I have been bodybuilding for over 50 years now. That is a long time to be around the Iron Game. Few of us who start out imagine we will ever be like the huge guys we see in the magazines. If we persist for years we might achieve some reasonable size and even enter contests. Ah, those contests. You have to have nerve to enter because there you are up on stage, shaved, oiled and in a posing costume. Spare some consideration for the preparation required for todays shows. It isn't easy.
Well, having associated with muscleheads for decades I can say that we represent the full gamet of personalities and intelligences. You have to do a lot of things right to be able to keep growing all those years. Diet, training, recuperation, and lifestyle impact on any results you might achieve. When you see someone really big and cut you know they have paid their dues and trained long and hard. It takes a good brain to achieve huge size. If the person isn't that smart he probably has someone who is smart that is helping him.
For those who do enter contests what do we find? Most bodybuilders aspire to be whatever the top title of the day is. In the old days that was Mr America or Mr Universe. Lots of champions earned those titles and were proud of it. Today the top title is the Mr Olympia. Thus, the majority of bodybuilders think about enterring IFBB contests as a gateway to the professional contests. Very early in aspiring bodybuilders it becomes obvious that judging is a subjective process. We witness bodybuilders asking judges how they went and what should be improved. That is natural in a sport where subjectivity and opinion play such an important part. Even the thickest bloke realizes that it isn't always the best man who wins shows. How can that be? Well, it happens. Thus, from almost the first contest bodybuilders become politically aware and have to not upset judges or officials who run shows. If you get a reputation for being difficult or speaking out you will find it hard to win or place in contests.
Now, let us leap forward to the professional stage today. Because of magazines and the internet the competitors all know each other and can see what everyone else looks like. The judges and officials have access to the same information and images. This web of musclemen becomes a small community and the insiders pretty well know what is going on with other people. The Mr Olympia and Arnold Classic are the two biggest shows and winners earn a lot of money. However, only the Olympia earns legend status. That is THE contest to win. Today the prize money makes this a very important enterprise for all concerned. It isn't fooling around any more.
What do we find happening in the pro ranks of the IFBB? Well, contracts are signed and bodybuilders are limited about what they can do and say. Fair enough to a point because sponsoring athletes is big money and sponsors want to get value for their investment. The IFBB selects judges and lets someone else promote the contests. This is hardly a cheap enterprise. It costs a fortune to stage the Olympia event. You would think that the professional organization would be a smooth operation and hardly any problems at all. Well, to assist the musclemen the pro league has decided to appoint a professional athletes rep. This professional position is not a paid one. Judges get paid to judge but the pro rep doesn't earn a cent from all the work done. So, on paper it looks like the IFBB is looking after the athletes who have a person to represent them for any issues they might have. The reality is quite something else.
The one thing musclemen learn over the years in this subjective sport is not to make any waves. Keep a low profile and be pleasant to everyone. Now, I ask you, would any of these professional athletes go to Bob Chick to voice their complaints, etc.? That is the last thing most would do. Why? Well, they instinctively know that complaining to someone like Bob is like complaining to the boss himself. It doesn't pay to do that. Thus, Bob Chick actually represents the IFBB and informs muscleheads how to cooperate with the organization. He points out penalties to those who don't think straight.
The Pro League appointed athletes rep is a sham. Unless and until that is an elected position there can be no transparancy and validity. The appointment is an insult to all bodybuilders everywhere. It is just another way the dictatorial organization asserts itself. The bodybuilders were forgotten long ago and are still treated like second class citizens today.
To sum up what I feel, Bob Chick is the very last person most professionals would approach with complaints against the IFBB and Pro League. Look at how he is totally unprofessional to critics like myself who voice my opinion about the IFBB. He uses insults and namecalling to try to silence anyone who speaks out. That is really the opposite of what a fair dinkum athletes rep should be like. His job is to represent the IFBB and Pro League on Getbig and silence all opposition.
