**How To Make Bodybuilding Mainstream**

[MCWAY]

Haney last won the Mr. O in 1991 or 1992 before Dorian won the Olympia title, so he was on Arsenio Hall's show in the early 90's. It puzzles me why someone such as Lee Haney wouldn't ask Weider or someone in the IFBB how to approach such a situation on late night TV even though it was at the end of the show. The best thing Lee Haney could have done was make a joke about himself being in Chippendales and just take his shirt off and see what the reaction of women in the audience would be. I'm surprised that Haney and Ronnie would want to where those tacky trunks when they are appearing on a talk show.

When Hall introduced Haney, The Awesome One was already centerstage. He did his posing routine first, before immediately heading to that big couch to do a brief interview with Hall. It was during that time that the cameras were taking pics of him at angles where you couldn't see his trunks. That set up Hall with the "Naked Man" jokes the following night.

[DK II]

Outside of the anabolics issue, I think the biggest problem in bodybuilding is that people still see bodybuilders as selfish, narcisstic, egotisitcal, and stupid jerks.

and isn't it the truth? most of the pros fit at least three of the four prejudices.

[MCWAY]

and isn't it the truth? most of the pros fit at least three of the four prejudices.

Until that changes, bodybuilding will be seen as an oddity. How can bodybuilding progress, if you drive away the old fans and don't generate any new ones?

[MCWAY]

Bodybuilding simply can't achieve mainstream status because the credibility of this sub-culture would be lessened in the eyes of hardcore fans.

The only athletes I compare bodybuilders to are wrestlers and bodybuilding won't ever be mainstream like wrestling somehow still is.

That's because, as stated earlier, the wrestlers actually DO SOMETHING with those big muscles they possess. They don't just flex and pose.

[Samourai Pizzacat]

Part of the problem is that a lot of BB-ers and bb-crowds act as if a work-out is the only hardcore training that exists. They have no idea of the quantities and intensity of training other sports require. This narcistic fallacy is mainly due to the misguided belief that training equals big muscles. A lot of people that work-out have a lousy condition, but still think they are king of the hill. Their egos should quickly crumble when they find out lives demands brains and stamina more than brawn.

[DK II]

another thing is that, at least in europe, bodybuilding is a blue collar 'sport'.

Over there nearly no one who has a degree and a decent job with some money is into it.
This makes the mainstream approach really hard, because it is somewhat socially downgrading to openly state that you're into bb.

[Peaking at 45 !!!]

I remember years ago (late 70's ?) when Arnold refused to appear on The Johnny Carson show (now Jay Leno show) because They wanted Arnold to appear with his shirt off, and he wouldnt do that .

Little did they know the storm that was to come from Arnold !!! 

[Peaking at 45 !!!]

Why wouldn't Arnold do that?

I believe it was around the time (probably before Arnolds last 1980 Olympia win) when he was concentrating on developing his acting, and wasnt competing at that time, and he wanted to get the message out that he is more than just a mass of muscle---that there was more to him than just flexing your muscles. Looks like Arnold was right , wasnt he ?

I also remember Johnny Carson saying after Arnold refused to appear something to the effect of : Isnt that something, a man becomes a champion bodybuilder and achieves recognition from it, but doesnt want to come on the show and show his muscles-----doesnt make sense. Thats what Johnny Carson had to say about the situation. Of  course, Arnold had much bigger plans !!!

[bmacsys]

Poppa, bodybuilding has been around for at least 100 years. I think that if it hasn't went mainstream by now it ain't gonna happen.

[Ex Coelis]

Poppa, bodybuilding has been around for at least 100 years. I think that if it hasn't went mainstream by now it ain't gonna happen.

Mainstream? No, prolly not. But I still see potential in the rap industry.

Urban culture recognizes and respects physical accomplishment. Being a big muscular man, one of the "big dawgs", gives you "street cred" and raises you to a higher level of social status. Since Ronnie is bigger than anyone else, African American, and Christian, it seems reasonable that he would connect well with rap fans.

I suppose the only problems would be that he's a cop and oils up to pose on a stage in trunks. Doesn't bother me, but I can see how others would be put off.

At least that's my understanding.

[Ex Coelis]

Toney Freeman knows what it is

[MikeThaMachine]

Gunter and Toney should team up for something.

[Tre]

Gotta get it into the X-Games.

[Mr. Intenseone]

Gotta get it into the X-Games.

As what? The X-Game crowd would tear them apart..LOL!

[ugamuscle]

Bodybuilding could go mainstream with the right representation ie...change out some of the old guys in control.  Put some younger men who have experience in both the bb industry as well as a business sense of what they could do with their athletes.

IMO...The IFBB needs a face lift, and should be run on a "2006" level.  Shit, rock/paper/sissors got a spot on espn a few weeks ago.  Your telling me that kind of bullshit is considered more of a sport than bodybuilding?

I'm surprised Chick hasnt responded...he speaks about this every chance he gets!!

[mame09]

change the bikini that they wear. before colemans era bb wore trunks. all it showed was legs and thats it but we got bb now that ride there bikini up der ass to make it look like a g string. bring back the old skool trunks. that would bring some cred that the sport has lost.

[Tre]

As what? The X-Game crowd would tear them apart..LOL!

Those emo guys love musclechicks!   

[sandstone]

Mainstream? No, prolly not. But I still see potential in the rap industry.

Urban culture recognizes and respects physical accomplishment. Being a big muscular man, one of the "big dawgs", gives you "street cred" and raises you to a higher level of social status. Since Ronnie is bigger than anyone else, African American, and Christian, it seems reasonable that he would connect well with rap fans.

I suppose the only problems would be that he's a cop and oils up to pose on a stage in trunks. Doesn't bother me, but I can see how others would be put off.

At least that's my understanding.

True story.... Rappers with "street cred" arent into the whole "intelligent" well spoken kind of people so big Ron would fit right in.

[Disgusted]

Here how to make it mainstream. Hold a wet t-shirt contest with every show. Make sure to hold it at the END of the BB show since everyone will want to leave after it is over. 

[Tre]

Great idea! Hook up rappers (guys without an ounce of musical ability) with bodybuilders (guys without an ounce of athletic ability).  Winning combo!!!

Not a bad idea, sir - crap sells more merchandise than almost anything in America.