Who wants to see Physique turn into Classic Bodybuilidng?

[MikeMartinez]

Just curious to hear people's thoughts on this...

Who here would like to see Men's Physique turned into a different class a la the Classic Bodybuilding class at the Arnold? A class where competitors may compete at a weight limit according to their height, and ditch the board shorts in favor of some throwback posing trunks and hit, you know, actual bodybuilding poses rather than the bikini class type poses.

I think the men's physique class is on to something, but the board shorts and posing just has me completely turned off. Now, that same type of physique hitting classical poses and showing legs, now we have a respectable class I'd watch.

Your thoughts please...?

[Quadriceps]

Not a bad idea. They classic bodybuilding shows in Europe can be pretty fun to watch.

[SAHD]

I concur with this idea, though I do think, flame me if you will, that most Natty shows have this look already.

[thedunhill225]

I concur with this idea, though I do think, flame me if you will, that most Natty shows have this look already.

Correct....and less drug use. I care not what anyone chooses to take or not take so that's not my point. If it lasts it will evolve some...guys will get bigger... Then they will start yet another category...then that will evolve...then another....

Just look at the women... BBing, , fitness, figure, bikini..... What's next?

You really want that for the men?

Well I am sure the supplement companies pay they physique guys a hell of a lot less to endorse their products..... Hmmmmm

[Muscle@Duke]

I would rather the judging for actual mens BB reflect what the rules already state. People who put on size for the sake of size alone and lose symetry and proportion should be penalized, not rewarded. You are supposed to have a v taper with wide shoulders and a narrow flat stomach. This is already in the rules. I also think people have a better look when they are 6% bodyfat instead of 3. When did bodybuilding become a diet contest? When I was watching the Arnold on Sat. the emcees made a comment about EVERYONES glutes/hammies. I'm sorry but having ripped glutes is not bodybuilding.

And that alone would decrease drug use to some extent. If you are not having to hang on to muscle while getting down to 3% most people could use far less drugs IMO.
So in summary I think that the framework already exists for what most of us want, the IFBB just has to enforce the rules somehow. That of course is a pipe dream when you have the winner of the second biggest contest already picked two months in advance of the show.

[hilly]

I competed as a classic last year n thinks its a pretty gd class and a gd stepping stone also.

This physique class in board shorts etc I'm
Not a fan of at all.

[steel1970]

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I would rather the judging for actual mens BB reflect what the rules already state. People who put on size for the sake of size alone and lose symetry and proportion should be penalized, not rewarded. You are supposed to have a v taper with wide shoulders and a narrow flat stomach. This is already in the rules. I also think people have a better look when they are 6% bodyfat instead of 3. When did bodybuilding become a diet contest? When I was watching the Arnold on Sat. the emcees made a comment about EVERYONES glutes/hammies. I'm sorry but having ripped glutes is not bodybuilding.

And that alone would decrease drug use to some extent. If you are not having to hang on to muscle while getting down to 3% most people could use far less drugs IMO.
So in summary I think that the framework already exists for what most of us want, the IFBB just has to enforce the rules somehow. That of course is a pipe dream when you have the winner of the second biggest contest already picked two months in advance of the show.

I hear what you are saying, but I feel the JUDGING will always set the bar in bb'ing, not necessarily the rules.....from the first contest in which they rewarded a mass monster who may not have been in the best shape, they set the bar for the size game.....then, when someone like Munzer stepped on stage, they again set another bar for conditioning..... The subjective views of the judging is what put bb'ing where it is today. I'm sure alot of guys would feel much better being 20-30 lbs lighter and coming into a show not so run down from the diet, but that's not where it's at at this point, that's not what they are expecting AND rewarding....

I personally think that it's rather cool that these guys are willing to push the body to its limits. I like seeing the monsters and knowing that only a chosen few can reach that status.... I like the idea of classic bb'ing, but, you know they will be rewarding the biggest guy in the class, every contest, especially since conditioning won't be AS important, so in essence, they will again just be pushing guys to get bigger....

[mentalflex]

I competed as a classic last year n thinks its a pretty gd class and a gd stepping stone also.

This physique class in board shorts etc I'm
Not a fan of at all.

Hilly, I remember the pics posted up of you after your contest. That is what we need here in the states.

I do not like the fact that legs are essentially not judged at all with physique. Legs are half of the body and to not judge them is like saying half of your physique is worthless. I would like to see classic bodybuilding take the place of physique, not be another category, where judges rewarded symmetry and definition rather than sheer size. However, the criteria for judging must be followed much more so than with the current IFBB competitions.


Steel, I agree with you on the way judging is set up now. Bodybuilders are rewarded for size and many fans have come to expect seeing freakshows on stage. These individuals have truly pushed physical limitations to acheive their physiques and I find it simply incredible that they are able to take their bodies to such extreme measures. Yes, they may be healthier if the rules for judging were followed to a tee, but that is not what is demanded by the majority of the fans and judges are likely going to judge according to what the people the people demand because it is better for the organization.