2006 Olympia callouts: Judge for yourself...

[scriptfactory]

...

These guys, no...GLADIATORS sacrifice everything in their lives for a year just for those few hours of a show.

...

You aren't being just a little bit dramatic, are you? No doubt it takes a lot of dedication to achieve this physique but let's be honest. Pro bodybuilding is little more than a beauty contest with poor judging. These dudes prance around on stage wearing "posing trunks" which are really just bikini bottoms (usually french cut.) The posedown is potentially one of the gayest things I have ever seen a group of straight males do. Let's get on stage with basically no clothes on and rub up against each other while posing. If you saw something like this going on in another environment (i.e. a house, club, store, etc.) you would call these guys perverts and tell them to put some clothes on. Either that or put a dollar in their panties.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a muscle fanatic. I'm a straight male that likes watching muscular men pose in bikini bottoms. Even so... they are just bodybuilders. They aren't going to affect the world in any major way. They aren't going to change the course of history. They aren't gladiators. Who cares what we say about them??

[CSAR]

You aren't being just a little bit dramatic, are you?

My Ph.D. is in linguistics. If you were trying to indicate that I was being overly dramatic with my usage of the word gladiator, then you should have used "You're being just a little bit dramatic, aren't you?" Your usage of aren't in the main body and are in the tag is confusing. This is typed prose, not spoken; therefore without tone of voice and intonation, I have to go by what I read. This is one reason why so many posts are misread and lead to senseless arguments.

The posedown is potentially one of the gayest things I have ever seen a group of straight males do. Let's get on stage with basically no clothes on and rub up against each other while posing. If you saw something like this going on in another environment (i.e. a house, club, store, etc.) you would call these guys perverts and tell them to put some clothes on. Either that or put a dollar in their panties.

But they AREN'T doing this in another environment. They are doing so in a forum that is socially acceptable for their sport. Go into a gym and you'll see people (straight and otherwise) sweating, grunting, pumping iron, undressing in the locker rooms, taking showers, etc., together. Does that make them gay? The modern gym has its roots in the ancient Greek gymnasiums. Places where men took off all their clothing, oiled up, and exercised completely naked, often in the form of wrestling. Look at all the Greek symbolism in the Mr. O. I challenge you to attend next year's Mr. O or Arnold Classic, go either to the media event or backstage pumping room, and give them your two cents on the gayness of what they're doing. Or stick a dollar bill in Markus Ruhl's posing trunks as your form of bodybuilding critique. If your head doesn't end up being permanently sandwiched between a pair of 45s, then it'll be a miracle.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a muscle fanatic. I'm a straight male that likes watching muscular men pose in bikini bottoms. Even so... they are just bodybuilders. They aren't going to affect the world in any major way. They aren't going to change the course of history. They aren't gladiators. Who cares what we say about them??

You're a muscle fanatic? What is history but the record of the victors? Who changes history? Did the gladiators change history? Of course not. But they were a part of it and their history is recorded. In present times, it would be unacceptable to kill another human for sport as it was then. Therefore fighters, athletes, bodybuilders, etc., are the modern version of gladiators. Who do you suppose will be historically recorded with a higher degree of significance - you or Jay Cutler?

Anyhow, the next time you put yourself through countless hours under the plates in the gym, sacrifice time with family and friends, diet for 16+ weeks and do what it takes to be Mr. O, then let me know if you still object to bodybuilders being referred to as gladiators. Until then, don't quit your day job.

[STYLE74]

[scriptfactory]

My Ph.D. is in linguistics. If you were trying to indicate that I was being overly dramatic with my usage of the word gladiator, then you should have used "You're being just a little bit dramatic, aren't you?" Your usage of aren't in the main body and are in the tag is confusing. This is typed prose, not spoken; therefore without tone of voice and intonation, I have to go by what I read. This is one reason why so many posts are misread and lead to senseless arguments.

Um, OK? Thanks for the lesson in linguistics.

But they AREN'T doing this in another environment. They are doing so in a forum that is socially acceptable for their sport. Go into a gym and you'll see people (straight and otherwise) sweating, grunting, pumping iron, undressing in the locker rooms, taking showers, etc., together. Does that make them gay? The modern gym has its roots in the ancient Greek gymnasiums. Places where men took off all their clothing, oiled up, and exercised completely naked, often in the form of wrestling. Look at all the Greek symbolism in the Mr. O. I challenge you to attend next year's Mr. O or Arnold Classic, go either to the media event or backstage pumping room, and give them your two cents on the gayness of what they're doing. Or stick a dollar bill in Markus Ruhl's posing trunks as your form of bodybuilding critique. If your head doesn't end up being permanently sandwiched between a pair of 45s, then it'll be a miracle.

And homosexuality was not only acceptable, it was commonplace in ancient Greece. If you don't want to see the homoerotic nature of bodybuilding, I understand. Doesn't change the fact that bodybuilding IS homoerotic.

You're a muscle fanatic?

I don't know why you would call BS on the fact that I like lifting weights and building muscle.

What is history but the record of the victors? Who changes history? Did the gladiators change history? Of course not. But they were a part of it and their history is recorded. In present times, it would be unacceptable to kill another human for sport as it was then. Therefore fighters, athletes, bodybuilders, etc., are the modern version of gladiators. Who do you suppose will be historically recorded with a higher degree of significance - you or Jay Cutler?

Hopefully me! I plan on doing great things.

Anyways, history is filled with losers. In fact, the losers often have just as much, if not more, of an impact on history than the winners.

BTW, beauty pageant contestants would also be gladiators by your logic, right?

Anyhow, the next time you put yourself through countless hours under the plates in the gym, sacrifice time with family and friends, diet for 16+ weeks and do what it takes to be Mr. O, then let me know if you still object to bodybuilders being referred to as gladiators. Until then, don't quit your day job.

I don't plan on quitting my day job. Thanks for the advice.

[humungus88]

And homosexuality was not only acceptable, it was commonplace in ancient Greece. If you don't want to see the homoerotic nature of bodybuilding, I understand. Doesn't change the fact that bodybuilding IS homoerotic.

And you know this because you were there? Or because Oliver Stone said so.

[scriptfactory]

And you know this because you were there? Or because Oliver Stone said so.

Because history said so... Usually Greek homosexual relationships were between and older "mentor" and a younger "pupil". In fact, homosexual relationships of two men who were the same age were often ridiculed and deemed inappropriate. At the same time, when a man got older and married he was expected to enter into an erotic relationship with a youth and teach him about the ways of the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Homosexuality

You know the Spartans organized their troops in pairs, right. These pairs were often lovers, homosexuality was strongly encouraged. The idea for this was a man is a much better fighter when he is fighting to protect something he loved. Spartans were among the most feared warriors in the world and they were predominantly bisexual.

[heavyrotation92]

pimp sh1t yo!

[STYLE74]

Because history said so... Usually Greek homosexual relationships were between and older "mentor" and a younger "pupil". In fact, homosexual relationships of two men who were the same age were often ridiculed and deemed inappropriate. At the same time, when a man got older and married he was expected to enter into an erotic relationship with a youth and teach him about the ways of the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Homosexuality

You know the Spartans organized their troops in pairs, right. These pairs were often lovers, homosexuality was strongly encouraged. The idea for this was a man is a much better fighter when he is fighting to protect something he loved. Spartans were among the most feared warriors in the world and they were predominantly bisexual.

Very interesting script!

[J.S.N.]

You aren't being just a little bit dramatic, are you? No doubt it takes a lot of dedication to achieve this physique but let's be honest. Pro bodybuilding is little more than a beauty contest with poor judging. These dudes prance around on stage wearing "posing trunks" which are really just bikini bottoms (usually french cut.) The posedown is potentially one of the gayest things I have ever seen a group of straight males do. Let's get on stage with basically no clothes on and rub up against each other while posing. If you saw something like this going on in another environment (i.e. a house, club, store, etc.) you would call these guys perverts and tell them to put some clothes on. Either that or put a dollar in their panties.

truer words have never been spoken.

[J.S.N.]

My Ph.D. is in linguistics. If you were trying to indicate that I was being overly dramatic with my usage of the word gladiator, then you should have used "You're being just a little bit dramatic, aren't you?" Your usage of aren't in the main body and are in the tag is confusing. This is typed prose, not spoken; therefore without tone of voice and intonation, I have to go by what I read. This is one reason why so many posts are misread and lead to senseless arguments.

dude i don't think we need to nitpick every little grammatical or spelling error on an internet forum. people who check and recheck their posts have zero self confidence .

...people... sweating, grunting, pumping iron, undressing in the locker rooms, taking showers, etc., together. ...gay?

yes

The modern gym has its roots in the ancient Greek gymnasiums. Places where men took off all their clothing, oiled up, and exercised completely naked, often in the form of wrestling. Look at all the Greek symbolism in the Mr. O. I challenge you to attend next year's Mr. O or Arnold Classic, go either to the media event or backstage pumping room, and give them your two cents on the gayness of what they're doing. Or stick a dollar bill in Markus Ruhl's posing trunks as your form of bodybuilding critique. If your head doesn't end up being permanently sandwiched between a pair of 45s, then it'll be a miracle.

i guess you missed the part of the symposium where i think it was alcibiades complained about socrates doing him and then ignoring him. i'd say that was pretty gay.

You're a muscle fanatic? What is history but the record of the victors? Who changes history? Did the gladiators change history? Of course not. But they were a part of it and their history is recorded. In present times, it would be unacceptable to kill another human for sport as it was then. Therefore fighters, athletes, bodybuilders, etc., are the modern version of gladiators. Who do you suppose will be historically recorded with a higher degree of significance - you or Jay Cutler?

Anyhow, the next time you put yourself through countless hours under the plates in the gym, sacrifice time with family and friends, diet for 16+ weeks and do what it takes to be Mr. O, then let me know if you still object to bodybuilders being referred to as gladiators. Until then, don't quit your day job.

i believe script is in the military. i'd say he's much closer to a gladiator than a man who flexes his muscles in a bikini for a living (and probably turns all kinds of tricks for old men).

[CSAR]

dude i don't think we need to nitpick every little grammatical or spelling error on an internet forum. people who check and recheck their posts have zero self confidence.

Okay, so instead we should nitpick my usage of the word gladiator? Don't nitpick on grammar that is confusing, but nitpick on vocabulary usage. Glad to see double standards are alive and well. I'm being sarcastic, just so you know.

And homosexuality was not only acceptable, it was commonplace in ancient Greece. If you don't want to see the homoerotic nature of bodybuilding, I understand. Doesn't change the fact that bodybuilding IS homoerotic.

I'd appreciate if you didn't put words in my mouth. I never indicated that I didn't see the homoerotic nature of bodybuilding, gymnasiums, military, etc. My point was that athletes, including bodybuilders, could be considered as modern day gladiators. We can argue semantics all day long and we'll still be no closer to any point of agreement. Just because someone competes in a bodybuilding contest, lifts weights in a gym, or joins a gym does not make that person gay. Furthermore, when was the last time you walked into your gym and started calling everyone a fag, lez, homo, or queer? As for sexual orientation, I could care less. My argument is not that bodybuilding doesn't have a homoerotic quality, but rather that engaging in bodybuilding activities doesn't make one a homosexual. Like I said before, bodybuilders compete in mediums that are socially acceptable for their sport. When's the last time anyone saw a posedown at their local Wal-Mart or convenience store? If I ever see that, sure, I'd think it was strange, but not gay.

i believe script is in the military. i'd say he's much closer to a gladiator than a man who flexes his muscles in a bikini for a living (and probably turns all kinds of tricks for old men).

Shall we compare DD214s? What do you think CSAR means? Does his potentially being in the military or my prior military service make us more qualified to determine what is and is not homoerotic and by extension "gay?" Your quote suggests you believe bodybuilders have sexual relations with their mentors. Care to elaborate?

Hopefully me! I plan on doing great things.

Good luck on that. Be sure to let us know when you enter the O, so we can all show up with "Go Fag!" signs to support your endeavors. But seriously and without sarcasm, good luck to you whatever your plans may be.

Now, if you'll all excuse me, it's time to pay a visit to my local homosexual facility to engage in a bunch of homoerotic activities (i.e., I'm going to the gym to lift weights). Maybe I'll pop in the 7/11 afterwards, strip down and hit a few poses in the chilled beverages section. I'm sure the Japanese won't mind a big white dude flexing in public. Just being a gaijin (foreigner) makes me a freak anyhow.

[CSAR]

Just a final word and then I'm finished with this thread. If anyone truly objects to my description of professional bodybuilders as gladiators and deems it to be overly dramatic, then please write a letter to the editor of Flex, M&F, Ironman, or any other bodybuilding magazine and let them know that their references to male bodybuilders as gladiators and female bodybuilders as amazons are overly dramatic and incorrect.

But don't stop there, take it to the next level and let them know that "The posedown is potentially one of the gayest things I have ever seen a group of straight males do. Let's get on stage with basically no clothes on and rub up against each other while posing. If you saw something like this going on in another environment (i.e. a house, club, store, etc.) you would call these guys perverts and tell them to put some clothes on. Either that or put a dollar in their panties." (Quote courtesy of scriptfactory).

Bodybuilders do not engage in a posedown for sexual gratification, nor do they frequently do so in socially inappropriate venues. The posing trunks, the oil, the pushing/shoving/nudging that occurs in bodybuilding competitions is not gay and I object to such an argument. Those things are done for reasons having nothing to do with sexuality.

I played Div I football, had my ass slapped by coaches/other players, took showers with dozens of naked men, and not once did I ever do so in a sexual manner. In the military, I stood "butt to nut" countless times with my swim buddy and begged him to piss down my ass and legs so that I didn't go hypothermic, and not once did I ever do so in a sexual manner (even when the instructors said we looked like a couple of fags, I didn't mind because they had been there and done that). Such behavior is context specific and of course, when you take it out of the normal venue and apply it in others, then it will be strange. But gay? You're making a theoretical argument that lacks logic and substance.

Is bodybuilding silly? I suppose in certain contexts it could be and to the majority of the public it is a silly and abnormal activity. But let's look at bodybuilding for what it is and isn't. I disagree that the posedown and bodybuilding by extension is one of "the gayest things," and I'd be willing to bet that most bodybuilders would disagree with scriptfactory's assessment as such.

[J.S.N.]

how about this elaboration:

if you're a professor of linguistics why do you quote FLEX practically verbatim? ...and don't you know to be concise? no one wants to read a 4 page rant on a message board. also no one is nitpicking your comparison to gladiators- we are saying it's idiotic. these guys try to outflex one another and they're gladiators?! ah no that would be boxers, or mma fighters.

[scriptfactory]

how about this elaboration:

if you're a professor of linguistics why do you quote FLEX practically verbatim? ...and don't you know to be concise? no one wants to read a 4 page rant on a message board. also no one is nitpicking your comparison to gladiators- we are saying it's idiotic. these guys try to outflex one another and they're gladiators?! ah no that would be boxers, or mma fighters.

Thank you! At least someone understands. There are still gladiators around today, except they are called fighters and get paid a lot more than bodybuilders.

Bodybuilding is a beauty contest, not a fight in a colosseum. Deal with it. Don't try to write an elaborate article full of fluff, trying to impress people with your "Ph.D. in linguistics" when you know it's true.

[CSAR]

Oh my. Woe is me. The day I've dreaded has actually arrived. I've been told to "deal with it."

You two are poster boys for the "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" campaign. Must have taken you two REMFs at least a couple hours and a dozen visits to Wikipedia to get your ideas. Whine about my Ph.D. all you want. I work 6 months out of the year and get paid for 12.

Talk is cheap. Put your words to the test. Get a video camera and tape yourselves going backstage at a nationals or pro bodybuilding comp spouting to the competitors about your "Bodybuilding is so gay" theory. It'll be the first time AR members have witnessed a 6' weight bar being used to make a couple of human popsicles. But I'll bet it won't be the first time either of you has had a large metal object violate your anus.

You boys have fun watching Gladiator tonight and if you ever find yourself in Tokyo, give me a holla. I'll sponsor you as a guest at my local Gold's - just don't expect any of your homosexual bodybuilding fantasies to come true.

Another verbose, long-winded, and very prolix post by a real BBing fanatic, brought to you courtesy of Flex, M&F, Ironman, etc. I'd quote them verbatim, but they're all in kanji, hiragana, and katakana, plus Japanese doesn't directly translate into English very well.

C Bino...sorry bro. Your thread got hijacked and I apologize for my part.

[IronReload04]

How can anyone look at those comparisons of Ronnie and Jay and actually say that Jay looked better? I really don't understand it.

Great site, BTW.

out of the 2, jay looks more aesthetically pleasing to me

[Sage]

DJ should have placed higher

[RussianVodka]

yep.....case closed

agreed

[Kärnfysikern]

I might not have the best eye. But damn why did martines beat dexter? Both are awsome but from the pics it defenetly looks like dexter had the edge.

[C_Bino]

I might not have the best eye. But damn why did martines beat dexter? Both are awsome but from the pics it defenetly looks like dexter had the edge.

I think so as well, but I think Victor has him beat in the leg dept. So its up in the air for me. But I think Dex takes it in upper body and overall look.

[Kärnfysikern]

I think so as well, but I think Victor has him beat in the leg dept. So its up in the air for me. But I think Dex takes it in upper body and overall look.

Dex most muscular is a work of art

[*Narkissos*]

how about this elaboration:

if you're a professor of linguistics why do you quote FLEX practically verbatim? ...and don't you know to be concise? no one wants to read a 4 page rant on a message board. also no one is nitpicking your comparison to gladiators- we are saying it's idiotic. these guys try to outflex one another and they're gladiators?! ah no that would be boxers, or mma fighters.

Obviously i disagree.

But won't argue on the grounds that arguing with someone who's never walked the walk... is pointless

Good post CSAR.

Great posts imo.

[collar]

good site.

[Zelos]

that's bad , this confirm to my mind that Ronnie was far from the others even Jay ...

[SVTMuscle*]

of course, but those pics are from Friday night. Ronnie did not hold his conditioning over night. Plus, rumor has it, that Milos Sarvec told Ronnie that he lost before the final callout so he was told to look flat so it didnt seem to obvious that they gave it to Jay

[Timm1704]

of course, but those pics are from Friday night. Ronnie did not hold his conditioning over night. Plus, rumor has it, that Milos Sarvec told Ronnie that he lost before the final callout so he was told to look flat so it didnt seem to obvious that they gave it to Jay

where the hell did you hear that? great site by the way

[RuhlFreak55]

of course, but those pics are from Friday night. Ronnie did not hold his conditioning over night. Plus, rumor has it, that Milos Sarvec told Ronnie that he lost before the final callout so he was told to look flat so it didnt seem to obvious that they gave it to Jay

that would make sense......that's why ronnie looked all pissed when they were announced

[CSAR]

Obviously i disagree.

But won't argue on the grounds that arguing with someone who's never walked the walk... is pointless

Good post CSAR.

Great posts imo.

Cheers Nark! As someone who walks the walk, you definitely know what you're talking about!!