Ronnie @ 145kg - Oh My GOD!

[SuperDawgy]

Funny, I thought bodybuilding was an aesthetic competition. Not just size.

I'll be the first to say that i don't agree with the judging guidelines that are being used today, but (and i reiterate)...BUT, we're looking at the natural progression of a sport. I'm not an evolutionist but when you look at any sport over the last 50 years, they have all undergone significant changes and it's impossible to debunk the fact that the average bodybuilder is 20-30 pounds heavier and 2-5" shorter than when Arnie ruled the roost. I give Ronnie all the props in the world for what he has accomplished. No man on the face of the earth has packed as much lean beef onto their frames as he has. Look at NFL linemen from 20 years ago vs today. There is no comparison!

As far as the aesthetic side of bodybuilding goes, remember aesthetics is an objective category. What is pleasing for one person to look at may be disgusting to another. I still don't understand how anyone can say that Arnold is the greatest of all time!? By what standards? The standards of 25 years ago or today? What about Haney? He won more O's than Arnold. Dorian won as many and now Coleman has eclipsed him.

I would love to think that one day someone with Dexters shape would be the "ideal", but i doubt that that day will come. Look at guys like Alex Fedorov who is only 26 and already 265. Colemans first olympia was when he was 29 and he weighed in at 230! Jesus man! These guys are going to be 350 on stage at under 6' and will do so in our lifetimes.

 

[dr0832]

It is funny to see people getting defensive over my opinion and making fun of my spelling mistakes. And remember not everyone that bodybuilds does it to look like a freak of nature.

 

[DJ_UFO]

I'll be the first to say that i don't agree with the judging guidelines that are being used today, but (and i reiterate)...BUT, we're looking at the natural progression of a sport. I'm not an evolutionist but when you look at any sport over the last 50 years, they have all undergone significant changes and it's impossible to debunk the fact that the average bodybuilder is 20-30 pounds heavier and 2-5" shorter than when Arnie ruled the roost. I give Ronnie all the props in the world for what he has accomplished. No man on the face of the earth has packed as much lean beef onto their frames as he has. Look at NFL linemen from 20 years ago vs today. There is no comparison!

As far as the aesthetic side of bodybuilding goes, remember aesthetics is an objective category. What is pleasing for one person to look at may be disgusting to another. I still don't understand how anyone can say that Arnold is the greatest of all time!? By what standards? The standards of 25 years ago or today? What about Haney? He won more O's than Arnold. Dorian won as many and now Coleman has eclipsed him.

I would love to think that one day someone with Dexters shape would be the "ideal", but i doubt that that day will come. Look at guys like Alex Fedorov who is only 26 and already 265. Colemans first olympia was when he was 29 and he weighed in at 230! Jesus man! These guys are going to be 350 on stage at under 6' and will do so in our lifetimes.

I agree with you. Unfortunatelly judging was not strong enough with bodybuilders to keep the competition between some reasonable margins. They kept rewarding size in first place and look what we have today.

 

[SuperDawgy]

True.

I have to admit, i'm very interested as to where it goes from here. With the new steroid laws and what not, will the judges be forced to look for smaller tighter packages or will it make a difference at all? Here's something to think about...What will Coleman weigh next year if he keeps his current rate of growth going? 305? 310? Fuck...315?

 

[tboy72]

yeah he is a huge freak, but look at his nips.....definatly has small case of gyno. but hes so lean and big on his chest, its bearly noticable

 

[Slyder190]

You guys act like Arnold was the only BB competing at all before 1980. Yeah, he looked good, but so did A LOT of other guys from that era (Zane NOT included). a lot of guys who never won the O have gone far above and beyond anything that Arnold was physically speaking, not just bigger, but guys who have been bigger and still maintained beautiful symmetry. Enough with all these damn Arnold disciples.

 

[enzyme]

i understand and respect ur opinoin but would have to disagree. the drive it takes to get to that level is beautiful in itself, and commands every ounce of admiration i have. what he looks like to others? can we get more superficial? i suppose for everyone it always starts off about how we look, how many chicks we can get or whatever. at some point it becomes less about looking in the mirror and more about empowerment and accomplishment. and at his level the sport has likely consumed his life. to have passion like he has, regardless of what i think it looks like, is awesome. whether it's getting 2 Ph.D.s, looking like ronnie, or pulling off a lance armstrong, i just have so much respect for somebody that has that kind of purpose and passion. sure, some efforts benefit society more or whatever, but that pinnacle of personal achievement, even if only competing against one's former self, is what it's all about. i dont give a fuck what i think he looks like or if chicks like that, because i am in awe of what it took for him to get there. i'm sure you don't disagree, so i'm not trying to argue a different point necessarily, just adding a different pespective.

Good post.

 

[Destroyer1986*]

IMO Sergio Nubret had a much better physique than Arnold but alot of people tend to disagree.

 

[musketeer]

God damnit!

I didn't post two amazing, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping shots of Ronnie, howing just how incredible the world's best are, to listen to people chiming on about "friggin Arnold this" and "fickin I'll bet he can't waterski that", "God, I'll bet his dick looks small" or "I'll bet he takes 10,000,000,000 times the drugs that they did in the 70's".

I'd expect some people to offer some criticism, but when did all the hardcores that used to be about get replaced with all of the ballet fans...

(right on whoever said that Serge was better than Arnold, if bigger is not better then Serge IS more symetrical / aesthetic)

 

[Debaser]

God damnit!

I didn't post two amazing, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping shots of Ronnie, howing just how incredible the world's best are, to listen to people chiming on about "friggin Arnold this" and "fickin I'll bet he can't waterski that", "God, I'll bet his dick looks small" or "I'll bet he takes 10,000,000,000 times the drugs that they did in the 70's".

Unfortunately, this is a discussion board. People *discuss* things. Like their opinion on the picture. None of us deny that he works very hard, but I don't think a guy with a 40" bloated waist is very aesthetically appealing.