by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
Some might really feel like this text is taking photographs at a sure group of individuals or group. That couldn’t be any farther from the reality. If you wish to develop bodybuilding, it’s good to deal with it like a enterprise and an actual (skilled) group. Meaning advertising, getting it out in entrance of extra individuals, turning it into one thing individuals can interact with, and making it extra accessible. That’s to not say the game isn’t skilled or not an actual enterprise, however with all the things, there are issues that may be checked out and improved upon.
I’m not anyone present or competitors, however the reality is, the Olympia is likely one of the greatest spectacles of the game. It’s the “Tremendous Bowl” of the health and bodybuilding world. And the Olympia crew is doing an excellent job of getting celebrities and athletes to point out as much as the occasion, and so they placed on one heck of a manufacturing. You’ve guys like Dwayne Johnson, Shaq, Mark Wahlberg, and lots of others seen on the Olympia.
That’s all advantageous and dandy, however how will you develop bodybuilding and get it out to extra individuals and leverage these family names that present up? I’ve a couple of concepts on how one can develop bodybuilding, but it surely’s going to come back at a price that I don’t really feel the organizers within the bodybuilding world are prepared to pay for.
Let’s dive into a few of the ways in which we will develop bodybuilding and make it extra mainstream.
Reside Stream the Reveals… For Free
I’m absolutely conscious that the IFBB doesn’t have the identical monetary means because the NFL, NBA, MLB, and many others. That mentioned, the game won’t ever develop with out extra entry and eyeballs. I really like the truth that reside streams at the moment are accessible for sure reveals and I really feel we want extra of them.
It’s my opinion that each one main reveals ought to have a reside stream. Meaning the Pittsburgh Professional, NY Professional, the entire Arnold Classics, the Olympia, and many others. Not solely ought to all of them have reside streams, however they need to all be free to view.
The NFL may make a fortune off of placing the Tremendous Bowl behind a paywall. As a substitute, they cost individuals to promote by way of commercials. The Olympia staff ought to take into account shifting towards that route to assist offset the fee to broadcast the Olympia at no cost.
Now, I perceive {that a} Pay-Per-View or placing the reside streams behind a paywall is a approach to generate extra earnings and assist cowl the price of the reside stream itself. However for those who’re not investing within the reveals to get them out to the general public, the general public will neglect in regards to the reveals and by no means interact.
The aim needs to be to get individuals within the reveals. Now that there are such a lot of divisions, there are extra mainstream appears which might be attainable. It’s not like again within the day when the one factor you had was Males’s Open, Girls’s Bodybuilding, Health, and Determine Divisions. Certain, the physiques have all modified, and every is now carrying extra muscle mass, however the skill to view completely different appears and physiques is sufficient to get individuals to tune in and see what it’s all about.
Keep in mind when health and bodybuilding was broadcast on tv? Nicely, with extra individuals streaming, it is a nice alternative to work in direction of making the game extra mainstream to develop bodybuilding.
Enable Free Entry into the Expos
This isn’t a knock on the Olympia, regardless that it could come off as one, however the price of entry into the Olympia Expo this yr was absurd. Once more, would you like extra individuals to attend these occasions or not? Draw them in with the expo. Who doesn’t need free samples, the flexibility to take a look at their favourite manufacturers, and an opportunity to speak with and meet their favourite bodybuilders and health rivals?
May these patrons get their a reimbursement in free dietary supplements, swag, and different giveaways? Certain, however that’s irrelevant. The aim needs to be to get as many individuals into the expo and within the sport as doable if you wish to develop bodybuilding.
I keep in mind again after I was with MET-Rx and being on the sales space on daily basis. You’ll see individuals from all walks of life. Younger, outdated, males, girls, boys, and ladies. You had individuals strolling round with six packs and those that nonetheless rock a keg. And everybody was there for a similar motive and to have a great time.
Nobody cared what anybody else appeared like at an expo, everybody was there to take pleasure in themselves, be taught, meet new individuals, and keep in tune with new issues the trade needed to supply. Moreover, it’s a spot the place individuals can be taught and acquire information from speaking with a few of their idols.
I keep in mind how lengthy the road can be for individuals to satisfy Phil Heath when he was one in all our athletes. Or how the road would wrap round our sales space of individuals wanting to satisfy Greg Plitt (RIP). Greg would reply each query individuals would ask him intimately. They would depart the expo with one thing they’ll take house and apply to their exercises or eating regimen. If you wish to develop bodybuilding, the bottom line is to interact as many individuals as you’ll be able to and pull them in. Get them excited to coach. Get them excited to make enhancements to their lives and physiques.
Leverage Celebrities Extra
I can’t say this for sure, so don’t quote me, however I’m certain guys like Shaq and Mark Wahlberg don’t pay to get into the Olympia. The Olympia staff ought to capitalize on this and have them livestream in the course of the occasion, publish main as much as the present, and publish after the present is over to interact their viewers and introduce them to health and bodybuilding. I do know a few of the celebrities have been doing this, but it surely needs to be doubled down on.
Our sport is taken into account “taboo” to many. If extra celebrities bought behind health and bodybuilding, we may simply develop bodybuilding and develop how many individuals go to reveals and expos. It could even assist develop the smaller reveals as extra individuals would wish to get entangled.
Total, I actually simply wish to develop bodybuilding and see it develop with every passing yr. I’m not making an attempt to tear down bodybuilding or the Olympia by way of this text. I simply suppose there’s extra that may be achieved to develop bodybuilding and improve its presence. And I really imagine that with a purpose to try this, it’s good to make it extra accessible to everybody (that features the individuals who wish to sit and have interaction with the game from the consolation of their very own houses).
