That is all
Sunday 25 September 2011
Monday 19 September 2011
Prize money
Let me start by stating, as before, a very well deserving win went to Phil Heath on Saturday night. Nice guy, outstanding physique and what looked like a genuine emotional response to the win. But his $200,000.00 first prize package contrasts very strongly with the reported $40,000.00 that the winner of the World's Strongest Man will pick up.
I am confused as to what merits such a difference. The sheer numbers of people, worldwide, that will watch the various athletes test their strength in the WSM contest are far and away greater by a probable factor of something like 400-600 x as much compared to the No 1 bodybuilding competition - the Mr Olympia. Bodybuilding.com combined with any clips of the same on Youtube will be around 1 million or so. The lowest WSM figures have been around 200m with their best year (seemingly when WSM was held in China) was 600m that year.
Based on a man in the street being stopped and asked the name of the winner of both events I'd guess few would get the right answer. But ask them which they'd watched on TV... WSM would kick butt all day long.
There are obvious flip sides - you can sell products 24-7 to the core viewing audience (wanna-be bodybuilders) of the Mr O but the core numbers (would be strength athletes) for WSM are far lower. On the other hand it's easier to see mainstream advertisers seeing an angle in using a WSM level pro associated (our product is as strong as...) with their goods. Even an out of shape Glenn 'who's the daddy?' Ross (200+ kilos) has been used (Citroen or Renault vans I think). The years he did well Ronnie Coleman was beginning to make his mark and doing very well financially. Even seminars and exhibitions fees do not compare for most strength pros. A top 3 Mr O contender can command $5-10,000 per seminar with the No1 guy getting as much as $20k. With the exception of 5x winner Marius Pudzianowski in his homeland of Poland where, it seems, he can do no wrong (his singing... it's not all that but has been on many shows there) I can't think of any recent WSM winner getting anywhere close to the fees a well-known bodybuilder will get.
It's shame. BOTH sets of athletes, bodybuilding or strength (I'll include the Olympic Weightlifters and top Powerlifters such as Andy Bolton), train and work very hard to get to the top levels. I've seen both sets acknowledge the work, fame and so on of the other set. So both appreciate what's needed to get to the elite level. But the difference in the pay cheques... it's still there.
Your thoughts?
I am confused as to what merits such a difference. The sheer numbers of people, worldwide, that will watch the various athletes test their strength in the WSM contest are far and away greater by a probable factor of something like 400-600 x as much compared to the No 1 bodybuilding competition - the Mr Olympia. Bodybuilding.com combined with any clips of the same on Youtube will be around 1 million or so. The lowest WSM figures have been around 200m with their best year (seemingly when WSM was held in China) was 600m that year.
Based on a man in the street being stopped and asked the name of the winner of both events I'd guess few would get the right answer. But ask them which they'd watched on TV... WSM would kick butt all day long.
There are obvious flip sides - you can sell products 24-7 to the core viewing audience (wanna-be bodybuilders) of the Mr O but the core numbers (would be strength athletes) for WSM are far lower. On the other hand it's easier to see mainstream advertisers seeing an angle in using a WSM level pro associated (our product is as strong as...) with their goods. Even an out of shape Glenn 'who's the daddy?' Ross (200+ kilos) has been used (Citroen or Renault vans I think). The years he did well Ronnie Coleman was beginning to make his mark and doing very well financially. Even seminars and exhibitions fees do not compare for most strength pros. A top 3 Mr O contender can command $5-10,000 per seminar with the No1 guy getting as much as $20k. With the exception of 5x winner Marius Pudzianowski in his homeland of Poland where, it seems, he can do no wrong (his singing... it's not all that but has been on many shows there) I can't think of any recent WSM winner getting anywhere close to the fees a well-known bodybuilder will get.
It's shame. BOTH sets of athletes, bodybuilding or strength (I'll include the Olympic Weightlifters and top Powerlifters such as Andy Bolton), train and work very hard to get to the top levels. I've seen both sets acknowledge the work, fame and so on of the other set. So both appreciate what's needed to get to the elite level. But the difference in the pay cheques... it's still there.
Your thoughts?
Sunday 18 September 2011
Thursday 15 September 2011
Monday 12 September 2011
Thursday 28 July 2011
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Trey Brewer... why??
Pictures have emerged in the last few days of a guest posing Trey recently did at what appears to be a natural Bodybuilding event. To say he looks out of condition is an understatement.
He's not the first pro (or soon-to-be-pro) to appear on stage in less than stellar condition but he's abusing, in my opinion, the privilege. In his case, after a quick search via Google, it appears it's not the first time. I've seen links to comments from 2007!!
Now, as has been inferred, being a little heavy and carrying SOME fat and or water off-season is to be expected. It's normal. The mags may well give the impression that Mr Joe is always in shape etc etc but this just isn't true. If you happen to catch a pro around the Olympia... well then you'll see someone at close to their best condition. By the same token appearing to be 9 months gone, saggy and worse... and get paid? C'mon!! Hell the little expo work I do from time to time I still need to be able to demonstrate some level of strength even if it's not my very best level.
Link to photos here
I'd be interested in your thoughts.
He's not the first pro (or soon-to-be-pro) to appear on stage in less than stellar condition but he's abusing, in my opinion, the privilege. In his case, after a quick search via Google, it appears it's not the first time. I've seen links to comments from 2007!!
Now, as has been inferred, being a little heavy and carrying SOME fat and or water off-season is to be expected. It's normal. The mags may well give the impression that Mr Joe is always in shape etc etc but this just isn't true. If you happen to catch a pro around the Olympia... well then you'll see someone at close to their best condition. By the same token appearing to be 9 months gone, saggy and worse... and get paid? C'mon!! Hell the little expo work I do from time to time I still need to be able to demonstrate some level of strength even if it's not my very best level.
Link to photos here
I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Tuesday 7 June 2011
Caffeine everywhere!!
One of the lads I coach came in for a session today with his bag of Bodypower Expo samples. My god... nigh one every product had a form of caffeine in them. Pre-workout... check, stimulant... check, fat burner.... what else! Even a few of the protein samples I've previously seen can also contain a small amount.
The issue, as I explained it to him, was that in a few cases the amount per anything (gram, serving etc) was NOT LISTED. The (US based usually) proprietary blend excuse means that while they will admit to it being in there they aren't telling you how much. Now most research indicates that above a certain point you'll either start getting nothing back - meaning the body becomes so immune to its effects you may as well not have bothered or, if susceptible, may even get the shakes or, worse still, heart murmurs and other nasty symptoms.
Some companies, when pushed, will tell you the amount. So ask!!
The issue, as I explained it to him, was that in a few cases the amount per anything (gram, serving etc) was NOT LISTED. The (US based usually) proprietary blend excuse means that while they will admit to it being in there they aren't telling you how much. Now most research indicates that above a certain point you'll either start getting nothing back - meaning the body becomes so immune to its effects you may as well not have bothered or, if susceptible, may even get the shakes or, worse still, heart murmurs and other nasty symptoms.
Some companies, when pushed, will tell you the amount. So ask!!
Thursday 2 June 2011
MyProtein sold!
As I have commented elsewhere it is no great surprise to hear announced that Oliver Cookson's 'MyProtein' brand has been sold. With the company positioning itself for such an event for the last 12-18 months it must still been seen as a great success. Reports indicate a £60m value. These suggest a Maximuscle / Reflex value and also indicate that outside investors looking for both market share and companies worthy of buy outs are still looking at the sports supplement market during the recession.
Wednesday 1 June 2011
Bodypower done... Vahalla Festival next
Bodypower was an even greater success than before. While we still await official figures I am certain that the larger space and greater numbers (as witnessed by myself over the two days) will be better than in previous years. That they have now announced an additional day for next year (Friday will be a half day - possibly trade only) seems also to indicate the success.
For my part I worked with www.ultimategrip.co.uk on stand C60. Bringing down my usual array of grip tools the rough welded penny pinch is still the winner in getting people to come and look at the wares. I also helped Denny Felix by running both the pro and am Ironmind Rolling Thunder challenges over on the strength arena. Taking part in the pro portion I managed to keep my name by placing a tied (with 200kg, 6'8 Brian Shaw) 2nd while current record holder Mark Felix pulled ahead into first. The 19 or so amateurs were witnessed by BP representatives (I refereed) and there's already interest in holding another event next year.
Up next is the Valhalla Festival in Essex in July, co-promoted by Scott Horton et al. With a Viking theme it's gonna be a long one - noon through to 11pm with Fireworks, strongman, sword fighting.... you name it. Expected numbers are 10,000 over the two days. You coming?
For my part I worked with www.ultimategrip.co.uk on stand C60. Bringing down my usual array of grip tools the rough welded penny pinch is still the winner in getting people to come and look at the wares. I also helped Denny Felix by running both the pro and am Ironmind Rolling Thunder challenges over on the strength arena. Taking part in the pro portion I managed to keep my name by placing a tied (with 200kg, 6'8 Brian Shaw) 2nd while current record holder Mark Felix pulled ahead into first. The 19 or so amateurs were witnessed by BP representatives (I refereed) and there's already interest in holding another event next year.
Up next is the Valhalla Festival in Essex in July, co-promoted by Scott Horton et al. With a Viking theme it's gonna be a long one - noon through to 11pm with Fireworks, strongman, sword fighting.... you name it. Expected numbers are 10,000 over the two days. You coming?
Sunday 13 February 2011
Monday 24 January 2011
Jack LaLanne dead; 96
News is reaching the physical culture world of the passing of the first fitness guru Jack LaLanne. More info to follow
Thursday 20 January 2011
Ronnie is, it seems, still da man
Much like Arnie, even though he's effectively retired Ronnie still sells covers...
Monday 17 January 2011
Bodypower 2011
Not only will I be working on the strongman stage running and competing in the Rolling Thunder event but, having just had a chat with Andy Bolton, I'll be assisting him with a special exhibition lift / personal challenge of his. Info, for now, is restricted but you WILL like it.
Wednesday 12 January 2011
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