Who's More Popular - Rich Piana or Da Hulk?

[BigBadJimmyLee]

Ironically two of the most popular men in the fitness world are even IFBB Pro's.
Hell, only one out of two was in the NPC, and currently neither compete. What's
happening to the sport, when tons of kids see Piana as the face of bodybuilding,
and NOT reigning 3x Mr. O Phil Heath as that man? Maybe it's not a bad thing, who
knows. But I'd like to know based on this forum - who gets your vote, for being a
better representative of the fitness industry? Piana or Hulk?
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Just curious?

[hzx]

Does Phil Heath even have a YouTube channel ? Pie rather watch decent vids on YouTube then some 15sec clip of him doing chest press on instagram

How hard could it be to film a few workouts and talk into the camera between sets?

[flangmasterj]

Ironically two of the most popular men in the fitness world

Who is Da Hulk?

[NaturalproMJG]

Who is Da Hulk?

Theres your answer. Both are douches and I can't believe people look up to them in a bodybuilding sense when they don't even compete.

[shamr0cked]

Does Phil Heath even have a YouTube channel ? Pie rather watch decent vids on YouTube then some 15sec clip of him doing chest press on instagram

How hard could it be to film a few workouts and talk into the camera between sets?

This

[Nikonguy]

Didn't Phil pull all of his YouTube vids for some convoluted reason?

[w00dhands]

I like what Universal is doing with bringing content to their fans. If other supplement companies would follow in their footsteps we would have lots of professional looking coverage on other IFBB competitors. They are good at bringing in fun stuff for fans without swamping them down with advertisements.

[tom11]

Honestly I don't get why Rich Piana has so many fans. Yeah he is a huge guy, but he has used SEO's, has covered his whole body with tattoos and has disfigured his face with plastic surgeries. On top of that he seems to offer lots of bad advice and uses bad form (his deadlift video for example if I remember correctly, if not someone do).

Seems that so many people are a fan of him simply because he admitted using substances. No chit sherlock, everybody in the fitness industry is.

[BartPimpson]

Why do they call him "CT Fletcher's Da Hulk?" Does CT Fletcher own him? I though that Lincoln dude changed all that.

[RockyTheKid]

RXMuscle had a pretty good debate about Rich Piana.

Dave Palumbo, Chris Aceto and our own John Hansen went at it.

From 12:35 to 26:46...

[Dystopia1980]

Have to agree with Dave Palumbo.

Most of these IFBB pros put out nothing as far as content and rarely interact with fans.

You get a training session from FLEX here and there or a photo shoot or guest pose once in a while but that's about it.

Guys like Piana, Bostin Loyd, and other "social media stars" with big followings put out lots of content and interact with fans consistently.

It's 2014, social media is invaluable, but most of the pros in the IFBB don't seem to realize this.


I mean guys like Chris Jones, Hodgetwins, Ogus, and even Jason Blaha are probably more famous among the younger generations than most of the top IFBB guys.

[RockyTheKid]

Guys like Piana, Bostin Loyd, and other "social media stars" with big followings put out lots of content and interact with fans consistently.

It's 2014, social media is invaluable, but most of the pros in the IFBB don't seem to realize this.


I mean guys like Chris Jones, Hodgetwins, Ogus, and even Jason Blaha are probably more famous among the younger generations than most of the top IFBB guys.

When Dave Palumbo made this point, I got to thinking and he's 100% correct. Why can't Phil, Kai, Flex Lewis and the rest of the top guys turn on a camera and just make videos talking about stuff and giving fans training footage and all that, like Chris Jones, Hodgetwins, Rich Piana, Bios3 and even CT Fletcher (just to name a few)? Because of these exclusive contracts, the only time we see pros on video TALKING to us or training is whenever Flex Online, MD or their individual supplement companies bring out a video of them.

So what happens is that creates a huge void, and it's filled BY guys like Rich, POG, TMW, etc...so they become the face of bodybuilding.

If I was Mr. O, I'd be very active on Youtube, putting up some vids of me training, traveling, going out to eat, answering questions, the whole nine. It does not HURT you to do so, in fact, it helps you push your brand, puts you out there.

But if the IFBB pros don't wanna do it, then you can't knock Rich Piana or anybody else for filling that void.

[Canuck77]

Didn't Phil pull all of his YouTube vids for some convoluted reason?

Wasn't he going on about something in regards to likes on ******** and Instagram...fans have to meet him halfway and give him more likes in order for him to do more videos...something along those lines I think.

It was in the Phil Heath Free Agent thread.

[PillClinton]

Wasn't he going on about something in regards to likes on ******** and Instagram...fans have to meet him halfway and give him more likes in order for him to do more videos...something along those lines I think.

It was in the Phil Heath Free Agent thread.

lol, if Phil wants to make videos, he'll make more videos. I doubt he is going to do more because more people "thumbs it up." 100% sure he said that so they get extra revenue from Youtube ads and what not.

[BOUNTYHUNTERMK2]

Who are these guys?!?

[JanesLastResort]

Who the fuk is da hulk?

I guess that answers your question op.

[Dawlphinracer]

When Dave Palumbo made this point, I got to thinking and he's 100% correct. Why can't Phil, Kai, Flex Lewis and the rest of the top guys turn on a camera and just make videos talking about stuff and giving fans training footage and all that, like Chris Jones, Hodgetwins, Rich Piana, Bios3 and even CT Fletcher (just to name a few)? Because of these exclusive contracts, the only time we see pros on video TALKING to us or training is whenever Flex Online, MD or their individual supplement companies bring out a video of them.

So what happens is that creates a huge void, and it's filled BY guys like Rich, POG, TMW, etc...so they become the face of bodybuilding.

If I was Mr. O, I'd be very active on Youtube, putting up some vids of me training, traveling, going out to eat, answering questions, the whole nine. It does not HURT you to do so, in fact, it helps you push your brand, puts you out there.

But if the IFBB pros don't wanna do it, then you can't knock Rich Piana or anybody else for filling that void.

2 reasons I feel they don't do this


1)Personality. Not everyone is super confident brah, a lot of people are camera shy and it takes a special type of character to do it well

2)Risky. One small mistake in an upload by a ifbb pro will create a lot more backlash than if one of those youtubers did it. It will always be brought up because this is their career, a youtuber could drop it at anytime esentially, I mean so can a Ifbb pro, but you get the idea. It could negatively impact all their sponsors and brands etc… Not saying make 0 videos, but doing something like having an open vlogging like youtube channel would be a bad move on their part.

[Canuck77]

lol, if Phil wants to make videos, he'll make more videos. I doubt he is going to do more because more people "thumbs it up." 100% sure he said that so they get extra revenue from Youtube ads and what not.

I dunno...shrug... Just what he said:

Oh, and before I forget, if you guys want some training videos that are free, then I need your participation on my social feeds. Its a two-way street as social media allows me to really dictate what I'll try and focus on, helping others. I wanna post some cool stuff when possible, so I need those 'follows' & 'likes' on FB, IG and Twitter as I know many people just lurk, but that's not participating as the numbers do help. You want more, I'll give you more, just meet me halfway ok.

[Agabekov]

who cares lol they are just youtbe celebrities...

[RockyTheKid]

1)Personality. Not everyone is super confident brah, a lot of people are camera shy and it takes a special type of character to do it well

Huh? These men step onstage damn near NAKED. Whaddaya mean a lot of 'em are SHY?

2)Risky. One small mistake in an upload by a ifbb pro will create a lot more backlash than if one of those youtubers did it. It will always be brought up because this is their career, a youtuber could drop it at anytime esentially, I mean so can a Ifbb pro, but you get the idea. It could negatively impact all their sponsors and brands etc… Not saying make 0 videos, but doing something like having an open vlogging like youtube channel would be a bad move on their part.

I'm not saying they should talk politics, analyze news, give relationship/sex advice or talk gossip. They could give updates, show their workouts, answer questions about training and nutrition, etc. Maintain an online presence.

[Razor44]

Have to agree with Dave Palumbo.

Most of these IFBB pros put out nothing as far as content and rarely interact with fans.

You get a training session from FLEX here and there or a photo shoot or guest pose once in a while but that's about it.

Guys like Piana, Bostin Loyd, and other "social media stars" with big followings put out lots of content and interact with fans consistently.

It's 2014, social media is invaluable, but most of the pros in the IFBB don't seem to realize this.


I mean guys like Chris Jones, Hodgetwins, Ogus, and even Jason Blaha are probably more famous among the younger generations than most of the top IFBB guys.

Great post and so true. It's insane how these guys aren't taking advantage of social media whatsoever. Occasionally we'll see a vid or 2 but i mean i would think these guys would put out tons of stuff on a weekly basis.

[DanielEver]

Huh? These men step onstage damn near NAKED. Whaddaya mean a lot of 'em are SHY?

actually lots of people in fitness industry are pretty shy and have serious self-image issues which they thry to overcome by doing what they are doing.

even porn actors can be very unconfident and shy in their daily life, having problems with socializing at a basic level

[Canuck77]

I can see both sides of this...social media is definitely one of the main media mediums today, I mean, I am on the net more than I watch TV. So you would think that it would be logical for the Pros to grow their brand (themselves) by taking advantage of this as it is FREE and relatively simple to do (ie. YouTube et.).

In saying that, I also agree that it takes a certain personality to make social media successful and entertaining et. Not every Pro has the personality of someone like Antoinne for example. Even before social media, Jay Cutler was often put on blast for being so "boring" in interviews and it was talked a lot about on the various bb boards, people called him 'Mr. Zero/No Personality' et. He came out of his shell after he won a few titles and is now great on camera but the point being, it could somewhat backfire if you don't have the personality/ confidence for it. Let's face it, there are a lot of trolls on YouTube who aren't afraid to speak their mind.

Still, a monthly video of just some basics would be nice...who knows, maybe there is also some kind of clause in their Sponsors, MD or Flex contracts about making videos et., doubt it but it's plausible I suppose.

[BigBadBillyG]

Hate to say it, but I think Piana is more popular than Heath. Not saying it's right, just answering honestly.

[jamesyboi]

Maybe Phil wants to be known as The Shadow (part 2)?

[TLF84]

at least Rich Piana is upfront and honest about his drug taking and just keeps it 100% real....to get big take drugs and EAT EAT EAt force yourself then train 24/7....

[ZBlacktt]

Recent

[BartPimpson]

You could tee off with that chick's chin.

[dom1987]

Honesty = respect + good marketing/youtube skills = success

Rich Piana is popular in the bodybuilding community but not the ''fitness'' community.

Ifbb pros and the current mr Olympia maybe be the best in the sport but they have to o bide by the IFBB's and there sponsors rules which means No steroid talk and bull**** saying there supplement makes them look like they do, Un naive bodybuilding fans will respect this less combined with the fact Rich piana does high quality videos regularly talking about drugs and that you dont need ''protein supplements'' etc.

I fear for Pianas Youtube future because supplement companies wont like him saying that you dont need protein powders and the ifbb and other people maybe butt hurt/scared of there false image being exposed.

[Problematique91]

Piana's gf is ****ing hot.