Gregg Valentino argues that the bikini division shouldn’t exist in the sport of bodybuilding.
Gregg Valentino considers himself a true lover of the sport of bodybuilding. He’s also someone who loves bikini women… but not when they are competing on stage. If anything, his favorite competitive female division is the Women’s Open. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Gregg Valentino explains why he believes the Bikini division shouldn’t exist in bodybuilding.
When we sat down with Gregg Valentino, we asked him about the return of Women’s Open bodybuilding to the Olympia stage. The last Ms. Olympia competition was in 2014 and many thought the division was disappearing completely. That all changed now that it’s making a comeback this year at the biggest bodybuilding show in the world.
But in typical Gregg fashion, he veered off course a little bit. Sure, he immediately admits his love of Women’s Open bodybuilding. But what he’s not too fond of is the Bikini division. He makes it clear right away – he likes the bikini body type personally, but in terms of bodybuilding he doesn’t find it worthy of the sport. He claims, “They belong out on a boardwalk somewhere…”
It’s a controversial statement to make as Bikini competitors train, diet, and prep for competitions year round just like any other division in the sport. Gregg Valentino understands this – but he just doesn’t think that the division represents what bodybuilding is truly about – the beauty of sculpted muscle.
He goes on to say that it’s just his personal preference. He thinks that skinny toned bikini bodies aren’t bodybuilding. If you asked an average person what a “bodybuilder” is – they would think of Arnold Schwarzenegger, not a bikini model.
The IFBB and NPC has slowly been broadening its scope when it comes to the sport of bodybuilding for years now. With new divisions including Men’s Physique, Women’s Physique, Bikini, and the newest introduction of Classic Physique – there is nearly a size for any type of fitness oriented person.
Some see this as a good thing. Something that brings more athletes, more fans, and thus more value into the sport. Others thing it’s watering the sport down and making it too broad. Gregg seems to fit into the latter category.
You can watch Gregg Valentino’s full response about Bikini competitors and Women’s Open competitors in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
