old days of female bb

[dan18]

I believe that the reason for the decline of woman's bb is because of the over drug use.compare the women of the 80;s and today they were beautiful the ramped drug use is no hot.

Any thoughts...

[BigCypriate]

I believe that the reason for the decline of woman's bb is because of the over drug use.compare the women of the 80;s and today they were beautiful the ramped drug use is no hot.

Any thoughts...

I definately agree with you there dan, I mean back in the 80's the female bb's had an appealing 'strong' look to their stature, but were still beautiful/appealing to a male audience

But these days I feel that over-use of male hormones, and most girls generally trying to play the mass game against big guys like coleman and cutler has really destroyed the asthetic appeal of female BB

Just my two cents

[dan18]

I definately agree with you there dan, I mean back in the 80's the female bb's had an appealing 'strong' look to their stature, but were still beautiful/appealing to a male audience

But these days I feel that over-use of male hormones, and most girls generally trying to play the mass game against big guys like coleman and cutler has really destroyed the asthetic appeal of female BB

Just my two cents

my point exactly i would like a woman's view because they are around it more,
And there opinion I'm sure would shed more light on the subject..

[BigCypriate]

my point exactly i would like a woman's view because they are around it more,
And there opinion I'm sure would shed more light on the subject..

I know what you mean dan,

I'm not the kind of guy to just roll with the crowd and start making the usual generalisations about female BB

I'm glad that we can ask the pro's themselves in this kind of forum, and their inside knowledge would really give an insight from the best angle

Do you know what I'm saying dan?

[dan18]

I DO but for some reason i feel as if we are being shunned by the woman on this board i made a very polite and insightfull post.This is not fair play
if that is the case then the woman should not be able to post on any other boards......IMO I feel as if comparing todays woman BB with the days of old is important to were woman's BB is headed..

[The BEAST]

You aren't being shunned, it may take some time before female bodybuilders come back to post on getbig once they realize this is a safe place.  I don't understand your solution of not letting females post on other areas of getbig...there is probably 1 females to every 50 males and most fall into the figure and fitness categories, not bbing. 

As far as why I believe there has been a major decline in female bodybuilding...I believe there are numerous reasons.  One reason is definitely the drug-usage and the rewarding of mass monsters in men and women's bodybuilding.  It becomes unattainable plus many do not want to get that big.  I also think a major problem is the non-existence of the promotion of female bodybuilders (even those who are more mainstream.)  When is the last time you opened any mens bbing mag and seen a picture of a female bber?  I can't think of one.  On the other hand open any of those mags and you'll seen fitness and figure (figure mainly) plastered all over.  If the media would shed a more positive light on female bbers I think more women would want to do it, everything seems negative and the topic is avoided for the most part. 

You can't really compare female bbing of the 80's to today because of the advent of Figure.  Figure has taken a chunk of girls who may have gone into bodybuilding, myself included.  Now it will be interesting to see how Figure develops in the next few years because many of the 'bigger' figure girls may switch over to bbing because they are not being rewarded in Figure, plus they enjoy lifting and don't want to give it up for hours of cardio.     

Please don't forgot that in the 80's the women involved in bodybuilding were also criticized for being too muscular and manly...the sport has evolved and our ideas of what is beautiful has evolved.  Personally I think many competitors take it too far but it is their choice to make and they are doing what they want to do...just like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler.  Unfortunately I don't think the aesthetic problem is as big a problem as the health issues that will accompany the abuse of drugs...but aesthetics are the only thing that people want to harp on.

[az]

You aren't being shunned, it may take some time before female bodybuilders come back to post on getbig once they realize this is a safe place.  I don't understand your solution of not letting females post on other areas of getbig...there is probably 1 females to every 50 males and most fall into the figure and fitness categories, not bbing. 

As far as why I believe there has been a major decline in female bodybuilding...I believe there are numerous reasons.  One reason is definitely the drug-usage and the rewarding of mass monsters in men and women's bodybuilding.  It becomes unattainable plus many do not want to get that big.  I also think a major problem is the non-existence of the promotion of female bodybuilders (even those who are more mainstream.)  When is the last time you opened any mens bbing mag and seen a picture of a female bber?  I can't think of one.  On the other hand open any of those mags and you'll seen fitness and figure (figure mainly) plastered all over.  If the media would shed a more positive light on female bbers I think more women would want to do it, everything seems negative and the topic is avoided for the most part. 

You can't really compare female bbing of the 80's to today because of the advent of Figure.  Figure has taken a chunk of girls who may have gone into bodybuilding, myself included.  Now it will be interesting to see how Figure develops in the next few years because many of the 'bigger' figure girls may switch over to bbing because they are not being rewarded in Figure, plus they enjoy lifting and don't want to give it up for hours of cardio.     

Please don't forgot that in the 80's the women involved in bodybuilding were also criticized for being too muscular and manly...the sport has evolved and our ideas of what is beautiful has evolved.  Personally I think many competitors take it too far but it is their choice to make and they are doing what they want to do...just like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler.  Unfortunately I don't think the aesthetic problem is as big a problem as the health issues that will accompany the abuse of drugs...but aesthetics are the only thing that people want to harp on.

So true.

[Playboy]

You aren't being shunned, it may take some time before female bodybuilders come back to post on getbig once they realize this is a safe place.  I don't understand your solution of not letting females post on other areas of getbig...there is probably 1 females to every 50 males and most fall into the figure and fitness categories, not bbing. 

As far as why I believe there has been a major decline in female bodybuilding...I believe there are numerous reasons.  One reason is definitely the drug-usage and the rewarding of mass monsters in men and women's bodybuilding.  It becomes unattainable plus many do not want to get that big.  I also think a major problem is the non-existence of the promotion of female bodybuilders (even those who are more mainstream.)  When is the last time you opened any mens bbing mag and seen a picture of a female bber?  I can't think of one.  On the other hand open any of those mags and you'll seen fitness and figure (figure mainly) plastered all over.  If the media would shed a more positive light on female bbers I think more women would want to do it, everything seems negative and the topic is avoided for the most part. 

You can't really compare female bbing of the 80's to today because of the advent of Figure.  Figure has taken a chunk of girls who may have gone into bodybuilding, myself included.  Now it will be interesting to see how Figure develops in the next few years because many of the 'bigger' figure girls may switch over to bbing because they are not being rewarded in Figure, plus they enjoy lifting and don't want to give it up for hours of cardio.     

Please don't forgot that in the 80's the women involved in bodybuilding were also criticized for being too muscular and manly...the sport has evolved and our ideas of what is beautiful has evolved.  Personally I think many competitors take it too far but it is their choice to make and they are doing what they want to do...just like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler.  Unfortunately I don't think the aesthetic problem is as big a problem as the health issues that will accompany the abuse of drugs...but aesthetics are the only thing that people want to harp on.

Don't forget reason number two. $$$$$$$$ Money. Look at the pot sizes for the Arnold Classic and the Mr.Olympia. Even the small grand prix shows offer 10 grand to the winner. There is just no money in it for females. Sad, but true.
PB

[jude2]

Does anyone know how many fans at the women Europa compared to the men?  Selling tickets for the shows is a big issue for the prize money.

[CQ]

I think the decline in popularity in female bb is directly correlated to the drug use. Back in the day of Mclish and Everson the women did not have that chemical look to them. We can talk marketing all we like, talk discrimination, but the bottom line is the general public is not interested in seeing roided up women.

Also, I think we need a level of acceptance. Gender bias occurs. WNBA players recieve nowhere near the financial renumeration, accolades etc as their male counterparts in the NBA. It occurs on the flip side as well, a top male ballet dancer will make 1/4 of the money as their female co-dancers. The gender bias will probably last till the end of time. Female bodybuilders will never make the same amount as males, as bodybuilding will always be considered by the general public to be a male orientated activity....like how a male model earns paltry sums compared to female models as beauty is considered a female domain in general.

Plus, all the will-wrestle-for-money and porn crap that some female bb engage in does not help either

[Swole0565]

A lot of good points and issues have been raised.  The issue of drug overuse seems to be a concensus.  My thoughts as to why we've gotten to the extent we have, is because of the neglect of the powers that be, to define exactly what the physique of a female bodybuilder should entail.

Instead, we have seen the evolution of Fitness & Figure, which provides an alternative, but not an answer to the initial issue.  Thus, while we praise those for their beauty and athleticism, those who choose to bodybuild are shunned or looked down on, but only because standards given.

As for the prize money, it is obvious the freaky male bodybuilders are responsible for the majority of the ticket sales, and are compensated accordingly, HOWEVER keep in mind the women's alloted purse is deluted by the fact that is has to cover 3 different categories of female athletes (Bodybuilding, Figure & Fitness).

I'd like to know the beliefs anyone has concerning the above.  And for the record, I am a fan of ALL physique development and appreciate all women, no matter what level they choose attain or what division they choose to compete in.

Thanks....

[Deadpool]

anyone here ever heard of Strength Training for Beauty?  it was a magazine that came out during the pre heavy drug days for FBB's

[JKDMan]

The sport was on the decline throughout the 90's, and officially "died" in '98. 

[OneBigMan]

I don't believe it was on the decline throughout the 90's. Female bodybuilding lost some interest during those infamous modern years because of the emergence of pro fitness contests that many lovely ladies were in. Female bodybuilders and lady bodyshapers were unnecessarily compared to each other because of debate about the level of muscularity. Kim Chizevsky, Lenda, Laura Creavalle, and Andrulla didn't present a negative image of female bodybuilding like Vicky Gates, Lesa Lewis, and Nicole Bass. I don't have to talk about how awesome and appealing someone like Jitka Harazimova and Gayle Moher looked.

[injuryprone]

Nicole bass is a really nice woman but Stern made a sterotype with by making her look so silly. That idiot helped screw it up for so many others.   

[OneBigMan]

I'll always remember when Nicole Bass was on the Montel Williams show with many other bodybuilders such as Vickie Gates and Ronnie Coleman. Montel Williams showed a lot of respect for all those bodybuilders based on the way he presented his show about their lifestyle.

[bigmikecox]

When Sandy Ridell almsot beat Cory in 1989 with a HUGE and hard physique, that is when the sport started to change.  Lenda showed up the following year with a bigger yet still femine look to her.  Then once Bev showed up looking UNGODLY in 1991 it was over. 

[Deadpool]

bev always claimed to be natural

[OneBigMan]

Nicole bass is a really nice woman but Stern made a sterotype with by making her look so silly. That idiot helped screw it up for so many others.   

Howard Stern has a dirty mind and that cancer loves to talk about all the sub culture stereotypes as well as pretending to be the #1 expert on celebrity culture, porn stars, and centerfolds. His show on the FM radio is recycled repeatedly in different ways. I don't understand why his TV show is still shown on Saturday nights on E! Entertainment.

[LENSNART]

bev always claimed to be natural

I really love Bev, and probably have one of the few early scrap books of her before she was even know as a Powerlifter.......

But you are joking .... right ??

[Richard2004]

A while back, I posted the following on the G&O forum.  These FBBers of the early 90's had that vanishing "look" that really appealed to the general public!!  This was before the contest promoters/judges/Weiders helped send pro. FBB into "virilzation/she-he land" with their progressively "bigger-and-tighter-every-year" Ms. Olympia look...

Here is an early-90's youtube video segment from Geraldo featuring top pro. IFBB FBBers of that era (late 80's to early 90's)...Diana Dennis, Janet Tech, Erika Andresch, Lenda Murray and Laura Crevalle...just as the "feminine look" was beginning to be replaced by the "virilized" look in the pro. IFBB FBB ranks!  Geraldo was always so good in presenting FBB to the general public in a positive light!

Boy, weren't Erika Andresch and Janet Tech gorgeous!?   Sure wish I could have seen the whole program?!! 

20female%20muscle%20artwork%20sexy%20babe%20erotic%20hot

NOTE: click on the mini-screen's "pulsing" command button located in the screen's lower right corner to enlarge for full-sceen viewing.

[Forbidden]

I believe that the reason for the decline of woman's bb is because of the over drug use.compare the women of the 80;s and today they were beautiful the ramped drug use is no hot.

Any thoughts...

Possibly also the fact that we have figure and fitness now as well and that is more appealing to some ladies.  Some of our top figure competitors were once FBB's