Natural Bodybuilding

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- Timestamps -
00:00 Is Natural Bodybuilding Dead?
00:21 Bodybuilding Federations
02:34 My Favorite Natural Pros
03:22 WHY NBB was so big
04:50 The 1st Big Blow
06:49 Bodybuilding vs Men's Physique
07:50 Bodybuilding Pays The Most
09:09 2009 compared to 2022
10:27 Human Psychology
11:54 Too Many Natural Federations
14:06 What COULD Save It
16:13 Venues / Competitor Experience
17:05 No Shock Value
18:28 My Idea To Save It
18:47 Summary

[@phinsfan2334]

Nick doesn’t get enough credit for his contributions to the golden era of KZbin fitness

[@danmac4969]

I definitely miss the NWB and Olympus Iron era for sure.

[@CurtisMishleau]

100%

[@Reppintimefitness]

Facts bro is a huge part of what I do today

[@dnegel9546]

@@Reppintimefitness never heard of him

[@S11G92]

When i was 16 or 17, your dunkin donuts drive thru video got me into weight lifting and fitness in general. 30 now, thanks for inspiring. Hope you come back.

[@emartinezr]

I think it's dead because so many casual gym rats are also not natural. So the expectation of most people for a body builder is already very skewed.

[@dhaj5798]

Very true, 10 years ago TRT was barely a thing. Now, a huge portion of men over 30 are on TRT, even guys in their 20’s are getting on the stuff…

[@flexforall2]

Crushed this one Nick! 🤝

[@Postermaestro]

Ogus cake!

[@beesyd1011]

Me must continue to quit being a little bitchhhhh 💪🏻

[@xkillertillerx]

True. Sometimes I wonder if Nick is HALF NATTY.......lol

[@soonahero]

No, his analysis of amount of people in the Olympia per category is flawed, the discrepancy is because of the pandemic

[@Unrealisednostalgia]

You got me into the sport in 2013. Love that you're uploading again!

[@AnthonyCuocco]

This is exactly why Summer Shredding is so popular. I didn't want to compete in no middle school gym lol. Lot of eyeballs on it and lot of hype around it and very well done. Great video Nick!

[@Reppintimefitness]

💯

[@acer124]

Talking from someone who's involved with the UK bodybuilding scene. You hit the nail on the head. between the men's physique classes dominating and steroids being almost mainstream now it's very different to how it was 15+ years ago

[@noooname2568]

Holy shit, you’re back! I was just thinking back to 2010 when I was really getting into lifting and how I used to watch your videos for help and motivation. I was flicking through KZbin and thought I wanna go back and watch some of those video for nostalgia (mainly the eaten big series as I used to try and copy you when I was pretty skinny back then 😂). Massive surprise to see you’re making videos again! Half you’re back Nick, you were part of the original KZbin lifters! Gonna go and watch them all the videos I’ve missed since you came back. Notifications are getting switched on as I didn’t even know about this

[@DDaannyy16]

Wow what a blast from the past, I remember Nick as a meme back in the day but a true pioneer of KZbin fitness

[@MaxRothFitness]

Solid video. Happy you’re making new videos

[@supraphysiologicaldad]

You’re reminding me of Jerry ward ‘rip’ with your knowledge and passion, love it. Remember watching your preps with OG KZbin fitness

[@charles.barclay]

Im a promoter for WNBFs UAE affiliate. I would say this. Outside of the US (at least in WNBF) natty BB is growing. Particularly across asia. Korea, tiawan, japan and Malaysia are having shows of 300-400 competitors and crazy talent coming out of there. Something to consider. But yes, the US numbers do seem shakey. Great video Nick!

[@bugsyred]

great video glad to see you dropping content again 💪🏽

[@samuelball8775]

Very interesting to hear your perspective Nick. I enjoy these types of uploads. Cheers.

[@rianwhitby3480]

Enjoying the return to uploading!

[@ChrisGraeme]

I like this new style of video Nick. Good to have you back.

[@morgancrane2439]

Man i miss you nick fr haha seeing this took me back years. The times were you and matt ogus were the o ly people training on YT watching Zyzz an you had me grinding weights my whole life now at the age of 36 legend fr my man

[@TeamMshaw]

I got my IFPA pro card in 2015. I competed in two pro shows in 2017 (non IFPA/IPE, but haven’t competed since. I’ve seen numbers dwindle down. Too many shows. Promoters will be beefing. Drama. Etc. I still judge. I try to stay around promoters who are drama free.

[@pwall604]

Very well done Nick, not many can argue your clear passion for the sport. Thank you for another gem 💎

[@mikemunoz1484]

Nick your videos are always very engaging. Keep it up!

[@xDontStandInTheFirex]

Im really loving this new direction you've taken.

[@Victor_Cazal]

This is why I love the early KZbin fitness community so much: no fancy gimmicks, just passion. Ofc speaking about what you're passionate about sells less than what the new guys are doing (purely entertainment, doesn't bring any kind of value), but it sure reaches and touches us very deeply.

[@WRKDOUT]

Love these informative videos

[@SAMOKFIT]

Spot on, on your overall assessment as a natural bodybuilding and been competing for over 16 years.

[@jacoboneilfitness]

great video nick. I competed in the NGA mr utah in 2012 and it was a sold out show. now its dead... im a pro in the wnbf and inba but not sure if i will compete with them anymore. even better a lifetime natural i may prefer to compete in the npc at this point

[@louiepena2025]

Wow didn’t know so much about Bodybuilding and awesome video

[@cjds203]

I just want to say Nick, you are the man my friend! I can't stand people that take steroids because it encourages the youth to think that these substances are harmless which is absolutely not the case - they can cause heart attacks! We need more people like you who have so much passion for natural drug tested bodybuilding back promoting it again for there to be any increase in participants! Much love Nick, thanks for keeping it raw and authentic with your audience here on KZbin. It's the reason why your channel is by far the best fitness channel on here with a following that adore the actual guy behind the videos and not just the entertainment value ❤️👏👍🇬🇧

[@willex1337]

Matt Ogus got me here!

[@andrewsiero9468]

Sick vid Nick. You should start doing bb news and show coverage. Now with Trigili gone there’s no good news sources.

[@seanpavlik_mentalhealth]

Okay this was an AWESOME video. I think you can rally natural bodybuilding as a sport and lifestyle with this energy. GO NICK!!!

[@MattBiasucci]

Thanks for the upload. Im trying to get ready for my first natural show, for fun. It sucks that they don't have one large federation.

[@eliastorgeman3958]

The only people who can compete in natural bodybuilding is the naturally gifted

[@loveisthelaw20042004]

Interesting conversation. I was a natural teen builder in the 90s. Many of the organizations went under. Too bad because I always felt if they would have worked together we could have a decent stage for natural pros by now.

[@andrewgoldman9279]

love these vids

[@jalai_]

Like these vids Podcast maybe?

[@pwall604]

WE NEED A NICK WRIGHT PODCAST!

[@matw1x]

Not dead but dying very fast. More and more TRT clinics are opening up and it's becoming mainstream. Same with sarms and other enhancers that are legal and easier to access. Less and less stigma surrounding roid use. Logically, it just doesn't make sense to be natural anymore. But here I am, still irrationally lifetime natty for no reason.

[@cuts240]

Mike O’Hearn should be the president of a natty federation

[@stefanmccrae]

Matt Ogus in the thumbnail 😂😂😂

[@thequeenofbattle1555]

Good to see you nick

[@lennyoneway]

Watching this as a natural bodybuilder and future pro champion to prove Natty Is King🔥⛷️Stay tuned, S/O to you OG Nick for this amazing content over a decade bro🙏🏽

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

What's Ur reasoning for staying Natty? How old are you? How long have u been training?

[@mrsugar2352]

How you getting to be a pro champion as a natural then genius

[@lennyoneway]

@@mrsugar2352 Do some homework lil guy. There are many natural pro champions, if you actually touched grass you would know of them.

[@lennyoneway]

@@HumanGorillaHormone Staying natty gives me the ability to truly see what my genetics are capable of in all planes fitness. Strength, power, flexibility, cutting ability. I’m 26 and have been training since 16 BUT I have been training for bodybuilding for 3 years straight now.

[@BlakeCWong]

I've done a natural show and NPC shows. Something that holds natural bodybuilding back is the best genetic freaks eventually take gear and go pro. The best genetics are in the IFBB, period. Being a natural body builder is harder to make a career out of it.

[@acharris1991]

Nick have you been to the Natural Olympia? They host it at the golden nugget Casino in a large banquet hall. They have at least 10-15 different countries of competitors that show up. Example the Pro bikini Natural Olympia Champion came from Australia. The mens physique champion came from Denmark. The masters classic physique champ came from Egypt. Many of competitors from Italy, and Mexico and New Zealand. It’s not at the level of the ifbb Olympia for sure, however it is on the level of MANY ifbb pro shows! I agree with your thoughts on too many other natural federations, but I think the Inba Pnba has the largest international draw being in 70 countries with shows as of now. The ifbb is in 190 countries so they still have work to do. But the inba pnba has the largest show that’s in a legit venue with a big turnout of competitors from around the world.

[@NickWright]

I competed in it!

[@NJN23]

As a natural bodybuilding competitor, here are the issues with natural bodybuilding competitions: 1. They need to remember it’s bodyBUILDING. It’s not a contest to see who can get the leanest. Too much focus on shredded glutes. I’d rather see naturally built guys at 10% body fat with symmetrical, dense muscle 2. Too many organizations resulting in too many shows. I’m not a great bodybuilder, but I’d rather come 8th out of 10 than 2nd out of 3 3. The rules in some organizations. TRT should only be allowed if you can produce documentation showing that you were BELOW clinical acceptable levels before TRT, and currently you are no higher than average

[@alexstreet8632]

Bring back the Vault.

[@Jpopguin]

Was it ever really alive to begin with?

[@hugadog9144]

About sponsorships for naturals: youtube & instagram influencers stole this market!

[@acharris1991]

As a Pnba Pro who trains a lot of competitors for them, the Natural Olympia as far as competitors in Vegas for their show in November, they have a huge turnout. The womens bikini category typically has 25-30 pros on stage as well as for mens physique. A lot of other countries show up as well. It’s a big show don’t sleep on them.

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Just bc they show up doesn't mean they're good. Ur comparing CFL football to the NFL. And even that's being extremely generous

[@ronaldmccutcheon1329]

I'm grateful that bodybuilding was the only choice when i began competing in 1982.

[@msp663]

Hey Nick, been following you for so many years, since we were just kids. I’m sure you won’t take offense to this, but you were egotistical and narcissistic back then, but you have evolved into such and insightful and mature adult. Proud of you.

[@dmbtv4846]

Time to bring it back nick

[@Lmtlssjacob]

You’ve hit it on the head man. I compete in the OCB & earned my pro status in men’s physique. I was told that there are several organizations I am unable to compete in. I didn’t get the best explanation but from a business model perspective it thought it was stupid. If your organization is great, why would you exclude your competitors from trying out others? I signed up for an NPC show to try my hand as a natural in NPC & was told my pro status would be revoked if I competed…

[@dnegel9546]

So what you end up doing?

[@Lmtlssjacob]

@@dnegel9546 they have since let down some of their more rigorous rules. I still Compete in them but it does seem like the natural space could use some more unification.

[@Lieutenant-Dan]

I've also seen a few videos on KZbin regarding natural federations expecting insane conditioning at their shows sometimes which is literally asking athletes to come in at body fat percentages that shutdown their hormone production and they lose too much muscle and come in looking all gaunt and emaciated from their prep. Let them come in still lean but at bodyfat levels that at least support proper hormone function which will alow them to retain more muscle, feel and perform better and also not run into potential health complications. They should focus more on overall shape, symmetry, proportions, posing, stage presence, fullness etc Also do we really need classic and open divisions in natural bodybuilding? Is there really enough of a size difference to warrant having two separate divisions? Just have mens physique and a bodybuilding division but make it more aesthetic leaning like classic because there's not really mass monsters in natural comps.

[@jonknight483]

The sport of bodybuilding is very much alive and well. Things were down for a few years following Covid, but every NPC show I have competed in or attended has been a packed house. Its also grown by a huge margin outside the US.

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Did you watch the video? He's talking about NATURAL bodybuilding. Not the npc. Of course the npc is alive and well

[@jonknight483]

@@HumanGorillaHormone the NPC has natural shows. They added a natural show to the Emerald Cup this year which is the biggest NPC show on the west coast

[@MeloOnConsole]

I thibk you are spot on with all your points

[@coloradofit3932]

I agree with your psychology take, I'm entrenched in the good vs bad mentality. To me, the easy way is still too taboo.

[@rianwhitby3480]

I think you've made a fair assessment - would be keen to get your thoughts on perceptions of anti-competitive behaviour from the IPF?

[@nickferraro1029]

I ❤ Nick Wright

[@cuts240]

When was it thriving??? I missed that week

[@clap5]

Is there a tested and untested powerlifting federations?

[@jalai_]

Yes USPA VS USAPL

[@peterbonks2973]

gGreat video. Would like to get your opinion on the one IFBB Pro show which is drug tested - "The Ben Weider Natural Pro Show" and if this can revive the interest in the bodybuilding or any other sides to the sport in the natural realm.

[@ASTRUM502]

The popular bodybuilding news channels just ignore the natural shows. No one cares. But I think interest would grow if the BB channels mentioned it.

[@nickbedolla7115]

your rigth nick ifbb is number one I understand what your saying

[@sephmcfierce]

Why isn’t Mike O’Hearn in the thumbnail? Probably the most well known and biggest natural competitor. Is it because he’s retired?

[@J.c410]

trolling ?

[@davidbrant1381]

Can’t be dead if it was never alive.. super sad but true

[@howy3333]

WOW! 40 competitors. These days theres like 3 at most in ocb...

[@rextermage44]

Nope, @ 7:36 you said that men's physique/classic physique is more popular due to more competitors. The actual reason for such low figure for men's bodybuilder is the qualifying criteria. There are so many shows for men's physique to qualify for the olympia.

[@jasonblahblahfatness]

Not enough strict testing. Every natural Federation show that I went to watch over the last 6-7 years were full of guys claiming natural. They're enhanced thinking they'll enter a natural show thinking it'll be an easy win but don't realise that at least ten other guys have the same thought process. Too many douchebags claiming natural ruined it for the true naturals

[@MindfulWill]

I wonder how the increase in powerlifting has also had its impact

[@josephkim7377]

Feel like when i was a teenager juice was frowned upon and now all the high schoolers want to get a gear

[@vwarrior3268]

You are 109% correct 👍🏼

[@Conradmlarsen]

It can’t be dead, it was never alive

[@codybrown9401]

The category of natural bodybuilding is definitely dead. Even Matt Ogus I believe competed in the npc in his last couple shows.

[@AZ-gs6hj]

Yeah, Ogus was a fake natty too. Ended up meeting him and he explained it was because it was his only source of income so he couldn't just come out. Being natural was his niche, but he wasn't willing to take the risk and expose himself.

[@flexforall2]

Wtf lol^^^ 😂😂

[@JLakeBoston]

@@flexforall2 is this your way of saying this guys a pathological liar?

[@flexforall2]

@cody I’ve done 1 NPC shows I did 2021 NPC tahoe show because 1) local, 2 hour drive… took my family there for vacation. Lake Tahoe is beautiful. 2) The INBF muscle Mayhem, (typically 45-60 minute drive) my local highly competitive drug tested show (I don’t want to compete in uncompetitive competitions to win a pro card just for the sake of a pro card, but i also am not going to travel with a growing family unnecessarily) was at a venue that required proof of vaccination to compete. 3) the 2021 muscle mayhem was in October 2021, typically it is always in July. Competing in the summer versus October just worked best for me and my family… plus see point #2!

[@flexforall2]

2021 NPC tahoe is in August

[@MrStreetninja007]

I still think it's a joke to put classic Physique in natural bodybuilding shows there is nothing different between classic physique and normal men's bodybuilding and natural shows other than a few poses

[@MariuszCzerniewicz]

Nick, please check the growth of WNBF worldwide... And film it again.

[@howy3333]

I remember Jim cordova. Was NYPD. Looked like a natty franco santorellio

[@EpsiIonEagle]

If you have a healthy heart and liver, don’t bother competing. How far we’ve come 🙄

[@oddlycanteven2960]

Yes.

[@curlygrain4389]

I think natural bodybuilding would be more popular with higher/healthier body fat percentages. The truly natural guys, even the best of the best, just don’t look very good when super lean imo. Also, just because they are drug tested doesn’t mean they are drug-free. Nothing to stop someone faking a test or spending years on gear building up a solid base and hopping off for 6 months. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t lose it all when you hop off. Just the size goes, not the whole lot

[@flexlevelfitness4713]

100% 👏👏👏

[@Faith_in_Chaos]

“Muscle flexors” 😮

[@gisticz]

Go to the NPC shows and you will get more men’s physique competitors than bodybuilding and classic physique combined most of the time

[@FeelingOGvibes]

Make Natural Bodybuilding Great Again!

[@Reppintimefitness]

Nope 🚫 I'm Bringing it Back

[@lMlIlKlE8D]

srs

[@Lionsmg]

Lessssgo #makenaturalbodybuilindgreatagain

[@the_wormanator]

Biggest thing for me is stepping on a stage in a thong. That eliminates a ton of interest for most lifters. So if I’m big into bodybuilding and can overcome that, I’m more likely to be enhanced than your average gym goer who otherwise would compete naturally.

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Men's physique wears shorts.. Classic physique wears the older style posing suit. Which is basically a speedo.. No thong in those classes. Realistically the guys wearing the higher cut posing suits to look more like a thong are doin that bc they have shredded glutes. If you don't have shredded glutes that losing suit makes u look 10x worse. So 99.9% of amateurs don't need to worry about that. Trust me man. It's uncomfortable to you now bc ur not in show condition. But imagine being In a setting where youve prepped for 20 weeks. Eaten 840 bland small meals. Done upwards of 100 hours total on the stepper. PLUS your training. Then you spend another $1k+ in travel, hotel, tanning, posing suit, registration, etc Now Ur st the show... In the best shape of Ur life. Feeling like ur dieing but also running on massive adrenaline rush at the same time. But most importantly.... 3 things do it for me... 1...there are hundreds of other ppl there also in their underwear. Which makes me feel less weird. 2...Im in the best shape of my life by far and have put 10x more work than anyone could imagine unless they've done it themselves (assuming Ur in shape and look good lol). 3....im very competitive. I've traveled there, I paid the money, I'm here regardless... It's a lot less embarrassing being on stage in a thing when you look amazing and win the overall. Than getting blown away

[@the_wormanator]

@@HumanGorillaHormone I get what you're saying, but my main point is many guys who lift still think that even the classic physique speedo look is too "gay." Even in good form, it's just embarrassing for a lot of people, but most guys have no issue walking around with a shirt off. And I'm actually prepping for my first show right now, and I'll have the man thong lol

[@headshot9611]

There is nothing as natural bodybuilding, you are natural at that day doesn’t mean you are natural .

[@deanc5685]

Agree with the fact that bodybuilding is dying. A fused natural bodybuilding Federation would help natural bodybuilding, more competitors on stage van help a lot.

[@brucejensen3081]

Minimum nba salary 950k. Olympia win 400k, yeah its thriving. The only reason i can see why you would compete would be to get your natty certification, then go for the big bucks on the socials. Even then, you dont even have to do that. Competition bodybuilding is a bit dumb. In the 80's and 90's there was zero reason to do natural Competition bodybuilding. There at least is some reason to do it now.

[@fender1000100]

Natural bodybuilding isnt dead. Whats ridiculous is natural competitive bodybuilding. Where they expect you to come in at 5% bodyfat. It should be as it was in the 1940s. When they were 12 to 16%. The body looks full and more pleasing. And its actually a healthy natural bodyfat. Once you go under 10% its neither natural or healthy..

[@Thiago-nm5df]

The biggest problem with natural bodybuilding is that not everyone is natural, so is better to watch IFBB because then we will have no doubt that everyone is on drugs.

[@danfobb8301]

Bottom line is no one wants to see in a contest someone who likes like a hundred men at your gym. Natural bodybuilding is boring.

[@kenbellamy483]

Interesting, I see bodybuilding has turned into participation trophies with all the different classes. When I competed in the NPC there was only bodybuilding, huge and shredded. The rest are those who aren't good enough to be actual bodybuilders. We paid no attention to natural body building, we called them bone shows.

[@georgie8132]

Nick hit chest more

[@iMOptimalBio]

Crazy how maxx has all the money and fame now

[@swolehiphophead8167]

You prep for 6-8 weeks to get ready for a natural bodybuilding show. Show day you might be the only one on stage. Or you might be on stage with someone who probably started lifting last month who actually think they’re in shape because the old ladies at their gym gave them one or two compliments smh 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@howy3333]

I am always saying this. You were a member of one camp or the other. It was a black or white decision

[@saucyshapz6061]

Olympic lifting > powerlifting > bodybuilding

[@dylantynes8233]

It’s simple.. people are more excepting of steroids now then ever before so there aren’t those people who would be turned off to IFBB bodybuilding to watch or compete in natural bodybuilding. Also social media has changed a lot of people’s perceptions of what is natural and what is not natural because of all the “fake” natties

[@kieranmurraysnaturalstreng5913]

A natural ifbb pro guest posing? No such thing. LOL!😂😂🤣🤣

[@skaBABBLZ]

It Definitely has died since you were deep in the game Nick