What could make pro bodybuilding more interesting and/or popular?

Joined
May 18, 2024
Messages
120
Reaction score
117
Points
43
What changes should the IFBB and other federations make to broaden the appeal of bodybuilding?

Should they introduce more divisions, or perhaps cut down and streamline the product to fewer divisions?

Should they focus less on the traditional pro cards and be more welcoming to social media bodybuilders who look the part?

Would WWE/UFC type promotional tactics help to grow the sport?

OR...

Do you prefer pro bodybuilding the way it is? A very niche sport with an exclusive group of men and women that compete in it?
 

CJ

Mod Squad
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
22,677
Reaction score
41,683
Points
383
Hmmmm... 🤔

Until some of the shows are free to watch, I don't think that it'll grow much in popularity.

Could be a double edged sword, though. If it grows in popularity, more eyes will be on it, including the government, and they might crack down on steroids to "protect the children".
 
Joined
May 18, 2024
Messages
120
Reaction score
117
Points
43
Could be a double edged sword, though. If it grows in popularity, more eyes will be on it, including the government, and they might crack down on steroids to "protect the children".

Great point. I didn't even think of that.
 

Bro Bundy

Elite
SI Founding Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
19,827
Reaction score
16,793
Points
383
Bodybuilders that looked good would help . Todays Olympia is damn gross
 

Bro Bundy

Elite
SI Founding Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
19,827
Reaction score
16,793
Points
383
It’s just a drug sport now above everything else .
 

CJ

Mod Squad
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
22,677
Reaction score
41,683
Points
383
I think that it's getting a little better now. I think shape has surpassed sheer mass in importance now, although being fucking huge is still important.
 

Diesel59

Elite
Joined
Oct 28, 2022
Messages
8,802
Reaction score
12,827
Points
333
I think that it's getting a little better now. I think shape has surpassed sheer mass in importance now, although being fucking huge is still important.

I tend to agree. The Phil Heath era was the absolute pits in this regard.

I think Hadi Choopan is the closest thing we have to a 90s era physique. Being 5'6" probably limits him from looking as good as someone like Kevin Levrone, but to me it'll be a damn shame if he goes down as just a one off Mr. O.
 

Bro Bundy

Elite
SI Founding Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
19,827
Reaction score
16,793
Points
383
Actually 10 20 years ago isnt that long ago
 

TomJ

"Elite" 😏
Joined
Sep 3, 2021
Messages
4,345
Reaction score
11,242
Points
288
They just had better conditioning and more density than today's bodybuilders.
This is a commonly held misconception.
In reality, neither are true.

There has never been an erra with a higher standard of conditioning than we have today.

The issue is largely due to people comparing professional photos from the 90s and 2000s magazines, which were far more grainy by nature of the technology of the time, to Instagram pictures taken on someone's iPhone. Not to mention all the famous pictures that have remained iconic over the last 20 years were also edited and published for magazines, where a lot of detail is exaggerated when compared to in person.
 

Bro Bundy

Elite
SI Founding Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
19,827
Reaction score
16,793
Points
383
90s guys were much more similar to 2020s guys than 1970s. They just had better conditioning and more density than today's bodybuilders.
Better conditioning is huge
 

TomJ

"Elite" 😏
Joined
Sep 3, 2021
Messages
4,345
Reaction score
11,242
Points
288
I don’t believe that

Actually 10 20 years ago isnt that long ago
Obviously we will never know for certain, since we will never know for sure what Jay or Ronnie's full cycles were. But in talking with people who have been involved at a high level since that era they all UNANIMOUSLY say the same thing regarding cycles.
 

Bro Bundy

Elite
SI Founding Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
19,827
Reaction score
16,793
Points
383
It’s a just a creepy sport imo .
 

Diesel59

Elite
Joined
Oct 28, 2022
Messages
8,802
Reaction score
12,827
Points
333
This is a commonly held misconception.
In reality, neither are true.
There has never been an erra with a higher standard of conditioning than we have today.

What about density?

I've heard Kevin Levrone talk about how guys in the '90s were using more free weights and less machines, resulting in a "fuller" and more "dense" look than the bodybuilders of today. This could create a better look even with subpar conditioning.

The issue is largely due to people comparing professional photos from the 90s and 2000s magazines, which were far more grainy by nature of the technology of the time, to Instagram pictures taken on someone's iPhone. Not to mention all the famous pictures that have remained iconic over the last 20 years were also edited and published for magazines, where a lot of detail is exaggerated when compared to in person.

What about videos?

I've watched most of the Battle For The Olympia series from the '90s and early '00s. Those guys looked better a few weeks out than the guys of today who I see on Instagram and YouTube.
 
Top