As a gym owner for 35 years I can tell you it would be a nightmare if another big gym opened up nearby. It can happen and I suppose as long as the gyms offer different services then it might be okay for both. I have alway believed the idea gym would have heaps of machines and a free weights gym across the road for the heads. Might work. The trouble is the modern bodybuilders like gyms which have plenty of spunky women to look at.
well these guys were an upmarket setup with personal training only. the crunch didn't cost them any customers but in fact brought in many new trainers and their clients who got sick of the hussle and bussle of the crunch across the road.
the ifbb can be kinda similar IMO. right now it is WAY too easy to become an ifbb pro in many parts of the world and there are way too many pros who might be great in 5 years but will probably quit because they can't make the money right now exclusively in the ifbb. think richard jones and plenty of others.
Why not let any ifbb pro compete wherever he wants but make becoming an ifbb pro even harder and more exclusive? The elite aren't going anywhere else because the money isn't there for them but the rookies can compete in smaller shows and build up a name for themselves all over.
the current nabba, wabba or whatever guys will still want to qualify to become ifbb pros and compete against the best.
the ifbb needs to nurture the future of the sport but the top guys are so far ahead right now it is getting to the point where guys will be 35 before they are top pros now and the 25 year olds need a way of staying in the sport until they are good enough.
