91 NPC nationals vs 2022 Olympia on VOB w Bob Chic

[Howard]

Just watched a Bob Chic Voice of BB podcast on YouTube posted 2 weeks ago.
He uses the best possible pics from 91 to compare the top 5 heavy wts at that nationals to the top 5 guys at the last Olympia.

Considering that Kevin Levronne won in 91 , Flex Wheeler was 2nd , Paul Demayo was 3rd , Ronnie Coleman 4th and Matt Mendanhal 5th , it was the most stacked nationals ever.

It's close , but I agree with Bob that the 91 nationals line up is slightly better than the last Olympia line up.

It's mind numbing to think that that top 5 amateur hvy wts from 31 years ago, at least hold their own with the top 5 pros today .

Makes any meathead go hmmmmmmm

[bigmikecox]

That 91 Nationals was as deep as a pro show if not better.

The sport has been watered down with CPD and MPD. Guys back then only wanted to be a bber, now for some reason, kids are jumping into CPD and MPD. Its their choice, but I wanted to be jacked and ripped like the guys in the mags!

[lifepulse]

That 91 Nationals was as deep as a pro show if not better.

The sport has been watered down with CPD and MPD. Guys back then only wanted to be a bber, now for some reason, kids are jumping into CPD and MPD. Its their choice, but I wanted to be jacked and ripped like the guys in the mags!

The sport has been watered down with too many people period, and with an over-reliance on drugs and coaches.

Meaning -- back in the 90s, "being a genetic freak" was a pre-requisite for getting to the National stage, as was "working really hard for a long time".

As the drug game progressed, we saw more and more "clunky" physiques -- guys with crappy lines and symmetry and muscle bellies -- who were still able to go very far because they came in big and shredded (which is very much due to drugs getting crazier, not "genetics getting crazier").

Couple that with the fact that "now everybody competes" -- partly because of the new divisions, partly because of social media (and those 2 go hand-in-hand) -- and, well, we see a lot of guys who would have never won an overall at a local show now going on to be "nationally qualified", and sneaking in a pro card with a 2nd place finish in a weak lineup.

You do that for long enough -- yes, there will be more people competing, but the overall quality of those competitors will be lower.

[bigmikecox]

The sport has been watered down with too many people period, and with an over-reliance on drugs and coaches.

Meaning -- back in the 90s, "being a genetic freak" was a pre-requisite for getting to the National stage, as was "working really hard for a long time".

As the drug game progressed, we saw more and more "clunky" physiques -- guys with crappy lines and symmetry and muscle bellies -- who were still able to go very far because they came in big and shredded (which is very much due to drugs getting crazier, not "genetics getting crazier").

Couple that with the fact that "now everybody competes" -- partly because of the new divisions, partly because of social media (and those 2 go hand-in-hand) -- and, well, we see a lot of guys who would have never won an overall at a local show now going on to be "nationally qualified", and sneaking in a pro card with a 2nd place finish in a weak lineup.

You do that for long enough -- yes, there will be more people competing, but the overall quality of those competitors will be lower.

I have always wondered what would happen if there was no social media? Would half the people even compete?

[Bestia]

I have always wondered what would happen if there was no social media? Would half the people even compete?

You mean my version of paradise Mike? It is the greatest contributor to the downfall of society and certainly civil decorum in my lifetime. Ah the old days.

Get off my lawn!

[bigmikecox]

You mean my version of paradise Mike? It is the greatest contributor to the downfall of society and certainly civil decorum in my lifetime. Ah the old days.

Get off my lawn!

We were part of a special time!!! Now we get pro cards at the Jr. USA and Nationals!

[Howard]

We were part of a special time!!! Now we get pro cards at the Jr. USA and Nationals!

Bingo .

I started bodybuilding right after pumping iron and competed in my first contest in 1978 .

19 years later I'd compete for the final time in 1997 .

I was never anything great as a bodybuilder BUT I participated during a great era .

[Triple-H_2005]

That 91 Nationals was as deep as a pro show if not better.

The sport has been watered down with CPD and MPD. Guys back then only wanted to be a bber, now for some reason, kids are jumping into CPD and MPD. It's their choice, but I wanted to be jacked and ripped like the guys in the mags!

Not only that, but it's SO easy to get a Pro Card today (hell, I'm an IFBB Pro...HOW?!?!?), relative to the 90s. Back then, the cake stayed in the oven until it was done. Go from 91-98 or so...every time a Heavy or Superheavy (once that class was instituted) went pro, they made an IMMEDIATE and SIGNIFICANT impact. Not so today.

[bigmikecox]

Not only that, but it's SO easy to get a Pro Card today (hell, I'm an IFBB Pro...HOW?!?!?), relative to the 90s. Back then, the cake stayed in the oven until it was done. Go from 91-98 or so...every time a Heavy or Superheavy (once that class was instituted) went pro, they made an IMMEDIATE and SIGNIFICANT impact. Not so today.

[Bestia]

Not only that, but it's SO easy to get a Pro Card today (hell, I'm an IFBB Pro...HOW?!?!?), relative to the 90s. Back then, the cake stayed in the oven until it was done. Go from 91-98 or so...every time a Heavy or Superheavy (once that class was instituted) went pro, they made an IMMEDIATE and SIGNIFICANT impact. Not so today.

Kudos brother. Much respect for achieving IFBB Pro status

Admins: we should have a label for members that are IFBB Pros. Like a bolded designation where "behemoth" or any of the other labels are. Old Muscle Mayhem used to have that and it was pretty cool.

[Howard]

Not only that, but it's SO easy to get a Pro Card today (hell, I'm an IFBB Pro...HOW?!?!?), relative to the 90s. Back then, the cake stayed in the oven until it was done. Go from 91-98 or so...every time a Heavy or Superheavy (once that class was instituted) went pro, they made an IMMEDIATE and SIGNIFICANT impact. Not so today.

First , congratulations on earning that pro card

I am curious why the overall quality of pro physique seems to have peaked 25 years ago ?

Your thoughts on that ?

[bigmikecox]

First , congratulations on earning that pro card

I am curious why the overall quality of pro physique seems to have peaked 25 years ago ?

Your thoughts on that ?

I think a LOT of guys think its "easier" to get a pro card in CPD and MPD. When you have ONE card given out at the USA and Nationals, you have to be GREAT to win.

[Beti ona]

I am curious why the overall quality of pro physique seems to have peaked 25 years ago ?

If you watch the movies, the same thing has happened. Or the music.

Evolution is not synonymous of progress. It's just change, often for the worse.

Humanity is wrong, believes that the passage of time is synonymous with progress or improvement.

"Mankind surely does not represent an evolution toward a better or stronger or higher level, as progress is now understood. This “progress” is merely a modern idea, which is to say, a false idea. The European of today, in his essential worth, falls far below the European of the Renaissance; the process of evolution does not necessarily mean; elevation, enhancement, strengthening."

The Antichrist - Nietzsche

[Howard]

If you watch the movies, the same thing has happened. Or the music.

Evolution is not synonymous of progress. It's just change, often for the worse.

Humanity is wrong, believes that the passage of time is synonymous with progress or improvement.

"Mankind surely does not represent an evolution toward a better or stronger or higher level, as progress is now understood. This “progress” is merely a modern idea, which is to say, a false idea. The European of today, in his essential worth, falls far below the European of the Renaissance; the process of evolution does not necessarily mean; elevation, enhancement, strengthening."

The Antichrist - Nietzsche

A few things have changed for the worse .
But most things have gotten better during the last 50 years. For starters, the overall gym situation is a lot better now in terms of access and equipment, etc

Phones , cars and heat/ AC are basic daily things that are better now .Adjusting for inflation, my families first color tv in 1965 would cost over $ 5000 today . It had a small 18 " screen and only got 3 basic channels plus public access. The TV reception was lousy with our antenna on the roof .

Tom Brokaw dubbed my dad's generation as the greatest generation. They grew up in the depression and fought victoriously in WWII .

I know for a fact my dad would think our modern technology used in daily life is a real blessing.

The problem is , from steroids to booze and social.mefia too many ABUSE using these things by going to extremes .

I don't know about you , but I like my chances to survive a serious disease more with modern medicine.

LOL you can cross the ocean by sailing ship but I'd rather fly over it in a plane .

Your call bro ...

[Howard]

I think a LOT of guys think its "easier" to get a pro card in CPD and MPD. When you have ONE card given out at the USA and Nationals, you have to be GREAT to win.

It used to be 2 pro cards given at the USA for the top 2 in the overall pose down.

The nationals has always awarded a pro card to 1st in each wt class .

However , giving out pro cards for the top 2 in each class at the Jr USA or Jr nats in mpd , bikini , figure and none in bodybuilding makes me go wtf 😒