Is competitive bodybuilding a money pit?

[Howard]

When one considers all the $$ spent on drugs, supplements, food and related crap it sure seems like a lot spent.
Add to that ,the entry fees are $250 for  national events plus the cost of flight and hotel.
Plus, most serious bodybuilders seem to avoid getting a job/career OUTSIDE of the "fitness industry".

Only  handful of the top pros make a decent living directly from bodybuilding.
Sooooooooo, is it a money pit or what?

[bigmikecox]

When one considers all the $$ spent on drugs, supplements, food and related crap it sure seems like a lot spent.
Add to that ,the entry fees are $250 for  national events plus the cost of flight and hotel.
Plus, most serious bodybuilders seem to avoid getting a job/career OUTSIDE of the "fitness industry".

Only  handful of the top pros make a decent living directly from bodybuilding.
Sooooooooo, is it a money pit or what?

Fuck yes it is! However, for me, I dont buy a lot of OTC supps. Just whey protein and a preworkout. Not sure what the entry fee is for Dexters show but if I wanted to crossover its $80.00, plus $120 for NPC Card, Hotel, gas from Clearwater to JAX, food (Sams Club is a lifesaver), Pro Tan and "supps" (which I dont buy a lot of)

[BB]

Start your own fed -

http://www.crownawards.com/StoreFront/Bodybuilding.ALL.Trophies.srch .

You could be Mr. Howard's Basement a few dozen times over for that $250, and it's probably just as prestigious to most people as being an IFBB pro.

[SF1900]

True dat'

Hmmm, it's not just spending money on drugs and competing, etc.
I think the bigger issue is the loss of any potential viable career path due  to an obsession with working in the "fitness industry"

Well, yeah, its not just ONE factor. Sinking endless money into food, drugs and supplements (for those that use them) will definitely create a hole in your wallet.

The further you delve into the sport, and the more years that pass, the less likelihood there will be of getting a job. For example, there are age limits for certain jobs. If you're passed 35, you can't take the NYPD test. If you're passed 29, you can't take the FDNY test. The age cutoff for border patrol agents is 37. And I am sure there are many more jobs that have age cutoffs.

[mr.turbo]

yes

[Man of Steel]

If the competitor loves the competition and invests a ton into it yet doesn't win but still loves training, competing, etc....is that a "money pit" or "money well spent"?   

Not every activity we invest in has a huge monetary return (or any monetary return).  For some the return on investment is non-monetary and even more satisfying.

I personally don't understand that in this circumstance, but for some investing all they have in a few years of passionate participation outweighs leaving that passion with virtually nothing to show for it physically or financially. 

Again, I don't get it....I'm just saying.

[ritch]

and is where the shmoes come in liking their sperm seeking lips while rubbing their hands.

[MAXX]

no it's a goldmine/moneymaker 

[Man of Steel]

no it's a goldmine/moneymaker 

Why is Jason Rasputin Cutler parading around that gymnasium with his pantaloons at his ankles in your avatar?

[Skylge]

"Pro's" make their money by prostituting themselves, dealing drugs, roids or both, or trying to con young people into buying supplements

[SF1900]

If the competitor loves the competition and invests a ton into it yet doesn't win but still loves training, competing, etc....is that a "money pit" or "money well spent"?   

Not every activity we invest in has a huge monetary return (or any monetary return).  For some the return on investment is non-monetary and even more satisfying.

I personally don't understand that in this circumstance, but for some investing all they have in a few years of passionate participation outweighs leaving that passion with virtually nothing to show for it physically or financially. 

Again, I don't get it....I'm just saying.

When you wind up like Derek Anthony or other pros who have died from organ failure, its a money pit.

[MAXX]

Why is Jason Rasputin Cutler parading around that gymnasium with his pantaloons at his ankles in your avatar?

called swag bro

[Howard]

Start your own fed -

http://www.crownawards.com/StoreFront/Bodybuilding.ALL.Trophies.srch .

You could be Mr. Howard's Basement a few dozen times over for that $250, and it's probably just as prestigious to most people as being an IFBB pro.

LOL, Mr Howard's basement. 
That zinger alone made it worth starting this thread.

Question - What would the trophy/award be for winning the MHB?

[Howard]

Fuck yes it is! However, for me, I dont buy a lot of OTC supps. Just whey protein and a preworkout. Not sure what the entry fee is for Dexters show but if I wanted to crossover its $80.00, plus $120 for NPC Card, Hotel, gas from Clearwater to JAX, food (Sams Club is a lifesaver), Pro Tan and "supps" (which I dont buy a lot of)

That's how I always did it when I competed.
Keeps it like a crazy hobby you enjoy doing.

[BB]

LOL, Mr Howard's basement. 
That zinger alone made it worth starting this thread.

Question - What would the trophy/award be for winning the MHB?

A slighty more muscular version of this -

.

[Howard]

If the competitor loves the competition and invests a ton into it yet doesn't win but still loves training, competing, etc....is that a "money pit" or "money well spent"?   

Not every activity we invest in has a huge monetary return (or any monetary return).  For some the return on investment is non-monetary and even more satisfying.

I personally don't understand that in this circumstance, but for some investing all they have in a few years of passionate participation outweighs leaving that passion with virtually nothing to show for it physically or financially. 

Again, I don't get it....I'm just saying.

I thought about the view you present in your reply.

1. I agree , no hobby should be required to make a profit if someone enjoys it. But, considering the amount of drugs used , I fear it my be more addiction then fun hobby.

2. Since you can't read a bodybuilders mind , it's not possible to be certain of their enjoyment from it.
BUT, based only on my observations, bodybuilding doesn't seem to bring much joy to those deeply involved in it.
Many who compete always seemed pissed off at the judges and complain about having to diet, etc

[Howard]

A slighty LESS muscular version of this -

.

fixed- It's MY basement

Perfect!  This post and pic is why I stick around on getbig

[HonestBob]

I thought about the view you present in your reply.

1. I agree , no hobby should be required to make a profit if someone enjoys it. But, considering the amount of drugs used , I fear it my be more addiction then fun hobby.

2. Since you can't read a bodybuilders mind , it's not possible to be certain of their enjoyment from it.
BUT, based only on my observations, bodybuilding doesn't seem to bring much joy to those deeply involved in it.
Many who compete always seemed pissed off at the judges and complain about having to diet, etc

Competitive bodybuilding is a disease for many. 

I admire those who can do it for the joy of it. They still exist but they must be getting squeezed out / pushed into men's bikini where the pressure of extreme drug taking is at least reduced a little bit.

[HTexan]

of course, unless your real goal is to hoe yourself to schmoes. Which I think is the real goal for most bbers. 

[Man of Steel]

I thought about the view you present in your reply.

1. I agree , no hobby should be required to make a profit if someone enjoys it. But, considering the amount of drugs used , I fear it my be more addiction then fun hobby.

2. Since you can't read a bodybuilders mind , it's not possible to be certain of their enjoyment from it.
BUT, based only on my observations, bodybuilding doesn't seem to bring much joy to those deeply involved in it.
Many who compete always seemed pissed off at the judges and complain about having to diet, etc

BB is about addiction; although, the industry refers to it as "lifestyle".

BBs are addicted to drugs, training, the perception of others, "being huge", being gawked at, eating 37 times a day, posing, being touched by others, taking selfies, etc.....they're addicted to all of it and most don't appear to understand life without the "lifestyle".

[io856]

When you wind up like Derek Anthony or other pros who have died from organ failure, its a money pit.

Derek wasn't exactly a stranger to narcotics, he publicly admitted he was severely addicted to GHB for a while.

[falco]

When one considers all the $$ spent on drugs, supplements, food and related crap it sure seems like a lot spent.
Add to that ,the entry fees are $250 for  national events plus the cost of flight and hotel.
Plus, most serious bodybuilders seem to avoid getting a job/career OUTSIDE of the "fitness industry".

Only  handful of the top pros make a decent living directly from bodybuilding.
Sooooooooo, is it a money pit or what?

You forgot the money the less fortunate spend on medical care during their bodybuilding journey.

[2Thick]

Professional bodybuilders are no different from other elite-level, world class athletes who bring billions of revenue in to their federations and reap the rewards. Multi-million dollar contest winnings and endorsements, generous executive IFBB contracts loaded with fat salaries, huge blocks of IFBB stock and options, matching 401k, pensions, full health benefits, etc, etc.

[Howard]

Well, yeah, its not just ONE factor. Sinking endless money into food, drugs and supplements (for those that use them) will definitely create a hole in your wallet.

The further you delve into the sport, and the more years that pass, the less likelihood there will be of getting a job. For example, there are age limits for certain jobs. If you're passed 35, you can't take the NYPD test. If you're passed 29, you can't take the FDNY test. The age cutoff for border patrol agents is 37. And I am sure there are many more jobs that have age cutoffs.

Bingo.

You have to wonder how many meatheads avoided trying for any stable career path ?
How many are delusional enough to think they will go pro and get rich?

Some reasonably intelligent sounding posters recently speculated about what the IFBB pro salary was?
I was surprised that every bodybuilder didn't realize the IFBB pays ZERO in annual salary.
A few top pros make actual $$ from contest prize money, guest spots and supplement contracts. That's it.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

When one considers all the $$ spent on drugs, supplements, food and related crap it sure seems like a lot spent.
Add to that ,the entry fees are $250 for  national events plus the cost of flight and hotel.
Plus, most serious bodybuilders seem to avoid getting a job/career OUTSIDE of the "fitness industry".

Only  handful of the top pros make a decent living directly from bodybuilding.
Sooooooooo, is it a money pit or what?

Not for a person like me who sells equipment and supplements...