TWO SIDES OF THE STREET
The IFBB pros themselves were posed this same scenario – should the judging criteria be changed to reward the more aesthetic looking physiques ? When polling different people from the industry , the answer is not as clear-cut as one may think .
Lee Priest stands on the same side of the argument as Schwarzenegger , but also commented on his own experience doing exactly the same thing . “ I totally agree with what Arnold said ,” the Australian explains with a laugh . “ The bodybuilders today look like shit . I love freaks , but in my day the freaks still had shape . It ’ s funny because I was handed a lifetime ban ( by the IFBB ) for talking about the judging . So Arnold better be careful !”
“ Arnold has a great point and although it is normal for the physiques to change throughout different eras , what you ’ re seeing today is nowhere even close to what has become known as the ‘ classic physique ,’” says MuscleSport Magazine managing editor Gregg Valentino . “ I love seeing a guy jacked up on stage as much – if not more – than the next guy . But unless he has a nice V-taper , that mass just goes to waste .”
Dave Palumbo of RX Muscle took advantage of a golden opportunity by having a good number of the top names in the industry all under one roof at the FIBO expo in Germany , where he was able to get their opinions on the latest buzz .
“ That would definitely help someone like me competing against the mass monsters ,” said Shawn Rhoden , who hasn ' t been able to finish higher than third in the Olympia with a smaller yet more pleasing physique than both Phil Heath and Kai Greene . “ I think it ’ s a good way to go . There are a lot of guys that are more towards my shape and then a lot of guys pushing the envelope trying to be bigger .
“ We have to make sure we are rewarding the right guys because then everyone will start training to have a beautiful body again .”
For me , bodybuilding is about aesthetics and symmetry ; being pleasing to the eyes .”
Another competitor glad to hear these comments is Brandon Curry , who commented : “ When Arnold was praising aesthetics , I was thinking , ‘ that ’ s me .’ So how could I disagree ? I ’ m glad that someone finally had the balls … I know a lot of people took a disliking to what he said … but the sport is an art form . I respect everybody ’ s [ sic ] game , but anyone who is in favour of a physique like mine , I have to support them .”
Max Charles , who possesses a much wider physique than someone like Rhoden or Curry , saw it a little differently . “ I ’ m a fan of both ( aesthetics and mass ), but I wouldn ’ t go for a guy just because he has good shape because that ’ s not competitive bodybuilding . And that ’ s why they have the Men ’ s Physique Division . For bodybuilding , I feel that it has to be about muscle , size and aesthetics ,” he continued . “ It can ’ t be just one . I like to see everything to be ( considered ) a complete bodybuilder .”
Another wide bodybuilder took it a step further when Johnnie Jackson ( who is also a powerlifter ) said matter-of-factly , “ I don ’ t think necessarily that we have to look at the most aesthetic bodies and say automatically ‘ you should win because you have the perfect shape .’ But you have to look at everyone the same way and the most conditioned … the most balanced guy . Take Branch Warren , for example . Of course , his aesthetics aren ’ t as great as Dexter Jackson ’ s ( the 2015 Arnold Classic champion ), the small waist and all of that good stuff . But you have to look at the guy as a whole , not just the aesthetics .”
One of the names that Schwarzenegger singled out was Cedric McMillan , who placed fourth at the Arnold Classic with his pleasing physique . Many people – including Schwarzenegger – felt that ' Big Mac ' should have fared better . Only time will tell if this has a long-term effect in bodybuilding and until then , McMillan is taking a ‘ wait and see ’ attitude towards it .
“ I think that it ’ s a big deal , but at the same time we can only look at it as talk right now ,” he explained . “ But I definitely appreciate it because I feel that he said those things because of me .”
“ It used to be that you should have a V-shaped body . Now it ’ s like a bottle shaped body or something like that .”
“ I THINK THAT IT ’ S A BIG DEAL , BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE CAN ONLY LOOK AT IT AS TALK RIGHT NOW .”
Cedric McMillan
“ FOR ME , BODYBUILDING IS ABOUT AESTHETICS AND SYMMETRY ; BEING PLEASING TO THE EYES .”
Shawn Rhoden
“ PHIL HEATH ( WHOSE PHYSIQUE IS A FINE BLEND OF MASS AND AESTHETICS ) IS THE REIGNING CHAMPION FOUR YEARS AND COUNTING . “
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