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Generation Iron
Last Friday, the documentary “Generation Iron” premiered in the United States. Made by the same producers as the documentary “Pumping Iron,” which introduced the world to bodybuilding and (among others) Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In this modern version, we follow the participants in the lead-up to and during the Mr. Olympia 2012. In 1975, it was the battle between Arnold and Lou Ferrigno in South Africa. This time, it’s the battle between Phil Heath and Kai Greene that takes center stage.
There was extensive filming at last year’s Olympia, and after the announcement of this new version, many bodybuilders are eagerly awaiting the result. Unfortunately, the film is not being shown in Europe, so we’ll have to wait until the DVD can be ordered.
Generation Iron 2
At the Bodypower Expo in Birmingham, the premiere of the bodybuilding documentary Generation Iron 2 was shown.
Generation Iron is best described as an attempt to create a contemporary remake of Pumping Iron. Although that seems impossible by definition (Phil Heath is not Arnold Schwarzenegger), the makers of Generation Iron have provided a fascinating insight into the lives of modern professional bodybuilders.
In part I, we see men like Phil Heath and Kai Greene preparing for the Mr. Olympia 2012.
Generation Iron 2 premiere
For the new installment, the makers seem to have made an interesting choice. Names mentioned on the site and in the trailers include: Calum Von Moger, Kai Greene, Big Ramy, Rich Piana, and Iris Kyle.
In Pumping Iron, we followed Arnold as he prepared for his sixth Mr. Olympia title. In Generation Iron 2, however, there seems to be no role for Phil Heath, who has won all the Olympias since the first part.
For Pumping Iron and Generation Iron I, the focus was on the biggest bodybuilders at the highest level in the heaviest class; the open class at the Mr. Olympia. Kai and Big Ramy fall into that category. The same goes for Iris Kyle, who represents the women and has more Olympia titles than anyone else. Iris can’t help it that she’s not welcome at the Olympia this year, as the women’s bodybuilding class is no longer welcome there.
Calum Von Moger, however, still has to earn his pro card. With the Mr. Universe title (NABBA) under his belt, the man often called ‘Arnold 2.0’ is now trying his luck in the IFBB. Not in the open class, but in the Classic Physique division. The comparison with Arnold and 1.7 million followers on Instagram seem reason enough for the makers to put him in the spotlight. Don’t get me wrong; he has earned his stripes, but on a different level than the Olympia open class.
A similar story applies to Rich Piana, someone whose social fame is greater than his achievements on stage. He did well as an amateur in the NPC in the nineties but didn’t get a pro card. However, he didn’t need Olympia titles to build a larger following than many of the men who are on ‘the O.’ With a million followers on Instagram and nearly 900,000 on Youtube, he has a big influence on bodybuilding fans worldwide.
Incidentally, Kai Greene is also likely not to be at the Olympia this year (and all the following years). Kai will probably win a whole series of Arnolds again this year, just like last year. He is at least on the podium at the American version and seems to be choosing Arnold again over Eugene.
Generation Iron 2
Generation Iron 2 is not (only) a modern remake of Pumping Iron. For Generation Iron 2, maker Vlad made a smart choice. He focused on the big changes in the fitness industry, especially the rise of social media and what this means for the popularity of bodybuilding in general and competitive bodybuilding in particular.
Rich Piana
The makers could not have known that Rich Piana would pass away shortly after the premiere. That puts his role in the documentary in a very different light. It’s uncomfortable and sad to see him together with his girlfriend at home, knowing that he will later collapse literally in her hands. It’s painful to hear him say that he probably can continue on the current path for another five years before he will adjust his use of steroids and growth hormone. To which he immediately adds that he will probably continue to use them for the rest of his life because his natural production has stopped due to prolonged use.
It turned out to be only three months.
Popularity vs. Performance
It’s interesting to hear critics talk about Rich, but also about the increasing influence of social media. A picture is painted of old school bodybuilders vs. insta models. Having more followers than a Mr. Olympia because you post photos of yourself in your underwear every day. A beautiful girl or pretty boy who has little “fitness content” but positions themselves cleverly online versus the hard-working bodybuilder who doesn’t get enough appreciation. However, there is a large area in between.
Rich presented himself in Generation Iron 2 as a kind of intermediary. An old school bodybuilder who had cracked the secret formula of success on social media and could now teach other bodybuilders the same.
Women in Bodybuilding
I’m very happy with the decision to let Iris Kyle speak. “Not fair, but right.” That’s how I described it when seemingly out of nowhere, several organizations, including the Mr. Olympia, decided to drop the women’s bodybuilding class. Ten-time Miss Olympia Iris Kyle, the most successful Olympia athlete ever, was told that she was no longer welcome on stage, as well as her competitors.
In Generation Iron 2, Iris could tell how she experienced that. Painful to see how little respect there is for what this woman has achieved. When she is willing to participate in a smaller competition to still be able to stand on the podium, she is told that she has to qualify. Whatever you may think of Iris Kyle’s appearance, as an athlete of her caliber (no pun intended), she deserves more.
By the way, the fact that Iris and Hidetada Yamagishi form a couple was the most surprising thing in the documentary.
How Popular is Bodybuilding?
This question was asked in the documentary. However, the question is not specific enough and is therefore answered in various ways. Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about enormous growth. It would even be mainstream, judging by the gyms that have sprung up everywhere. However, this is about strength training. Not necessarily strength training with the goal of becoming as muscular as possible, let alone standing on a stage posing.
I myself asked this question more specifically in the article “Why No One Watches the Mr. Olympia Anymore.” I agree with the conclusion of Jim Manion, head of the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IF
BB). Competitive bodybuilding will always remain a cult sport and never become mainstream. At least not the open classes.
“Lighter” classes and social media have brought a large influx of new fans. New fitness enthusiasts who do not necessarily see the Olympia as the pinnacle of what they can achieve with their bodies. Fans of Lazar could stand in line for a photo at the FIBO and not know who Phil Heath is, whom others are queuing for. Lazar Angelov and Rich Piana themselves once had the dream of becoming top bodybuilders. However, they abandoned this dream when they saw that they could achieve much more success offstage than on. A new generation doesn’t care about that stage anymore.
Kai is Done
Finally: ‘King Kai’. Many have wondered since two years ago why Kai no longer participates in the Mr. Olympia. In Generation Iron 2, the answer seems clear. Kai is a bit done with it. He focuses on his other expressive passions, acting and drawing. Why should he still exhaust himself with mega weights, he wonders. For what? Don’t get me wrong, he’s still huge and trains. But not anymore for a jury.
Insight, Not Ode
Generation Iron 2 is not (just) an ode to competitive bodybuilding at the highest level. It provides insight into the various new developments within the sector in a broader sense. The rise of insta fit models, the different financial interests and aspirations, new techniques, and new bodybuilding hot spots like O2 Gym in Kuwait.
For me, a real must-see for the true gym rat, whatever that may mean nowadays.
