I just saw that the mens physique comp this weekend here in california had 46 competitors ( which is probably more then mens bodybuilding had ). And this was the very first show. Also supp companies like muscletech,vpx,optimum etc are dropping most of their bodybuilders under contract.
Do you see this new mens physique division as the beginning of the end of mens bodybuilding.
Read the article on the link - I address all of that.
There were more Men's Physique competitors than bodybuilders but bodybuilding is still the backbone to the organization and will always be around. Men's Bodybuilding is not going any where. The thing I like about the Men's Physique division is that it attracts NEW people to the industry and doesn't cater to the same group it has been. Bikini opened the doors to more marketability for the women and the Men's Physique could do the same.
You will likely see more men's physique competitors getting sponsored by companies not only because they have a more "mainstream" look but also most of them are very active online and marketing themselves. Bodybuilders tend to think that by them being big and doing decent at a show that it's enough to get sponsored. It's not.
MuscleTech® sponsored my transformation and may continue to sponsor me afterwards. I'm proof that if I can do it, anyone can. You just have to do it instead of expecting things to come to you.
I think the division will take off and you'll see close to 200 guys in it come USAs and/or Nationals. Ron and I are building a "brother site" to GETBIG and HARDBODY that will feature the division.