Is the Olympia really worth the $$$ to attend?

[garraeth]

Other than looking at the overwhelming amount of assclowns that make up the bodybuilding crowd, I don't think it's worth it.  Go to the Expo and you'll see all the "tough guy, gold chain, shit genetic, gear abusing, middle aged clowns" you'll need, until the next years Olympia.  You see that it's their whole life, which is pretty sad considering most rely on drugs to do anything.  Just a sad existence.
So, yeah, go.

Oh shit, you'd better move on then Croatch -- you frequent a bodybuilding board, so that must mean you are one of those "tough guy, gold chain, shit genetic, gear abusing, middle aged clowns"!! oh noes!! Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out...we'll miss you...buy-buy...

[Alex23]

They just need to change the location. Orlean is second class and off the strip and also hicky. The parking is a good place to catch a Milos vs Mustafa catfight however.

Used to be much better when it was at the Mandalay Bay.

[garraeth]

They just need to change the location. Orlean is second class and off the strip and also hicky. The parking is a good place to catch a Milos vs Mustafa catfight however.

Used to be much better when it was at the Mandalay Bay.

You getting tickets to the show (the O, not the catfight  )?

[240 is Back]

i could see a casual fan not being excited if Ronnie was going for #10 this year.

however, they did a good thing by allowing the reigning champ to lose.  there IS excitement this year.

[HowieW]

i could see a casual fan not being excited if Ronnie was going for #10 this year.

however, they did a good thing by allowing the reigning champ to lose.  there IS excitement this year.

True that adds a lot of hype and interest. Hard to say why the Olympia has never been my favorite or ideal show?? Howard

[Fulgorre]

I went in 2006 and it was very interesting as bodybuilding fan.  Here is the deal:

1) Spend the money on close seats in the floor section.  They have some Kmart blue light special 10 foot TV but the resolution is horrible.  You cannot see any detail.  Yes, it is that bad so get good seats.

2) You will love the expo!  Go to it and get your picture with all the fitness girls and pros.  I met Lee Priest, Dennis James, Don Long (super cool), Branch Warren, Johnny Jackson, Phil Heath.  It is worth it to see them in person.  They put the biggest guy in your gym to shame.  Phil Heath's Brachilis thing is HUGE!!!!

3) Do not get to the finals early unless you want see fitness and women bodybuilding.  There was like 2 hours of it before the men even came out. Come very, very, very late after it starts

4) Stay on the happening end of the strip.  Not the Stratosphere like I did. aka, middle of no where

5) Buffets get old really fast.  Bring your protein powder and yams.

6) Last thing...at the expo all the fitness sluts babes representing the various companies give you huge bags and you can stock up on free sample.  It is literally like adult trick or treating.  You get that many samples.

There you have it.  Olympia 06 lessons

[Bluto]

yes its worth it you get the chance to insult so many pros in person than you ever can on getbig no matter how much you post

[HowieW]

I went in 2006 and it was very interesting as bodybuilding fan.  Here is the deal:

1) Spend the money on close seats in the floor section.  They have some Kmart blue light special 10 foot TV but the resolution is horrible.  You cannot see any detail.  Yes, it is that bad so get good seats.

2) You will love the expo!  Go to it and get your picture with all the fitness girls and pros.  I met Lee Priest, Dennis James, Don Long (super cool), Branch Warren, Johnny Jackson, Phil Heath.  It is worth it to see them in person.  They put the biggest guy in your gym to shame.  Phil Heath's Brachilis thing is HUGE!!!!

3) Do not get to the finals early unless you want see fitness and women bodybuilding.  There was like 2 hours of it before the men even came out. Come very, very, very late after it starts

4) Stay on the happening end of the strip.  Not the Stratosphere like I did. aka, middle of no where

5) Buffets get old really fast.  Bring your protein powder and yams.

6) Last thing...at the expo all the fitness sluts babes representing the various companies give you huge bags and you can stock up on free sample.  It is literally like adult trick or treating.  You get that many samples.

There you have it.  Olympia 06 lessons

GREAT post, funny and informative, thanks.
For me the Olympia is at tough time to get away. As a teacher and former football coach, it was tough to get away for a long weekend at that time of the year. Plus, the Olympia is VERY easy to keep up with via the on line video  and message boards. I can see the show and quickly see the pics.Granted the expo and Vegas sound cool , but the cost to get a great seat is a bit much compared to other pro events. I will most likely NOT go to the O this year and go to the SW pro and/or Montreal show as well , why?

1. The SW Pro is promoted by the Pariso's . I did the NPC show back in 94 and always had a huge amount of respct for Betty and Ed Pariso. They have a pretty decent expo and try to promote some stuff I agree with and want to support, like the under 210 lb class this yr. I can geta  front row seat and really enjoy the event as it is not as packed as the Olympia or ASC.

2. My old buddy Bix lives up north and it is easy to meet at the montreal pro event and hang out and enjoy watching some freaks and figure babes.

3. I have always enjoyed more of a grass roots kind of show anyway. The arnold expo was cool, but it was so packed I really didn't enjoy it as much as others I have been to. At the Colorado Pro it ws cool to see Shawn Ray at a table near the finals entrance to meet and greet the fans. I got to meet Ron A and jerremy of Get Big and got a great seats for a decent price. The ASC and Olympia are great events no question. I just prefer the smaller, more low key events.
Plus , at the Colorado and SW pro, they have an NPC show, whch I like to see and could even compete in, which would be cool.
Plus, I feel like I am supporting them when I buy a ticket and attend. 

[Tre]

The Expo is 10 bucks and that's a fair price for what you get.

The actual event tickets are always overpriced, though.  If you can get a deal from a scalper, though, go for it. 

[BroadStreetBruiser]

Phil Heath's Brachilis thing is HUGE!!!!

Was your keyboard smoldering while you were typing this?

[HowieW]

Was your keyboard smoldering while you were typing this?

LOL I wonder if some body part on him got huge LOL

[Livewire]

what do tickets to a pro show cost?



YouTube's Bodybuilding Central

[chainsaw]

Other than looking at the overwhelming amount of assclowns that make up the bodybuilding crowd, I don't think it's worth it.  Go to the Expo and you'll see all the "tough guy, gold chain, shit genetic, gear abusing, middle aged clowns" you'll need, until the next years Olympia.  You see that it's their whole life, which is pretty sad considering most rely on drugs to do anything.  Just a sad existence.
So, yeah, go.

There are plenty of hot lookin girls, and it really is a good time.  I ingore all the riff raff, why I'm not the type to always look at the negative side of things.

[HowieW]

The Expo is 10 bucks and that's a fair price for what you get.

The actual event tickets are always overpriced, though.  If you can get a deal from a scalper, though, go for it. 

LOL, yeah I bet I would enjoy the Olympia expo.
I just have knee jerk reaction against giving any one event most of the focus. Granted, the top guys desrve the most coverage but for me I enjoy seeing a broad range of bodybuilders.
For example, at the recent Colorado Pro, I really enjoyed seeing guys pose in top shape like George Farah and Ed Vanansterdam. Neither of them placed in the $$$ but for me they really added to the show.
Jay makes a great champ  and the Ronnie vs Jay thing is cool.I always shy away from the biggest and most  hyped events in all sports. I could care less about the Suprbowl ( don't even watch it), but enjoy watching college bowl games.
In my opinion any sporting event can get too big and end up being more hype than pure sport.

[michael arvilla]

i DIDn't read this whole thread

but i have been to the Olympia and i must say it was worth every penny!!

ill remember it always (im a huge bb fan tho)

depends on if you are into it or not

if you are...............there is nothing like it on earth bro!!


Mike

[muscleforlife]

I am going to the olympia this year.

Someone give me a link for tickets.

Sandra

[JasonH]

LOL, yeah I bet I would enjoy the Olympia expo.
I just have knee jerk reaction against giving any one event most of the focus. Granted, the top guys desrve the most coverage but for me I enjoy seeing a broad range of bodybuilders.
For example, at the recent Colorado Pro, I really enjoyed seeing guys pose in top shape like George Farah and Ed Vanansterdam. Neither of them placed in the $$$ but for me they really added to the show.
Jay makes a great champ  and the Ronnie vs Jay thing is cool.I always shy away from the biggest and most  hyped events in all sports. I could care less about the Suprbowl ( don't even watch it), but enjoy watching college bowl games.
In my opinion any sporting event can get too big and end up being more hype than pure sport.

Howie I went to Vegas in 05 for a holiday (I live in Britain) - happened to be when the Olympia was on but I couldn't be bothered to fork out mucho $$$$$ to actually watch the Olympia contest itself. I went to the Expo and it was pretty good - loads of free shit, fitness girls, and has-been pros all flogging their wares. It was a good day all in all but looking back I shoulda forked out the extra dollar to see the show itself. I stayed at the Luxor which was reasonably near the Orleans (but still far enough away). I went back to Vegas in April this year I liked it so much - it's a decent place but you get a bit sick of the slot machines ringing in your ears after a while - there's only so much casino you can take before it pisses you off. My advice - go to the Expo and go to the Show too. Your wallet won't thank you but hey, we can all make more money.

[muscleforlife]

just went to the official olympia site.    Do I or do I not want to be a VIP?

That may be too much BB overload for me.  I will have to figure out what I want to see and what I don't want to see.
Fitness girls do nothing for me at the expo, but the boys, well that is a whole other story....

And the after parties....
What happens in Vegas....

Sandra

[Andre Nickatina]

Tickets, airfare, hotel, hookers, booze, weed, condoms, strippers = $1,500.

What's 1,500 bucks?

I like the way this man thinks.

[Alex23]

You getting tickets to the show (the O, not the catfight  )?

Yes sir.

[stuntmovie]

The "O" in Las Vegas is great. Can't think of a better location to hold it. I agree that the Mandalay Bay was one of the better venues for the event but it probably got too damn expensive so they booked the Orleans which is one of the better local hotel/casinos.

I only regret that they are unable to hold the Expo at the same location. That drive to the Convention Center can be a real pain in the ass.

Most "convention" hotels raise their room rates and dining prices whenever the place is booked solid. Right now you can get a damn good roast beef/prime rib dinner at the coffee shoppe for about 12 dollars and less than 20 in the upstairs dinner spot. I recommend them both for a decent meal.

Most of the old timers I know, spend most of the time meeting old friends from way back when Larry Scott took the trophy.... kind of like a high school reunion each year. Most of these old timers go to the prejuding only and spend their free time losing their money at the crap and blackjack tables.

If you want to save some bucks, you might want to consider just buying tickets for the prejudging. But make sure you go the Expo too if you want to meet the champs close up.

[HowieW]

just went to the official olympia site.    Do I or do I not want to be a VIP?

That may be too much BB overload for me.  I will have to figure out what I want to see and what I don't want to see.
Fitness girls do nothing for me at the expo, but the boys, well that is a whole other story....

And the after parties....
What happens in Vegas....

Sandra

LOl, I really cracked up reading your post on this and "too much BB overload" .
I just booked an 8 day cruise to the Eastern Carib with a lovely lady, for the end of JULY, so my extra vacation budget is now shot. For about the same price ($1300) as a VIP ticket, air and hotel to attend the Olympia, I could get wined and dined , pampered and soak up the islands  and enjoy my lady, etc.
It was a no brainer for me and I took the cruise.
The O has an awesome expo, no doubt and is a historic show. Considering the time of the year for me as a teacher and my enjoyment of other pro events like the Colorado Pro, along with only X amount of vacation dollars, the Olympia just isn't in the cards for me. Bodybuilding is a hobby and part of my life, not my whole life .
I wish all get biggers a great time at the O.
The howdog will see ya at one of the other events.
Howdog

PS/ The Colorado Pro show is a great "other than the O and ASC" pro bodybuilding event. Plus, if you want to see some awesome mountains , you can check out the Rocky Mt National Pk , aprox 75 miles NW of Denver.
Just my 2 cents and I have nothing negative to say about the Olympia . If it was near ATL, I would go.

[bigdumbbell]

i'm going cause hidetada says he'll be there & i speak Japanese