Pros vs Ameteurs

[Alex A]

Lets compare a typical national level competitor(top 10 in a pro qualifier) more than once.

Feel free to answer one or more of these questions.


Who trains harder?

Who diets harder?

Who gets in better condition?

Taking nothing away from pros, I believe many top amateurs prepare for their shows on the same level as most pros.

I totally enjoy going to pro shows but I personally enjoy seeing top amateurs compete.

 

[MAINEVENT]

I personally like amateur bodybuilding more. To me it seems more attainable...if you know what i mean AND less predictable. I think amateurs and Pro's diet and train hard, some people just have more of a genetic response to training, dieting and supps. Its kind of like compairing pro football to college football......to each their own.

I do have a lot of respect for Pro's that diet year after year. Anyone who has ever 'really' dieting and trained for a show knows what the rigors are and for these guys do it as much as they do is mind boggling.

 

[Rob Roy]

Before I start, I have to say that this by no means is me being an advocate of hi doses of anabolics, although I remember reading an interview with
Craig titus and the writer had asked him how hi his doses were at the time(when he was in his prime as a pro) and he replied with "Nothin compared to how much he had to take to win the USA. LOL.. Good Ol titus! Anyway, I agree with Main in regards to genetics playing a huge factor. Jus to give an idea, I had lunch with Dextor in July and he was talking about his cardio and diet. I thought that I had decent genetics until I heard him talk about how little he does to get ready and he's the most consistantly dialed, conditioned athlete in the world. Now, I'm in now way trying to compare myself to that FREAK, but it really made me realize just how genetically gifted these top pros truley are. Not taking anything away from them and their hard work, but genetics are genetics!

 

[HUTCH]

I get a lot more excited about nationals, Usa's and Jr's more than i do about any pro contest...Professional bodybuilding is so predictable now...

 

[nosejob]

Before I start, I have to say that this by no means is me being an advocate of hi doses of anabolics, although I remember reading an interview with
Craig titus and the writer had asked him how hi his doses were at the time(when he was in his prime as a pro) and he replied with "Nothin compared to how much he had to take to win the USA. LOL.. Good Ol titus! Anyway, I agree with Main in regards to genetics playing a huge factor. Jus to give an idea, I had lunch with Dextor in July and he was talking about his cardio and diet. I thought that I had decent genetics until I heard him talk about how little he does to get ready and he's the most consistantly dialed, conditioned athlete in the world. Now, I'm in now way trying to compare myself to that FREAK, but it really made me realize just how genetically gifted these top pros truley are. Not taking anything away from them and their hard work, but genetics are genetics!

yes, you are correct.

lets not forget how much genetics play in your body's response to aas. a pro can take 1g of test a week and grow like there is no tomorrow and there can be someone else who takes 1g a week and only gain a few pounds of water weight.

 

[Alex A]

Well my opinion is this. Like i said, no offense to pros but I enjoy amateur bodybuilding allot more.

I wish the mags did more stories, more pics, articles etc on amateurs..

Im a bit tired of the same old stuff with these outrageous pics of these genetic freeks!

As if we can relate? To me it seems like its all about the pros and in reality its all about everyone.

And everyone is not a pro and actually only a fraction of a percent can even be considered for attaining a pro card. Us amateurs bust our asses, put in good solid preps, and get in hard core shape just like they do.

Like everyone is saying here, genetics to play a huge role. In my opinion the biggest difference between an amateur and a pro is genetics.

Like I said, taking nothing away from pros!

 

[gtj220]

I wish more articles were done on top amateurs, I definetly feel
i can learn more from
Dave P and Alex A than from Cutler or Dexter

 

[BigRick722]

Well my opinion is this. Like i said, no offense to pros but I enjoy amateur bodybuilding allot more.

I wish the mags did more stories, more pics, articles etc on amateurs..

Im a bit tired of the same old stuff with these outrageous pics of these genetic freeks!

As if we can relate? To me it seems like its all about the pros and in reality its all about everyone.

And everyone is not a pro and actually only a fraction of a percent can even be considered for attaining a pro card. Us amateurs bust our asses, put in good solid preps, and get in hard core shape just like they do.

Like everyone is saying here, genetics to play a huge role. In my opinion the biggest difference between an amateur and a pro is genetics.

Like I said, taking nothing away from pros!

I agree, its funny that we are actually called amateurs. Think about it. all a boxer has to do is sign up and he can fight as a pro and get paid. I tell people i am a amateur bodybuilder looking to make it pro and they kinda look at me funny. In this sport your goal is to become pro as aposed to other sports you are looking much past that. People dont see how much work and effort it takes just to call yourself an IFBB pro. I think we "amateurs" are more dedicated to our sprot then any other professional level sport, and we are BROKE!!! lol ...
Rick

 

[oldfella]

I agree in most part to what all of you are saying. But lets not overlook another factor in some of this. Both amatuer and pro level BBing. I believe a fair degree of this comes down to longevity in the sport. As in how long have you really been training? How many years have you really paid your dues. Our bodies are absolutely amazing at adapting and changing, but if you have been in nthe trenches for years, I mean dedicated for years, then all of you would be surprised at how little is required to make some dramatic changes. i have been training less than I ever have in my entire life and making better progress than with the gruelling workouts I used to do. i cannot explain this other than at some stage our bodies respond differently to the stimulus placed upon them. Some of the pros, like RR mentioned Dexter, do a lot less than we all think and much less than is published in the mags. These guys have spent years under the iron, trained in all manner of methods and yes, got to where they are now. But at some stage we need to try radical approaches to gains. One such method is Less, that's right less for more!! So I totally believe that after a point in time less work and better recovery and diet will produce outstanding results. I too prefer the amatuer level shows over the top level pro shows. You can see the hunger in the eyes, the hours and hours of pain staking prep, the undeniable will to win. The air is electric at these amatuer shows and the outcomes are anything but predictable in many cases. So I would spend my money on going to top level amatuer shows any day. The big boys of our sport deserve much more than respect, they were all where we are/want to be before they became pros. Main summed it up nicely with the analogy of College ball and pro ball. The colloge games have more fire, more enthuesiasm, more hits. Because it is in their hearts, not their wallets!!! Same as amatuer BBers, we compete for the thrill and from the heart. Cause we damn sure don't get any money out of it!!

 

[LATS]

alex.. i am saturated with all the pros i can handle lol.. i look forward to the new pros so i can look at someone different for a while.. i want to see what the amatuers do.. how they are trying to get their pro cards.. and what they are doing to ge there.. that being said.. i love the freaks.. no one can relate but, who cares?.. no one could related to micheal jordan either but, it did not bother the fans.... he was one in a million.. there will always be 1st stringers and thrid stringers.. the third stringers will always be mad that they dont get the play time as the 1st stringers.. why?.. they arent as good.. plain and simple.. cant dumb down sports to let 3rd stringers play more.. i still want to see tiger wood demolish his opponants.. he is a genetic freak.. and i want to marvel at it.. same with the pro bodybuilders.. they have the genes.. can i relate to 5'9 260 pounds shredded?.. helll no.. but, i still want to see it.. like i still want to see tiger play and marveled at jordon..
but, getting back to the question.. i look more forward to seeing the future freaks and what they are doing.. but, i have to be honest.. if the guy does not have a very impressive physique, i dont want to read about him either.. most people want the "wow" factor.. they can get it from many of the amatuers but, many of the most knowledgeable amatuers will not get much coverage because they just dont have the "wow" factor..at least not yet.. but, yes.. give me more amatuers to read about....

 

[Alex A]

Thanks for posting on this. I really wish the mags in particular did more stories, etc on amateurs. Even good regional shows. We get almost no coverage. It sucks a great show like the Los Angeles Championships gets not coverage because the USA is one week later and even the USA gets only a few pages.
But the Olympia is all over the place.

Anyways, dont want to sound whinny but Its true, we all bust our ass!

 

[Nat]

Pro's are way to predictable.

I bet 98% of us on this board can pick
who the top five are going to be in
the Olympia next year.

Try to do that at a national level show???

 

[DixieDiesel]

Following the USAs & Nationals are like watching and trying to predict the NFL or NBA draft... it's exciting!

 

[GoneForever]

I personally feel the only diff between pro's and amature's is genetics.

 

[TooPowerful4u]

Amateurs definitely train harder. There is much more competition on the amateur level. I think alot of amateurs even come in better condition than alot of the pro's. Iv seen a few pro's train, and aside from the video's, i wasnt impressed by much. They just have the genetics to grow, and dont need to go nuts. I think after the pro card they get in a comfort zone.

And as everyone else said....the shows are much closer at the Amateur level. Its no fun watching pro shows anymore, because regardless of who is better, we know who is placing where by hype in magazines unless someone shows up WAY off. If everyone had NO name this years O..and nobody knew anybody, i GUARANTEE Cutler is out of the top 5. Politics. Iv seen him crushed in so many photo's its not even funny. Alot less politics on the amateur level, so everyone is much more hardnosed about the competition and do all the extra's to get ready, as they know they will get a more fair shot than they ever will on a pro stage. Now granted some people get overlooked, but its not political, its simply hard to pick out new faces/bodies in a show with so many competitors and a time limit on judging...if they know who you are its alot easier on them.

 

[LEX]

Alex,

you do bring up a good point, I certainly get remotivated when I see pics like the offseason one of you then your old comp and then your newest level of conditioning progress, you are more someone that we the mortals can relate too and seems achivable. When you see "Ronnie put on 15 lbs with the new gorrilla crap 5000" pics it means nothing to me. It is more motivating to see a non freakazoid progress and achive better that he did before type of steps. It brings a certain realizm to it and as you said we can relate.

 

[Alex A]

Alex,

you do bring up a good point, I certainly get remotivated when I see pics like the offseason one of you then your old comp and then your newest level of conditioning progress, you are more someone that we the mortals can relate too and seems achivable. When you see "Ronnie put on 15 lbs with the new gorrilla crap 5000" pics it means nothing to me. It is more motivating to see a non freakazoid progress and achive better that he did before type of steps. It brings a certain realizm to it and as you said we can relate.

Hey thanks bro, heres the thing. Im an every day guy. I graduated from college and have a career, wife, kid, home, pets, etc. Bodybuilding is not my career. Just like most of you guys.

I feel for just an everyday guy, with about average genetics, i have made the best of it, for me atleast. Bodybuilding isnt a career for me, never will and never would want it to be. Most of us are the same.

It seems like the pros get all the respect and attention from the mags etc. To be honest, i dont really idolize these guys. I mean, not hating either but its not like I look up to them. Why should i? I really am doing the most in bodybuilding I would want. I would like to win at nationals, then pretty much that would be it.

Anyways, like i said, im not on hating pros, but for some people who just idolize them, i think its silly.

I know I will never be playing the size game so I like to bring the best conditioning to the plate. Im very excited about next years competition at nationals. I had a great prep this year despite some mistakes. Anyways, take care, alex a

 

[Nat]

Amateurs definitely train harder. There is much more competition on the amateur level. I think alot of amateurs even come in better condition than alot of the pro's. Iv seen a few pro's train, and aside from the video's, i wasnt impressed by much. They just have the genetics to grow, and dont need to go nuts. I think after the pro card they get in a comfort zone.

And as everyone else said....the shows are much closer at the Amateur level. Its no fun watching pro shows anymore, because regardless of who is better, we know who is placing where by hype in magazines unless someone shows up WAY off. If everyone had NO name this years O..and nobody knew anybody, i GUARANTEE Cutler is out of the top 5. Politics. Iv seen him crushed in so many photo's its not even funny. Alot less politics on the amateur level, so everyone is much more hardnosed about the competition and do all the extra's to get ready, as they know they will get a more fair shot than they ever will on a pro stage. Now granted some people get overlooked, but its not political, its simply hard to pick out new faces/bodies in a show with so many competitors and a time limit on judging...if they know who you are its alot easier on them.

EXACTLY!!!

 

[bigheinz]

I agree amateur shows are better, more exiting, competitive and interesting. That is why they include it on the pro shows.
Talking about training and dieting, is the same for most of serious bodybuilders, just a few (amateurs and pros) train like pussys and dont need to diet hard to get in real good shape.

To me is the same, the difference is that i am just more focus in find the money

 

[Lady Freak]

Now granted some people get overlooked, but its not political...

You're kidding yourself if you think amatuer shows aren't political. They may be less political than the pro shows (I'm not there yet so I can't compare), but none-the-less they are very political.