In episode 280 threat podcast, host Dennis James was joined by regular guests Chris Cormier and Milos Sarsev, and the conversation turned to the issue of size and quality in bodybuilding. Is bigger always better? Back to 278the panel singled out bodybuilders who took to the stage with bulging bellies, noting that this turned many people off watching the sport. During the latest episode, the group shared their experiences of overeating in order to gain some weight in the competition stage. They reflected that sometimes; Their best physiques were not always their greatest.
Should referees penalize distended stomachs?
During the show, Milos Sarchev said that he ate so much before a competition that he could not suck his stomach to get a vacuum. “I want to protect beauty from bodybuilding, and that’s why I’m speaking out,” said the man known as “The Mind.” Sarchev went on to say that he is concerned about the direction bodybuilding is headed, where bigger is often shown as better. “Am I crazy to say you have to punish bubble bowels and big stomachs,” he said, noting that wasn’t always the issue. Sarchev said the modern ethos, in which bodybuilders sometimes get away with having giant intestines as long as they control them during poses, is an act of denial. “It’s your physique that you go on stage with,” explained the retired Yugoslav competitor. “Build a physique you’re proud of and you don’t have to think about control.”
Why bodybuilders question the size of aesthetics
“As a professional bodybuilder, you’re absolutely right,” agreed host Dennis James. “That’s all you have to do is show off your body.” The Menace said that not everyone should overeat anyway. “If you’re 5′ 7″, 5′ 8″, 5.9″, you shouldn’t be 260, 270 pounds on stage.” James continued that his body at 240 pounds is better than his body at 260 pounds.
Milos Sarchev noted that this feeling of extreme quality was echoed by other veteran bodybuilders such as Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler and even Ronnie Coleman. “But then the direction we go and push, well, because it was Dorian (Yates) and size and fury,” moaned The Mind.
Chris Cormier, who had an incredibly tough physique in the late 90s and early 2000s, agreed with Sarchev’s assessment. “You’re not wrong,” he said in support. What do you think? Watch below to watch The Menace’s latest full podcast on the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel, where the boys also discussed their Arnold Classic UK results and other bodybuilding news.
