So no one can figure out why pro bodybuilding can't get more mainstream...

[R3L3NTL3SS]

Well where the fuk do I begin? First of all, none of the people with the ability to increase exposure are trying to -*ahem* bb.com. Why not do a pay per view? I'm sure anyone who watched the stream would have had NO issue PAYING for a pay per view in HD and not have to deal with buffering every 10 seconds, choppyness, etc.

Aside from that - I didn't watch the stream last night, (cause of the reasons I just said) but what do I see as soon as I log in this morning? 90% of people complaining about IFBB politics. It's one thing when it's questionable...it's something totally different when it's just plain fuking obvious. When even Phil Heath FANS are saying it's fuked up - it's fuked up. Sh*t like this is the reason this sport will always stay a small niche sport just as it is now. It'll never move forward until this crap is fixed. When exposure goes up and the politics are thrown out the fukin window and the guys who DESERVE the win GET the win...maybe IFBB can start taking a few steps forward as a more well-known and respected sport.


Now, my early morning rant is done.

[flangmasterj]

Come on, you think it's not going mainstream because some people disagree with the judging? I had Phil winning the judging but I also think they could have kept him out there for that second comparison. Apparently the judges thought there was no point so they took him out.

This sport will never go mainstream but the sport is growing.

[DanielEver]

actually judging has little to do with the overall popularity, the real reason is that professional bodybuilding is very unappealing to an average person out there, let alone competitions itself are very boring to watch

[R3L3NTL3SS]

Come on, you think it's not going mainstream because some people disagree with the judging?

Seems to me it's not just me, but 90% of the IFBB section as well. Also, how did you have Phil winning? It's not a matter of opinion, but FACT that Kai has more size than Phil. And if you want to talk about condition I'd say they both came in about the same. Neither one was ahead of the other as far as conditioning goes.

actually judging has little to do with the overall popularity, the real reason is that professional bodybuilding is very unappealing to an average person out there, let alone competitions itself are very boring to watch

My point is even if it ever caught on and got more popular, people would ditch it quick once they start to see people aren't getting the placings they deserved/earned, etc. You wouldn't watch football anymore if your team won the Superbowl but the NFL just said "nah, no Superbowl trophy for you guys, we'll give it to the team you just beat." I feel that's exactly what happens allll the time in the IFBB. And I'm NOT just talking about Phil and Kai. It's across the top 10 for the most part.

[detrimental]

The way these businesses and publications are run are very amateur. I don't expect a HD stream for that very reason; they aren't going to pay for technical support. They just send out their usual people and tell them to do their best.

Whatever... I enjoy the weekend regardless. It was utter bullcrap that they didn't keep Phil out for the comparison though. That's just wrong. That's an inference that Phil is dominating now more than Ronnie ever did. lol. We'll see what happens tomorrow night though.

Generally I am happy just to be able to watch the show. As stated, it'll never go mainstream. Ever. No matter what. And it sure as **** won't ever be perfect. But if they pull hat chit with Phil again tomorrow then I might just have to boycott.

[red_cat]

Well where the fuk do I begin? First of all, none of the people with the ability to increase exposure are trying to -*ahem* bb.com. Why not do a pay per view? I'm sure anyone who watched the stream would have had NO issue PAYING for a pay per view in HD and not have to deal with buffering every 10 seconds, choppyness, etc.

The only way I would pay for an Olympia stream is if they promised to cut out all the camera pans. EVERY FREAKING YEAR the do these random cuts to different cameras. Just give me a dang straight shot from the judge table and let me actually evaluate the physiques.

Incidentally, I had zero issue with buffering. The the stream on the entire time and it didn't buffer once....and my internet isn't THAT great.

[IwillBaMonster]

Because of the same reason of which overblown boobs or full of silicon pumped butts won't go "mainstreem", it's "niche activity", noone cares or has any reason to try to understand it, it's just plain weird. Not to mention that inside the actual field everyone are lying to everyone (on some..ahem.. "issues" ), it's funny. And it's just plain weird "sport", that only these who are somehow close to it can understand and appreciate. If you think otherwise - you're very far from the "general public" point of view, in this regard. Tattooing your whole body is cool for a limited amount of people too, but it's pretty damn crazy for anyone from the "outside".

[R3L3NTL3SS]

The way these businesses and publications are run are very amateur. I don't expect a HD stream for that very reason; they aren't going to pay for technical support. They just send out their usual people and tell them to do their best.

Whatever... I enjoy the weekend regardless. It was utter bullcrap that they didn't keep Phil out for the comparison though. That's just wrong. That's an inference that Phil is dominating now more than Ronnie ever did. lol. We'll see what happens tomorrow night though.

Generally I am happy just to be able to watch the show. As stated, it'll never go mainstream. Ever. No matter what. And it sure as **** won't ever be perfect. But if they pull hat chit with Phil again tomorrow then I might just have to boycott.

Everything I'm reading across md, flex, and other bb forums just makes me glad I didn't watch the stream. It's not just the IFBB section here but all bb forums are quite outraged by what they did last night and the politics of the IFBB.

[anonymous]

Lmao.. Its the obvious use of:

Vitamin T
Vitamin Growth
Vitamin Slin
Vitamin Igf-1
Synthol
Diuretics
and so on
and so on

that holds the ''sport'' (not really a sport) back.

[R3L3NTL3SS]

Because of the same reason of which overblown boobs or full of silicon pumped butts won't go "mainstreem", it's "niche activity", noone cares or has any reason to try to understand it, it's just plain weird. Not to mention that inside the actual field everyone are lying to everyone (on some..ahem.. "issues" ), it's funny. And it's just plain weird "sport", that only these who are somehow close to it can understand and appreciate. If you think otherwise - you're very far from the "general public" point of view, in this regard. Tattooing your whole body is cool for a limited amount of people too, but it's pretty damn crazy for anyone from the "outside".

Newsflash - every major sport on a professional level in the USA has this ..ahem... "issues" you speak of that they lie about.

[DanielEver]

You wouldn't watch football anymore if your team won the Superbowl but the NFL just said "nah, no Superbowl trophy for you guys, we'll give it to the team you just beat." I feel that's exactly what happens allll the time in the IFBB.

that's not a correct example since in football athletes competes in performance, like in any other sport.

bodybuilding is not a sport, based on that definition, ther're no objective criteria of winning

[R3L3NTL3SS]

Lmao.. Its the obvious use of:

Vitamin T
Vitamin Growth
Vitamin Slin
Vitamin Igf-1
Synthol
Diuretics
and so on
and so on

that holds the ''sport'' (not really a sport) back.

All these things are in pretty much all profession level sports in America. If you don't believe that/know that then I feel bad for you.

[hardyy]

so much this, such low quality streaming also, cut off every five minutes for me on my 4g lte phone smh. they should invest in getting on tv somehow im sure it is possible even a PPV, i'd actually pay to see it if its quality and well put together...

[mm394006]

I personally like that it's a niche sport

UFC started loosing its appeal to me when any puny dweeb or neckbeard with an affliction shirt became a know it all and would criticize or talk trash with never training a day in their life.

I'd really hate to see a bunch of 140lb dudes telling me how Kai is so much better than Phil or vise versa because it's trendy even though they've never drug themselves into the squat racks at 6am.

The exclusivity of the bodybuilding community is a major appeal to me and I wouldn't mind seeing it stay that way. I would hate to see it become the next crossfit :\

[R3L3NTL3SS]

bodybuilding is not a sport, based on that definition, ther're no objective criteria of winning

While opinion is huge in the sport, there is a criteria for winning - though it's never followed in the IFBB judging.
Size, condition, aesthetics/symmetry. While there's opinion involved there, from a judging standpoint, opinion should go out the window. Size, condition, and symmetry/aestehtics CAN be judged matter of factly rather than by opinion.

[R3L3NTL3SS]

so much this, such low quality streaming also, cut off every five minutes for me on my 4g lte phone smh. they should invest in getting on tv somehow im sure it is possible even a PPV, i'd actually pay to see it if its quality and well put together...

I've had the same internet for three years now. 2011 and 2012 the stream was perfect for me. This year it was garbage. I'm sure with the retarded money bb.com has they could get the Olympia on ppv. Plenty of people would pay for it.

[DanielEver]

While opinion is huge in the sport, there is a criteria for winning - though it's never followed in the IFBB judging.
Size, condition, aesthetics/symmetry. While there's opinion involved there, from a judging standpoint, opinion should go out the window. Size, condition, and symmetry/aestehtics CAN be judged matter of factly rather than by opinion.

in order to be that way we need to have a full list of qualities and how they correspond to the overall score, but it's very unlikely to be introduced

[razmatazbaz]

you posted a similar thread last year. oh the rage

[JanesLastResort]

no one in their right minds wants it to become mainstream. ever notice the gym and fitness fad that has been going on since last year? yeah. no thanks.

[NickA44]

I'd really hate to see a bunch of 140lb dudes telling me how Kai is so much better than Phil or vise versa because it's trendy even though they've never drug themselves into the squat racks at 6am.

Well sir , welcome to bb.com

Until mainstream perception of what's attractive shifts to a bodybuilder's physique , it will never become mainstream
Think about mainstream music. I'd say 60% of "artists" today have little to no musical talent , but 99% of them are good looking.
Because the idea of whats attractive makes them marketable , so they sell , so they're popular
When every guy wants to be 300lbs of muscle and every girl wants 300lbs of muscle , bodybuilding will skyrocket. But don't hold your breath.

That doesn't mean people who are into it can't be super passionate. In a way its more special. Every joe blow isn't around the water cooler breaking down Jay Cutler

[Fairfax]

I don't know if, how or why bb'ing can or should become more mainstream as such, but I agree that the Olympia at least should take itself more seriously. Present itself in the style of an Olympic event, for example. Bring in good quality PPV streams and ditch the cabaret atmosphere (cheesy music and MC'ing etc). More rigorous and systematic judging. Let the competitors wear what they want at the press conference and make it a real press conference, ie questions from the floor etc. The current gig doesn't compare favourably with other professional sports events. The Olympia looked more 'Olympic' in the 70's IMO.

[JOHN GARGANI]

All these things are in pretty much all profession level sports in America. If you don't believe that/know that then I feel bad for you.

that is true, HOWEVER: the other mainstream sports DO have a protocol to prevent it, even if some people manage to circumvent it...

in professional BB, there is NO protocol whatsoever.....

years back they used to show these events on main TV: the problem is the backlash with steroids: yes, it is true that the general populace is uninformed about them, and politicians harp on them because it garners them votes, but, there has just been such a groundswell of activity against them in the mainstream, that a sport like BB which openly flaunts useage will not be accepted right now with the public.

also, always keep in mind, that although all of us on here OOH and AHH looking at these Olympia pictures, the average person out there looks upon them with disgust, ESPECIALLY the average Women, who disdain that look entirely.

[detrimental]

Just on the note of protocol to prevent drugs in other sports... That's just a front to keep the common fan oblivious. David Stern (NBA Commissioner) knows that LeBron is a walking roid experiment since highschool, etc. All the great elite athletes in the world in all codes are on juice. However, you are right, that the perceived 'preventative' measures allow common fans to continue seeing it as a battle of david vs goliath... natural and genetic.

I mean.. I was literally dumbfounded by how many Americans actually believed Armstrong was natural. Even more dumbfounded that they believed he was a cheat, as if his contemporaries weren't doing exactly the same.

[IwillBaMonster]

Newsflash - every major sport on a professional level in the USA has this ..ahem... "issues" you speak of that they lie about.

Well, they still could play basketball, rugby, american football and plenty of other sports on some level. Bodybuilders tho'.... would be a joke, it just wouldn't make any sense without IT (yeah, I know - "natural federations"... I don't talk about these mentally ill ppl/pathological liars).

[spirit3530]

Well sir , welcome to bb.com

Until mainstream perception of what's attractive shifts to a bodybuilder's physique , it will never become mainstream
Think about mainstream music. I'd say 60% of "artists" today have little to no musical talent , but 99% of them are good looking.
Because the idea of whats attractive makes them marketable , so they sell , so they're popular
When every guy wants to be 300lbs of muscle and every girl wants 300lbs of muscle , bodybuilding will skyrocket. But don't hold your breath.

This will never happen. Pro Bodybuilding at best is like a fetish. It could never be mainstream because its so far from natural. There is no real advantage to being that big. There is no real status from being that size to the regular population. It's focus is opposite from the "natural order" of the species. Women are supposed to focus on their looks and exaggerate them to show they have good genetics and give birth to healthy offspring. Men are supposed to demonstrate their ability to provide stability, strength and safety to their potential mate. Bodybuilding shows do not demonstrate the right signals to invoke the natural order. At the very least, most sports that are popular demonstrate that carnal aggression that shows they risk safety to dominate the opposition.

Cliffs
Pro Bodybuilding is a niche
Pro Bodybuilding does not demonstrate dominance over another man physically
Pro Bodybuilding is art
Pro Bodybuilding will never be mainstream as long as the main society desires to pass genetics to the next generation

[ballenmo]

actually judging has little to do with the overall popularity, the real reason is that professional bodybuilding is very unappealing to an average person out there, let alone competitions itself are very boring to watch

You're right, but imagine if they packaged this like a reality show. Judging is boring, and particularly if you don't know anything about it, but imagine interspersing scenes of working out, of life issues (Phils had drama all year apparently), Jays come back effort, etc. etc. THAT could make in interesting show, but would it grow the sport? I don't know. I agree though, putting boring prejudging on ESPN aint gonna get it done for the mainstream.

[bartosh]

I had Phil winning the judging but I also think they could have kept him out there for that second comparison. Apparently the judges thought there was no point so they took him out.

this. it doesnt matter who was winning prejudging. I keep repeating this. All the fans want are fair comparisons. THAT'S IT. and we can't even get those

[DanielEver]

You're right, but imagine if they packaged this like a reality show. Judging is boring, and particularly if you don't know anything about it, but imagine interspersing scenes of working out, of life issues (Phils had drama all year apparently), Jays come back effort, etc. etc. THAT could make in interesting show, but would it grow the sport? I don't know. I agree though, putting boring prejudging on ESPN aint gonna get it done for the mainstream.

more media coverage would definitely help but as for now the only stuff bodybuilders we're aware of is constantly eating tonns of food and promoted supps, making stupid faces during photoshoots and screaming in pain while moving weights in the gym.

all that together doesn't create a proper role model any socialized person would want to relate to

[Snow7man]

Lmao.. Its the obvious use of:

Vitamin T
Vitamin Growth
Vitamin Slin
Vitamin Igf-1
Synthol
Diuretics
and so on
and so on

that holds the ''sport'' (not really a sport) back.

this...

[reallyskinny]

So let me get this straight

If your 140lb you can't have a legitimate opinion on the competitors? So now eyesight and attention to detail are related to ones muscle mass... Ok



And as far as the drug usage, some people here won't concede there might be a liiiiittle difference in the amount of gear these guys use compared to "stick and ball" sports?


Only come to the ifbb section Olympia weekend and I'm always impressed by the rediculous comments here, fanboys to the max