Pumping iron in Russia

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.

Born in Stavropol, Russia, in 1974. Eduard Korniyenko became a professional photographer in 2000. At present Korniyenko is a full-time photo-correspondent for regional news agency Pobeda26 and a REUTERS Contractor Photographer. His work as a photojournalist has focused on developments in Northern Caucasus, which has experienced ethnic and intercultural conflict and political and economic instability.