Q: for Chick - Is there a minimum # of shows requirement for a Pro?

[PTB]

Hi Chick,

It seems like there a lot of Pros who are such by card-carriers only.  They haven't competed in years,
yet they maintain their pro status apparently by sending in their dues every year, yet they reserve
the right to market themselves as "IFBB Pro ....."

Are there any requirements from Pros that they compete in a certian number of IFBB contests within
a given period of time?

If not, do you think there should be?
Of course I can see those who are recovering from injuries, and those who may have just received their
pro cards, and want to dedicate themselves to training to build a pro physique.

And of course you have elite pros who only compete in one contest a year - like the 'O or the Arnold.

But when you have someone who hasn't competed for years by choice, doesn't it lessen the value of what
it means to be a pro?  Isn't it like someone carrying a gym membership, but hasn't gone to the gym in years?

[Chick]

No, there is no minimum or time sensitive duration in which a pro must compete. Once you win your card, you're a pro whether you choose to compete 10 times a year, or once....

Generally, there isn't much of a problem as the natural laws of attrition take care of those who's time comes and goes...guys retire fro competing, or simply move on to other avenues, or business and family commitments take prescadence.

[PTB]

Thanks for the info Chick, and I can clearly see guys coming & going, but it seems that a guy whose going will
always have an opportunity to leverage his pro status, even though he/she no longer competes.

Lets say I get our of competing, and decide to open a gym/fitness center, or get into some other health/nutrition
related business.  As long as the guy pays his dues, he can use is pro status to market himself to give their venture
credibility.  They can say "IFBB Pro....", and not "Former IFBB Pro...", or "Retired IFBB Pro...", making it seem as though
they are still relevant on the scene and not a has been.

I guess you can't say it's "wrong" per se.   Most businesses, as well as people interviewing for job hype themselves up somewhat.

Perhaps a more relevant example of where their influence may come into question is on voting decisions.  You as the atheletes rep
do represent all Pros, even those who arent' competing.  When decisions need to be voted on, is it fair for a guy who isn't on the
scene to have a say in the affairs of those who are competing?

Again, I tend to agree with you that the natural laws may decide these things more times than not, but philosophically AND legally,
these folks may still stake a claim.

[Chick]

Thanks for the info Chick, and I can clearly see guys coming & going, but it seems that a guy whose going will
always have an opportunity to leverage his pro status, even though he/she no longer competes.

Lets say I get our of competing, and decide to open a gym/fitness center, or get into some other health/nutrition
related business.  As long as the guy pays his dues, he can use is pro status to market himself to give their venture
credibility.  They can say "IFBB Pro....", and not "Former IFBB Pro...", or "Retired IFBB Pro...", making it seem as though
they are still relevant on the scene and not a has been.


People can claim anything they want...a simple Google check can confirm or deny anything anyone claims these days in record time...

I guess you can't say it's "wrong" per se.   Most businesses, as well as people interviewing for job hype themselves up somewhat.

Perhaps a more relevant example of where their influence may come into question is on voting decisions.  You as the atheletes rep
do represent all Pros, even those who arent' competing.  When decisions need to be voted on, is it fair for a guy who isn't on the
scene to have a say in the affairs of those who are competing?

The pro's themselves don't have a vote as individuals, that's why we have a representative in each respective sport.

Again, I tend to agree with you that the natural laws may decide these things more times than not, but philosophically AND legally,
these folks may still stake a claim.

[Tre]

It's a lifetime title, PTB, regardless of whether annual dues are paid.  Once you achieve it, it's yours, regardless of whether you choose to remain active.

[PTB]

Tre, I accept it.  It is what it is.

Having said that, I know a lot of guys like to get on low-level pros like Ken Jones and question
why he competes.  He may do it just for the love.  Most will never have a physique like his at any age
and God Bless him.  In a way, I respect him for that more than some of these guys who are card carriers.

I've said my peace! 

[dantelis]

No, there is no minimum or time sensitive duration in which a pro must compete. Once you win your card, you're a pro whether you choose to compete 10 times a year, or once....

Generally, there isn't much of a problem as the natural laws of attrition take care of those who's time comes and goes...guys retire fro competing, or simply move on to other avenues, or business and family commitments take prescadence.

Shouldn't there be an IFBB rule about guys like Jocelyn Pelletier who compete long after they actually have a competitive body worthy of the pro stage?  He may have been a pretty good competitor in the 70's/80's, but he doesn't deserve to be on stage now.  He is a joke and he puts the IFBB in a bad light.