Powerlifting Vs Extreme Golf

Roper

mod edit - continuing from this thread

You have to admit though, it is not a spectator sport. Watching a man lift something up and put it down again isn't going to thrill the masses and will have a very select appeal. If you're not impressed by the sheer strength, then you're not going to watch for long. I love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but even I find it terribly dull to watch as a sport and I know what's going on. Watching weighlifting is different, people see massive weights over people's heads and some of those people are freakin tiny. It's like watching ants at work.

I think probably the best way would be if the guy squatting had a button underneath him at his squat depth, if he sits on it too hard, it explodes, if he doesn't touch it, it explodes. Sort of like a powerlifting version of Speed. For the bench press, you could hold the guys wife hostage and threaten to kill her if he doesn't get the lift. I'm just writing my own movie scripts now don't mind me. I'd shoot to bring Keanu back for the first one but I'll probably end up with The Rock.

podge57

Roper wrote: »

You have to admit though, it is not a spectator sport. Watching a man lift something up and put it down again isn't going to thrill the masses and will have a very select appeal. If you're not impressed by the sheer strength, then you're not going to watch for long. I love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but even I find it terribly dull to watch as a sport and I know what's going on. Watching weighlifting is different, people see massive weights over people's heads and some of those people are freakin tiny. It's like watching ants at work.

I think probably the best way would be if the guy squatting had a button underneath him at his squat depth, if he sits on it too hard, it explodes, if he doesn't touch it, it explodes. Sort of like a powerlifting version of Speed. For the bench press, you could hold the guys wife hostage and threaten to kill her if he doesn't get the lift. I'm just writing my own movie scripts now don't mind me. I'd shoot to bring Keanu back for the first one but I'll probably end up with The Rock.

even tho this isnt really the relevant thread to discuss it, tell me you dont think this is exciting and others would find it exciting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEU1Hyv4rX8&feature=PlayList&p=14D4EBF3BC5C1443&index=13

there is definately potential.

edit: i also have a question - what sort of crazy/stupid things have people said to you when you mentioned you are a powerlifter?
eg: i was asked if would need to be waxed and wear fake tan

Roper

That's a good vid. I'm not saying it wouldn't have a select appeal, like a myriad of minor sports like bowls, weightlifting etc. But even watching that was a bit like watching those staring competitions that used to be on that show Big Train. Two commentators trying to find things to talk about in the long periods of inaction.

I admire the simplicity of it- weight goes up, or weight doesn't go up- but I think that's also it's downfall.

kevpants

Roper wrote: »

I think probably the best way would be if the guy squatting had a button underneath him at his squat depth, if he sits on it too hard, it explodes, if he doesn't touch it, it explodes. Sort of like a powerlifting version of Speed. For the bench press, you could hold the guys wife hostage and threaten to kill her if he doesn't get the lift. I'm just writing my own movie scripts now don't mind me. I'd shoot to bring Keanu back for the first one but I'll probably end up with The Rock.

This reminds me of a great idea I had once....



Extreme Golf.



It's simple, basically your opponents in a four ball start off 30 yards in front of you and can start to run at you from the moment the ball is teed up. So you have a few seconds to line the shot up and get it away or it can be blocked down/you can be tackled.

Putting is slightly different. You opponents start exactly the same distance your ball is from the hole but they are that distance behind you. They can come up and tackle you from the moment you address the ball. So for long puts you have more time but they can possibly catch up with the ball and kick it away and for short puts you literally have a split second to hit the ball before you get taken out.

Padding would be supplied as required.

itsallaboutheL

kevpants wrote: »

This reminds me of a great idea I had once....



Extreme Golf.



It's simple, basically your opponents in a four ball start off 30 yards in front of you and can start to run at you from the moment the ball is teed up. So you have a few seconds to line the shot up and get it away or it can be blocked down/you can be tackled.

Putting is slightly different. You opponents start exactly the same distance your ball is from the hole but they are that distance behind you. They can come up and tackle you from the moment you address the ball. So for long puts you have more time but they can possibly catch up with the ball and kick it away and for short puts you literally have a split second to hit the ball before you get taken out.

Padding would be supplied as required.

some rugby teams do a slightly less dangerous version as kinda pre season conditioning for the craic, where you'rer on a full size course with somethin like a 7 iron and a putter but each hole is timed so you have to sprint between shots!

Roper

I'd watch extreme golf. Sometimes for a warm up we play Indoor Rugby, with a medicine ball, and eh, no rules. So basically sometimes for a warm up we fight in teams. Great craic.

I understand where you're coming from, but I still don't think it would fly no matter how interested you or I would be in it. It would deserve more air time than say, bowls or curling, but it won't get it. You'd also have to accept that the steroids would be a major deterrent too.

kevpants

Roper wrote: »

I'd watch extreme golf.

You and everyone you know would watch extreme golf.

Roper wrote: »

I understand where you're coming from, but I still don't think it would fly no matter how interested you or I would be in it. It would deserve more air time than say, bowls or curling, but it won't get it. You'd also have to accept that the steroids would be a major deterrent too.

The steroid thing would be an issue. It is rarely mentioned in strongman though. And it's rampant there. I mean I still love the tour de france, at this stage I just presume the guys are using.

I really don't know how successful powerlifting could be but it could be a hell of a lot more than it is now.

itsallaboutheL

I think this should be a stickie!

kevpants

Wow I got my own spin-off!

Extreme Golf getting the long overdue exposure it so richly deserves.

Roper

It's really hard to tell which would get the greater viewing figures.

maxchen

Powerlifting as a sport has serious potential imo. You tell somebody that you go to a gym and immediatly they'll ask you what you can bench. It is far more accessable than Oly lifting or Strongman in the respect that almost anybody can train to be a powerlifter with little or no supervision (not saying that they'll be technically perfect or even good but they can train towards bein a powerlifter like). As a veteran of one powerlifting comp the biggest thing that stuck out to me was how long the days drag on. Somebody said to me once that if powerlifting was to become more popular to watch they should follow weightliftings lead and drop one of the 3 lifts to make the comps run more smoothly. Not sure I agree with it but it is a suggestion and I do think that something would have to be done as Kevpants described UFC like in order to bring it to the mainstream. Serious potential...

rubadub

Anybody watch ninja warrior? it is still on virgin one but early now I see it is has 2 episodes each morning! thought it was only saturday or sunday must set to record it. Originally called Sasuke in Japan.

http://www.virgin1.co.uk/tv-listings/?d=5&t=2

Ninja Warrior
The world's top athletes and wrestlers compete alongside amateurs in one of the most demanding physical challenges ever devised. Thousands begin stage one but only a few hundred reach stage two. Only two people have ever completed the four stages of physical duress

Has some olympic gymasts performing and people from all sorts of backgrounds. A sort of assault course that makes gladiators look like an auld biddy walking to the front gate.

skip to 1min20s for the start of the stage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJmCem8qbTE

--amadeus--

maxchen wrote: »

Powerlifting as a sport has serious potential imo. You tell somebody that you go to a gym and immediatly they'll ask you what you can bench.

TBH that's the last thing that would come to my mind and even if I was told the numbers would mean nothing to me. My thing is running marathons and I stayed up till teh early hours to watch the olympic martathons. I found it amazing and fascinating. My wife was "wtf??? you stayed up till 4 in teh morning watching running?!"

You need to differentiate between what you find interesting and what has mass appeal.

And lifting as a spectator sport...? Not haoppening

maxchen

I find all sports interesting. Fine you mite have zero interest in powerlifting or "lifting" as you describe it but let me tell you alot and a mean alot of people have.
That is a seriously snobbish reply seen as your sport is running marathons and even you yourself admit that it is hardly the most spectator friendly.
Also for that matter mass appeal is a hard one to define. WWE wrestling would be described as having mass appeal but I'm presuming you don't watch that either. I didn't say it was going to be the number one sport in the world or anything.

kevpants

This is my point. Someone has to come along an have the nous to convince an executive at eurosport and some sponsors that powerlifting would draw some viewing figures. It's all about money at the end of the day, no one is going to offer to cover powerlifting. It has to be packaged right.

LightningBolt

Roper wrote: »

I think probably the best way would be if the guy squatting had a button underneath him at his squat depth, if he sits on it too hard, it explodes, if he doesn't touch it, it explodes. Sort of like a powerlifting version of Speed. For the bench press, you could hold the guys wife hostage and threaten to kill her if he doesn't get the lift. I'm just writing my own movie scripts now don't mind me. I'd shoot to bring Keanu back for the first one but I'll probably end up with The Rock.

I just pissed myself laughing at the thought of that. Could we have Al Pacino as a judge? If you fail a lift he shows you the red flag meaning you have five seconds to get off the stage before he jumps up out of his seat onto his table screaming "Say hello to my little friend!" and unloading a full magazine on your sorry ass:D

In all seriousness though I've seen a fair bit of strongman on the tv. I'd have thought there'd be more people who have an interest in pl compared to that? I've no real interest myself mind.

itsallaboutheL

LightningBolt wrote: »

I

In all seriousness though I've seen a fair bit of strongman on the tv. I'd have thought there'd be more people who have an interest in pl compared to that? I've no real interest myself mind.

I wouldnt think so,

IMo strongman has much more general appeal, people can relate more to the strength needed to lift big fcuk off hummers and drag areoplanes and stuff, its entertaining and the strenght is showcased in a much more "functional" way

bigstar

i think the major issue is publicity. i mean outside those interested in weightlifting, powerlifting wouldnt be very well known or known at all. the average member of the public probably never heard of it, even sports fans may never have heard of it.

just my thoughts but if it was to become a popular sport it has to be at least known first.

--amadeus--

maxchen wrote: »

I find all sports interesting. Fine you mite have zero interest in powerlifting or "lifting" as you describe it but let me tell you alot and a mean alot of people have.
That is a seriously snobbish reply seen as your sport is running marathons and even you yourself admit that it is hardly the most spectator friendly.
Also for that matter mass appeal is a hard one to define. WWE wrestling would be described as having mass appeal but I'm presuming you don't watch that either. I didn't say it was going to be the number one sport in the world or anything.

You totally missed my point. I was saying that just because I like running (and watch it) doesn't mean that anyone else would have any interest in it.

But look at the numbers. For a sport to get TV coverage it has to prove it is watchable. How do sports do that? By drawing numbers to live events - why is English PL football able to command huge TV revenues? Because on average 35,650 people watch the live games and 7 of the 20 teams pulled in attendances in excess of 40,000 pretty much every week. Even marathon running - which you and I both would define as having limited spectator appeal - pulls in huge numbers to live events (over a million lined the streets of Berlin to watch the marathon there for example)

Now how many people go to watch PowerLifting events? How many of those are there for the love of teh sport rather than supporting someone from thier gym or a friend / relative or whatever.

podge57

--amadeus-- wrote: »

You totally missed my point. I was saying that just because I like running (and watch it) doesn't mean that anyone else would have any interest in it.

But look at the numbers. For a sport to get TV coverage it has to prove it is watchable. How do sports do that? By drawing numbers to live events - why is English PL football able to command huge TV revenues? Because on average 35,650 people watch the live games and 7 of the 20 teams pulled in attendances in excess of 40,000 pretty much every week. Even marathon running - which you and I both would define as having limited spectator appeal - pulls in huge numbers to live events (over a million lined the streets of Berlin to watch the marathon there for example)

Now how many people go to watch PowerLifting events? How many of those are there for the love of teh sport rather than supporting someone from thier gym or a friend / relative or whatever.

there is definately an audience out there, i just think there needs to be a lot more cohesion in the sport

it used to be shown on espn, the wpc worlds championships are going to be broadcast on sky sports this november

as for attendance, when the wpo existed, thousands turned up for the final. It never caught on maybe becuase of the way the lifts were done or whatever, but it was entertaining and there are a lot of big characters in powerlifting, which will always draw a crowd

changes would definately need to be made, to speed it up and make it a little more spectacular/entertaining, but i dont think you could say no-one is interested

maxchen

I think we both missed each others points! I agree with what your saying though. What I was trying to say is that even though the sport isn't mainstream persay, a big number of average gym goers practice at least one (bench mostly) of the lifts as part of their gym programme. If the sport was pushed that bit better more people would have an interest in it because they'd be able to relate to it that bit better seen as they already practice the lifts. How many powerlifters got into powerlifting on the boards for example because they were practicing the lifts themselves as part of their gym routines and then thought "Hey I can do this". People would be attracted to it if its marketed right I think. Bsically what I'm sayin is that is kinda semi-mainstream as it is only people don't really know about it. Loadsa potential

Hanley

Skimmed the thread...short on time...

-WPC and BPC events have already been covered on Sky Sports in the UK. There was coverage in 08 and it was a success so more's scheduled for '09.

-As a sport, powerlifting is boring to watch. It's no fun watching 50 100-140kg squats during a day (no disrespect to those lifting the weights for their strength level. Purely from an entertainment view point).

-Watching the freaks is fun.... the thick ass dudes bending bars.

-I see a potential for a 30-60 minute highlight show from a comp showing the best lifts. But a full meet.... no chance if it's anything like a typical PL meet now.

-Strongman's fun. The atheletes are complete and utter characters lifting mad **** and moving about with it. That's why it's more enjoyable and popular to watch.

J-Fit

maxchen wrote: »

I think we both missed each others points! I agree with what your saying though. What I was trying to say is that even though the sport isn't mainstream persay, a big number of average gym goers practice at least one (bench mostly) of the lifts as part of their gym programme. If the sport was pushed that bit better more people would have an interest in it because they'd be able to relate to it that bit better seen as they already practice the lifts. How many powerlifters got into powerlifting on the boards for example because they were practicing the lifts themselves as part of their gym routines and then thought "Hey I can do this". People would be attracted to it if its marketed right I think. Bsically what I'm sayin is that is kinda semi-mainstream as it is only people don't really know about it. Loadsa potential

You're making some great points. Also as a veteran of one competition, the drag of the day shocked me and I was thinking maybe if there was multiple lifting stations, this would help. Friends I had at the comp were getting pretty restless by the end of the deadlifting. This wouldn't fit with TV.

The reason strongman has more appeal is because lifting the back end of a car looks difficult. People are able to equate it to a large amount of effort. The average person hasn't a clue what 5 plates either side of an Olympic bar equate to on a bench press so frustratingly for powerlifters, all the effort goes unnoticed or uncared for. I think thats ok though, its the solitary nature of the sport that often appeals to people who do take part.

Just curious, is powerlifting actually an official recognised sport the way soccer or rugby is? Something's telling me I heard one time that it wasn't recognised by any sporting authority and thus wasn't really a sport. And Darts is?