Can Prep Coaches ALSO Judge Shows? Iron Debate (Powered by Yamamoto Nutrition)

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Can Prep Coaches ALSO Judge Shows? Iron Debate (Powered by Yamamoto Nutrition)

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[hifrommike65]

It's a potential conflict of interest, but the bodybuilding world is small at its core, & it's probably impossible to avoid. Judges can recuse themselves on competitors they know well (including as friends), & the rest of the panel can handle the judging.

[The Solution]

That is a very common thing. My gym owner, also trains clients, and judges a lot of shows in the OH and PA territory. He also judged nationals last year in Pittsburgh where ScoobySnacks (jason theobald) won his procard in Classic Physique.

[Joe Pietaro]

It's a huge conflict of interest and judges should be just that and nothing else. Would an NFL referee work during the week as a team's paid strength and conditioning and then officiate their game on Sunday?

[The Solution]

It's a huge conflict of interest and judges should be just that and nothing else.

While I agree with this statement, it does not help the subjectivity of the bodybuilding sport when you have head trainers of local areas judging shows. It really takes away from the credibility and hared work of the athletes. This also gives those "Clients" a bias in the show. So I am right there with ya.

[Mac]

This was a problem when I competed in the late 80s, early 90s and continues today. It's even worse in smaller population cities that have competitions. Too much favoritism and bias.

[hifrommike65]

It is not just judging, but who or what is sponsoring the contest. I saw horrendous bias at a regional competition of an amateur federation I will not name (other than the say it wasn't the NPC). The sponsoring gym had many competitors in the show, & only one class winner came from somewhere else.

That said, I don't think it's necessarily accurate to say that a connection with a competitor will lead to favoritism. My fave example of that was a figure competitor whose 12 year old son told her, "That other woman was way better than you, Mom." & that other woman did win the show.

[Joe Pietaro]

I suppose that an analogy would be a sponsor for the NFL (for example, Nike) also having a particular player as one of their paid athletes. Would that player get the benefit of the doubt on a questionable call simply because his sponsor is also filling the coffers of the league?

That would not even come into question for someone watching a game, but it does consistently in bodybuilding. There is just a certain air about it for the latter.

[hifrommike65]

I hear ya, Joe, but there's a major difference between running a ball to an end zone & performing on a stage for judges. A closer analogy might be the 2002 figure skating Olympics scandal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_W...kating_scandal

The other factor is that the bodybuilding world is incestuous, always was & always will be.

[Joe Pietaro]

I hear ya, Joe, but there's a major difference between running a ball to an end zone & performing on a stage for judges. A closer analogy might be the 2002 figure skating Olympics scandal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_W...kating_scandal

The other factor is that the bodybuilding world is incestuous, always was & always will be.

Excellent points. Thanks.

[hifrommike65]

Hey, I just realized that by being on this thread, I am now being powered by Yamamoto Nutrition!

[Big Beat]

What about when judges are gym owners. The gym owner benefits from having top bodybuilders training at his gym and and he has to judge the same guys. The above is pretty standard in bodybuilding and a conflict of interest. This arrangement happens in most competitions I attend.

Personally I don't consider judged activities as being sports except for boxing when a win by KO, TKO is still possible. The judging in boxing is generally horrendous with promotors having a judge of two in their pocket.

For a guy like me who grew up with ball sports watching a guy compete by flexing his muscles is even more ridiculus than syncronized swimming. Bodybuilding is a cool activity but it ain't a sport.

I see Dorian Yates seems to have a new federation based on strength and measuring body parts and giving points for their proportions e.g. shoulder to waist ratio. There is no posing on stage. Check it out on his twitter page. The first competition is in September in Vegas from memory. They are looking for new pro's.

[hifrommike65]

I don't regard bodybuilding competition as a sport, but rather as a form of performance art. However, the powers that be promote it as a sport. If most competitors were asked to think of themselves as artists instead of athletes, I doubt most of them would compete.

[Jude2]

Won't be happening in the state of Louisiana. Luke our Chairman said no go anymore. I agree.