While some parts of bodybuilding have changed for the better, Lee Labrada, the 1985 Mr. Universe, doesn't believe the sport is as it used to be.

Speaking on Muscle & Strength, “I think that we've lost something along the way. You know, I think that pro cards are given out too easily these days, and I think that what happens is that these amateurs, however good they are to win a pro card, they are not nearly good enough to compete in a professional bodybuilding show”.

Back in the 80s, there wasn't any 212 division for bodybuilders. It was a massive open division. That means the bodybuilders 200 lbs had to go against the bodybuilders over 230 lbs. At the same time, events were fewer, meaning they had to make these events count.

“And they find themselves as an entry-level pro with a number of years ahead of them, five, ten years or more, before they can be competitive, if they're ever competitive, at that next level”.

Not only Lee Labrada, 8-time Mr. Olympia winner, but Lee Haney also thinks that, in modern times, turning pro in bodybuilding is easy.

Lee Haney's perspective on current bodybuilding

In 2024, Muscle Mind Media shared a short video of Lee Haney on its YouTube channel, where Lee Haney was seen to criticize today's bodybuilding in terms of turning pro.

“During 1982 and beyond, there were only about 4 to 5 athletes who turned pro a year”. However, he said that now there are multiple other competitions that “you can turn pro in”.

He also explained the process of becoming a pro in his era. He said.

“You had to first win your class in a national event, whether it’s Mr. Germany, Mr. France, or Mr. Holland. I was the NPC National Champion over the USA, and then the other class winners,which back then were the lightweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, and heavyweight, so only four were selected to go to the IFBB World Championship."

Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar