The Official Save The Bodybuilding.com Forums

[BiGx5MurF]

Spam free was short lived.

Interesting how the current spam is mostly focused on human trafficking

[Michiganian]

Spam free was short lived.

I feared that would be the case

[thedickus]

It was too many years ago to remember, but what does one need to actually create a BB.com forum account? Is there any email account verification involved? At a minimum they should not automatically approve any new accounts where the user is 52 years old, that seems to be what each of these spam accounts are showing. Better yet, you should only be allowed on the forums as a registered bb.com customer and actually buy something before they activate your forum account.

[Michiganian]

Better yet, you should only be allowed on the forums as a registered bb.com customer and actually buy something before they activate your forum account.

Buying from bb.com seems to be an iffy proposition these days: What is going on with bb.com

[radrd]

It was too many years ago to remember, but what does one need to actually create a BB.com forum account? Is there any email account verification involved? At a minimum they should not automatically approve any new accounts where the user is 52 years old, that seems to be what each of these spam accounts are showing. Better yet, you should only be allowed on the forums as a registered bb.com customer and actually buy something before they activate your forum account.

I suspect it's so easy that bots do it.

[Michiganian]

I suspect it's so easy that bots do it.

Yup.

Only way to stop it is require the very first post, at the very least, be moderated.

That, of course, would require there actually be a moderation team.

[urbanlifter]

Buying from bb.com seems to be an iffy proposition these days: What is going on with bb.com

Too much competition these days, they used to be one of the only reliable sources online but now pretty much everything is sold on Amazon. Why order here when I get Prime shipping, discounts for monthly recurring deliveries, and rewards points?

[Spanishdream]

That, of course, would require there actually be a moderation team.

Why isn't there anymore? Suffolk has been the only active mod for a while and even he is gone seemingly now (or on a break).

Thankless job.

[urbanlifter]

All they need to do is give me the ability to delete threads in this section, I'd check in a few times a day and clean up this nonsense. But they probably aren't too worried about it, not a lot of regulars anyway.

[Michiganian]

Why order here when I get Prime shipping, discounts for monthly recurring deliveries, and rewards points?

To support the continued existence of the forum?

Re: Moderating...

Thankless job.

Yes, it is.

All they need to do is give me the ability to delete threads in this section,

I volunteered. Twice. My efforts were met with utter silence.

[urbanlifter]

To support the continued existence of the forum?

I've said it before, BB.com could easily get my money but they've pulled my favorite product. Years ago they had the BEST workout clothing money could buy, better than Gym Shark that's popular today, but they discontinued their Raglan style sleeveless shirts (wearing one in my profile Pic). If they brought them back today I'd buy multiple shirts of every color to last me the rest of my life. Still waiting BB. Com....

[Michiganian]

I've said it before, BB.com could easily get my money but they've pulled my favorite product.

Sure, they have to have product you want. (And they have to actually deliver it!) But you asked "why?" I gave you one reason why.

Mind you: I'm not certain it matters, at this point, anyway.

[Afo3]

So really, what is our escape plan to a new forum? Given the massive amount of spam, I can't imagine this place will last much longer. I've already been going back and saving any info I might need in the future (like HealthNut's vendors for nice cams and sprockets and chains).

I'd be open to moving to a Facebook group, WhatsApp group, Signal or Reddit. Basically anywhere is going to be better than here. I'm happy to help moderate if desired.

[ncsuLuke]

This place is done. I took a little break over the holidays from checking things and come back to basically all spam. Sucks because this place used to be amazing but I think I'm done here. I'll be on reddit for the most part, it's not perfect but it's the easiest to keep track of and Facebook sucks.

[weisgarb]

This place is done. I took a little break over the holidays from checking things and come back to basically all spam. Sucks because this place used to be amazing but I think I'm done here. I'll be on reddit for the most part, it's not perfect but it's the easiest to keep track of and Facebook sucks.

But where else will you go to get your "Black Magic death spells to kill my husband In Bristol"? And what about a more generic "Instant Death Spell To Kill That Work Fast in Chelmsford"?

It's a bummer the spells are only regional. What if you want an instant death spell for Bristol, and it's not aimed at your husband?

[radrd]

So really, what is our escape plan to a new forum? Given the massive amount of spam, I can't imagine this place will last much longer. I've already been going back and saving any info I might need in the future (like HealthNut's vendors for nice cams and sprockets and chains).

I'd be open to moving to a Facebook group, WhatsApp group, Signal or Reddit. Basically anywhere is going to be better than here. I'm happy to help moderate if desired.

While the spam is incredibly annoying, it's only done if people stop contributing, thereby killing it.

[urbanlifter]

Moving all my content to OnlyGains, too hot for Facebook.

[bisonp]

While the spam is incredibly annoying, it's only done if people stop contributing, thereby killing it.

I have noticed those spam posts are getting a lot of views. That's evidently bots making it appear like people are actually looking at those posts, because there aren't enough members left here to do that. Nothing is going to change until somebody at BB.com takes control, which doesn't look like it's going to happen.

[Michiganian]

Nothing is going to change until somebody at BB.com takes control, which doesn't look like it's going to happen.

I can't imagine what ownership is thinking. Obviously somebody is watching the forums, because they get repaired when the database falls over. And, last time it happened, somebody went through and deleted all the spam threads.

But they're ignoring people volunteering to moderate the forums--allowing them to be overrun with really appalling spam, both in volume and content, and misc is nothing short of a complete and utter embarrassment--populated mostly by whiny incels and juveniles. (I don't understand whey they allow that section to even exist.)

None of this makes any sense to me in the least.

[RGrizzzz]

I can't imagine what ownership is thinking. Obviously somebody is watching the forums, because they get repaired when the database falls over. And, last time it happened, somebody went through and deleted all the spam threads.

But they're ignoring people volunteering to moderate the forums--allowing them to be overrun with really appalling spam, both in volume and content, and misc is nothing short of a complete and utter embarrassment--populated mostly by whiny incels and juveniles. (I don't understand whey they allow that section to even exist.)

None of this makes any sense to me in the least.

How are you reaching out to try to get admin rights? Moderator application form @ https://support.bodybuilding.com/hc/...=9743246940820 ?

[Michiganian]

How are you reaching out to try to get admin rights? Moderator application form @ https://support.bodybuilding.com/hc/...=9743246940820 ?

I know about that. I don't qualify due to insufficient time in the forums. So I reached out via email and a contact form. Received no response to either. Another member did submit the form. He, likewise, heard nothing back.

[TheDude8734]

I know about that. I don't qualify due to insufficient time in the forums. So I reached out via email and a contact form. Received no response to either. Another member did submit the form. He, likewise, heard nothing back.

I applied as well and received a response that they would let me know. Worth a shot!

[FrancisSoyer]

I use dumb bells.

[Duplicitous]

This place seems to be a lost cause at this point.

[Greybird2]

This place seems to be a lost cause at this point.

Yes.

[ampire]

My suggestion would be to make a reddit "equipment forum" or "workout equipment" and/or a discord. reddit/r/homegym is okay for some stuff but seems mostly motivated by trendy influencer materialism. I've never really wanted to interact there. Some of the charm of this place is the discussion of acquisition of niche items, home made equipment, and former commercial pieces. Little of that exists on homegym, which mostly resembles a rogue/rep marketing flier, with lots of pictures of similar looking garages filled with thousands of dollars in barely used black powdercoated steel.

[thedickus]

My suggestion would be to make a reddit "equipment forum" or "workout equipment" and/or a discord. reddit/r/homegym is okay for some stuff but seems mostly motivated by trendy influencer materialism. I've never really wanted to interact there. Some of the charm of this place is the discussion of acquisition of niche items, home made equipment, and former commercial pieces. Little of that exists on homegym, which mostly resembles a rogue/rep marketing flier, with lots of pictures of similar looking garages filled with thousands of dollars in barely used black powdercoated steel.

This place used to be a goldmine of quality information. Just about any piece of equipment someone had a question about most likely someone on this site either owns, has owned it, or at the very least used it. I'm sure this site has saved the average new home gym person hundreds to thousands of dollars if advice was followed.
On the flip side there hasn't been a Bowflex question or a good smith machine argument on here for probably a year or more.

[bisonp]

This place used to be a goldmine of quality information. Just about any piece of equipment someone had a question about most likely someone on this site either owns, has owned it, or at the very least used it. I'm sure this site has saved the average new home gym person hundreds to thousands of dollars if advice was followed.
On the flip side there hasn't been a Bowflex question or a good smith machine argument on here for probably a year or more.

Just for you, I commented on the Bowflex thread.

I don't think the Bowflex cable machines are as popular as they used to be. I can't remember the last time I saw a commercial for them.

[Michiganian]

This place used to be a goldmine of quality information.

Possibly could be again, but, to get there, it would have to attract and retain quality members. That isn't going to happen while potential new members take a look, see all the spam and the garbage in misc is the majority of the traffic. I would imagine this also drives-away, or has driven-away, existing valued members.

It could be corrected. Step 1: Get a team of moderators that actually want to and will moderate. Step 2: Change the site policy to require the first post, at least, be approved by a moderator. (That would eliminate most of the spam, right off.) Step 3: Remove misc from the from the "New Posts" listing or shut it down entirely and ban off-topic discussion. Step 4: Moderation with a vengance. This means something like "three strikes": First transgression gets a warning. Second gets a time out or moderated status. Third strike gets a perma-ban.

The three most active, the best, forums in which I participate (firearms and golf) have similar policies. They've very active and their memberships love the forums. None ever have any spam. They rarely see any juvenile behavior. The rules are clear, simple, and they're strictly enforced.

They do have off-topic sub-forums, but members are expected to treat one another respectfully and they don't tolerate abusive or childish behavior. The firearms forum allows political discussion. The golf forums prohibit it entirely.

[thedickus]

Just for you, I commented on the Bowflex thread.

I don't think the Bowflex cable machines are as popular as they used to be. I can't remember the last time I saw a commercial for them.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to bisonp again.

Holy crap! I forgot there even was a Bowflex thread, it's right at the top of the stickies. It used to be about a weekly thing to talk someone off the Bowflex ledge. But you're right, I can't remember the last Bowflex weight machine I saw a commercial for.

Now someone just needs to say how smith machines are bad for you. My week will be complete.