Because what they are selling is an illusion and by now everyone knows it. Look at the infomercials for any of these ab products listed below. EVeryone knows that the models featured in these ads did not get their bodies from using the products advertised. As long as bodybuilding is built on drugs and lying advertisements it will be limited to weirdos & schmoes and rejected by respectable society.
http://www.infomercialratings.com/abdominal_product_reviews.htm
6 Second Abs
Ab Away Pro - Tamilee Webb
Ab Coaster
Ab Doer
Ab Doer 2
Ab Doer Xtreme
Ab Dolly
Ab Energizer
Ab Flex
Ab Force
Ab Force (Belt)
Ab King Pro
Ab Lazer
Ab Lifter Plus
Ab Lounge
Ab Lounge 2
Ab Lounge XL
Ab Maximizer
Ab Pony
Ab Rail
Ab Rocker
Ab Rocket
Ab Roller
Ab Scissor - Body by Jake
Ab Sculptor
Ab Slide
Ab Swing
Ab Twister
Abaratus
Abrageous
Abs Made Easy
Abtronic
Bender Ball
Contour Core Belt
Core Sculptor
Cross Crunch
Electro-Gym
Fast Abs
Gym Fitness
Katami Bar
Kor Flex
Red Exerciser
Rio Ab Belt
Slendertone Flex
Smart Abs
The Bean
Torso Tiger
Torso Tiger 2
Torso Track
Torso Track 2
Velform Sauna Belt
The top 'ab' products may be sold under false pretenses, but they do sell. Though, I think it's partly due to the supposed quickness of results
combined with the models in the ads; because the stimulus of seeing a body that you may want to look like is a very powerful selling tool, even if the advertised product will only help you get 5% of the way there.
Good post.
But I disagree with the steroids part. The public equates huge muscles with drugs, and whether right or not, bbing isn't losing that stigma. And while you and I know that most major sports and athletes use drugs, Joe Public is naive, and really wants to believe otherwise.
Again, comp. bbing is boring. Nothing is changing that. Pageants are boring to begin with, and this one happens to appeal to muscle worshipers and freaks (who can relate). Hardly any appeal in that. Now imagine if Joe Public knew or was aware of the shady side (or should I say shadier side, since comp. bbing is shady to begin with) and there's no way this thing is growing.
And please, stop referring to comp. bbing as a sport. THERE'S NOTHING "sport" about it. Again, a pageant? Yes. A hobby gone wrong? Yes. A competition (when it isn't rigged), maybe. Hell, in Arnold's days, it may have even been an art form. Not anymore. Comp. bbing is about as sport as WWE, except, WWE wrestlers/performers actually have athletic ability/prowess. There's a reason why Vegas will not take bets on things like WWE and IFBB.....and they'll take bets on just about ANYTHING, think about it.
I agree about the public virtually knows they're on drugs, but like I said, the 'cheating' aspect should be negated because they're all cheating. But I guess that only snowballs the drug issue, rather than cancelling it out.
Sport or not, there is a reason that people see it as a stupid act with funny, weird-looking man who "will never have kids" and "have small penises", etc. I think there are two ways to go about improving its fanbase: 1) give building BIG muscles a more respectable image, both at the contests and in the mags, and 2) make the contests more entertaining to the general public. Not necessarily by expos, but something else.
Joe Public has no interest in finding out about the G4P side, since they're content to laugh at the sport the way it is in its purest form on stage.
