Tattoos for bodybuilders: are they worth it?
A tattoo on a bodybuilder’s body is both a matter of taste and a question of the competition stage. The design is on your skin all the time, but on stage the judges, the audience and the photos see it too. Here we look at what Pisike Rosin, Meelis Susi and Imre Vähi had to say, and what to think about before deciding.
Why do tattoos matter to bodybuilders at all?
On the Fitness.ee forum young people have often asked whether to get a tattoo or not. As far as is known, under IFBB rules tattoos, scars and pimples count against a competitor. The simple truth is that when two very evenly matched athletes are on stage, the cleaner and clearer physique line may catch the eye better.
Is that always how it is actually judged? It is hard to say in black and white. Competition makeup, lighting, and the size and placement of the design change a lot. A small mark on the shoulder does not have the same effect as a large, colorful back piece.
The idea for this story came from Pisike Rosin, who had 2 tattoos: one on the upper back and one on the lower back. One day Rosin booked an appointment with Dimon Taturin to touch up the small tattoo on the upper back and make it more interesting.
How is a tattoo done and how does it heal?
Rosin said that 4 years ago they had an Egyptian ankh put on the upper back, and a couple of months later a hieroglyph on the lower back. Now Rosin had Dimon bring the ankh to life with color. Rosin was blunt: they had visited several tattoo artists but recommended Dimon above all.
In Dimon’s home studio, a wall full of photos caught the eye. Among them were well-known names, such as Tanel Padar. There were plenty of catalogs, and the choice was dizzying. This is exactly where the value of a good artist shows: they don’t simply draw a picture on skin, but help find a design that suits the person’s body and meaning.
Rosin’s piece was finished off with white ink. Asked about the pain, Rosin answered with a slight nod. It hurt, but not so much that they would have to stop halfway. Afterwards Dimon smeared Vaseline on it to reduce the risk of infection.
The aftercare was specific: wash with warm water, apply Helosan cream right away, and keep doing this for 2 weeks in a row, 4-5 times a day. No sun for 2 weeks. Also, don’t go swimming, to the sauna or in the bath. According to Rosin, it makes no difference whether you get it done in winter or summer, as long as the aftercare is proper. Before getting tattooed, Rosin recommended not drinking coffee, because the ink takes to the skin better that way. For anyone afraid of pain, Rosin said, Burana 400 is an option.
Tattoos on the competition stage: experiences
Bodybuilder Meelis Susi recalled that their first tattoo was done in 2000, around the kiosks that used to stand by the Tallinn department store, near Hesburger. It was an axe-like image about 10 cm in size. After moving to Ireland, Meelis wanted to have the tattoo redone, and things went on from there.
Meelis said that a greater interest in bodybuilding awakened together with the tattoos. The idea for the new tattoo came from the local tattoo artist, who was also an organizer and director of bodybuilding competitions in Ireland. The artist saw Meelis’s trained body and suggested competing. Half a year passed, and then a tattoo was added on the other arm and later on the back.
In Ireland, the tattoos did not get in the way of competing, Meelis says. In 2004 in Estonia, Ott Kiivikas told Meelis before a competition that tattoos might bother the judges during scoring and cost points. Still, Meelis did not feel that they had placed worse because of them.
What to consider before deciding?
Imre Vähi’s story is the longest and the most personal. Their tattoo is the Joker from the film Batman, with two angels on either side of the Joker’s portrait: one sad and one happy. Imre started working in the USA, in Ohio, in a city about the size of Tartu. The tattoo also records the time Imre spent in the state of Ohio: OHIO, USA OCT 1998-APR 1999.
Imre had dreamed of a Joker-themed tattoo since 1992. Later, one of Estonia’s best tattoo artists added the angels on both sides of the Joker. According to Imre, competitions have not suffered because of it. Imre thought the talk of losing points dates from the time when competition makeup was lighter. In Imre’s assessment, the makeup used by the Estonian national team hid even very large designs.
Imre also had a bigger plan: to have the entire back tattooed in the future. The theme would be the battle between hell and heaven. One half of the back would be in warm colors, with good emotions and memories; the other in cold color tones, holding everything bad and negative. Dimon Taturin was interested in the plan, but Imre said they would take it on once they step away from competitive sport.
Why the Joker and two angels? Imre explained it with their Gemini star sign. Imre feels as if two people lived inside them. The Joker is likewise unpredictable: in a card game the Joker can be a very good character, but also a very bad one.
For young people, Imre’s advice was simple: think it through thoroughly before going to a tattoo studio. Will that picture still describe you years from now? Does it suit your body, your job and the stage? Imre said their tattoo is 100% in balance with who they are. In Imre’s view, you should only think about bigger tattoos at the age of 25-30, because when you are younger you don’t know what job offers or opportunities showing off your body might bring. It would hurt to hear that a 100,000-euro contract is off because your body is covered in tattoos.
FAQ: tattoos and bodybuilding
Can a tattoo cost points at competitions?
It can, especially if it hides the muscle line or draws attention away from the physique. That said, a lot depends on the makeup, the size of the design, its placement and the judges’ practical assessment.
Is it worth getting a tattoo before the competition season?
It is better to leave enough time for healing. A fresh tattoo needs care, you have to avoid the sun, and for 2 weeks swimming, the sauna and the bath are out. Competition makeup on fresh skin is not a good idea.
How do you choose a design you won’t regret later?
Don’t choose based only on a momentary emotion. Think about whether the design suits your body, your lifestyle and how it looks on stage. If you are in doubt, wait. A decision carried on your skin doesn’t have to be made in a hurry.
Author: Aktivist
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