While some bodybuilders may happen to be firefighters, the inverse is nowhere close to true: not all firefighters are bodybuilders. But, should firefighters be considered athletes? This has been a hot debate over the last few years in the tactical trainer world. While they aren’t playing for points on a field, they are using their body to accomplish a goal. They may not be getting paid to wear spandex in a stadium, but they are being paid for having to perform difficult and dangerous tasks at a moment’s notice. A common phrase in the fire service in regards to pay is that we are not paid for what we ARE doing, but for what we could potentially be doing.
Matthew Spaid. “Firefighters Are Not Body Builders pt 1” Power Athlete, https://powerathletehq.com/firefighters-are-not-body-builders-pt-1/. Accessed 12 Feb 2025.