What could make pro bodybuilding more interesting and/or popular?

[Equator]

What changes should the IFBB and other federations make to broaden the appeal of bodybuilding?

Should they introduce more divisions, or perhaps cut down and streamline the product to fewer divisions?

Should they focus less on the traditional pro cards and be more welcoming to social media bodybuilders who look the part?

Would WWE/UFC type promotional tactics help to grow the sport?

OR...

Do you prefer pro bodybuilding the way it is? A very niche sport with an exclusive group of men and women that compete in it?

 

[CJ]

Hmmmm...

Until some of the shows are free to watch, I don't think that it'll grow much in popularity.

Could be a double edged sword, though. If it grows in popularity, more eyes will be on it, including the government, and they might crack down on steroids to "protect the children".

 

[Equator]

Could be a double edged sword, though. If it grows in popularity, more eyes will be on it, including the government, and they might crack down on steroids to "protect the children".

Great point. I didn't even think of that.

 

[Bro Bundy]

Bodybuilders that looked good would help . Todays Olympia is damn gross

 

[Bro Bundy]

It’s just a drug sport now above everything else .

 

[Equator]

Bodybuilders that looked good would help . Todays Olympia is damn gross

So when was the last time they looked good in your opinion?

 

[Bro Bundy]

So when was the last time they looked good in your opinion?

90s 80 70

 

[Diesel59]

90s 80 70

90s guys were much more similar to 2020s guys than 1970s. They just had better conditioning and more density than today's bodybuilders.

 

[CJ]

I think that it's getting a little better now. I think shape has surpassed sheer mass in importance now, although being fucking huge is still important.

 

[Diesel59]

I think that it's getting a little better now. I think shape has surpassed sheer mass in importance now, although being fucking huge is still important.

I tend to agree. The Phil Heath era was the absolute pits in this regard.

I think Hadi Choopan is the closest thing we have to a 90s era physique. Being 5'6" probably limits him from looking as good as someone like Kevin Levrone, but to me it'll be a damn shame if he goes down as just a one off Mr. O.

 

[TomJ]

It’s just a drug sport now above everything else .

The guys today are running no more than the guys 10 or 20 years ago

 

[Bro Bundy]

The guys today are running no more than the guys 10 or 20 years ago

I don’t believe that

 

[Bro Bundy]

Actually 10 20 years ago isnt that long ago

 

[TomJ]

They just had better conditioning and more density than today's bodybuilders.

This is a commonly held misconception.
In reality, neither are true.

There has never been an erra with a higher standard of conditioning than we have today.

The issue is largely due to people comparing professional photos from the 90s and 2000s magazines, which were far more grainy by nature of the technology of the time, to Instagram pictures taken on someone's iPhone. Not to mention all the famous pictures that have remained iconic over the last 20 years were also edited and published for magazines, where a lot of detail is exaggerated when compared to in person.

 

[Bro Bundy]

90s guys were much more similar to 2020s guys than 1970s. They just had better conditioning and more density than today's bodybuilders.

Better conditioning is huge

 

[TomJ]

I don’t believe that

Actually 10 20 years ago isnt that long ago

Obviously we will never know for certain, since we will never know for sure what Jay or Ronnie's full cycles were. But in talking with people who have been involved at a high level since that era they all UNANIMOUSLY say the same thing regarding cycles.

 

[Bro Bundy]

It’s a just a creepy sport imo .

 

[Diesel59]

This is a commonly held misconception.
In reality, neither are true.

There has never been an erra with a higher standard of conditioning than we have today.

What about density?

I've heard Kevin Levrone talk about how guys in the '90s were using more free weights and less machines, resulting in a "fuller" and more "dense" look than the bodybuilders of today. This could create a better look even with subpar conditioning.

The issue is largely due to people comparing professional photos from the 90s and 2000s magazines, which were far more grainy by nature of the technology of the time, to Instagram pictures taken on someone's iPhone. Not to mention all the famous pictures that have remained iconic over the last 20 years were also edited and published for magazines, where a lot of detail is exaggerated when compared to in person.

What about videos?

I've watched most of the Battle For The Olympia series from the '90s and early '00s. Those guys looked better a few weeks out than the guys of today who I see on Instagram and YouTube.

 

[Equator]

It’s a just a creepy sport imo .

How is it creepy?

 

[Bro Bundy]

How is it creepy?

How is it not creepy