Will bodybuilding ever be taken seriously?

[D-bol]

BODYBUILDING IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN OTHER COUNTRIES, JUST NOT IN THE UNITED STATES.

what makes you think that?

[musclehedz]

It has less to do with what you mentioned, and more to do with what people can relate to, and what they've been brought up to participate in....mainstream sports also happen to be what we as kids are exposed to, and what most people can relate to, and it's relativity to participation....

Lets look at the most participated....running, soccer, golf, general weight training....sports almost anyone can do to a degree....the more up the scale in terms of skill/ athleticism/ etc...the less participants, and the more fan oriented...(Football/ baseball/ wrestling/ Tennis/ gymnastics/ boxing/ MMA/ track&Field, etc)...

You then get the nitche sports, which are too tough for most to participate in, thus the interest level pales...bodybuilding/ Ironman style sports/ collegient wrestling/ cliff diving/ extreme sports, etc....

It's the same ratio that the Olympics are televised and covered...as the mainstream sports are given primetime, mid-range level covered, but not primetime...and weightlifting/ luge/ steplechase/ and that funky cross-country-skiing-shooting a gun thing....all on at 3 a.m. and barely covered if at all...kind of like the awards they give "before" the Oscars are shown on T.V.

I think you hit the spot here chick. Bodybuilding requires more effort to achieve certain goals compaired to other sports like baseball etc. If you want to do it right you need to work 24/7.

[webcake]

It has less to do with what you mentioned, and more to do with what people can relate to, and what they've been brought up to participate in....mainstream sports also happen to be what we as kids are exposed to, and what most people can relate to, and it's relativity to participation....

Lets look at the most participated....running, soccer, golf, general weight training....sports almost anyone can do to a degree....the more up the scale in terms of skill/ athleticism/ etc...the less participants, and the more fan oriented...(Football/ baseball/ wrestling/ Tennis/ gymnastics/ boxing/ MMA/ track&Field, etc)...

You then get the nitche sports, which are too tough for most to participate in, thus the interest level pales...bodybuilding/ Ironman style sports/ collegient wrestling/ cliff diving/ extreme sports, etc....

It's the same ratio that the Olympics are televised and covered...as the mainstream sports are given primetime, mid-range level covered, but not primetime...and weightlifting/ luge/ steplechase/ and that funky cross-country-skiing-shooting a gun thing....all on at 3 a.m. and barely covered if at all...kind of like the awards they give "before" the Oscars are shown on T.V.

Well said, Chick.

I think what you said ii the reason why bb'ing is a niche sport.

I come from a family that loves sports and everyone pleayed sports. But everyone played "normal" sports. Thats why most of my family members don't understand bb'ing and why i like it...

[wavelength]

BODYBUILDING IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN OTHER COUNTRIES, JUST NOT IN THE UNITED STATES.

No. It's not.

[wavelength]

It's the same ratio that the Olympics are televised and covered...as the mainstream sports are given primetime, mid-range level covered, but not primetime...and weightlifting/ luge/ steplechase/ and that funky cross-country-skiing-shooting a gun thing....all on at 3 a.m. and barely covered if at all...kind of like the awards they give "before" the Oscars are shown on T.V.

Apples and Oranges.
Some olympic sports are not very popular, but for entirely different reasons than bodybuilding.

[Swedish Viking]

The drugs certainly don't help, but they're really not the main issue.  What we're talking about here is a "sport" that consists of men shaving their bodies, oiling up, putting on a thong, and dancing around on a stage for an audience of mostly men, in what is for all intents and purposes a male beauty pageant.  That is not a sport by most people's definition (sorry earl), or even an activity they really want to participate in or watch.

"Bodybuilding" as an activity (lifting weights and manipulating diet to improve your physique) will always be popular and something large numbers of people will participate in and enjoy, but competitive bodybuilding (the "oiled men in thongs" thing) will always be a fringe subculture.

 Agree completely.  Drugs aren't the only thing keeping people from relating, but their effects make it so that the O competitors are so dramatically far from anything they can comprehend that relation in that regard is totally unthinkable-so you'd think they would try to relate in some other way.  That doesn't happen though, you're right, the year round shaving, the diminished posing trunks, the messed up skin, the attitudes, all of it keep them from relating-it's the whole picture that does it.  You have a lot of those things in other sports too, but they are not usually coupled with inhuman size, open drug usage, blantant ego/personality disorders, disfigured bodyparts, and wildly(I hate using this word...)immoral off stage antics. 

[D-bol]

On average, many people also think its a sort of narcissism (which it is, in a way) and many chicks don't like men who are obsessed with their own bodies and dieting and so on.

In many countries there is also a perception that alot of muscle = no brains. And, of course, the drugs.

[Chick]

On average, many people also think its a sort of narcissism (which it is, in a way) and many chicks don't like men who are obsessed with their own bodies and dieting and so on.

In many countries there is also a perception that alot of muscle = no brains. And, of course, the drugs.

Missing the point entirely...

People arent exposed to it, nor are they willing to take it to the extreme...assuming they even have the genetics to do so. combine that with the amount of time it takes to get to the National level (least of all the pro level)....

It's followed about the same as Cricket/ Australian Rules Football is here in the states...

[D-bol]

Bob, I'm just speaking from the experience: what I heard and observed. Of course, it is not universally representative.

I agree w/ you that in US it is probably more acknowledged than elsewhere in the world.
Hence my earlier comment about someone's statement that it is better accepted on other countries.

[Chick]

You make a valid point, Bob, but you shouldn't discount the facts that bodybuilding shows are about as exciting as watching paint dry, and to most people they're more than a little weird as factors.

No question about that, which is why I've tried my best to bring some much needed changes...bottom line is, without scoring points...it will always be a nitche sport.

My goal is simply to make it a BIGGER nitche sport with more money to the athletes.

[slaveboy1980]

[DroppingPlates]

Will (most) media ever take bodybuilding seriously? No... 
Do mankind take (most) media seriously? Yes... 
Will bodybuilding ever be taken seriously? 

[DroppingPlates]

BODYBUILDING IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN OTHER COUNTRIES, JUST NOT IN THE UNITED STATES.

What's the country where...
... (a few) BB'ers can make a good living?
... you have gyms with professional(!) trainers and equipment?
... there are serious sponsors?
... were the Mr. O, AC, Europa Supershow and Ironman Pro are held?
... need to go on?

I live in the wrong country 

[The_Punisher]

shit,  not another "will bodybuilding ever be considered a sport or whatever" thread. we have a shitload of threads about this already

[Chick]

shit,  not another "will bodybuilding ever be considered a sport or whatever" thread. we have a shitload of threads about this already

We already know it wont...the answer was to "why".

[The_Punisher]

We already know it wont...the answer was to "why".

some people classify Pro Bodybuilding just like Bowling, Billiards, etc.... I just don't see how Pro BB will ever emerge to a wider audience in, let's say 15 to 25 years from now. sorry, I just don't see it. As much as I love BB, I would love to see it switch to second gear, but, Alas, many have tried, but maybe you're in the right track to change that perception, Chick.

[Tom Cruise]

It has less to do with what you mentioned, and more to do with what people can relate to, and what they've been brought up to participate in....mainstream sports also happen to be what we as kids are exposed to, and what most people can relate to, and it's relativity to participation....

Lets look at the most participated....running, soccer, golf, general weight training....sports almost anyone can do to a degree....the more up the scale in terms of skill/ athleticism/ etc...the less participants, and the more fan oriented...(Football/ baseball/ wrestling/ Tennis/ gymnastics/ boxing/ MMA/ track&Field, etc)...

You then get the nitche sports, which are too tough for most to participate in, thus the interest level pales...bodybuilding/ Ironman style sports/ collegient wrestling/ cliff diving/ extreme sports, etc....

It's the same ratio that the Olympics are televised and covered...as the mainstream sports are given primetime, mid-range level covered, but not primetime...and weightlifting/ luge/ steplechase/ and that funky cross-country-skiing-shooting a gun thing....all on at 3 a.m. and barely covered if at all...kind of like the awards they give "before" the Oscars are shown on T.V.

Well put!

[Earl1972]

Half pedantic, half right.

you should've looked up "sport" in the dictionary right after you looked up "pedantic"

E

[Chick]

some people classify Pro Bodybuilding just like Bowling, Billiards, etc.... I just don't see how Pro BB will ever emerge to a wider audience in, let's say 15 to 25 years from now. sorry, I just don't see it. As much as I love BB, I would love to see it switch to second gear, but, Alas, many have tried, but maybe you're in the right track to change that perception, Chick.

My goal is to make it more appealing WITHIN our own industry....

[evandatp]

you should've looked up "sport" in the dictionary right after you looked up "pedantic"

E

Half bitchy, half flailing.

[The GodFather]

BB will be in the Olympics soon just ask Joe and Ben Ohhhhhhh it Doesn't matter.

[hmontaq]

I mean with all the g4p and crazy characters. Society as a whole tends to look down upon bodybuilders.

First word... STEROIDS! Drugs are what hurt bodybuilders popularity in societies eyes. All the other stuff comes after that. Thanks for playing...

[GoneAway]

Muscles sell. We know this for a fact. A muscely actor with a good face is more attractive (to men AND women) than a slim actor with a good face. Muscles are advertised everywhere and usually generate great success for the product, e.g. a diet pill, fitness machine, or BBing/fitness magazine.

So, why are millions of men and women wanting to see muscles in a movie or magazine, yet not coming to shows to see it in real life? Niche sport - yes, but there is a REASON for that which must be known before its fanbase can grow.

[roc]

professional B.B. equal steroids, hgh, insulin hyperthyroid drugs g4p and what ever else we don't know about it. so no it will never be taken seriously

[roc]

damn shame, oh i forgot to mention ex felons, damn shame! i believe the era of 70's and 80's had more credibility