What is the current situation of bodybuilding in China?

First of all, I would like to thank China Bodybuilding Association and Secretary General Guqiao for their trust in me, and leave this topic to me to write. Due to my limited qualifications and level, I can only express my humble opinion. If there are extreme, one-sided words and inappropriate places, please forgive me.

Today I want to talk about the following aspects:

First, the three attributes of bodybuilding and fitness field

1. Entertainment of fitness. Bodybuilding is an attractive competitive sport and entertainment (please note that I added the word "entertainment" here). It is also a way of life. Although its origin time is shorter than many other projects, it has extremely strong vitality that other projects can't match. At the same time, it is also the only project that the people spontaneously do not need to rely on the long-term investment and support of the government. It is a competitive sport, because it needs long-term hard physical exercise, hard sweat and wisdom to get a favorable ranking in the competition, so it is competitive. Secondly, because people's instinct has the natural attribute of pursuing beauty, it has also achieved today's bodybuilding. Because the goal of any sport is "faster, higher and stronger", only bodybuilding is "more beautiful". (Let's not talk about this "more beautiful" standard for the time being) Beauty is to be displayed. In the process of displaying beauty, bodybuilding is endowed with appreciation and entertainment by the audience and those who love it. And this kind of entertainment can be the capital for us to develop the bodybuilding and fitness market.

2. The popularity and fashion of fitness. With the improvement of material and cultural level, people are not limited to food and clothing, and the demand for entertainment consumption has shifted from calorie accumulation (such as eating and KTV) to healthier calorie consumption. In modern urban life, gym fitness, in terms of its comprehensiveness, convenience and economy, occupies the first place in other calorie-consuming projects. In China after SARS, fitness has become a fashion and lifestyle for urbanites.

3. The inevitability of fitness going to the market. With the further opening-up and system reform in China, it has gradually become a thing of the past to inject more funds and support into a certain sport or project as a government act. All sports should be cultivated in their own market through reasonable commercial operation, so that this project will continue to mature, develop and grow, thus entering a virtuous circle. China's bodybuilding and fitness market depends on China people themselves, and only internal factors are the decisive factors of qualitative change. Therefore, it is impossible to do well in this market, or to participate in market competition with the help of external organizational forces or external forces. In addition, with the strengthening of China's strength and rising status in the international arena, it is unnecessary for China people to stick our hot face on other people's cold ass, which will not only promote the development of this sport, but may bring shame to themselves. China is a huge market, and with its future development, it will definitely become the largest market in the world. This is our capital and the pillar of our self-reliance.

These are the three attributes of bodybuilding and fitness. Personally, I think that if we can make good use of these, the overall level of fitness and bodybuilding in China will be greatly improved, and the market scale will be correspondingly larger and larger. At that time, it won't be what our players want to prove in a competition of an organization for self-esteem; However, players from other countries, regions or organizations are competing to participate in various events held in China.

Secondly, I expound my personal views on the development of the current fitness market in China.

1. Great market advantages and development potential. Above, I have talked about three attributes in the field of bodybuilding and fitness. In fact, these three attributes have been consciously and unconsciously used and guided by this market, but they have not risen to the theoretical level for refining, sublimation and induction. Fitness has become a way of life for modern urbanites in China. At present, the upsurge of gym development and operation all over the country is the most favorable explanation and true portrayal. As far as the whole bodybuilding and fitness market is concerned, China is undoubtedly full of business opportunities! Large foreign fitness consortia and commercial operators saw this huge potential market and rushed to China. (For example: Bally, Goldgym, 24 hours ...) And the well-known domestic fitness brands represented by Baodiwo Inpais, Jade Bird and Aurett are not to be outdone. They hold high the banner of national industry and work with foreign fitness consortia to make the cake of China fitness industry bigger and bigger. This phenomenon is actually the spontaneous use of the fashion of fitness in the market, and fitness is an attribute of people's lifestyle. Therefore, our leaders should seize the current favorable opportunity, further optimize the environment, cultivate this market, standardize this market, make this market more prosperous and orderly, and make full use of the human and financial resources endowed by this market, because these are the cornerstones for the future development of competitive bodybuilding in China. Only when the cornerstone is deeper and stronger can the spire of the pyramid be higher. Based on this concept, I think the annual competition between clubs is an indispensable means.

2. Change the competition system, make bold attempts, and seek development and improvement through practical exploration. Because bodybuilding is both ornamental and entertaining, as long as we make good use of it, we can quickly improve its competitiveness and make it reach the first-class level in Asia. Therefore, we can learn from the operation methods of other projects and maximize its influence and coverage. Musclemania has done a very good job. I think we should be able to do better. You can learn from the competition mode of "China Sanda King", which is not limited to once or twice a year. These competitions have limited influence and radiation. In the past, China Sanda did not attract more people's attention, but now, many people know that in Liu Hailong, countless TV viewers watch the Sanda King Competition of Hunan Satellite TV on time every Friday. The successful promotion of this project is an example. China's League A is also successful. Regardless of its level for the time being, its business operation mode is worth learning from our fitness industry. I have an immature idea here: we can open a special issue of Bodybuilding between every two issues of Bodybuilding magazine, similar to Football News. Regardless of the content, introduce the fitness club; Zhang San's training experience and experience; And lace, breaking news, etc. These are all good filling contents and means, which can provide us with a space and platform for making stars. Decorate the night sky with countless stars. Summing up the success of market-oriented operation of these projects, there is a common feature: it is to stimulate the public's eyes and attract the public's ideas for a long time at a certain time of the year, which is the so-called "season". I remember talking to Wang Lijin, a late bodybuilder in China, about the problem of reducing fat before the competition. I said that bodybuilders in China are not suitable for seasonal and non-seasonal. For bodybuilders in China, there is only the concept of competition. The so-called "season" should be at least three months. Therefore, I suggest that China should change the competition system, that is, divide the competition into a time span of 5- 10, and hold several races and qualifiers in 3-6 months. Finally, it ends in the form of Mr. China. During this period, we can use the media's propaganda offensive to increase publicity (TV, newspapers, magazines, etc.). ), so as to attract the public's ideas for a long time and raise the participation and attention of this sport to an unprecedented new height. At this time, publicity shows its importance and is one of the main factors for our success or failure. It can be said that in China, people who participate in fitness are far more than those who play football, and of course more than those who practice Sanda. We can do better, because the popularity of fitness and the entertainment of bodybuilding are not available in other projects. In specific operations, we can follow the example of IFBB. According to MUSLCE MANNIA's convention, several stops of the competition will be designated in places with high level and popularity of bodybuilding in China, such as Beijing, Jinan, Zhengzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and finally the "Mr. China Bodybuilder" competition will be the finale. Such a perfect competition system can effectively stimulate the market and ensure the prosperity, health and stable development of China's fitness market. When we extend the whole competition system to all parts of China, our bodybuilders in China will not need to go to other places to prove themselves, nor will they be fooled by others. I believe that relying on our strength. Of course we can do better! I don't need to say more about the benefits of racial division. As long as you have seen the competition between A and Sanda King, you will have a basic intuitive understanding. The key depends on the organizer. What shall we do? I think the gym should bear the brunt. At the same time, combined with the support of some local enterprises, the State Sports Commission should give all-round help and support when necessary. We should not blindly ask for money from the organizers as in the past, which not only undermines the enthusiasm and enthusiasm of the organizers, but also hurts their feelings. This practice is undoubtedly equivalent to "killing the chicken to get the egg", and this chicken has never eaten a "financial meal" of the country since it was hatched, which is different from any competitive event. Therefore, as the State Sports Commission and the Bodybuilding Association, we should treat this issue objectively and fairly, instead of blindly accusing and complaining that the level of bodybuilders in China is too slow to gain a foothold in Asia. These unhealthy trends are from top to bottom, from country to place. In this case, how can our sports level be greatly developed and improved? Please forgive my outspoken, this is undoubtedly to let the horse run and not let the horse eat grass. Take weightlifting as an example. Our fitness can't keep up with the competition in the attention and investment of the country. So, don't worry, let's do a good job in this market, ask the market for benefits and funds, and realize the rapid development of bodybuilding. It can be predicted that if we strictly follow the market rules, successfully learn from and quote the advanced models of other organizations, other countries and regions, and combine our own actual situation and characteristics to explore a suitable market operation mode, China's bodybuilding level can at least be the first in Asia. Because, judging from the results of weightlifting alone, we have no reason to lose to any opponent.

3. China bodybuilding referee problem. Is there really a gap between China's fitness level and that of Asia and even the world? I don't think so! In the past articles, I once introduced the World Natural Bodybuilding Competition to you, which is a real reference for us. By watching the game, I can confidently tell you that our top players in China are no worse than these world champions! The late Wang Lijin had the absolute strength to win the championship. From the muscle alone, he can even win the championship. But Wang Lijin didn't even get a good ranking in Asia before his death. Of course, there are some reasons, but I personally think the referee problem is the main factor. There is a phenomenon of black whistle in bodybuilding events. Mr. Yang Si, President of the World Chinese Bodybuilding Association, has the most say in this matter. He has repeatedly indignantly revealed some little-known inside information to me. These bad habits extend from top to bottom, from international to intercontinental, from intercontinental to national, and from national to local. In this environment, how can our sports level be greatly developed and improved?

Third, let's talk about the real level of fitness development in China.

1. Factors restricting the development of bodybuilding in China. Bodybuilding in China resumed after the Cultural Revolution and has developed for more than 20 years. Judging from the results of the competition alone, it seems that there is nothing worth mentioning by the Chinese people. There are many problems in this. The problem of our athletes' own level is subjective, but the degree of national attention and investment, the referee of international competitions and so on are also important objective factors that cannot be ignored. Therefore, I don't think it is appropriate to pursue that person's problem alone. Besides, I don't approve of adding fuel to the fire. We should analyze it more rationally. From the analysis of subjective factors, of course, Chinese athletes have less opportunities to participate in competitions and communicate with each other, and even less opportunities to compete and communicate with athletes from other countries and regions, so they cannot get more scientific and effective training methods from them. Coupled with congenital physique and acquired nutrition problems, the level of Chinese athletes is mostly lower than that of athletes in other developed countries and regions. From the analysis of objective factors, the country mentioned above has never fed this "chicken" a grain of rice from the beginning to the present. How can it complain that the "eggs" laid by this "chicken" are small? It took only six years from the founding of New China to the birth of the first world weightlifting champion in China. In contrast, bodybuilding, which is associated with weightlifting, has been used for more than 20 years and has not yet achieved a real Asian champion. At first glance, fitness is useless in China, but after further thinking, we can easily find that the state's investment in weightlifting is beyond fitness. Nevertheless, due to the unremitting efforts of some fitness enthusiasts, followers and devotees, our sports level is constantly improving, especially in recent years, the gap between us and the world's outstanding athletes is narrowing.

2. The future trend of bodybuilding in China. As for when China players can get tickets to Olympia, this is another topic; Deep-seated problems of bodybuilding in China. I think taking stimulants is a topic that everyone in the circle knows but tries to avoid. When I watched Olympia in 2000, after contacting and communicating with the top athletes in the world, I can tell you that all professional athletes and NPC winners, without exception, are using so-called stimulants, and there are special institutions to research and develop these things for them. I think we should look at this problem dialectically. If everyone is using it, but someone still wins the championship, it can only show that this champion has advantages and talents that other players don't have. Instead of what ah q said, "others won the championship because they took medicine." I don't know which aspect we should choose. As far as skeleton structure is concerned, it is not difficult to find several Larry Scott and Oliwa in China, because I have seen their skeleton structure when they don't practice, which is not much better than my dad (coach). In fact, the training and diet level of China today is not much different from that of Larry in those years, and the champion of China today is not worse than Larry. But the question is, what kind of person do we want to shape him into in the end? Where does China Fitness Go? This is a problem that all colleagues should seriously study and discuss.

3. Why is bodybuilding rejected by the Olympics? I think doping is one of the biggest obstacles to prevent bodybuilding from entering the Olympic Games. Another obstacle is: the standard of victory or defeat executed by the referee is not convincing, and there are too many human factors. This is a wide-ranging and international issue, and it is also the most controversial issue. Because this standard is not convincing, it is difficult for the Olympic Committee to deal with this project in detail. Although some events, such as gymnastics, are graded by the referee, the difficulty and quality of each player's self-selected movements are cognizable and determinable. In bodybuilding competition, there is no such knowledge and judgment. If this problem is not fundamentally solved, then bodybuilding will be rejected by the Olympic family forever, although everyone is wishful thinking. From this level, it is easy for us to understand why Wang Lijin can't take part in the Asian Games. Why are China bodybuilders wiped out in South Korea? Speaking of which, we should learn from America. We should not stick to the champion's self-esteem, but fully appreciate the happiness and enjoyment brought by bodybuilding with a normal mentality. In my opinion, this is the healthy mentality that the people of a big country should have.

The above is my humble opinion as a fitness enthusiast who cares about, devotes himself to and actively participates in the fitness cause in China. After long-term objective and true investigation and demonstration, in view of the current situation of fitness and bodybuilding market, these are really helpful to relevant leaders, insiders and senior colleagues who specialize in bodybuilding research. The personal views expressed in this article are inevitably immature and incomplete, and are for your reference only, hoping to contribute to the fitness cause in China.

Gao Yan

2003.09.03

Brief introduction of Comrade Gao Yan

Gao Yan, born in 1964 1 1.2, was born in a sports family and received professional training in swimming and wrestling when he was young. 1982 was admitted to Beijing institute of technology with honors, and 1989 graduated with a master's degree. Since graduation, I have worked in foreign trade circulation production enterprises for 14 years, and have served as business manager, general manager and chairman. At present, we have our own company and factory, rich business experience and excellent management skills. Mainly proficient in the development and export of tungsten and molybdenum products, we have developed business with merchants in more than 30 countries and regions around the world, and set up offices and branches in the United States, Germany, Japan, India, Thailand and Singapore. At the same time, he also actively participated in and devoted himself to bodybuilding in China. Won the championship of Henan bodybuilding competition for many times. In recent years, he participated in the international Olympic Games as a guest at the invitation of the International Health Federation. In 2002, at the invitation of the International Natural Bodybuilding Association, he was the referee of the "International Natural Bodybuilding Competition" held in the United States in the same year, which won a place for China people in the world bodybuilding field. At the same time, he is also a special correspondent and writer of well-known authoritative bodybuilding publications in China. Over the years, through practical and objective investigation and demonstration, I have some views and understandings on bodybuilding and its future development, and attach importance to the selection and training of bodybuilding reserve talents. Henan, which was first opened in 2003, is the first fitness center in China. He personally participated in planning, organizing and hosting the "China-US Bodybuilding Competition" and invited American bodybuilding champions to compete with China bodybuilding experts on the same stage, which enabled bodybuilding enthusiasts in our province to enjoy a high-level international competition and promoted the development of bodybuilding in our province.