Bodybuilding: then and now

**Keith Wassung** · 09-09-2005, 01:59 PM

I picked up my first bodybuilding magazine in the winter of 1979. Back then you had to either subscribe to them or get them from a gym or a health food store. Most grocery stores, drug stores, etc. did not carry such publications, at least now where I grew up. A lot has changed since then, some things for the good, some for the worse. I dont wish to start a thread bashing either the past or the present, but rather to compare and contrast each era and hopefully others will add their comments as well.

The champions of now are far bigger and far more ripped than champions of the past. The physiques of the past seemed more distinct with each of the champions having "signature" poses. In some of the magazines of the past, they would have silhouttes of the champions and you would have to guess who each was. It was not hard to do. I think that the present champions lack the individual physique distinction and tend to all look similar. Now this could be because I do not follow the sport quite as intensely as I did as a young man, but I still know all the names.

I liked it when all of the championship contests were designated by "Mister" titles, such as Mr. America, Mr. Universe, etc. Changing the names to National and World Champion were done, likely to improve the image of the sport in hopes of making it more mainstream. I also liked it when the amateur contests has best bodyparts.

Danny Padilla still has one of the greatest physiques I have ever seen in my life.

The black and white photos of Dorian Yates in black socks are the most impressive photos I have ever seen.

Tom Platz's legs are the most impressive bodypart I have ever seen on any bodybuilder.

Having a bantamweight class in a bodybuilding championship is like having a superheavyweight jockey division in horse racing.

The first contest I ever judged was at a large state prison. I was there to do a lifting exhibition before the bodybuilding event and then to be part one of the judges. I had no experience in this. The head judge, who was a veteran pulled all five of the judges together and gave us our instructions: He said "ladies and gentlemen ( there was one lady present) the winner will be the person who you believe has the most physically impressive body" pretty simple and that is how I have always judged bodybuilding contests since then. Not the biggest, the most ripped, not the most symmetrical-but the most impressive.

Modern bodybuilding needs to return to the days when the posing suit is a lot more modest, rather than a borderline g-string.

I wish Kal Szkalak, 1977 Mr. U had competed for a few more years.

Keith

**NNTB** · 09-09-2005, 02:55 PM

I couldnt agree more.. another great article keith :nosthumbs

**Peaked_18** · 09-09-2005, 06:33 PM

Good article Keith..

**bigDman** · 09-09-2005, 07:35 PM

Great read

09-09-2005, 01:59 PM	#1
Keith Wassung Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 84 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Bodybuilding: then and now I picked up my first bodybuilding magazine in the winter of 1979. Back then you had to either subscribe to them or get them from a gym or a health food store. Most grocery stores, drug stores, etc. did not carry such publications, at least now where I grew up. A lot has changed since then, some things for the good, some for the worse. I dont wish to start a thread bashing either the past or the present, but rather to compare and contrast each era and hopefully others will add their comments as well. The champions of now are far bigger and far more ripped than champions of the past. The physiques of the past seemed more distinct with each of the champions having "signature" poses. In some of the magazines of the past, they would have silhouttes of the champions and you would have to guess who each was. It was not hard to do. I think that the present champions lack the individual physique distinction and tend to all look similar. Now this could be because I do not follow the sport quite as intensely as I did as a young man, but I still know all the names. I liked it when all of the championship contests were designated by "Mister" titles, such as Mr. America, Mr. Universe, etc. Changing the names to National and World Champion were done, likely to improve the image of the sport in hopes of making it more mainstream. I also liked it when the amateur contests has best bodyparts. Danny Padilla still has one of the greatest physiques I have ever seen in my life. The black and white photos of Dorian Yates in black socks are the most impressive photos I have ever seen. Tom Platz's legs are the most impressive bodypart I have ever seen on any bodybuilder. Having a bantamweight class in a bodybuilding championship is like having a superheavyweight jockey division in horse racing. The first contest I ever judged was at a large state prison. I was there to do a lifting exhibition before the bodybuilding event and then to be part one of the judges. I had no experience in this. The head judge, who was a veteran pulled all five of the judges together and gave us our instructions: He said "ladies and gentlemen ( there was one lady present) the winner will be the person who you believe has the most physically impressive body" pretty simple and that is how I have always judged bodybuilding contests since then. Not the biggest, the most ripped, not the most symmetrical-but the most impressive. Modern bodybuilding needs to return to the days when the posing suit is a lot more modest, rather than a borderline g-string. I wish Kal Szkalak, 1977 Mr. U had competed for a few more years. Keith

09-09-2005, 02:55 PM	#2
NNTB rEVOLutionary Join Date: May 2005 Location: FL Posts: 2,447 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 163	I couldnt agree more.. another great article keith :nosthumbs __________________ "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it." Abraham Lincoln

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-09-2005, 06:33 PM	#3
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,247 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	Good article Keith..