StrengthAddicts
Elite Member
I hope this thread isn't too out of the scope for Bodybuilding Gossip, but it's about bodybuilding and I suppose gossip is form of chatting. We're chatting.
Over the course of the last couple years, maybe more, I've heard several guys that actively compete in the Masters circuit (of various federations - this isn't a 'crap on the NPC' kinda thread) talk to me about how it's almost pointless to keep in the open as a Masters competitor.
The playing field has certainly been revamped. Years ago, Masters competitors were totally off mark. Sure, you had the Masters Olympia - and there the guys did major battle (e.g. the shows that Robbie Robinson and Vince Taylor won); however, the quality of Masters divisions at the local (Level I) to regional levels was laughable. Nowadays, 35 is "masters" in some shows and everyone wants to go pro. The fatties are practically all gone. Doing battle in the Masters today is NO JOKE.
Sadly... many guys in that 35/40+ age range feel that there's a ton of good natured competition in their class, but they feel like they are little more than padding for the open division. I must say, that to a certain extent, I agree with them. I understand that the various federations want to spark the interest of younger competitors onto the sport - but is right to do so at the expense of better conditioned and deserving Masters level competitors?
If you were 35+/40+ - or if you are - would you go through with 12-16wk prep and spend all the money involved to train in the Masters? Why or why not? Do you feel you'd get a fair shake against the open class winners? I'd really like see some comments here. It doesn't matter if you're a competitor or not. What does you gut say on the matte?
