2005 Bodybuilding Nationals

For the uninitiated, the 2005 NPC National Bodybuilding Championships are being held this weekend in Atlanta. This is the top amateur show in the US, where all the guys who win their weight classes receive their pro cards and go on to "play" with the big boys in the IFBB.

From perusing my blog you may have noticed I'm a little bit fascinated by big guys. On my numerous trips down to The Firehouse with Cary I've spotted a number of these lads, and I've mentioned the gay-for-pay and soft porn aspect of the sport, but when it comes to being simply an Out & Proud gay man, save for the legendary Bob Paris, it just doesn't seem to be an option in bodybuilding.

Now, I have it on good authority that one of this year's top contenders is a big homo (plus I saw him out at the Avalon one very gay night). It would be amazing to see him win his pro card and then officially come out... But it just won't happen! A man with big muscles in a thong, is a man with big muscles in a thong no matter what his sexual preference, but the sport's "straight" fans can't get passed the notion that they could possibly admire a gay man's physique. Professional bodybuilders rely heavily on the sponsorship deals they can secure from leading supplement companies (like Twinlab and MuscleTech); sadly an openly gay pro would be dropped (or just never picked up) like a slippery dumbbell. And yet, how many gay boys do you see working out at your gym? And aren’t they all on something or other?

Anyways, some of my personal favourites going into the weekend are DC's own Rob Kreider, upstart Vlad Kogan, Greg Jones, Jeff Schwartzer and Mike Ergas.

The following vid-link takes you to Graphic Muscle's predications for the show, and towards the end of said clip you'll see Mike Ergas is all his carb-depleted glory!