Arnold : " The sport grew this past 40 years to new levels ! "

[funk51]

It definetly grew 

altbalty

[bigbobs]

I don't think anyone is saying Serge would beat Roelly in a BBing contest, we just think he has a better build.

Mass for Mass' sake is what ruined bodybuilding IMO. Yates started it... and then Nasser followed suit and went overboard trying to outmass him at the expense of detail. I think those two are largely responsible for today's competitive landscape.

That was when we started seeing offseason pics of these guys in the gym blown up to 300+ lbs. and the number on the scale became more important than how they looked.

What I meant is the trend began (and will never reverse) as long as the majority of fans continue to demand this look. 

Judges' preferences, which are run by fans' preferences, are what's to "blame," not individual competitors (like Dorian or Nasser) who seek the look that will give them highest placings.

A few days ago, for example, someone made a thread asking why Markus Ruhl would not routinely win shows?  If majority of fans really preferrred the smaller, classical physiques threads like that would not appear, there would have been outrage as to how Ronnie Coleman can beat someone like Darrem Charles, etc. 

The truth is most fans demand the massive look, and then at times step back and say, "gee I think the smaller physiques frorm decades ago were better."

[regmac]

Freeman's belly doesn't prodtrude...Dex's didn't in the early 2000's.

[Palpatine Q]

What I meant is the trend began (and will never reverse) as long as the majority of fans continue to demand this look. 

Judges' preferences, which are run by fans' preferences, are what's to "blame," not individual competitors (like Dorian or Nasser) who seek the look that will give them highest placings.

A few days ago, for example, someone made a thread asking why Markus Ruhl would not routinely win shows?  If majority of fans really preferrred the smaller, classical physiques threads like that would not appear, there would have been outrage as to how Ronnie Coleman can beat someone like Darrem Charles, etc. 

The truth is most fans demand the massive look, and then at times step back and say, "gee I think the smaller physiques frorm decades ago were better."

I agree, that is BBing today....I'm just not a fan of it.

I'm not a big fan of "aesthetic" BBers...I think that's just another word for "small".

I lean more towards guys that are big, but still have good shape..... like Ronnie pre-2000 or Levrone

[bigbobs]

Another thought that just came to mind is how many people would diss Dexter Jackson after his first Mr. O win by saying he looks  like just any normal guy in clothes, and sometimes looks even smaller than fans in short sleeve shirts.  Were all the guys who are now pushing Serge's physique here defending Dexter at those comments?

[io856]

Agreed.

Levrone 93, this is how a bodybuilder should look!

that was gay

nothing heterosexual about this thread either 

[Hulkster]

I lean more towards guys that are big, but still have good shape..... like Ronnie pre-2000 or Levrone

agreed.

[Valane]

Another thought that just came to mind is how many people would diss Dexter Jackson after his first Mr. O win by saying he looks  like just any normal guy in clothes, and sometimes looks even smaller than fans in short sleeve shirts.  Were all the guys who are now pushing Serge's physique here defending Dexter at those comments?

Dexter is on hgh, slin et cetera..Serge wasn't. Dex gets criticized because he falls in to neither camp.

[bigbobs]

Dexter is on hgh, slin et cetera..Serge wasn't. Dex gets criticized because he falls in to neither camp.

Point is after Dex's win so many people would post and say "this is embarassing, our Mr. O looks smaller than many fans in clothing" - if someone with Serge's physique were Mr. O these comments would be even more common.  It's just hypocritical that the majority of fans praise the freakier physiques while onstage, and then criticize by saying competitors of generations ago who were smaller were better.

[bigbobs]

Nasser enjoyed all looks at different times:

Classical (early 90's) (below pic is 1990)



In-between (94)





Freaky (with class) - 95 onward

[Palpatine Q]

Nasser enjoyed all looks at different times:

Classical (early 90's) (below pic is 1990)



In-between (94)





Freaky (with class) - 95 onward

great examples...you can see how proportionate and detailed he was and had a healthy look.... until he went crazy with the dosages and lost all of it, and was just another big slab of steroid muscles

[bigbobs]

great examples...you can see how proportionate and detailed he was and had a healthy look.... until he went crazy with the dosages and lost all of it, and was just another big slab of steroid muscles

I consider what you refer to as "big slab of steroid muscles" to be mass with class, but regardless of what it's called that is the look  that judges and fans reward most (ex. his contest placings, earnings and # of fans went up a lot from 95), and as long as that continues to be the case, that is what pros will continue to strive for

[Flexb]

Roley needs to stop with the ching chong faces

[clownbaby]

Serge owning Roelly there.

you are very stupid, Roelly's legs embarass Serge's and most of the old time bodybuilders

[Palpatine Q]

I consider what you refer to as "big slab of steroid muscles" to be mass with class, but regardless of what it's called that is the look  that judges and fans reward most (ex. his contest placings, earnings and # of fans went up a lot from 95), and as long as that continues to be the case, that is what pros will continue to strive for

We all have our preferences.....I'm not a fan of the "Mass Monster" look regardless of whether it's in vogue or not.

IMO Nasser looked better in the mid 90's.....look at the detail and separation in his back, and how tight his waist was. the added mass cost him both of those attributes, especially his back....it was his Achilles heel throughout his career .

[dr.chimps]

you are very stupid, Roelly's legs embarass Serge's and most of the old time bodybuilders

Roelly's on a whole bunch more stuff than D-Bol. C'mon, now.

[Mons Venus]

I don't think anyone is saying Serge would beat Roelly in a BBing contest, we just think he has a better build.

Mass for Mass' sake is what ruined bodybuilding IMO. Yates started it... and then Nasser followed suit and went overboard trying to outmass him at the expense of detail. I think those two are largely responsible for today's competitive landscape.

That was when we started seeing offseason pics of these guys in the gym blown up to 300+ lbs. and the number on the scale became more important than how they looked.

Good analysis. 

[Valane]

you are very stupid, Roelly's legs embarass Serge's and most of the old time bodybuilders

Yeah and Valentino embarrases Roelly with his monster arms. Serge's lines, skeletal structure and muscle bellies are clearly superior. I could give a fuck about huge disproportionate legs that render these guys incapable of a 10 second jog. Serge actually looks like an athlete.

[Van_Bilderass]

It all went to hell after Jack LaLanne

[dr.chimps]

It all went to hell after Jack LaLanne

Pantsuits! I knew it! 

[Cavalier22]

Who gives a shit competitive bodybuilding is about as gay as it gets.

[Eyeball Chambers]

That's bodybuilding, not this bloated homosexual freak show... 

[MAXX]

Agreed.

Levrone 93, this is how a bodybuilder should look!

minus the gay outfit?

[Mussolini]

Serge's tiny waist looks ridiculous..

if only they knew back then what kind of waist dimensions could be achieved...

Sadley with todays judging standards he probably wouldnt even place in an NPC show. Yes bodybuilding has certainly evolved

[James Blunt]

God damn this modern bodybuilding anyways.