Classic Muscle vs Modern Muscle

Classic Muscle (1980-2009)

Pros:

Unique looks & beauty

Less body modification (tattoos, piercings, implants, etc)

Put the industry into Pop Culture (American Gladiators, movies, TV Shows, magazines, videos, etc)

Focused more on aesthetics

Cons:

Limited physical media (pictures & videos)

Stigmatization

Limited sports science

Centralized industry

Modern Muscle (2009-Present)

Pros:

More acceptance

Decentralized Industry

Abundance of media

Better knowledge of the science of the sport

Bulkier physiques

Cons:

Less unique (still pretty, although a lot of the women look the same)

More body modifications

Social media exploitation of themselves

I most likely missed things, please add and discuss.

Great thought exercise! (for old people, of course)

I love the volume of coverage and competitor-controlled exposure these days. There was more "specialness" to it all 30 years ago, but for a fan who can't get enough, the modern era wins.