Things I learned at The Arnold

[ERGOGENIX]

Discuss

[FearNoHardship]

i wish i went to the arnold maybe one day. I am planning to go to the next olympia though.

[Bryancap77]

I learned that not going, sucks.

[xLGx]

I learned that "Meet me at The Arnold"... means actually going to The Arnold

[demonwareltd]

I learned that I really, really enjoy powerlifting. Watched so much of it and am motivated as hell watching guys pull 4 times their bodyweight.

I learned that since I've gotten older, I no longer have a desire to whore it out for supplement samples. My time is too valuable to wait in any line for more than 5 minutes for a scoop or two of protein when I can just go buy a tub of it online. I did enjoy meeting some of the athletes and other forum members while there though.

I learned not to buy tix for the pre-judging and finals when the lineup is so weak. Dexter had the trophy before the show started simply because he is Dexter and there was no appearance by Wolf, Greene, Warren, Martinez, etc...

I also learned that staying 8 miles north of the city for 39/night was the best damn decision I ever made. Split this between 3 guys sharing a room and it was basically free.

I learned that most guys who wear sleeveless or tanks to the expo do not bring extra deodorant to reapply throughout the day and that getting stuck behind them in line really blows.

I learned that there are several alternate entrances to the expo besides the main one and anyone who waits in line for longer than 30 minutes to get into the Expo is retarded.

[powercage]

Waking up in a haze 2 days later, I learned not to drink the first beverage Starkk hands you.

[Tyler44]

Always keep a camera phone in hand and prepared for filming

[KGD54]

I learned how awesome our BB.com community really is! Huge shoutout to MuscleTech Jake for the Phase 8! Its amazing that even though its free to be here how close this community and how many good people are here. There is so much knowledge here to absorb! Also just telling people working booths that you are part of bodybuilding.com you got VIP treatment, its amazing! This place is amazing!

[demonwareltd]

Always keep a camera phone in hand and prepared for filming

Along those same lines - if you autofill your iPhone with music to help make the 8 hour drive more tolerable, make sure you leave room for storing photos and vids. Filled up during the Arnold Classic finals and was scrambling to delete **** in order to get some vids taken.

[ERGOGENIX]

Always keep a camera phone in hand and prepared for filming

[bmillah788]

Hi guy,
I learned I forgot how much I hate walking two steps every 2 minutes because of massive groups of people. I learned that phil heath,ronnie coleman and Jay cutler are bigger in person than on T.V. or posters etc.

[Everlast]

I learned that if you're planning on going to the expo, VIP is the only way to do it. Like someone said above, waiting in a line 2 hours long (Both ON's and Bodybuilding.com's on Saturday for example) is simply not worth it for what is being handed out.

I learned that an event marketed as "Party with the Pros" practically gurantees that no "Pros" will be there.

I learned that neither $130,000 for 1st place or the magical "25th anniversary" prestige of the Arnold is enough to get many of the top bodybuilders to compete.

I learned that even though the expo was super-packed, the Arnold classic lineup wasn't that stellar, and that the weather in Columbus is better suited for hosting the Winter Olympics this time of year, it's definitely an event I'll be attending again (first timer).

[Big_Tom(tk)]

I learned that some people never change and the booths might want to hide their boxes of samples a little better next year..

[Daycrawler]

I learned that some people never change and the booths might want to hide their boxes of samples a little better next year..

Lol so unaware.

Edit: Awared.

[thefleshlight]

What does this have anything to do with supplements?

[demonwareltd]

I learned that some people never change and the booths might want to hide their boxes of samples a little better next year..

To be expected I guess when more than half the people in attendance are teens or college kids, hard up for cash most likely and would do anything to get their hands on some samples. Still a shame.

[Dracoy]

I learned that I really, really enjoy powerlifting. Watched so much of it and am motivated as hell watching guys pull 4 times their bodyweight.

I learned that since I've gotten older, I no longer have a desire to whore it out for supplement samples. My time is too valuable to wait in any line for more than 5 minutes for a scoop or two of protein when I can just go buy a tub of it online. I did enjoy meeting some of the athletes and other forum members while there though.

I learned not to buy tix for the pre-judging and finals when the lineup is so weak. Dexter had the trophy before the show started simply because he is Dexter and there was no appearance by Wolf, Greene, Warren, Martinez, etc...

I also learned that staying 8 miles north of the city for 39/night was the best damn decision I ever made. Split this between 3 guys sharing a room and it was basically free.

I learned that most guys who wear sleeveless or tanks to the expo do not bring extra deodorant to reapply throughout the day and that getting stuck behind them in line really blows.

I learned that there are several alternate entrances to the expo besides the main one and anyone who waits in line for longer than 30 minutes to get into the Expo is retarded.

Good tips man.

[demonwareltd]

What does this have anything to do with supplements?

because boss man sells them. Carry on...

[_Smitty_]

1. Starkk is the ugliest person I've ever seen.
2. Species has THE most attractive models.
3. No one, and I mean NO ONE takes more stimulants than itzDodge.
4. The new chicken pot pie Craze is phenomenal.
5. I do not have an accent.

[Neopragmatist]

never go into the Free Fecal Microbiota Transplantation booth without knowing exactly what the procedure is.

[XCriticalBenchX]

I learned that some people never change and the booths might want to hide their boxes of samples a little better next year..

Haha I love when they say they are out of samples and you can see the big box under the table!

[Big_Spaz]

Things I learned ...

1.) That I absolutely LOVE the sports supplement industry. Sure there is some "dark side" side to it ... but there is with every industry. Overall though, it's a great hobby/profession that a lot of people love and live for just like myself.

2.) Every single BB.com poster/member that I met ... was awesome! Each one made me feel like a million bucks. Geniunly made me feel like they were happy to meet/see me and it was great to put a face to a username. I even had one or two guys say to me "Your my favorite poster on the forums" and normally I would laugh that off and say "Yeeeeeah" but I could tell they were being sincere, being geniune and that was a great feeling. So thank you guys!

3.) Zach, Alec and Sean (Gaspari Reps) are three of the best guys I have ever worked with ... anywhere. My "real" life jobs, my "online" jobs, you name it. They were just ... REALLY ... GREAT ... GUYS. I mean I'm the new guy to the team. I've only been with Gaspari for about 8 months, and these guys made me feel like I have been witht them for 8 years. And their sense of humors is just like mine, the same jokes crack us up, etc. Just an honor to work with those guys and be part of "Team" with those guys.

4.) Gaspari Pro's/Sponsored Athletes are some of the nicest I have ever met in the business. I've worked other booths in the past and in those you could clearly tell who the "paid" people where, and who were the "lackies". Well at Gaspari, it truly felt like a team. Flex Lewis' training partner (Sean) doesn't know me from Paul. I'm about a quarter of the guy's size. And on Friday night we were there he knew that I flew out there alone, I didn't have too many "Bro's" asking me to do anything with them, basically if it wasn't for Randy (my roomie ... who again was a great guy) I wouldn't have had a soul to hang out with. He gives me his number, says text him later if I want meet up with all the guys and see where they were hanging out. I just thought that was an extremely generous offer. I mean these are some of the best of the best Bodybuilders in the world, and at the end of the day they still care about people and their feelings and just being ... well a nice human being. And that was awesome.

5.) I'm very glad that I (for the most part) am able to dodge a lot of "drama" in the industry. I don't go looking for trouble, trouble normally doesn't find me. I like to go out there to do my job (if I'm working a booth), enjoy my downtime and meet up with some friends and that's what I was able to do. Which was awesome!

6.) I'm on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Stan (Demonware) on where to stay at the Arnold. This was the first time (in going to the Arnold for 4 years now) where I was able to stay at a Hotel attached to the Convention Center (The Hilton). And ... OH ... MY ... GOD did this ever make my life a million times less hectic. I had a place to go for a bit to take my breaks from the booth, I never had to step foot outside for anything unless I was catching a quick cab, and I could get to and from the expo in about 5 minutes. Where as in the past I'm waiting for the times the hotel shuttle runs, or I'm driving my own car around the town, or I'm lugging crap in and out of buses and back to my hotel, etc. It was just so frustrating. And this year ... it was a breeze.

7.) I didn't meet the DS crew ... AGAIN and really they were one group of guys I REALLY wanted to meet . Maybe next year. But I keep hearing how nice/smart/great they are and that's why I would love to spend some time with them. There is always next year I guess.

8.) And last but not least, if you want to enjoy the booths go early on Friday. If you want to get the deals go late on Sunday. If you want to hate the human race, go on Saturday.


That is all for now. And I love you guys and I love this community. And I truly mean that. I'm very proud of the relationships I was able to build from meeting people in this community (bb.com) and I look forward to building even more.





-Spaz

[sloop]

I learned that some people never change and the booths might want to hide their boxes of samples a little better next year..

Have only heard the rumors, would love to see the evidence.

[Providence94]

I learnt that I need to earn more so that I can afford going to the Arnold's.

[Elliptical Envy]

What happened with the sample boxes? Did somebody pull another Mattyh?

[itzDodge]

1. Starkk is the ugliest person I've ever seen.
2. Species has THE most attractive models.
3. No one, and I mean NO ONE takes more stimulants than itzDodge.
4. The new chicken pot pie Craze is phenomenal.
5. I do not have an accent.

1. "Tall, handsome, reserved...f*****"
2. Jaw dropping is an accurate depiction
3. If you're not tweakin on something, then whats the point
4. "Is that from experience? People do weird things"
5. Certified cholo status

[demonwareltd]

Things I learned ...

1.) That I absolutely LOVE the sports supplement industry. Sure there is some "dark side" side to it ... but there is with every industry. Overall though, it's a great hobby/profession that a lot of people love and live for just like myself.

2.) Every single BB.com poster/member that I met ... was awesome! Each one made me feel like a million bucks. Geniunly made me feel like they were happy to meet/see me and it was great to put a face to a username. I even had one or two guys say to me "Your my favorite poster on the forums" and normally I would laugh that off and say "Yeeeeeah" but I could tell they were being sincere, being geniune and that was a great feeling. So thank you guys!

3.) Zach, Alec and Sean (Gaspari Reps) are three of the best guys I have ever worked with ... anywhere. My "real" life jobs, my "online" jobs, you name it. They were just ... REALLY ... GREAT ... GUYS. I mean I'm the new guy to the team. I've only been with Gaspari for about 8 months, and these guys made me feel like I have been witht them for 8 years. And their sense of humors is just like mine, the same jokes crack us up, etc. Just an honor to work with those guys and be part of "Team" with those guys.

4.) Gaspari Pro's/Sponsored Athletes are some of the nicest I have ever met in the business. I've worked other booths in the past and in those you could clearly tell who the "paid" people where, and who were the "lackies". Well at Gaspari, it truly felt like a team. Flex Lewis' training partner (Sean) doesn't know me from Paul. I'm about a quarter of the guy's size. And on Friday night we were there he knew that I flew out there alone, I didn't have too many "Bro's" asking me to do anything with them, basically if it wasn't for Randy (my roomie ... who again was a great guy) I wouldn't have had a soul to hang out with. He gives me his number, says text him later if I want meet up with all the guys and see where they were hanging out. I just thought that was an extremely generous offer. I mean these are some of the best of the best Bodybuilders in the world, and at the end of the day they still care about people and their feelings and just being ... well a nice human being. And that was awesome.

5.) I'm very glad that I (for the most part) am able to dodge a lot of "drama" in the industry. I don't go looking for trouble, trouble normally doesn't find me. I like to go out there to do my job (if I'm working a booth), enjoy my downtime and meet up with some friends and that's what I was able to do. Which was awesome!

6.) I'm on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Stan (Demonware) on where to stay at the Arnold. This was the first time (in going to the Arnold for 4 years now) where I was able to stay at a Hotel attached to the Convention Center (The Hilton). And ... OH ... MY ... GOD did this ever make my life a million times less hectic. I had a place to go for a bit to take my breaks from the booth, I never had to step foot outside for anything unless I was catching a quick cab, and I could get to and from the expo in about 5 minutes. Where as in the past I'm waiting for the times the hotel shuttle runs, or I'm driving my own car around the town, or I'm lugging crap in and out of buses and back to my hotel, etc. It was just so frustrating. And this year ... it was a breeze.

7.) I didn't meet the DS crew ... AGAIN and really they were one group of guys I REALLY wanted to meet . Maybe next year. But I keep hearing how nice/smart/great they are and that's why I would love to spend some time with them. There is always next year I guess.

8.) And last but not least, if you want to enjoy the booths go early on Friday. If you want to get the deals go late on Sunday. If you want to hate the human race, go on Saturday.


That is all for now. And I love you guys and I love this community. And I truly mean that. I'm very proud of the relationships I was able to build from meeting people in this community (bb.com) and I look forward to building even more.





-Spaz

I will agree on those shuttles sucking. After doing that to go to prejudging, we decided to walk to the finals from the convention center (about 1.5 miles). Then after when 1000s of people were waiting in line for buses back, just ran back to the car (serious). Took about 10 mins.

If I had to work a booth though, I would imagine having a room right there would make things hella easier. I did make a trip or two to my car to drop off samples and reload my backpack with food and beverages.

[henrywilkins]

If i be there then it would be dream come true for me....

[Big_Spaz]

I will agree on those shuttles sucking. After doing that to go to prejudging, we decided to walk to the finals from the convention center (about 1.5 miles). Then after when 1000s of people were waiting in line for buses back, just ran back to the car (serious). Took about 10 mins.

If I had to work a booth though, I would imagine having a room right there would make things hella easier. I did make a trip or two to my car to drop off samples and reload my backpack with food and beverages.

And Stan I wanted to thank you for offering to take my supplements back home for me. I didn't end up getting much (except 2 SuperDrive's that I could fit in my backpack) so it wasn't a huge deal. But either way, thank you for offering.

Your a true friend and I appreciated that!





-Spaz

[TheCable]

Controlled Labs doesn't have a "booth"

Powercage just sits down and they start setting up displays on his thighs.