KAI should not win! It's bad for the sport!

[Coal Man]

Originally Posted by beakerfunk

In part, the sport itself is to blame for its own decline. The human form has been pushed way beyond what is normal. Athletes have achieved freakish size and it would seem as the bodybuilders have grown the number of fans have shrunk. As fans we should demand excellence from a sport that is on the verge on collapse. We need to make changes in the sport to save it from destruction.

1.)Do not allow distended midsections on stage any longer. Make no exceptions based on degree of celebrity. If athletes are unable to control their abdominal distention, they should never place within the top ten of any IFBB pro show regardless of their size and conditioning.

2)Emphasize symmetry and the classical bodybuilding physique. The athlete "look" includes the ability to adequately move and present their physique.

4) Publish clear rules for what the physiques in the sport are supposed to look like and then have the courage to actually enforce your own rules without exception.

(5) Emphasize the fans and the fans only. Do not listen to the industry "insiders" who have guided the growth of the sport in the past. Ideas like the 202 and under class only benefit the athletes and the promoters. Fan numbers will continue to dwindle in the long run due to the increasingly excessive length of the show. Additional classes like the 202 and under class simply diminishes the quality and prestige of pro championships; handing out more first place trophies is not going to increase the popularity of the sport.

(6) Keep the shows short. Fan numbers will continue to dwindle in the long run due to the increasingly excessive length of the show. The media and industry insiders should be required to sit through the entire events of one current contest weekend without taking a break and without working - just like we expect spectators of the shows to endure. Do you think anyone will acknowledge having a good time? They most likely will admit being bored especially if the competitors are out of shape.

(7) Hire a professional sports marketing agency. It would be worth the investment on real sports marketing professionals. Find legitimate market experts to examine how to make bodybuilding competition more entertaining. That is the ultimate goal. People want to be entertained. The major flaw of bodybuilding shows is the lack of entertainment. The entertainment should probably involve real sports action rather than WWE style entertainment. The current succession of bodybuilders trying to dance during posing routines is extremely tiresome to watch. For the most part, bodybuilders are not dancers but dedicated athletes. As such, athlete against athlete competition should prevail where the audience can identify with the drama of competition.

Bodybuilding never was and never will be mainstream. The average guy wants to look 3/4 the size of Frank Zane. The average person will not want to sit down and look at guys pose for them. It's not an action-packed, strategic sport.

To the average person, bodybuilding shows are boring. I fully believe that they should forget about pleasing the average person and cater to the hardcore fans. I like the 202 class, it gives shorter guys a chance. I like the show lengths...more material for me.

Only thing I agree with is properly establishing criteria on what the physique should look like and sticking to it.

[beakerfunk]

Originally Posted by Coal Man

Bodybuilding never was and never will be mainstream. The average guy wants to look 3/4 the size of Frank Zane. The average person will not want to sit down and look at guys pose for them. It's not an action-packed, strategic sport.

To the average person, bodybuilding shows are boring. I fully believe that they should forget about pleasing the average person and cater to the hardcore fans. I like the 202 class, it gives shorter guys a chance. I like the show lengths...more material for me.

Only thing I agree with is properly establishing criteria on what the physique should look like and sticking to it.

I have to believe that bodybuilding has lost its popularity since the 70s. People my uncles age in their 50s tell me stories on how they knew all the bodybuilders names and watched them on tv back then. Now if you don't pick up a MD magazine every once in awhile or aren't in certain circles I doubt the average guy could name one bodybuilder competing this weekend. Everyone is entitled to what they think the sport should look like, but there is no getting away from the fact that it is less popular then its golden era. But like I said, just my opinion, its like an ass hole everyone has one.

[gomez26]

Originally Posted by morderstwo

bb'ing has not lost popularity. this myth was started by observing crowd numbers in shows & the point was emphasized by certain bitter ex-pros. the difference is the inernet, ppl dont have to attend as many shows anymore to get an idea of whats involved & how its done. the customer base grown massively in the last 10 yrs. larger than life figures rule marketing.

x2. Dollars dont lie.

Originally Posted by beakerfunk

I have to believe that bodybuilding has lost its popularity since the 70s. People my uncles age in their 50s tell me stories on how they knew all the bodybuilders names and watched them on tv back then. Now if you don't pick up a MD magazine every once in awhile or aren't in certain circles I doubt the average guy could name one bodybuilder competing this weekend. Everyone is entitled to what they think the sport should look like, but there is no getting away from the fact that it is less popular then its golden era. But like I said, just my opinion, its like an ass hole everyone has one.

Fans now can name champs from the 70s. Argument = fail.

[Coal Man]

Originally Posted by beakerfunk

I have to believe that bodybuilding has lost its popularity since the 70s. People my uncles age in their 50s tell me stories on how they knew all the bodybuilders names and watched them on tv back then. Now if you don't pick up a MD magazine every once in awhile or aren't in certain circles I doubt the average guy could name one bodybuilder competing this weekend. Everyone is entitled to what they think the sport should look like, but there is no getting away from the fact that it is less popular then its golden era. But like I said, just my opinion, its like an ass hole everyone has one.

Yeah it was better in the golden era where physiques were more pleasing, and they could market the physiques to more people.

I don't think bodybuilding competition is "suffering" too badly though.

I agree with you that a physique like Kai's isn't too appealing. I want Mr. Olympia to have a physique I'd like to achieve or aspire to.

[beakerfunk]

Originally Posted by gomez26

x2. Dollars dont lie.




Fans now can name champs from the 70s. Argument = fail.

The question is but where is the fan base. First place this year in Mr O is $155,000....SERIOUSLY! First place this year in the Bassmaster classic a fishing tournament is $550,000. Events like Fishing, Poker, Billiards attract more money and attention then BB. And don't get me wrong I want the sport to grow, I'm a fan, these are just my suggestions.

[morderstwo]

Originally Posted by Coal Man

Yeah it was better in the golden era where physiques were more pleasing, and they could market the physiques to more people.

they were just as freaked out to see 70s muscles back then. we've been desensitized since then due to more exposure, so it takes more to freak ppl out.

[morderstwo]

Originally Posted by beakerfunk

The question is but where is the fan base. First place this year in Mr O is $155,000....SERIOUSLY! First place this year in the Bassmaster classic a fishing tournament is $550,000. Events like Fishing, Poker, Billiards attract more money and attention then BB. And don't get me wrong I want the sport to grow, I'm a fan, these are just my suggestions.

1st place in the 70s - about $5000. it was even less popular then.

[Hardcore Natural]

Originally Posted by beakerfunk

I have to believe that bodybuilding has lost its popularity since the 70s. People my uncles age in their 50s tell me stories on how they knew all the bodybuilders names and watched them on tv back then. Now if you don't pick up a MD magazine every once in awhile or aren't in certain circles I doubt the average guy could name one bodybuilder competing this weekend. Everyone is entitled to what they think the sport should look like, but there is no getting away from the fact that it is less popular then its golden era. But like I said, just my opinion, its like an ass hole everyone has one.

I have to somewhat disagree with this. Right now I believe bodybuilding is as popular as ever and is getting more exposure than ever before. Back in the 70's ..hell even in the 80's and 90's we did not have the web casts and replays of bodybuilding shows, interviews, access to the Expos and Athlete meetings via the web.

The Internet in itself has opened up access for millions of viewers to see what's going on. Just look at bb.com as one example of a site where there are over 33 MILLION posts and 1.3 MILLION members!

There are a ****load of fans filling the seats at the Olympia shows, as well as the AC, etc. Yes, bodybuilding may never be considered "mainstream", but the Internet and webcasts have given many people (young and old) the chance to get in on the fun and root for their favorite pro bodybuilder. I think bodybuilding is more alive and well than ever!

Yes, it is behind golf, football, etc...but it just needs time...it IS growing..and that is all that matters.

[beakerfunk]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Natural

I have to somewhat disagree with this. Right now I believe bodybuilding is as popular as ever and is getting more exposure than ever before. Back in the 70's ..hell even in the 80's and 90's we did not have the web casts and replays of bodybuilding shows, interviews, access to the Expos and Athlete meetings via the web.

The Internet in itself has opened up access for millions of viewers to see what's going on. Just look at bb.com as one example of a site where there are over 33 MILLION posts and 1.3 MILLION members!

There are a ****load of fans filling the seats at the Olympia shows, as well as the AC, etc. Yes, bodybuilding may never be considered "mainstream", but the Internet and webcasts have given many people (young and old) the chance to get in on the fun and root for their favorite pro bodybuilder. I think bodybuilding is more alive and well than ever!

Yes, it is behind golf, football, etc...but it just needs time...it IS growing..and that is all that matters.

Your right about the internet. It does give us fans and athletes the chance to be exposed to more and more often which is great.