Classic Bodybuilding Is Dead
I know this is something that has been discussed for quite a while - gone are the days of aesthetics, symmetry, good proportions and conditioning. My naturally optimistic outlook on life hindered my ability to accept this truth. As much as it pains me to say it, I have finally come to the realization that classic bodybuilding is dead.
In 2015, Arnold Schwarzenegger rightly pointed out the absurdity of the "bottle" shape. I thought if the Austrian Oak himself spoke out against the diluted path bodybuilders have been going down that it would change the opinions of IFBB judges. I could not have been more wrong. As it turns out, I have been the diluted one. Case in point, Danny Hester's 1st Place Win in the 2016 Men's Classic Physique Category. Hester's side pose reveals a gut on par with many Mr. Olympia competitors. IMO, he also looked disproportionate and flat.
If that wasn't enough convincing for me, Dave Palumbo's interview with Steve Weinberger solidified the horror. In it he claims Kai Greene would have placed 1st at the 2016 Arnold Classic even if he did not win the posing round. I have mad love for Kai Greene. But let's be real, it looks like he is carrying a set of triplets.
Cedric McMillan won the 2017 show. Yet, it provides little consolation knowing a guy with good proportions and symmetry had been bested by a guy with a bubble gut a year earlier. Every time I see a front camera shot of a Mr. Olympia competitor hitting a Back Double-Biceps or Rear Lat Spread pose, I cringe with terror. I wait each time for one of Ridley Scott's aliens to burst out of their stomachs. It's fucked up imagery, I know!
I digress.
How many here would prefer seeing guys with classic physiques compete in the Olympia as opposed to the blocky mutants?
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I would agree with most of the input here but the current Mr Olympia at least hits the stage gut free,and has great symmetry.Dexter still has great symmetry and is gut free.The freaks are Certianly very popular but don't always win.Unfortunately for me my gut is not GH or Insulin related!
RustyhookerWhat you're saying is exactly why i prefer the lighter weight classes. The 212 down imo still has some of the standard bodybuilding shape. Guy sisternino for example doesnt have that igf gut and has serious mass with narrow waist.
Cisternino is a great example of what is possible - quality mass and a tight waist. McMillan is another one of my favorite bodybuilders with a tight waist. Unfortunately, it is something a lot of mass monsters can't achieve. The big gut is a culmination of insulin, gh or igf, eating too many carbs, and eating too many calories overall. Super heavy squats and deadlifts are another contributing factor. IMO, a narrow waist and v-taper should not be negated for the sake of mass. Having a bubble gut, poor definition, and bad proportions defeats the purpose of what is in my mind an ideal bodybuilding physique.
The freaks are what sell tickets. This business is about money so I just see the judges encouraging them to become even freakier.
I remember Steve Weinberger being challenged on Arnold's statement on bodybuilders being too large and his response was some thing like people don't go to the the zoos to look at small animals but rather gorillas, lions and other .beasts that are not usually seen. Its the same with Bodybuilding people want to see the beast that have bodies that look impossible to achieve.
Like almost everything else times have changed the freaks have the largest followings and bodybuilding has become much more popular and still continues to do so. Your not going to get a large following of smaller sized aesthetic bodybuilders.
Good point. I think the max weight for a 6' guy in classic physique is like 215. You can see that anywhere.
Classic bodybuilders had their own shortcomings too though...what looks worse, thick waist or no legs?
I wouldn't say they had no legs. Sure, they weren't anything like the legs of mass monsters. But there is also no arguing they were not proportionate to the rest of their body.
That's a big statement. Have you ever seen Tom Platz.
Platz is legendary, but he wasn't the norm...Arnold's legs were small compared to today. His hams were pretty weak. All the pros now have impressive legs, look at Big Ramy.
Plenty of other categories to follow other than the freaks..
I think the judging for the other categories has been tainted, IMO. That's the reason I addressed Danny Hester's win. The guy looks nothing like a classic physique bodybuilder.
The title should be: Classic Bodybuilding Is Back
http://npcnewsonline.com/npc-announces-new-mens-division-classic-physiqu...
I much prefer the open division, they are freaks, amazing
I'd love them to just implement a rule on the gut though, simples...
There isnt a mas monster out there that doesnt have the gut, just those who hold it in, or dont
Its disgusting
I like golden age bodybuilding, I like the mass monsters. Sometimes the guts can get out of control with all the GH and slin use, but when a guy is really dialed in and dried out it looks awesome (see: Phil Heath 2011 O).
That's true, but they can only dial it in for so long before the GH and Insulin use gets their bodies out of whack for good.