The New Crop of YouTube Bodybuilding "Experts"

Bodybuilding -  You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means!

Something new is happening in the bodybuilding world, something completely unprecedented as far as I know.  I am speaking of the huge new crop of self-proclaimed bodybuilding experts.  Typically, these guys are 16 to 25 years old, skinny, have never competed in bodybuilding, and do not look at all like bodybuilders.

You might wonder:  "Who would listen to these self-appointed bodybuilding gurus, who boast months of training experience, act as if they know everything there is to know about bodybuilding, but have not built there own bodies to any appreciable degree?"

At least, that is what I wonder.  In the old days, the paradigm was different.  If you were a successful bodybuilding competitor (usually someone who had done well at the national amateur level), and if you looked like a bodybuilder, folks would listen you your advice on bodybuilding.  But now, suddenly, you don't need to have competed to know everything about bodybuilding.  It is not even necessary to look the part!  What a day we live in!

I first became aware of this phenomenon by watching this video debate between Dave Pulcinella (a very good and experienced bodybuilder) and the immensely popular but completely inexperienced Ian McCarthy.  I was appalled at the know-it-all attitude that Ian exhibited toward Dave.  Given Dave's incredible bodybuilding accomplishments, a bit of deference, a modicum of humility might have been expected.  But no, not from Ian!  He has Science on his side, and therefore knows far more than Dave about bodybuilding.



Here is Ian again, in a follow-up video.  It is important to note that he has hordes of rabidly faithful followers.  I don't understand why.  It is some sort of rebellion against traditional (i.e., REAL) bodybuilding?  Is it some sort of Radical Mediocrity movement?  Check out this guy's amazing physique!

Ian's Follow-Up Video

But Ian is far from the only new expert!  Check out this fellow with the incredibly inappropriate name "Big Zeus":



This fellow has so far learned about trap development, but not learned about deltoids.  He also believes that giving up Coca-Cola is too big a sacrifice for most people to make in the pursuit of bodybuilding:



No comment necessary:






Why would anyone listen to someone who looks like the Pillsbury Dough Boy?  But, yet, he feels compelled to share his expertise:



Important thoughts on not rushing into pre-workout forumula use!



It makes me nostalgic for the good old days, when accomplishment proceeded mentoring.