What we learned from the Mr Olympia results.

[delta9mda]

Actually, Daddywaddy, listen to me...you embody alot of the traits that I saw in those photos.  I know you sit around and look at yourself all day and this shit you talk isn't made up.  There is an ability that the mind has to take whatever you give the body and turn it into pure perfection through sheer intention and a true passion/love/appreciation of the form that you are sculpting.  when you have learned to visualize the end product, and face your current one with enough imagination, you influence your phenotypic development.  I am convinced of this and the type of muscle shape/detail you have in some of your bodyparts really does demonstrate this to me.  My point is that back in the day, before all the bullshit, when guys were still figuring out what was possible with God's help and not through forced and unjustified training/dieting/supplementing techniques, bodybuilding was something magical.  There is no soul left in this sport.  In it's current state, it is dead and devoid of passion for itself.   

yo Mc, why you riding dw's nuts?

[McFarland]

Even the fucking exercises they performed back in the day were chosen based on their ability to bask in the grace of it's execution, especially when the machines were in front of a mirror.  Seriously, they felt their physiques, they felt the exercises that created them.  The exercises were not merely performed to induce hypertrophy.  There are many levels of hypertrophy, IMO, and the types you trigger are as much a result of how you choose to feel the fibers and structures involved.  Everything went to hell when Dorian made it cool to get covered up and grow a beard when you trained.  Think about it.  That's when physiques went to shit.  There was no more appreciation of the physique in it's everyday form...only in the final days before competition was the physical form ever contemplated from anything other than an entirely objective standpoint.  How much do I weigh?  How much did I lift on that last set and how many reps did I get last time, how much longer do I have until it's time for carbs again and then how much longer til the insulin's most active, blah blah blah...I'm telling you...those guys just sat around and TRAINED.  Squeezed...found a new angle or arc through which to move a weight to feel the area they knew needed something else.  Then when they got hungry, they ate...if they didn't crave 75 grams of fucking protein 5 times a day, they sure as hell didn't EAT 75 grams of protein 5 times a day.  They appreciated every bite that entered their mouths and even took time to consider how perfectly those nutrients were for their needs...ha ha ha  Man it's just a mentality that you have to work into like this, but I hope you get my point.  The best physiques our kind have witnessed have been a direct product of an equally appreciable MINDSET that inevitably accompanied them.    

[McFarland]

yo Mc, why you riding dw's nuts?

I like to encourage him to take seriously alot of the points he speaks about in a trivial manner...he has a much more free way of thinking than most and through that very valid ideas flow.  If he took himself more seriously he'd come to expect more of himself than he currently does, which he is more than capable of achieving.  I don't think God would have given us dreams we weren't capable of actualizing.  I'll die believing either that, or that I just didn't want my dreams bad enough.  At any rate, I'm off the hook.  See how that works?  I encourage and am a true fan of any passion that I can identify, in any sport, place, genre, etc.  It's the only thing that's real, and there are many places in this little subculture of ours that true passion can indeed be found.      

[Jerryme7]

Maybe God has better things in store for Ronnie and is teaching Ronnie humilty and humbleness.....

Remember the story of Job?

[AVBG]

Maybe God has better things in store for Ronnie and is teaching Ronnie humilty and humbleness.....

Remember the story of Job?

Amen.

[The True Adonis]

Even the fucking exercises they performed back in the day were chosen based on their ability to bask in the grace of it's execution, especially when the machines were in front of a mirror.  Seriously, they felt their physiques, they felt the exercises that created them.  The exercises were not merely performed to induce hypertrophy.  There are many levels of hypertrophy, IMO, and the types you trigger are as much a result of how you choose to feel the fibers and structures involved.  Everything went to hell when Dorian made it cool to get covered up and grow a beard when you trained.  Think about it.  That's when physiques went to shit.  There was no more appreciation of the physique in it's everyday form...only in the final days before competition was the physical form ever contemplated from anything other than an entirely objective standpoint.  How much do I weigh?  How much did I lift on that last set and how many reps did I get last time, how much longer do I have until it's time for carbs again and then how much longer til the insulin's most active, blah blah blah...I'm telling you...those guys just sat around and TRAINED.  Squeezed...found a new angle or arc through which to move a weight to feel the area they knew needed something else.  Then when they got hungry, they ate...if they didn't crave 75 grams of fucking protein 5 times a day, they sure as hell didn't EAT 75 grams of protein 5 times a day.  They appreciated every bite that entered their mouths and even took time to consider how perfectly those nutrients were for their needs...ha ha ha  Man it's just a mentality that you have to work into like this, but I hope you get my point.  The best physiques our kind have witnessed have been a direct product of an equally appreciable MINDSET that inevitably accompanied them.    

Great post!

Totally embodies The Adonis Principles to a degree!

[McFarland]

Great post!

Totally embodies The Adonis Principles to a degree!

Well sure it does.  I never said you weren't onto something...I think there's a few of us here onto some things that may yet add up to what we're all looking for, it's just a matter of putting all the pieces together.  Bodybuilding is at a very critical point...we all need to examine our motives and why we are here.  We need to examine the sport's past...we need to examine our sport's past's influences and what THEY were thinking.  I think there's been a certain amount of shame unjustifiably ascribed to what it is that we're all trying to do here.  Perhaps it's a case of trying to remedy the perceived sins of the fathers when all that's required is rectifying our own errors.  Maybe it's about accountability?  I don't know, but this sport's gone to hell as it is currently being portrayed.  Whatever, I'm done for tonight and had fun putting this out there so fuck it.      

[Vince B]

I think McFarland is suggesting that modern bodybuilding has gone too far with the drugs and the long term use of such dosages and variety of drugs affects the physiques. Not mentioned was the practice of using substances injected into target muscles to get them bigger. I suppose the paradigm beliefs have changed. No longer do bodybuilders believe they can fashion their physiques in the gym. They require the services of guys who fool around with substances to both affect hypertrophy and definition. It is so bad now that reputations can be made just assisting guys to prepare for contests.

I think Dorian set a standard for physiques in that precontest photo back in 93 and no one has presented in that condition before or since. Many champs look amazing before contests but appear less than stellar on stage. Something drastic and impacting is happening in the bodies of bodybuilders in the last weeks before a contest. Sure they still train and many do heaps of aerobics, but many lose a lot of size so that they can appear cut on stage. It is as if some philospher's stone is required to get everything right. Knuckleheads on their own cannot get everything right. What we have now is proxy bodybuilding where champions rely on others and substances for success instead of finding how to effect changes by training in the gym.

[McFarland]

Yeah man what happened to THIS SHIT!  ha ha ha

[McFarland]

Oh shit remember these?   

[McFarland]

Notice that even Achim Albrecht above, known at the height of his popularity as his day's most representative "mass monster," STILL had a level of conditioning that was better than what most of our current day's most aesthetically-regarded are bringing to the stage.  Seriously.  Was Victor Martinez or Melvin Anthony's arms that lean at the Olympia?  

[LASTREP72]

We now know that God no longer wants Ronnie Coleman to win. Neither did the judges. Just shows that we do not know what God's plan is for us. Ronnie was convinced his purpose was to be Mr Olympia. Now what is he supposed to believe? I just wish people would stop mentioning God in public announcements. Surely Ron cannot blame God for his placing?!

The IFBB judges can award the title to a non-reigning competitor. Apparently the judges did the right thing this year. Is that a miracle or the new IFBB criteria in force? The IFBB remains consistent in that they do not award first place to a person who does not present with the necessary condition. That applies now to former champions.

Injuries can make a difference to condition. Diet can also be important. If you tear a triceps or lat or both you are unlikely to be able to train hard enough. Those injuries will be obvious to the judges. Lifting heavy weights is dangerous. No bodybuilder should do really heavy deadlifts.

If you set a certain standard and then show up below that standard you cannot expect the same placing as previously.

Short men do not place high in the Olympia. They stuggle to make the top 10 and are more or less overlooked. Ronnie Rockel is another example of this bias.

Black men have small calves. Those with small calves have little or no chance of winning the Olympia. Few of the black bodybuilders who competed showed much in the way of cuts in their calves. Exceptions are Vince Taylor and Victor Martinez. If you are a no calves bodybuilder you really cannot expect to win the Olympia.

Black bodybuilders are bigger and better than white guys. A generalization, of course.

Joe Weider was not present at the awards which is sad. The end of an era, perhaps.

At one point I accually thought Jay knock Ronnie off his thrown in a lagit way - but after watching the webcast re-plays I thought otherwise. What we learned is that the fix was in due to pressure from the PDI - if the judges based everything on size alone - Ruhl or Ronnie should have one - if their decision was based on the total package Dex should be Mr.O

[Vince B]

This year some sites offered a way to compare each competitor in all the compulsory poses. If you do that objectively then Jay wins here and Ronnie is somewhere down the line. If you look at all the comparisons and view the videos then it is clear that Ronnie has seen his day. With his injured lat and tricep he is unlikely to be able to get to the top again. I think retiring would be best for all concerned. We have seen this happen in other sports and gone are the days when guys like Dorian could win with one full biceps.

[LASTREP72]

This year some sites offered a way to compare each competitor in all the compulsory poses. If you do that objectively then Jay wins here and Ronnie is somewhere down the line. If you look at all the comparisons and view the videos then it is clear that Ronnie has seen his day. With his injured lat and tricep he is unlikely to be able to get to the top again. I think retiring would be best for all concerned. We have seen this happen in other sports and gone are the days when guys like Dorian could win with one full biceps.

Are they gone - have you checked out Culter's right bicep - it's losing the race with the left one And let's not forget about Toney Freeman who won a show this year with just a pec and a half

[Cableguy]

I think McFarland has a good point regarding the power of the mind and what can be
acheived. I'm still making gains at 44 (though I am by no means genetically superior in any way)
because I REFUSE to let it be any other way!
I also beleive that mindset can be applied to other aspects as well. For instance, most people
beleive me to be 10 years younger, and to be completely honest with myself, I do look about 34.
Now, some of that can probably be attributed to living a somewhat healthy lifestyle, and maybe
some of it to having "good Italian genes", but I think it's due in large part to my mindset.
I made up my mind awhile ago that aging was not for me and that I would not accept it as an option!
I figure if I fool myself enough, it will become reality! When I see my "skinny fat" friends falling
apart before my eyes, it gives me a lot of inspiration, let me tell you!
What you truly beleive has the power to become a self-fulfilling prophecy, be it good or bad!

[Vince B]

What does a 34 year old look like? Anyway, perhaps continually growing helps keep you young. That and having the genetics to look okay as you get older. If you attend school reunions in the future you will see that some people age far more than others. It really is quite scary. Training is not sufficient because that can actually wear the body down. Growing is the key. Train to keep part of your body growing at all times and you have a chance at staying younger for far longer than your mates.

[Cableguy]

Unfortunitely, no one put together a 20 nor 25 year reunion. I would have loved to have gone!
As for relative age, I guess that can be hard to guage. I guess I can say I hardly look different
agewise from photos of myself 10 years ago.
As far as training wearing the body down, you do have a point, as my rotators will attest!
Anyway my piont is, you don't have to accept "getting old" as it is traditionally viewed.
I see so many people change the way they behave to fit their chronological age. Also, when you start
whining about "I'm too old" for this or that, your'e just talking yourself into it.
I'm still the same guy I always was. I'd like to think I picked up a little knowledge and wisdom
along the way, but I don't see myself any differently than I ever did. I just keep doing what
I've always done, and don't even think about it. I'm older than a lot of guys at work and at my
gym, but I don't feel out of place at all amongst those guys. I feel more out of place usually with my own peer group! We may have more shared experiences, but that's about it! 

[venom gang.bronze]

We now know that God no longer wants Ronnie Coleman to win. Neither did the judges. Just shows that we do not know what God's plan is for us. Ronnie was convinced his purpose was to be Mr Olympia. Now what is he supposed to believe? I just wish people would stop mentioning God in public announcements. Surely Ron cannot blame God for his placing?!

The IFBB judges can award the title to a non-reigning competitor. Apparently the judges did the right thing this year. Is that a miracle or the new IFBB criteria in force? The IFBB remains consistent in that they do not award first place to a person who does not present with the necessary condition. That applies now to former champions.

Injuries can make a difference to condition. Diet can also be important. If you tear a triceps or lat or both you are unlikely to be able to train hard enough. Those injuries will be obvious to the judges. Lifting heavy weights is dangerous. No bodybuilder should do really heavy deadlifts.

If you set a certain standard and then show up below that standard you cannot expect the same placing as previously.

Short men do not place high in the Olympia. They stuggle to make the top 10 and are more or less overlooked. Ronnie Rockel is another example of this bias.

Black men have small calves. Those with small calves have little or no chance of winning the Olympia. Few of the black bodybuilders who competed showed much in the way of cuts in their calves. Exceptions are Vince Taylor and Victor Martinez. If you are a no calves bodybuilder you really cannot expect to win the Olympia.

Black bodybuilders are bigger and better than white guys. A generalization, of course.

Joe Weider was not present at the awards which is sad. The end of an era, perhaps.

there is no god, no devil, no nothing. when will people wake up? we are our own gods!

[Hurricane Beef !]

" Joe Weider was not present at the awards which is sad. The end of an era, perhaps. "

I thought Joe was at the Olympia.

The Beef

[pumpster]

From experience I concur with Vince on the need to train smart for longevity, to avoid injury-keep the reps moderate, the weights fairly heavy but not overwhelming and use machines when they're good rather than blindly following the free-weights mantra just because others do. Heavy deads are out of the question, as is heavy lifting in general, with age.

The only thing i don't agree with is Yates as any paragon of BB. Quite the contrary in fact; he was one of the first to stray from the old days regimens, to embark on newfound drug cocktails and to get that bigger waist to go with the bloated unnatural looking physique. I don't find those black and white shots appealing. Something Schwarzenegger noticed and remarked on in the 90s as i recall; Oliva also was never impressed by Yates-neither feels Yates embodies BB ideals, nor do I.

What i'd like to know but will probably never hear about is why Coleman wasn't told by either Weider or one of his own circle prior to the show that he no longer had it and should retire prior to the show, or was he told and chose to disregard it? Especially in the face of multiple injuries it should've been clear to all concerned that this was a turning point. And why Yates in the same situation was permitted to go out on top; what were the dynamics then and now and why the difference?

[Palpatine Q]

From experience I concur with Vince on the need to train smart for longevity, to avoid injury-keep the reps moderate, the weights fairly heavy but not overwhelming and use machines when they're good rather than blindly following the free-weights mantra just because others do. Heavy deads are out of the question, as is heavy lifting in general, with age.

The only thing i don't agree with is Yates as any paragon of BB. Quite the contrary in fact; he was one of the first to stray from the old days regimens, to embark on newfound drug cocktails and to get that bigger waist to go with the bloated unnatural looking physique. I don't find those black and white shots appealing. Something Schwarzenegger noticed and remarked on in the 90s as i recall; Oliva also was never impressed by Yates-neither feels Yates embodies BB ideals, nor do I.

What i'd like to know but will probably never hear about is why Coleman wasn't told by either Weider or one of his own circle prior to the show that he no longer had it and should retire prior to the show, or was he told and chose to disregard it? Especially in the face of multiple injuries it should've been clear to all concerned that this was a turning point. And why Yates in the same situation was permitted to go out on top; what were the dynamics then and now and why the difference?

Excellent post. I lost a lot of respect for pro BBing when having a thick waist became acceptable. When people say how huge Cutler is and how much he weighs My response is "so what....look at size of his waist." It just doesn't add up to me, BBers should have a trim waistline  NO EXCEPTIONS.

I think the reason Ronnie went out like he did is his own arrogance. Yates was realistic enough to know he was done, Ronnie wasn't.