Bodybuiding in High Def!

**bouncer** · May 21st, 2006, 10:08 PM

Last night as I was playing Mr Mom (wife was working) I sat down for a few minutes and was going to watch a little Deadwood. My wife recently went to work for the first time in 10 years and to make up for all the times I gave her money to buy me Christmas presents and the like-She went out an spent her own money and bought me 52" HDTV.

Trolling through the channels as is my annoying habit, my channel hopping hand froze on the remote. The 2005 Olympia was on in High friggin'Def! The channel remained undisturbed for 90 minutes.

Coleman (complete with the robe and crown) Cutler, Martinez, Schlierkamp, Sergio, Scott, Zane, Bannout, Arnold, and even Joe Weider. Cool lineup, but what was even better was seeing this stuff in High Def. It was probably better than being there, unless you were third row-center.

I used to pan for the ESPN bodybuilding shows, but I can't find much anymore. Does anyone know of any regular bodybuilding on the tube these days?

**HDPhysiques** · March 22nd, 2007, 05:04 AM

Gotta love a company that focuses on High Def.

jaybray1 · August 3rd, 2007, 08:24 PM

I Haven't Been Able To Find Anything Involving Bodybuilding On Tv In Quite Awhile. I Hate That The Sport Has Been So Neglected By Mainstream Tv. If I Ever Get Rich You Best Believe I Will Start A Muscle And Fitness Network! LET ME KNOW IF YOU FIND ANYTHING

**tooncesthecat** · August 4th, 2007, 07:23 AM

The last thing I saw was the 2006 Arnold which was broadcast in two parts on August 29 and September 2, 2006. It was on a channel called "Vs" (as in "versus" Here's their website http://www.versus.com

I remember when ESPN used to show the Olympia, but that was back in the Lee Haney days!

**Insex** · August 4th, 2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncer

Last night as I was playing Mr Mom (wife was working) I sat down for a few minutes and was going to watch a little Deadwood. My wife recently went to work for the first time in 10 years and to make up for all the times I gave her money to buy me Christmas presents and the like-She went out an spent her own money and bought me 52" HDTV.

Trolling through the channels as is my annoying habit, my channel hopping hand froze on the remote. The 2005 Olympia was on in High friggin'Def! The channel remained undisturbed for 90 minutes.

Coleman (complete with the robe and crown) Cutler, Martinez, Schlierkamp, Sergio, Scott, Zane, Bannout, Arnold, and even Joe Weider. Cool lineup, but what was even better was seeing this stuff in High Def. It was probably better than being there, unless you were third row-center.

I used to pan for the ESPN bodybuilding shows, but I can't find much anymore. Does anyone know of any regular bodybuilding on the tube these days?

I saw that same exact show. That was the one where Ronnie Coleman tied Lee Haney for his 8th Sandow and was dressed up all in red like a king. Correct?

I was visiting my folks, and at the time they had recently started getting high definition programing. My dad found the 2005 Mr. Olympia, so he recorded it on the TiVo thingy. I have to admit, watching that program was one of the most exciting TV experiences of my life. Usually, when I see professional bodybuilders, it's usually from a magazine, poster, or pictures on my computer screen. But being able to see those muscles move with real-life motion was another experience in itself. We as a society are so used to seeing bodybuilders frozen on magazine covers, but rarely get to appreciate the human physique these tremendous competitors feature move with life-like motion.

To answer your question: No, sadly I haven't been able to find anymore shows. When I watched the 2005 Mr. Olympia on the HDTV, it was after the show (a few months afterwards). It was sort of HDTV's "example" of how real HDTV looks compared to regular TV. So they were just featuring the 2005 Mr. Olympia as an "example" of the power of HDTV and not actually covering the 2005 Mr. Olympia.

It's sad to me, because I'm an amateur bodybuilder myself, and would like to see bodybuilding get the coverage and respect it deserves. Instead, we have so many men in this country who think it's OK for them to watch ice skating, yet, think it's gay to watch bodybuilding.

Bodybuilding (to me) has come a long way over the years, especially during Arnold's time. Even though the sport of bodybuilding has overcome many cultures, borders, and obstacles over the years, it's still viewed, for the most part, as a freak show here in the States. Sure, you'll see tons of muscle magazines featuring the bodybuilders themselves in magazine stands at stores. But when it comes to the actual sport of bodybuilding itself, nobody ever dreams of watching or even competing in it, because it is viewed as something freakish or unattainable. Then people cry out that the reason why bodybuilding is so unpopular when compared to popular sports today is because of steroids. But in a few years, all of the heroes of the popular sports who abuse steroids will be revealed, and people will begin to realize that it's stupid to hate an entire sport because of steroids.

**wil** · August 4th, 2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insex

Instead, we have so many men in this country who think it's OK for them to watch ice skating, yet, think it's gay to watch bodybuilding.

I usually fall asleep when my wife watches the skating during the Olympics. But IMO I think the guys who actually watch probably do so to see the chicks in their tiny outfits. I mean that's all I ever notice before I snooze off. And since the little missus is watching and getting all giddy that she and her man are enjoying something together it's like a free pass to ogle the chicks. I think that probably applies to a majority of guys who watch women's tennis as well.

Personally, I enjoy bodybuilding. And "Pumping Iron" is a classic that I will never tire of watching. I love to watch the strongman stuff and I have been to a few powerlifting meets (I live 15 minutes away from the home of York Barbell) but I really don't know if I could sit and watch a bodybuilding competition. Something about staring at a dude and in effect checking him out doesn't quite seem manly to me (not that there's anything wrong with it).

Now... put a female show on TV where I can check out some EF babes in action... THAT I will watch.

Just my 2 cents.

**Insex** · August 4th, 2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

Personally, I enjoy bodybuilding. And "Pumping Iron" is a classic that I will never tire of watching. I love to watch the strongman stuff and I have been to a few powerlifting meets (I live 15 minutes away from the home of York Barbell) but I really don't know if I could sit and watch a bodybuilding competition. Something about staring at a dude and in effect checking him out doesn't quite seem manly to me (not that there's anything wrong with it).

Now... put a female show on TV where I can check out some EF babes in action... THAT I will watch.

Just my 2 cents.

I can see your point. I can imagine that it feels "uncomfortable" to watch of bunch of oiled up guys, wearing nothing but Speedos. Now try to imagine what it feels like to be one of those competitors, being judged by everyone else!

But that's besides the point. I can understand you though, because that's the way I thought before I entered in my first bodybuilding show. You can never truly appreciate bodybuilding shows, until you have entered in one yourself. Bodybuilding is a weird sport, because you don't see much athleticism or movement. What you're seeing, is the product or end-result of years of hard work, and weeks of dieting. In other popular sports, it's not the same; you're seeing the sport in action instead.

To answer your question, bodybuilding shows are hardly just bodybuilding. There's always a men's and women's side of the show. You have the bodybuilders there to represent the men. For the women's side, you have the figure competitors (beauty, shape, symmetry), fitness competitors (dance and gymnastic routines), and if there are any available, female bodybuilders. So when you go to a bodybuilding show, they have a little something for everyone. Usually, the crowd gets most excited when the figure competitors take the stage. I don't know, must have something to do with beautiful women showing off their stuff. Wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

Weiser_Cain · August 5th, 2007, 05:10 AM

I have no problem checking another guy out, doesn't mean I want to have sex with him I just want to see what he's accomplished(and try to emulate it). A good bodybuilder is like a walking piece of art no matter what the gender.

**wildstang** · August 5th, 2007, 12:38 PM

me personally i have always leaned towards the powerlifting aspect of weight training, but non the less WE! all have put incredible time and devotion into the development of our sport. with that said i just wish a bodybuilder could be paid as much for his acomplishments as a NFL, NBA, and so forth athlete. we are the most unrecognized of the athletes in society.