Bob hit the nail on the head
I can give my opinion....It was tougher to get a pro card back then, and the physiques were better....a few reasons....
1. There was no SHW class, so all the talent was in the HW, which means there were a lot of guys that were damn good...many, like Fletcher, Dente, Mendenhall, Leidelmeyer, and (almost) myself....would never make it to the pros because of the depth of the lineups...
2. Physiques were built more in the gym, and for longer timeframe...I was taught from day one by the guys at the gym, that a good base was something you needed to build...naturally.
3. I think guys get on the sauce way to early and never really build that base, which shows in their physiques...as well as guys jumping into the National level shows WAY too early in their "careers"...back in the day, you didnt move up the ranks until you were ready to compete, not just because you were qualified...
I would also add guys back then would train 2-3 hours a day in the gym Then do 2 hours of cardio.They did over train a l il but it made ther bodies more lean vascular and have more muscle seperation.I would see guys back then literally do 20-24 sets for chest,30 sets for legs.They trained harder to, they didnt use Hammer strength or machines as much back then.Hammer strength didnt become popular until Dorain Yates said he used Hammer Strength.
Plus back in 1996 it wasnt uncommon for guys to train 2 body parts a day, and train muscles twice per week.Most routines were Monday Chest Back, Tuesaday legs Calves, Wednesday shoulders and Arms.Then repeat the cycle thursday friday and Saturday. Or they might take Thursday off then go Friday ,sat and Sunday.We are talking 2 bodyparts a day twice per week.Thats alot of training, I know I did it.Thats why I never grew that much until 1994-1995.I gained 15lbs in 3 months from cutting back to one bodypart per day, and training a body part once per week.