The Bodybuilding Movement: The State of the Industry

With so many different divisions these days, contests seem like they’ll never end. With an auditorium filled with bikini competitors, it looks like a beauty pageant. I remember being a presenter at the Arnold Classic Amateur for a few years and feeling like the show is never going to end. I was hungry, tired, and had to piss like a race-horse by the end of the show. I really don’t want to go off on a tangent though as talking about the bikini division will get me all fired up. Back on topic… Let’s talk about the state of bodybuilding and the bodybuilding movement in which I see things progressing. Before we get into the meat and potatoes, I want to say that these are my opinions and not what I’m hearing or was told.

Bodybuilding (open)

The mass freaks are the craze in the bodybuilding movement. We’re talking about some of the biggest mofo’s to walk this earth (other than powerlifters and strongman competitors). It goes without saying that out of all the divisions listed in this article, that bodybuilding (open) is the largest attraction of them all—at least for now. With guys like Phil, Kai, Ramy, Dexter, Cedric, Roelly, and Rhoden, this sport is booming. Are these guys who everyone in the auditorium aspires to look like? No. But it’s definitely entertaining knowing that with a simple flex of a bicep in front of your face, magically your head disappears behind their arm. These guys are ginormous and their true personalities come to live on stage.



212 Division

A division that in my opinion doesn’t get enough love, the 212 competitors are a group to pay close attention to. While you thought the open division was one to make your eyes pop out of your head, the 212, in my opinion, is one of the best divisions out there. This class is like the Mini-Me to Dr. Evil—only the competitors are built like little tanks (although Mini-Me and some of the competitors could share a common stature).


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Matt Weik

Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is a globally recognized health, fitness, and supplement industry expert with over 25 years of hands-on experience. He is the founder of Weik Fitness and one of the most prolific writers in the space, known for translating complex science into clear, actionable content. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Penn State University and multiple industry certifications, giving his work both academic credibility and real-world authority. His writing has been featured on thousands of websites and in 100+ magazines worldwide, including FLEX, Muscular Development, Iron Man, and Muscle & Fitness UK, and he has authored 30+ published books. Trusted by leading supplement brands and media outlets alike, Matt is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and reliable voices in health, fitness, and sports nutrition.