Economic future of bodybuilding

[helmutP]

As I am in a forum in the internet the first time, I hope I am at the right place. My request is specially for Bob Cicherillo but also for everyone who has good answers (Pro or not):

Hi Bob (I hope you allow me to say so),


First two congratulations:

1) to your victory
2) to your opinion about pro-bodybuilding in the interview with Hulk Hogan in the Fit-Show - and this is my subject:

First - as you mentioned in this interview, this sport needs characters!!! Every sport has his characters, you want to see your idol win etc..
In my opinion the only way to create characters, is in competitions during the year. That´s why I have some questions:

How can it be, that some bodybuilders are only in one competition - the Mr. O?

Why are there no rules saying, that everyone who wants to compete in the Mr. O needs to participate in a certain amount of competitions before. The champion of every sport is found during a year (motorsport, football, baseball, hockey, soccer etc.). A real champion is good the whole year and not only one weekend.

How can it be that in the second highest competition (Arnold Classics) the best bodybuilders are missing (Coleman, Cutler, Schlierkamp)?

What are the other titels worth? What is even the Mr. O worth, when there are bodybuilders who train the complete year for one contest?

Would Coleman win, when he cannot only concentrate on this title, because he earns enough money? I think it is more challenging, when the title-holders are changing.

This sport needs visitors, who are not involved in body-building. Wrestling is a good exampel - there are up to 100.000 people watching a wrestelmania live in a stadium, but not everyone trains to be a wrestler. That´s why they have sponsors, TV-time etc., but the superstars create their "rivalty" during the year to a final showdown.

All you have in body-building are videos, articels etc. during the year and one show. That is to less!!!

Second (to my person) - I started bodybuilding around 1 year ago (age 39) because I want to change my physic - so I try the methods of the pros (training, resting and eating) to find my own way, because they are the best and I want to learn from the best. All I want to say is, that I am not a fan of anyone (even being original from austria), but I have great respect, for what you and your friends are doing, espacially when you think about the possible incomes compared to other sports. I am just a sales- and marketing-specialist and therefor I have my own thoughts.


Please continue with your way, because I am sure you can change the future of bodybuilding in an economical way.

Greetings from Europe

Helmut

Please let me know, what you think about this.

[Contract Killer]

The Mr Olympia contest requires 9 months of hard ass heavy lifting, followed by 3 months of non stop dieting and cardio along with many tricks to help your body "peak" for such a level of competition. Some pro's need an entire year to prepare for an event like that. If you compete too many times ina year, you run the risk of injury and burnout. Not to mention, most contests during the year are used as ways to qualify for the Olympia, guys like Jay and Coleman have already qualified so there's no need for them to waste time on other shows.

[AangleN]

The Mr Olympia contest requires 9 months of hard ass heavy lifting, followed by 3 months of non stop dieting and cardio along with many tricks to help your body "peak" for such a level of competition. Some pro's need an entire year to prepare for an event like that. If you compete too many times ina year, you run the risk of injury and burnout. Not to mention, most contests during the year are used as ways to qualify for the Olympia, guys like Jay and Coleman have already qualified so there's no need for them to waste time on other shows.

most do not rely on show money either. but yeah, i agree with ^^

[helmutP]

Thanks for your reply and I am sure Ronnie deserves his titles.

If everyone has to participate in let´s say 3 contests before, there are equal preparing situations for all. If this would not be possible, how are others able to do some contests before? I am sure, that everyone wants to see his idols more often in competitions and not just on video.

By the way - this is similar to the people who are doing decathlon - they can do only 3 or 4 important meetings per year, because it is to exhausting.

Just one thing - I am not talking for or against someone. I am not a fan of one of the pro-bodybuilders - of course I have respect. The only interest for me is: ideas to raise the economical situations in this sport and to go more public.

Helmut

[Contract Killer]

If everyone has to participate in let´s say 3 contests before, there are equal preparing situations for all. If this would not be possible, how are others able to do some contests before? I am sure, that everyone wants to see his idols more often in competitions and not just on video.

By the way - this is similar to the people who are doing decathlon - they can do only 3 or 4 important meetings per year, because it is to exhausting.


Helmut

Some competitors ARE able to do more, but this is usually early in their career when they are full of zeal and energy. They have their youth and alot to prove so you see them competing every few months. Guys like Ronnie and Jay, it wouldn't even be worth doing any other contests. They have all the Hummers they need and they get paid all the cash they need by supp companies.

Your decathlon anology is bang on. Lance Armstrong is the best cyclist in the world, but he doesn't do a 28 day tour EVERY month. The guy needs rest and time to focus on his weaknesses.

[JuicyCop2]

As I am in a forum in the internet the first time, I hope I am at the right place. My request is specially for Bob Cicherillo but also for everyone who has good answers (Pro or not):

Hi Bob (I hope you allow me to say so),


First two congratulations:

1) to your victory
2) to your opinion about pro-bodybuilding in the interview with Hulk Hogan in the Fit-Show - and this is my subject:

First - as you mentioned in this interview, this sport needs characters!!! Every sport has his characters, you want to see your idol win etc..
In my opinion the only way to create characters, is in competitions during the year. That´s why I have some questions:

How can it be, that some bodybuilders are only in one competition - the Mr. O?

Why are there no rules saying, that everyone who wants to compete in the Mr. O needs to participate in a certain amount of competitions before. The champion of every sport is found during a year (motorsport, football, baseball, hockey, soccer etc.). A real champion is good the whole year and not only one weekend.

How can it be that in the second highest competition (Arnold Classics) the best bodybuilders are missing (Coleman, Cutler, Schlierkamp)?

What are the other titels worth? What is even the Mr. O worth, when there are bodybuilders who train the complete year for one contest?

Would Coleman win, when he cannot only concentrate on this title, because he earns enough money? I think it is more challenging, when the title-holders are changing.

This sport needs visitors, who are not involved in body-building. Wrestling is a good exampel - there are up to 100.000 people watching a wrestelmania live in a stadium, but not everyone trains to be a wrestler. That´s why they have sponsors, TV-time etc., but the superstars create their "rivalty" during the year to a final showdown.

All you have in body-building are videos, articels etc. during the year and one show. That is to less!!!

Second (to my person) - I started bodybuilding around 1 year ago (age 39) because I want to change my physic - so I try the methods of the pros (training, resting and eating) to find my own way, because they are the best and I want to learn from the best. All I want to say is, that I am not a fan of anyone (even being original from austria), but I have great respect, for what you and your friends are doing, espacially when you think about the possible incomes compared to other sports. I am just a sales- and marketing-specialist and therefor I have my own thoughts.


Please continue with your way, because I am sure you can change the future of bodybuilding in an economical way.

Greetings from Europe

Helmut

Please let me know, what you think about this.

Uhhhh lets keep wrestling away from bodybuilding... personally it makes me mad to see wrestlers in bodybuilding mags because that type of wrestling is silly. Remember the XFL? What happened to it? It died..

[helmutP]

That is exactly what I am talking about - they have enough money to just participate on one contest. The question is: is this the best for the sport in an economical way.

Of course it is understandable for Ronnie and Jay to do so, but is it helping the sport??

If not this way - are there other possibilities to get more "outside-people" into this sport as visitors etc. The way to earn more money for everyone is, when this sport is more public - you get more TV-times, more sponsors etc.

Wrestling was just an example for me, how to make a sport which is almost pure entertainment (apart from the training) very profitable. I am not comparing bodybuilding with wrestling (I don´t even know what XFL is).

I agree that Lance Armstrong is the best cyclist in the world and his 2 books are astonishing, but even he was riding some smaller races in a year to prepare for the Tour de France.

Bodybuilding needs more publicity - NOW MY QUESTION TO THIS COMMUNITY: HOW TO DO IT????

Thanks for active participation to this theme.
Helmut

[Contract Killer]

For a sport that consists of a bunch of drug dealers sitting around shooting steroids and treating people like dirt, it gets as much publicity as it deserves. There are no real ways to bring it more mainstream, that's cool with all of us though. Why should bodybuilding be mainstream? Just be proud that you're apart of this wonderful inside circle. It's a cult, a secret society if you will. Anyone can get a gym membership, but only so many people wil be regarded as bodybuilders, it's an elite title, cherish it.

[Caesar164]

For a sport that consists of a bunch of drug dealers sitting around shooting steroids and treating people like dirt, it gets as much publicity as it deserves. There are no real ways to bring it more mainstream, that's cool with all of us though. Why should bodybuilding be mainstream? Just be proud that you're apart of this wonderful inside circle. It's a cult, a secret society if you will. Anyone can get a gym membership, but only so many people wil be regarded as bodybuilders, it's an elite title, cherish it.

I finally agree with this ....? The hell with the media, we don't need publicity; bodybuilders just need to stop dying...

[Contract Killer]

Iwe don't need publicity; bodybuilders just need to stop dying...

haha word. It's like the music industry. If you're into it you hear about all the good stuff but, if you're an outsider all you hear about are the murders and drug overdoses.

[helmutP]

O.K. Where are the people who wants that bodybuilding gets the attention that it deserves in the sport world?

Is there anyone out there with a bigger view on this?

Is there anyone who sees, that bodybuilding is able to change our childrens health in the future?
Thanks.
Helmut

[stealth_swimmer]

O.K. Where are the people who wants that bodybuilding gets the attention that it deserves in the sport world?

Is there anyone out there with a bigger view on this?

Is there anyone who sees, that bodybuilding is able to change our childrens health in the future?
Thanks.
Helmut

I completely agree with this statement. Bodybuilding has changed my life for the better. Not every bodybuilder is a jerk who kicks sand in other's faces. All the pros I have met were very nice with the exception of Kevin Levrone, but maybe he was having a bad day, who knows? I'd be willing to forgive him, I know he was running late for an interview. Bodybuilding also doesn't get near the amount of attention it deserves as a sport. There are plenty of people from other sports that die on drug overdoses or are complete jerks. There are people like this in every sport. Again, every pro I have met was nice and patient as well. Bodybuilding has the power to improve the quality of life. Competitive bodybuilding and steroid use are not for everyone, but the everyday kind of bodybuilding is.

[BODYBUILDER889]

Uhhhh lets keep wrestling away from bodybuilding... personally it makes me mad to see wrestlers in bodybuilding mags because that type of wrestling is silly. Remember the XFL? What happened to it? It died..

hey greco-roman lives on! wwe shuld die...

[BODYBUILDER889]

I completely agree with this statement. Bodybuilding has changed my life for the better. Not every bodybuilder is a jerk who kicks sand in other's faces. All the pros I have met were very nice with the exception of Kevin Levrone, but maybe he was having a bad day, who knows? I'd be willing to forgive him, I know he was running late for an interview. Bodybuilding also doesn't get near the amount of attention it deserves as a sport. There are plenty of people from other sports that die on drug overdoses or are complete jerks. There are people like this in every sport. Again, every pro I have met was nice and patient as well. Bodybuilding has the power to improve the quality of life. Competitive bodybuilding and steroid use are not for everyone, but the everyday kind of bodybuilding is.

just look at muscians! or rock bands! look at all the guys who OD on herion and the goverement dosent use the media to say" oh dont be a rock star" in fact the media encourages it with*spits in gross disgust* american idol.

[dyland]

hahaha americas next top body builder

[BIGchrisIU]

I don't know why half of the people that are into bodybuilding don't want it to become mainstream. They think they are special because they have an interest that not many other people have. Most people just don't get bodybuilding and that is what pisses its enthusiasts off, and ultimately what is holding the sport back. I totally agree with Bob that the personalities are what this sport needs to ride to the top. The first step in advancing the sport has been taken by deducting points for the big bellies...once the physiques have more natural looking proportions the public will be more accepting.

The sport also needs some sort of unpredictability. What makes sports exciting is not knowing who will win...you always have favorites and underdogs, but in bodybuilding it's a lot harder for the underdog to take it. Having different judges work the different Olympias could bring some diversity to the crown. No matter what happens someone will always feel screwed in this sport.

Finally the sport needs to be readily available.......ESPN!! They've had the contests before and dropped them, but I think ESPN has a little more experience on how to promote the programs now that they've gone through the whole poker phase. Explain the judging to the audience and develop the characters a bit and you will have a good show. I'm not sure what is holding this back...money made from the PPV? Steroid issues?

And as for multiple contests in a year with all the top dogs, I don't think that will fly. Dieting down for a contest is very grueling and doing it multiple times in a year can make it impossible to make significant improvements (Ronnie aside..he just needs to maintain that package). I think having the one major contest is the best thing for the sport right now. Bodybuilding doesn't have enough of a following to support multiple major shows...it would only dilute the excitment that comes from the Olympia. By putting all the energy and rivalries in that one huge show there is a greater chance that the sport will reach out to the people who were never interested. Once the sport has the resources then try to grow to the other shows.

sorry about the ramble...

[dyland]

mma had been becomeoming more and more mainstream lately and it bugs me because he people who dont know about it that know what they saw on tv. talk about it like they know better then say me or any other fan/competitor.
i think thats might be why some people act like that with body building .. ?

[JuicyCop2]

I completely agree with this statement. Bodybuilding has changed my life for the better. Not every bodybuilder is a jerk who kicks sand in other's faces. All the pros I have met were very nice with the exception of Kevin Levrone, but maybe he was having a bad day, who knows? I'd be willing to forgive him, I know he was running late for an interview. Bodybuilding also doesn't get near the amount of attention it deserves as a sport. There are plenty of people from other sports that die on drug overdoses or are complete jerks. There are people like this in every sport. Again, every pro I have met was nice and patient as well. Bodybuilding has the power to improve the quality of life. Competitive bodybuilding and steroid use are not for everyone, but the everyday kind of bodybuilding is.

I disagree... i like kicking sand in peoples faces =)... lol

[AangleN]

its been mentioned 1000 times, but just face it, bodybuilding will never be mainstream and that is FINE. but look at how big the fitness industry in general is as a whole!!! it's getting bigger by the second. Bodybuilders (and fitness models for women) are absolutely the backbone of this. without these people to showcase themselves in ads, commercials, etc. the industry wouldn't be thriving.

MOST people don't want to watch guys pose for 2 hours. people want action, rules, movement, real tangible scoring that they can understand. these same people though probably buy protein powder or whatever and work out. so while they're not necessarily interested in the IFBB side of bodybuilding, they are participating in it and supporting it in their own way.

[dyland]

haha at the same time i cant understand why you would buy a 40$ paper view to watch it not saying anything by that but idk lol i forget waht m point was

[AangleN]

holy ****. PAY PER VIEW.

why would you spend money to watch any event for that matter?

[dyland]

haha yea i know i can see if it was like in person but not ppv

[AangleN]

haha yea i know i can see if it was like in person but not ppv

get 4 people together and you're talking $10 a head. that's about 2-3 drinks at a bar, 1 appetizer, 1/4 a tank of gas, etc. really not a lot of money. neither is $40 for that matter.

but to each his own. i have no interest in the world cup, but people would pay top dollar and wake up at 3AM just to watch it. so, no different here really. different strokes for different folks.

[helmutP]

Thank you for this statement!!!

It is good to know, that there are people, who have a bigger view. I think this sport deserves more.

Bodybuilding in peoples life is everywhere: all this hollywood stars with a good physic; sports with good physical conditions like football etc. - they all use bodybuilding principals. But when it comes to the professional bodybuilding, suddenly it should be only for a small group.

Are there more ideas like this one - please let us know.
Helmut

[helmutP]

Also thanks to your statement and congratulation for your better life.

I would like to hear more stories about changing life - I think this can help other people who are just right know starting.

Greetings from Europe.
Helmut

[Anabolism1000]

First off, bbing isn't really a sport, it's physique art. And bbing isn't accepted and acknowledged as being an art, like painting, and music, and dance. The human body is being developed and sculpted with weights, machines, and ILLEGAL drugs, and then presented as a finished work of art at a competition. The "sport" part of the equation relates to the physical performance in the gym, but not too many people actually get to observe top bbers competing in the gym, and it's irrelevent as far as placings in a competition. The hardest trainers who lift the most weight are not guanteed of winning a competition.

Bodybuilding is difficult to succeed in because it is for the genetically elite. There are very few examples of poor genetic physical specimens succeeding, and, ironically, the perception is that only weightlifters willing to risk their health with powerful drugs is the only requirement for succeeding. Most of the general public obeys the law, and they would not consider using illegal drugs to pursue bbing.

BBing is really a rebellious, lawbreaking activity devoted to standing apart from Jane and John Doe on the street, the law-abiding citizens. It can't be popular because it is saying **** you in the face of conventional society, and breaking its laws, living a different lifestyle, and obviously looking radically different from what society deems is fashionable, or appropriate. Aside from not having the genetic requirements (which hurts), and lacking the balls to stand apart from conventional society, the average Joe would rather pretend that bbing doesn't exist.

Other sports have kids looking up to and admiring their sports stars, like Tom Brady, or Derrick Jeter, or even Tiger Woods. How many 10 year old boys are worshipping Ronnie Coleman. Heck these kids aren't even old enough to get a gym membership. The bbing fans are predominately composed of people who train, bodybuild, or weight train themselves. And it's not a large percentage of the population.

BBing, for many of the reasons mentioned will not, and cannot ever become a popular spectator event. It is bizarre to the uninitiated, illegal to the law-abiding citizen, and misunderstood, even by its own fans.

[Flex500]

Thank you for this statement!!!

It is good to know, that there are people, who have a bigger view. I think this sport deserves more.

Bodybuilding in peoples life is everywhere: all this hollywood stars with a good physic; sports with good physical conditions like football etc. - they all use bodybuilding principals. But when it comes to the professional bodybuilding, suddenly it should be only for a small group.

Are there more ideas like this one - please let us know.
Helmut

I think a real problem is though that we are in the "anti-steroid era" especially here in America. To the general public here if you are taking steroids or look like your taking steroids you may as well be dealing and doing crack. And it is an illegal felonious thing.

So with a sport like IFBB pro bodybuilding it is just not going to fly over here in America with the gernal public. Honestly steroids are the devil in america. People want to crucify these baseball players and eat their bodies for doing steroids.

And let's face steoids play a big part in bodybuilding. So what do you do?

I mean at the arnold classic expo there are guys walking around with syringes in their ears (yes we actually saw around 5 people doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!) and arms full of needle marks and synthol. I brought my mom to the expo and she was sick by it. Not by the competitors but by these ass clowns with tanktops on with shoulders covered with acne, needle marks, and syntholed up deformed bodies.

I don't know how else to say it but again, in america if you are taking steroids you are trash, you are scum, you are basically a piece of no good sh*t to the general public. So it would be very hard to put a pro bodybuilding contest on tv.

Even natural contests would be difficult. Because people would still think "these damn bodybuilders and there steroids" no matter how big or small the guys are.

I wish it wasn't like this but it is, at least over here in the U.S.

[helmutP]

I would like to know, what you think about "Pro Division Inc. " of Wayne DeMilia.

I was reading in an article (Musclemag June 2006), that he wants to change a lot:

new judging rules (better to understand) with five different rounds - 1) Symmetry/aesthetics (20%); 2) muscularity (20%); 3) presenting (40%); 4) and 5) evening show (each 20%); - these rules makes less sense to be a "monster" and more to have a good symmetry and a good presentation (good for the audience)

more money involved

ongoing drug-testing program (what is possible) etc.

A change in "bodybuilding going mainstream" is for sure a slow one, but it has to start sometimes.

Helmut

(by the way - it is very interesting to know the public opinion in the US; in Europe it is different)

[Anabolism1000]

I would like to know, what you think about "Pro Division Inc. " of Wayne DeMilia.

I was reading in an article (Musclemag June 2006), that he wants to change a lot:

new judging rules (better to understand) with five different rounds - 1) Symmetry/aesthetics (20%); 2) muscularity (20%); 3) presenting (40%); 4) and 5) evening show (each 20%); - these rules makes less sense to be a "monster" and more to have a good symmetry and a good presentation (good for the audience)

more money involved

ongoing drug-testing program (what is possible) etc.

A change in "bodybuilding going mainstream" is for sure a slow one, but it has to start sometimes.

Helmut

(by the way - it is very interesting to know the public opinion in the US; in Europe it is different)

Why do you want bbing to go mainstream, and why is it important that it does? Do you want chess to go mainstream, or dogsledding, or tiddly winks? BBing is obviously generating enough money to sustain itself. If natural bbing hasn't gone mainstream, what chance does IFBB bbing have?

Why can't we just accept it for what it is, love it or leave it alone.

[Flex500]

Helmut...
I am not so so sure of some of your ideas, but you have a positive attitude about the sport and you clearly love the sport and are trying to make it better. So, hell, keep it up. At list your thinking about how to improve the sport.