Vegetarian Weightlifters/Bodybuilders

Is it possible for a vegetarian to make any serious gains in a gym compared to his carnivorous counterparts? Are protein supplements an adequate alternative source for the vegetarian gym goer? Are there any examples of any Bodybuilders who achieved their aims on a vegetarian diet? Just curious as to what people's thoughts are.

A meat eater will be at an advantage.

It depends what your goals are. Can't see there being a vegan Mr Olympia or Worlds strongest man but anyone can make good gains with the right training and recovery.
 
The average punter training 3-4 times per week doesn't need that much protein anyways imo and if you research right you should be able to find plenty of good vegetarian sources.
 
Iron levels are the main thing to worry about if you are doing high volume but I think thats more an issue for endurance athletes.

I'd imagine that it is possible to be a vegan and a bodybuilder/weightlifter but its not ideal given the added protein/calorie requirements of being a bodybuilder/weightlifter.
I know there are a few strength athletes who follow vegan diets. Only one I can think of at the top of my head is Patrick Baboumian but I'm sure there's more.

There are plenty of non animal based proteins out there, soya in the form of tempeh or tofu is good but you do have to know about flavorings/marinates as its pretty bland. TVP is another soya based food it looks a bit like dried mince so can be used instead of mince. Others such as eggs, cheese & pulses are good but with pulses its often recommended to eat with wholegrain carbs such as brown rice, wholemeal pasta, wholemeal bread etc as it creates the full essential amino levels or range or whatever the term is. There is also protein found in nuts, avocado, mushrooms & other vegetables but its of a lower quality but combined correctly can provide you with adequate protein.

As somebody mentioned earlier what are your goals? Bodybuilder, powerlifter, strongman or just the basic go to the gym, get in shape & pack some muscle on? If its the last one then I don't think you have much to worry about, more important is getting your actual training right & finding out what works for you and then look at your diet if things are not working out as you'd like. I find a lot of the 3 or 4 day gym goers get into eat as much protein as poss without really knowing what they need, it would be interesting to see the gains they would've have made on their normal diet. If its the former then check out vegan bodybuilding, I met a guy at a vegan festival in my home town years ago, Robbie somebody & he competed in natural bodybuilding events and had some success, was a big guy but at the time was not in event shape/cut.

Simple answer there are so many, here is a website dedicated for vegetarian body builders and weight lifters --> vegetarianbodybuilder.com/index2.html.

In Canada there are so many Vegan Body builders while some have ancestor roots to India where by tradition many Vegetarians existed, Varinder Singh is one of those and he has been a Vegan for his entire life.


Another website for Vegans which assist in training modules and diets -->
veganhealth.org/articles/weightlifting.

Scientific studies and most builder believe Vegans have advantage over their Carnivorous counter part the reason being low calorie diet and high iron content.

The Myth behind lack of Vegan Weight lifters is simple not too many role models in power lifting department but certainly there are n number of role models in Body Building department.

A Lazy man blames the situation and surroundings for the failure while a champion breaks barriers by his will and confidence, you can be a champ. 

I have been a Vegan for life and a pro lifter in my school hood, I have won numerous titles on inter school competition, just didn't pursue it has a career , but the road to success is no easy task and it matter more on your will and confidence than external factors. if you are genetically strong that helps big time.

Will check the source so don't quote me on this but Arnie won the 1980 Olympia whilst being a vegetarian.
I know he had "other" products but im sure i read once he was convinced into doing it.

I will research it and let you know.