Idea about new rules for the pro ladies

[Susanne]

Well - being a fan and competing in female bodybuilding for a long time I was thinking about all the criteria and changing we had through the last years. Also I saw that the public interest is getting less and less and I think it is because the girls are too huge today. They tried to cut the ladies back with saying the 20 % rule - which can not work out really good because they did not say details.

So I thought on a rule which is working with the mens body class in Europe. (It is about the figure class for women). It says: the body height in centimetres minus 100.

I think the same thing could work with female bodybuilding. Well I show you an example with my stats. I a 164 cm tall (5`4) that would mean I could compete with 64 kg (140,8 pd). I had 61 kg (134,2 pd) at my last competition (Arnolds). For a woman with 170 cm (5`6) that would make 70 kg (154 pd). It is just an example and if the head of the IFBB means that would be a bit too heavy at all - we would have to find another formula. (Actually I am feeling pretty fine with my 61 competition weight. Even though I could imagine me with 1 or 2 kg more too.)

This weight limit would give every athlete the same chance and I think we would do fine with only one weight class then. The girls would not be allowed to have more weight but could of course decide by their selves to have less of course. New judging criteria would be good with it. For example not to overrate the hardness because the hardness makes the women looking less feminine. Also I would like to see they would look more on the symmetry and bodylines.

Of course this is just an idea and it would be necessary to overwork the whole thing. But I would like to know what people think about it. So let me know your thought.

www.susanneniederhauser.com

[Tre]

I think your idea is interesting and certainly worth considering. I don't know the numbers, but if someone has the time and ability to do the research, I would be curious to know how many current pro women would *not* meet this criteria. Maybe this idea could be tried on an experimental basis.

Concerning the decrease in public interest, however, I think that has more to do with bodybuilding's lack of entertainment value than anything else. This is NOT something that is unique to women's bodybuilding - the same is true for the men as well as for fitness/figure.

People in the U.S. want to be entertained and Europeans are much the same in this regard. ;) Back in the 80s and early 90s, bodybuilding was still a curiosity for many people. But other than the physiques getting larger and harder, bodybuilding has never made *any* changes to make it more interesting for fans. Here in the U.S., we talk about "entertainment dollars" and when you're in that business, you have to fight for consumers. And if another type of activity is more interesting and fan-friendly, then that's where their entertainment dollars will be spent.

I'm one of the biggest bodybuilding fans in the world, but I am quite bored at contests, where the prejudgings last for hours. Body fitness is partially to blame for this, but the entertainment factor still needs to be addressed.

Thanks for your input, Susanne - it'll be interesting to see whether the concept you presented is brought to the IFBB stage in the U.S.

[Beenaround]

Tre, Eric who puts on the Ny Muscle club shows has a good Idea for the women!!And this can include all the women, bbers/figure/fitness, cause it's all about entertainment, and the girls coming up with their own creative ideas.
If we could capatalize on something like this(treat it like a business) it just seems like a good idea. The women don't have to be in top contest shape, costumes, props used,
or any other idea a girl may come up with. Something like a Vegas type show???
Of course the main issues would be #1 somebody or 2 to organize it. advertising skills, marketing.. I did one of Erics shows and it was a blast!! Then after the girls mingle, can sell their pics, videos. Lori Braun did something like this.
Just a (good) thought, anybody else have feedback on this???? :o :rolleyes:

[hans]

Welcome to the board Susanne! Great to see you here! And an interesting idea...

Hans

[Beenaround]

Susanne, This would be a good idea, but to incorporate anything new???
Write this to the IFBB. Hey question?? Do the Euro higher ups have to come together with the USA(Manion) higher ups to make changes?? Or is our word here the giving for changes??? Tre, Gene??