How much longer will stage competition stay relevant?

Yup, I can totally see that.

I'll admit that I have an agenda here: I want more schmoes to go to more shows.

I talk to guys who feel awkward or think that they'll stand out if they're not bodybuilders. And I tell them: no one cares. No one is looking at you. The entire crowd is basically family, friends, and guys who find really fit women to be sexy. You're supporting them with your presence and your dollars, and that makes all the difference. You'll be welcomed as long as you're respectful.

And you have a great point on "getting too big." Although I find the phrase Muscle Mommy to be pretty annoying, I appreciate how it's mainstreamed muscular women quite a bit.

Think of a crossfit athlete. A woman walking around with that build in the 90s would freak everyone out. Some would call her "a man" (sadly, some still do).

But these days, a lot of people would simply recognize her as a female strength athlete. Guys may or may not find it attractive, but I don't think most people find it freakish or that remarkable any longer.

I think the fitness class needs a big revival because it looks cool and interesting to a lot of people. and it seems like it's less common now compared to the past.

Yup, I can totally see that.

I'll admit that I have an agenda here: I want more schmoes to go to more shows.

I would love to go just to say I finally got the chance to watch one in person. Every time I say I’m about to, life throws a curveball.

I would love to go just to say I finally got the chance to watch one in person. Every time I say I’m about to, life throws a curveball.

Try an amateur show. I can't recommend it enough.

They have them all over the country and they're inexpensive to go to. If you want to compliment and congratulate a GWM, then do it in a genuine and non-creepy way and they will be INCREDIBLY grateful.

I will second this - local shows are cheap, often not really well attended by the general public, and no one will really care if you aren't jacked yourself appreciating the physiques of others. Part of this is, recognition of hard work. Yes you are doing this for yourself, but part of it is the reward to have a lot of lights and flashes with oohhs and ahhhs. It's less about self importance and more about showing people what is possible with the human body with some effort and perseverance. Saying to any competitor that they inspire you to be a better version of yourself is the single best compliment you can give.

Some of my friends compete (mostly women so i go to support them)

Few people care about the shows. The judging is all over the place, biased and inconsistent. The girls can do so much better on social media you don't need show wins to make an impact and money.