Attended my first BB show yesterday

[Jim Ouini]

National qualifer. A friend of mine was in it as a heavyweight plus my wife was semi-interested in the fitness because some of the ladies from our gym have competed.

As soon as I walked in I immediately felt small and feeble. And these weren't even competitiors they were just people walking around in ribbed t-shirts and baggy jeans.

Guest posers were Chris Cook, Mark Dugdale and a former Ms. Olympia. All off-season but these guys are just huge. I was mildly suprised about how short these guys are in real life, though.

Anyway, it was pretty fun except I think they have too many womens divisions - novice short, open tall, open masters, etc etc. And I'm not really into bodybuilding, I mean I couldn't even muster a whistle or a whoop for a front double biceps

 

[KillahBee]

lol, sounds cool. the first one I went to, where my good friend was competing, was very odd. lots of jacked peeps walking around, most in 80's fashion clothing. I got a kick out of all the yelling during the posing - "Hit those quads, Jimmy!!!!!!". I also ended up having to put the tanning shit on my buddy's back, which ended all hope of a 100% homosexual incident-free life for me.

 

[blut wump]

I went to one once with my brother about the time I'd just started lifting. We thought we were pretty big until we started to mingle. The biggest shock of all was to see the women close up.

I'd go to another if it were close.

 

[riverrock]

The best BB's are short IMO. Trained in a gym in Israel while on hoiliday and saw the best conditioned BB I ever seen. He was in his mid 20's and no-where near his full potential. Man, he was in fantastic condition. I was Powerlifting at the time, so we did some heavy squatting together and swapped info on training, technique, and diet. H e competed in BB shows and I couldn't get over his physique. We spent a good 20 minutes complementing each other. I was complementing his symmetry and he was falling over himself complementing my strength. Had a massive head by the time I left!!!!

 

[thelion2005]

My first shows were in the gym at the downtown YMCA. There was power lifting first and then body building. Sometimes it was the same guys. If I remember correctly, a fireman named Chuck Sepa was the best then.

As the sport grew, we moved to the Redford Theater, Redford, Michigan for the Mr. Michigan shows. Here you saw Don Howard, Tom Platz, Ron Mango, Samir all moving up with dreams of LA and Gold's. Bob BirdSong, Larry Scott, Frank Zane, Tim Belcamp and other champs quest posed for less than $1,000 and stayed at the promoter's small house for the night.

After seeing my first show, I immediately began to eat cans of tune, tablespoons of brewer yeast and boxes of geletin to "get big" and be on that stage. LOL

It was common for the audience to throw complete support or contempt behind a contestant or guest poser. It was loud, rude, funny and amazing.

Larry Scott was trying to bring some class into the posing and had a complete routine using classical music. He began with a simple blue spot above him ... in an almost collasped position. It was quiet and we waited. Think Swan Lake.

"He's dead!" some ass calls out and Larry starts laughing. The crowd turns on the heckler with some choice words telling him to shut the f*ck up. Mr. Olympia takes a few breaths and starts all over.

He was great of course and the place boomed with chants of Larry! Larry! Larry!

When Bob Bidrsong was heckled he lost it and rushed to the edge of the stage - - yelling at the audience that they didn't appreciate him. He was booed right off the stage. By the way ... he had a great build.

Great fun!!

The last one I attended was Frank Zane's first Olympia win in Columbus, Ohio, run by Arnold. The most popular guy there was Ed Corney, a wonderful poser. He signed autographs all day.

Arnold would suddenly appear out in the hall with reporters and spot lights on him and then..POOF! ... disappear. The guy was a tank in the chest and shoulder area with a plaid shirt on.

The saddest guy was Robby Robinson who knew by 11 am he wasn't going to win. He was walking to the resturant to eat and crying. I walked behind him leaving him his dignity.

Different world then. No big bucks and very real people pushing their limits.