Bodybuilding. In the Soviet period, the type of athletics known as «bodybuilding» was not welcomed by official institutions as «wrong», as opposed to the «right» weight lifting included in the Olympic program. But people everywhere, from small towns in the far North-East, in Siberia, in Moscow or at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, persisted by going to the «sweat boxes», equipped in the cellars, to «build a body.» Jammed western magazines with images of unrealistically muscled male and female bodies passed from hands to hands.

An additional impetus to this semi-legal sport took off even more with the growth of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s popularity. Today, when the ban is lifted, bodybuilding popularity has not diminished. The only difference is that some of the clubs moved from the basements into modern fitness centers, although the basement «iron-pumping» remains. A couple of times a year they climb the podium during vatious amateur and even professional tournaments.

Here you can meet anyone — tax inspectors and businessmen, housewives and popular TV presenters. As before, no matter social status, whether you live in a small town in the center of Siberia, or in a big city in the south of Russia, the only important thing is — these people want their body look perfect, and be admired by others.

Participants prepare backstage during a local bodybuilding championship in Krasnodar, Russia September 19, 2020. Picture taken September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A participant gets ready for his performance at a regional bodybuilding championship in Stavropol, southern Russia, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
Participants wait backstage during a regional bodybuilding championship in Stavropol, southern Russia, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A participant prepares backstage before taking part in the «Iron League» bodybuilding and body fitness regional tournament in Russia’s southern city of Stavropol October 29, 2011. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
Participants perform on stage during a local bodybuilding championship in Krasnodar, Russia September 19, 2020. Picture taken September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A participant prepares backstage during the Eastern European Cup bodybuilding competition in the southern Russian city of Stavropol April 28, 2012. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A participant prepares backstage before taking part in the «Iron League» bodybuilding and body fitness regional tournament in Russia’s southern city of Stavropol October 29, 2011. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A participant is reflected in a mirror as he has his body painted before a regional bodybuilding championship in Stavropol, southern Russia, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A participant prepares backstage during the Eastern European Cup bodybuilding competition in the southern Russian city of Stavropol April 28, 2012. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
Participants wait backstage during a regional bodybuilding and fitness competition in Stavropol, southern Russia April 4, 2015. More than 100 people from the Stavropol region, Krasnodar, Moscow and other cities competed in several categories, according to organizers. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
Participants wait backstage during a regional bodybuilding championship in Stavropol, southern Russia, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
Participants prepare backstage before taking part in the «Iron League» bodybuilding and body fitness regional tournament in Russia’s southern city of Stavropol October 29, 2011. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
Participants pose during a regional bodybuilding championship in Stavropol, southern Russia, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A participant sits in front of a heater to keep himself warm as he prepares backstage before taking part in the «Iron League» bodybuilding and body fitness regional tournament in Russia’s southern city of Stavropol, October 29, 2011. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko
A man takes pictures during a regional bodybuilding and fitness competition in Stavropol, southern Russia April 4, 2015. More than 100 people from the Stavropol region, Krasnodar, Moscow and other cities competed in several categories, according to organizers. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko