bad, but the large ones really can. There was a guy at my recent local show who had, I think it was wings on his back - basically full back coverage tho not solid. Every time I passed him I noticed it in my peripheral vision and kept thinking "OMG that guy's tan is sooooo splotchy". If you didn't know better, it could really work against him on stage if it just looks like an incredibly bad tan job or pizza skin instead of what he probably thinks is a pretty cool tattoo.

You are correct about this. I would like to say that a great cover up job does wonders. Evidence of this is Melody Spetko. I almost did not recognize her in the CBBF competitions this year.

**BuffGuy** · 10-22-2010, 09:36 PM

BEn White is an example!
U just need to hide them on stage!

**Snacks** · 10-22-2010, 10:42 PM

For what its worth, Mr Yates has had ink for years. Well before his Mr. O reign.

**joe293** · 10-22-2010, 11:47 PM

I don't like tattoos at all and when it comes to women......wtf. In bodybuilding it's even worse. I attended the Mr Illinois 2009 when Mel Chancey won and his body is simply ruined by the tats. Once they apply the special dye that covers them you can kiss any hard work on definition good bye. May as well be coating you with mud. Ron Tuefel on that Ironman cover tried to have his removed because he felt it was costing him the Mr America title. I've seen guys that have one arm covered and the other natural. The natural one you can see all the definition, seperation and striations. The covered one you can see nothing. It almost looks like a photographic negative. Lee Priest has now done a great deal of harm to a fantastic build. You may as well be posing wearing a tight T shirt with designs on it. I would think long and hard about it.