I think the bodybuilding has lost popularity because there’s just no passion or humanity it it anymore, it’s been forgotten that at their core bodybuilders are showmen, the physique is the show but so is the character behind it, there’s a reason people like lenny or jason or rich piana are about as popular as mr olympias nowadays and definitely more popular than a lot of ifbb pros (at least back in 2017 or so), they have bad physiques but are extremely entertaining as a bodybuilder should. I think after dorian yates, great as he was, it became acceptable for bodybuilders to walk around as some sort of badass when everyone knows a bodybuilder (I’m talking top level over 270lbs) functionally is a joke, can’t fight, can’t run, will tear muscles if you look at them wrong, only yates could pull that off as he was miles ahead of everyone else, but when you’re “generic muscle man #265” it’s just boring, it’s a bore even to gym rats, it’s absolutely crushing to an average person.
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At least Strongman has some huge guys that are actually larger than life and not just jacked up manlets like modern BB and some actual rules unlike strongman.
Olympic weightlifting is king when it comes to the talent pool and skill involved. Powerlifting has become about cheating the most efficient way and minimizing your rom, weightlifting places importance on proper form and technique, it’s kinda the antithesis.
Not to mentin that most weightlifters below superheavy actually look good and not like fat slobs or sideshow freaks.