Rich Piana's 5% appeal

[Man of Steel]

The Mayor of BB enters and the three of us head to the sauna with nothing but white towels and a grapefruit.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmm.......

[Dave D]

if it was that simple everyone would be making big money. He (the company) just happens to REALLY big money. Paige Hathaway is making over the 1/2 mil dollar mark if that says anything.

Valid point.

I had no idea this guy was that big of a deal.

[Coach is Back!]

Coach. With all due respect.

The internet has changed everything. You have to make your money NOW. You can build all the long term systems you want but technology will blow your ass away before you ever get your investment back going that way.

Will live in a different planet now and things are changing in the blink of an eye. You have to worry about tomorrow tomorrow and make the adjustments then. Of course, keep what I'm saying in context. I not saying to do stupid things.

I agree 100%. it's to the point that chicks with great bodies with absolutely ZERO knowledge of anything training related can make a great living. I guess my point was that Rich is probably making a shit ton of $$ now and probably won't last that much longer unless he finds a way to leverage that for the future. But aside from that his look.....he can't maintain that forever. In that sense he kind of screwed himself. I've found as you get older that "hardcore' persona catches up.

[Coach is Back!]

Valid point.

I had no idea this guy was that big of a deal.

I actually follow him for business purposes to see how comes off, interacts and markets himself.

[forillagorilla]

May we suggest a hole in the wall gym and bunk gear? That's good for  $50,000 a month

THE BEEF

HOLY SHIT - it all makes sense now... You are pissed because you got geared up and ended up still looking like you do.. So you smoke and drink and wear that dirty chef costume and come here to let loose on those guys that did what you couldn't?? 

[Nirvana]

5%

The number of twenty somethings who will work a full time job.

[_bruce_]

5%

The number of twenty somethings who will work a full time job.

 

[Devon97]

if it was that simple everyone would be making big money. He (the company) just happens to REALLY big money. Paige Hathaway is making over the 1/2 mil dollar mark if that says anything.

Thats tue but I don't think it's a joey swole, or the Devin guy or Paige secret--- it's a Shredz tactic that they do for their people.

They've been killing IG since 2013 or so. How the hell they do it I have no idea.

I mean how the hell do you live in a 2 mill condo in the OC and drive a Lambo making meal plans lol??? Something fishy going on and most likely short lived.

[Howard]

Thats tue but I don't think it's a joey swole, or the Devin guy or Paige secret--- it's a Shredz tactic that they do for their people.

They've been killing IG since 2013 or so. How the hell they do it I have no idea.

I mean how the hell do you live in a 2 mill condo in the OC and drive a Lambo making meal plans lol??? Something fishy going on and most likely short lived.

It's all hype and bullshit marketing image.
I worked out with a dude who was a male stripper back in 80's.
They had a promo pic , getting off a Lear jet.

It was all BS, as they knew a guy who worked at the airport .
He told them when to come down , so they could pose on the ramp while they serviced the plane.

Social media is well suited for this hyped up bullcrap.

[Joe Pietaro]

I have to give props to Rich Piana for tapping into the real niche market of younger male gym goers.
Back when I was young meathead, Wieder used bodybuilders and the southern Cal beach lifestyle to sell his products.
We all dreamed of moving to Venice beach and pumping iron with Arnold and the gang at Gold's.
Yup, we bought every issue of Muscle Builder and Power . We purchased as much Wieder Wt Gainer and protein tabs as we could afford. We trained in iron dungeons and dreamed of being on the Olympia stage posing down with Arnold.

Rich Piana is a big bodybuilder with larger then life persona. While he never developed a great contest physique he has evolved into an entertaining bodybuilding character. Thanks to the meteoric rise in social networking, the old world of bodybuilding has passed away,  along with our beloved Ben and Joe Wieder. When I started bodybuilding, we had to call  Venice Beach Gold's gym, the week after the Olympia to find out who won. The magazines featured the top contest bodybuilders and were the main source of bodybuilding news . Social media and the internet changed all that, forever.

The real $$ and fame in bodybuilding today isn't gained from winning contests.
It comes from creating an image and lifestyle that others identify with .
The "5%" image Rich has marketed taps into the desires of younger male gym rats.
From rapper to rockers, being a  bad ass has appeal for lots of young dudes.
What young male doesn't want a lifestyle of sexy babes , fast cars and saying Fuk U to society at large.

Rich's 5% thing is an image and personal IDENTITY for young guys .
It's no different then the Goth dress ; biker tattoos, denim and leather or Hip Hop baggy pants and backwards caps.
It's a mini version of sex, drugs and rock n' roll.
I gotta give Rich credit for using his charisma and social networking to promote this 5% badass image.

I doubt too many younger dudes in the gym would find my current lifestyle too appealing.
Having a basic career, no drugs or drinking  and only screwing my wife would seem quite boring to the younger folks.
30-40 yrs ago, the young Howard might relate more the 5%'rs  then my current  lifestyle. LOL

I totally agree & Rich's popularity is something that I have witnessed first hand. He posted this shot of my new cover with him and have picked up a bunch of subscriptions since then. Rich is now one of our columnists and he will be profiling the 5% athletes in his articles.

[SF1900]

I totally agree & Rich's popularity is something that I have witnessed first hand. He posted this shot of my new cover with him and have picked up a bunch of subscriptions since then. Rich is now one of our columnists and he will be profiling the 5% athletes in his articles.

5% athletes? haha, lame as shit. Dude is ugly, shit physique, and full of synthol, and you're getting him to write for your magazine? Youre an idiot.

[C-BuZz]

Ok, you asked for it.

Now imagine entering your gym locker room and seeing me, naked , bending over , by my locker.
I stand back up, wink at you and say ; " Hmmm, checking out my glutes and hams 'eh?"

THAT should put me over the 100% creep mark and make getbiggers fear entering their local gym locker room.

You owe me a foot long subway. As I just hurled it onto the floor.

How dare you say thing that make me instantly begin to convulse.

[Tennisballz]

5% athletes? haha, lame as shit. Dude is ugly, shit physique, and full of synthol, and you're getting him to write for your magazine? Youre an idiot.

x2.  Who even subscribes to magazines??  Unless it's some kind of online thing.  I think Greg Valentino does interviews for the magazine as well, and listening to him makes you dumber by the second.

[Mr. Zimbabwe]

Thats true but I don't think it's a joey swole, or the Devin guy or Paige secret--- it's a Shredz tactic that they do for their people.

They've been killing IG since 2013 or so. How the hell they do it I have no idea.

I mean how the hell do you live in a 2 mill condo in the OC and drive a Lambo making meal plans lol??? Something fishy going on and most likely short lived.

Having lived the fitness lifestyle I can safely say it's fluff-and-hype.  It's important to their image (they pretend it's part of their business model) to "fake it till you make it."  

It's either that ..... or the fact that there are a dozen mega-wealthy schmoes that bankroll these guys like Joey but do so discreetly because they have secret relationships with the fitness guys (and live the lie of fake hetero men married with children to the rest of the world).

I personally did not follow this "business plan" but I saw enough of it on the inner circle... and it was offered to me several times.

[Coach is Back!]

Interesting interview

[Mike]

I have to give props to Rich Piana for tapping into the real niche market of younger male gym goers.
Back when I was young meathead, Wieder used bodybuilders and the southern Cal beach lifestyle to sell his products.
We all dreamed of moving to Venice beach and pumping iron with Arnold and the gang at Gold's.
Yup, we bought every issue of Muscle Builder and Power . We purchased as much Wieder Wt Gainer and protein tabs as we could afford. We trained in iron dungeons and dreamed of being on the Olympia stage posing down with Arnold.

Rich Piana is a big bodybuilder with larger then life persona. While he never developed a great contest physique he has evolved into an entertaining bodybuilding character. Thanks to the meteoric rise in social networking, the old world of bodybuilding has passed away,  along with our beloved Ben and Joe Wieder. When I started bodybuilding, we had to call  Venice Beach Gold's gym, the week after the Olympia to find out who won. The magazines featured the top contest bodybuilders and were the main source of bodybuilding news . Social media and the internet changed all that, forever.

The real $$ and fame in bodybuilding today isn't gained from winning contests.
It comes from creating an image and lifestyle that others identify with .
The "5%" image Rich has marketed taps into the desires of younger male gym rats.
From rapper to rockers, being a  bad ass has appeal for lots of young dudes.
What young male doesn't want a lifestyle of sexy babes , fast cars and saying Fuk U to society at large.

Rich's 5% thing is an image and personal IDENTITY for young guys .
It's no different then the Goth dress ; biker tattoos, denim and leather or Hip Hop baggy pants and backwards caps.
It's a mini version of sex, drugs and rock n' roll.
I gotta give Rich credit for using his charisma and social networking to promote this 5% badass image.

I doubt too many younger dudes in the gym would find my current lifestyle too appealing.
Having a basic career, no drugs or drinking  and only screwing my wife would seem quite boring to the younger folks.
30-40 yrs ago, the young Howard might relate more the 5%'rs  then my current  lifestyle. LOL

Great observations Howard!

[Howard]

You owe me a foot long . As I just JIZZED onto the floor.

How dare you say thing that make me instantly begin to climax.

Fixed 

This is getbig, you're among friends here

[Royalty]

I bet that these guys obtained all of their "start up" money by dealing drugs.

....And they probably still do

[Howard]

I totally agree & Rich's popularity is something that I have witnessed first hand. He posted this shot of my new cover with him and have picked up a bunch of subscriptions since then. Rich is now one of our columnists and he will be profiling the 5% athletes in his articles.

Just because I'm giving  Rich props, doesn't mean I think this direction/image is good for bodybuilding. Unlike some I can be objective and rate Rich's 5% thing based on it's own purpose and merits.
I find Rich to be more of a Gregg Valentino character and I like/respect both of them as men.
The problem is ,  guys like Rich (and especially GV) are not developing physiques that can win contests.

In any other sport, the main goal is to compete  in the biggest pro league.
As you know, I'm old school and my main interest is what happens in bodybuilding contests.
I wish the 5% thing was more geared towards contest success , but I doubt THAT would be as popular.

The fact that Rich is more popular then many top pros, clearly shows that pro bodybuilding has gone off the cliff in recent years. The biggest division in terms of entrants now, is : bikini , figure and MPD.
The days of Ben and Joe promoting bodybuilding as the ONLY thing are in the rear view mirror.

Rich and GV are entertaining, charismatic men and I understand why they stopped trying to make it as pro contest bodybuilders. Those running the show have ruined it . I don't know the exact reasons why NBC-sn walked away from showing the 50th Olympia. BUT, I do know that was a stab straight in the heart for pro bodybuilding as a viable sport. I'm simply pissed off and frustrated that contests are NOT the main interest for most gym rats now.

[BigCyp]

Just because I'm giving  Rich props, doesn't mean I think this direction/image is good for bodybuilding. Unlike some I can be objective and rate Rich's 5% thing based on it's own purpose and merits.
I find Rich to be more of a Gregg Valentino character and I like/respect both of them as men.
The problem is ,  guys like Rich (and especially GV) are not developing physiques that can win contests.

In any other sport, the main goal is to compete  in the biggest pro league.
As you know, I'm old school and my main interest is what happens in bodybuilding contests.
I wish the 5% thing was more geared towards contest success , but I doubt THAT would be as popular.

The fact that Rich is more popular then many top pros, clearly shows that pro bodybuilding has gone off the cliff in recent years. The biggest division in terms of entrants now, is : bikini , figure and MPD.
The days of Ben and Joe promoting bodybuilding as the ONLY thing are in the rear view mirror.

Rich and GV are entertaining, charismatic men and I understand why they stopped trying to make it as pro contest bodybuilders. Those running the show have ruined it . I don't know the exact reasons why NBC-sn walked away from showing the 50th Olympia. BUT, I do know that was a stab straight in the heart for pro bodybuilding as a viable sport. I'm simply pissed off and frustrated that contests are NOT the main interest for most gym rats now.

You can see how it happened though Howard. 20 years ago, apart from some comments down the gym and maybe at the club etc, a serious trainer would compete to get a level of validation for their work, and even if they don't place they can rub shoulders with other serious bodybuilders/get inspired. Now they just have to upload a pic with a tank top on facebook or instagram and get 1000 random strangers telling them they look jacked/props/#this/#that - job done.

[Howard]

You can see how it happened though Howard. 20 years ago, apart from some comments down the gym and maybe at the club etc, a serious trainer would compete to get a level of validation for their work, and even if they don't place they can rub shoulders with other serious bodybuilders/get inspired. Now they just have to upload a pic with a tank top on facebook or instagram and get 1000 random strangers telling them they look jacked/props/#this/#that - job done.

Good post and sums it up well.

[Joe Pietaro]

Just because I'm giving  Rich props, doesn't mean I think this direction/image is good for bodybuilding. Unlike some I can be objective and rate Rich's 5% thing based on it's own purpose and merits.
I find Rich to be more of a Gregg Valentino character and I like/respect both of them as men.
The problem is ,  guys like Rich (and especially GV) are not developing physiques that can win contests.

In any other sport, the main goal is to compete  in the biggest pro league.
As you know, I'm old school and my main interest is what happens in bodybuilding contests.
I wish the 5% thing was more geared towards contest success , but I doubt THAT would be as popular.

The fact that Rich is more popular then many top pros, clearly shows that pro bodybuilding has gone off the cliff in recent years. The biggest division in terms of entrants now, is : bikini , figure and MPD.
The days of Ben and Joe promoting bodybuilding as the ONLY thing are in the rear view mirror.

Rich and GV are entertaining, charismatic men and I understand why they stopped trying to make it as pro contest bodybuilders. Those running the show have ruined it . I don't know the exact reasons why NBC-sn walked away from showing the 50th Olympia. BUT, I do know that was a stab straight in the heart for pro bodybuilding as a viable sport. I'm simply pissed off and frustrated that contests are NOT the main interest for most gym rats now.

I get what you're saying, Howard. But pro bodybuilding as a competitive sport is getting worse and worse every year and is not a viable business model unless you're one of the few that get that money - and I am certainly not! LOL

I was doing this magazine for years as a side business and only when I began profiling and bringing in guys that were popular for who they were and not straight pro competitors did it take off. Case in point - Piana posted the cover on his Instagram page and my followers have doubled and a shitload of new magazine subscribers. No doubt in my mind that was a direct result of his post. I had Phil Heath on a cover in 2012 and no one gave a fuck.

So I know now that it's my full time and main focus, that has a lot to do with the growth, as well. But it was thinking outside the box and not making the same mistakes as MD and FLEX that have made the difference.

[Hurricane Beef !]

At least

We really look up to you coach.

TB

[MichaelScottDM]

Interesting interview

43 mins? Ouch. Clifs?

[Joe Pietaro]

I bet that these guys obtained all of their "start up" money by dealing drugs.

....And they probably still do

Then they're no different from the majority of the pros.