What prevented bodybuilding from being a legit , niche, sport?

[Howard]

We have discussed at length the changes within IFBB/ NPC pro bodybuilding with the new divisions of MPD, bikini, FPD, figure, etc.
I don't want to rehash the pros/cons of that. I do wonder what prevented bodybuilding from become a legit sport with it's own unique (small ) niche'. Why don't we have clear, transparent judging with scores displayed similar to other judged sports ( diving, skating gymnastics)? Why don't we enforce some rules on drug use and banned substances? Granted, every sport has athletes useing PED's but at least they try to stop it ( or slow it down). Why don't they check and use the IFBB ligting standards ( with a simple light meter) and adjust the lights to conform to a consistant standard?

I'm not some anal Barney Fife douche looking to enforce EVERY trivial rule or standard. I don't expect bodybuilding to be up there with football , soccer or baseball, etc. I just wanted bodybuilding to enforce some reasonable basic standards.Why do we have freaks as the ideal and walking pharmacies on stage winning shows? Why have so many dedicated bodybuilders gotten involved with seedy sex stuff and been dysfuctional. Jay, Ronnie, Arnold, Bob Chick, Shawn Ray are all great bodybuilders and decent men.
I just don't understand why bodybuilding isn't a more wholesome, healthy, legit sport?

[Noel Fuller]

Marketing.

[dave415]

^^lol..

The mid 80's and 90's was when it was introduced to main stream society with the fitness craze exploding at that time.. It eventually died on TV.

Normal folk don't consider it a sport.. They immediately associate bb'ing with steriods.. ask anyone or show anyone a pic of a bb'er and their first response is steroids..

Ask anyone outside this cult/industry and they will say you are not normal simply for the fact that to them you just have to inject stuff in you to look a certain way is what their concept of bb'ing is.. it's foreign to them... out of the ordinary.. they will immediately discard any training philosophy you claim and state steroids got you that way.. plain and simple..

Another concept they have is after you stop bb'ing all that turns into all fat and therefore you are labeled a fat person there on after..

/thread

[Howard]

Marketing.

I heard Bob Chick say the same thing.
It's my "impression" that a lot of hardcore bodybuilder types have no desire to do what is required to make bodybuilding more marketable? True?

[Carnage]

Dave, as much as this hurts me to say, good post...spot on.

[Howard]

^^lol..

The mid 80's and 90's was when it was introduced to main stream society with the fitness craze exploding at that time.. It eventually died on TV.

Normal folk don't consider it a sport.. They immediately associate bb'ing with steriods.. ask anyone or show anyone a pic of a bb'er and their first response is steroids..

Ask anyone outside this cult/industry and they will say you are not normal simply for the fact that to them you just have to inject stuff in you to look a certain way is what their concept of bb'ing is.. it's foreign to them... out of the ordinary.. they will immediately discard any training philosophy you claim and state steroids got you that way.. plain and simple..

Another concept they have is after you stop bb'ing all that turns into all fat and therefore you are labeled a fat person there on after..

/thread

I agree with your assessment. I guess I'm more curious as to why bodybuilders refuse to confrom to reasonable rules and standards.

[ryantunna]

I agree with your assessment. I guess I'm more curious as to why bodybuilders themslves refuse to engage in healthy, reasonable practices and lead wholesome, healthy lives?

Because you dont look like a pro bodybuilder just by eating healthy and being wholesome.

[Bobby Light]

The list is far too long.

[alexbb89]

Steroids much.srs.

[Pitbull9]

^^lol..

The mid 80's and 90's was when it was introduced to main stream society with the fitness craze exploding at that time.. It eventually died on TV.

Normal folk don't consider it a sport.. They immediately associate bb'ing with steriods.. ask anyone or show anyone a pic of a bb'er and their first response is steroids..

Ask anyone outside this cult/industry and they will say you are not normal simply for the fact that to them you just have to inject stuff in you to look a certain way is what their concept of bb'ing is.. it's foreign to them... out of the ordinary.. they will immediately discard any training philosophy you claim and state steroids got you that way.. plain and simple..

Another concept they have is after you stop bb'ing all that turns into all fat and therefore you are labeled a fat person there on after..

/thread

Damn, good post.

[Noel Fuller]

If they can make wrestling seem normal they could easily make bodybuilding a marketable sport, just need somebody with some vision and spend a little money. This sport could make a lot more than it is.

[Pitbull9]

If they can make wrestling seem normal they could easily make bodybuilding a marketable sport, just need somebody with some vision and spend a little money. This sport could make a lot more than it is.

No way possible and its because of how harsh everyone is about steroids in sports. You look at WWE today and there might be like 5 guys juicing. The wrestlers are tiny today and look like utter garbage. If bodybuilding even started getting just a tad bit of momentum towards mainstream it would get hit so fucking hard right away about steroids and guys would have to LEGIT test and then what would happen. Sorry Noel not even Vinny Mac or DFW themselves could make bodybuilding anything but a cult sport.

[He-Man]

The homo erotic under tones

[Noel Fuller]

I forget the IQ in the room here sometimes, ok kids , focus on bikini and men physique, show before and after pics, use older guys in good shape to promote the sport, use the health and fitness angle, everyone in Portland knows I train pro bodybuilder but the majority of my personal training clients are doctors , lawyers and rich guys trying to look better and feel younger, how do I get them? Marketing, I show the benefits of the whole lifestyle.

[mayor of bodybuilding]

The WWE Guys Are on alot of Shit and wrestling is very popular.sells out 60 thousand seat stadiums!