[Holiday]

So how do you guys feel about Valerie "Siren" ending her competition days?

http://www.flexonline.com/news/335

I'm a bit saddened, but I wasn't a major fan of hers anyway. I think the sport will continue to evolve without her.

[TC2]

No big deal, I much rather prefer watching her in action on American Gladiators than posing in some figure competition.  She was doing great on the rings and the rock wall, so I'd like to continue seeing her on TV.  Besides if AG gets cancelled I'm willing to bet she'll go back to figure.

[Lingster]

Commentary: Valerie Waugaman Retires (From the IFBB)

[Holiday]

Commentary: Valerie Waugaman Retires (From the IFBB)

I fail to see a clear point in that commentary. Other shows, like America's Biggest Loser, are a better motivator for people to try losing weight. But American Gladiators doesn't reward personsl who are physically incapable of running the gauntlet. Should people stop going to the beach because they look out of shape? That's the talk of a body fascist!

If the passing of Shelley Beattie (original Siren) proved anything, it's that the gladiators do make a difference in people's lives. Some have done so after leaving the  1st series.

[TC2]

That "commentary" sounded more like an excuse to ramble.

The original Siren is a good example that sometimes being on television comes with some perks.  After all there have been numerous stories in fiction and non fiction where people of all shapes, sizes, and ages are influenced by things they have seen in the television or comic books.  Claiming that Valerie can't influence lives from her position on American Gladiators is already proven to be false.  People become role models when they are famous and looked up to, therefore Valerie is no different.

And at least she's damn sexy to look up to as well.

[ScottG]

I guess if someone that is beautiful and muscular can use American Gladiators as a springboard to things such as being a trainer on Biggest Loser or some other medium by which she can get a positive message to other people about being healthy, then I guess his first point is a moot point, but if she simply believes that by her being on American Gladiators that people are going to flock to the gym to have the same body she does, then I believe she is sorely mistaken.  I'm sorry, but I don't believe that women flexing all the time and acting like barbarians is what drives women to the gym.  On the other hand, men flexing and acting like barbarians probably does get men to go to the gym.

I also believe that he totally gets off topic with his follow-up comment about overweight women in spandex on the beach.  To blame Valerie and her fellow gladiators for the reality that some people don't know what looks good and what they have no business wearing is completely without thought and just plain wrong.  And to put it on her shoulders to push his message is uncalled for and also wrong.

[cpbell0033944]

I guess if someone that is beautiful and muscular can use American Gladiators as a springboard to things such as being a trainer on Biggest Loser or some other medium by which she can get a positive message to other people about being healthy, then I guess his first point is a moot point, but if she simply believes that by her being on American Gladiators that people are going to flock to the gym to have the same body she does, then I believe she is sorely mistaken.  I'm sorry, but I don't believe that women flexing all the time and acting like barbarians is what drives women to the gym.  On the other hand, men flexing and acting like barbarians probably does get men to go to the gym.

Don't you think that the original American Gladiators coming just after the Cory Everson era of FBBing encouraged women to use weights?  I'm also a little disappointed in your "acting like Barbarians" comment – yes, the whole point of it is that it's combat-based, but your comment suggests that you find the experience of buff chicks in spandex battling each other a bit beneath you.

[ScottG]

Don't you think that the original American Gladiators coming just after the Cory Everson era of FBBing encouraged women to use weights?

It is very possible that women that were working out saw this as an inspiration to work out a bit more and put on some muscle, I just don't know that it inspires the masses that aren't working out to get off the couch.  I could very easily be wrong but I just don't see it.

I'm also a little disappointed in your "acting like Barbarians" comment – yes, the whole point of it is that it's combat-based, but your comment suggests that you find the experience of buff chicks in spandex battling each other a bit beneath you.

I was expecting a response on that comment, so here is my reply.  I am most definitely not above such behavior in spandex-clad muscular women, but that is partially my point – men like to watch that type of thing (Lingerie Bowl comes to mind ::) ) but I know that my fiancee is completely not into that type of thing and I would imagine that most women are not.  I have not done a study, nor am I an expert in the area of the typical female, but I have always gotten the impression that women tend to look at that type of behavior as caveman-ish.  How many times have you seen or heard women scoff at men when they start that behavior (chest bumping, flexing, roaring, or just boasting about their superiority?)  I have heard it several times which is what leads me to that conclusion.

[cpbell0033944]

It is very possible that women that were working out saw this as an inspiration to work out a bit more and put on some muscle, I just don't know that it inspires the masses that aren't working out to get off the couch.  I could very easily be wrong but I just don't see it.

Now that you've clairifed your comment, I agree with you.  A couch potato is a couch potato; ut if it got some women off the cardio equipment and into the weight room. 😉

I was expecting a response on that comment, so here is my reply.  I am most definitely not above such behavior in spandex-clad muscular women, but that is partially my point – men like to watch that type of thing (Lingerie Bowl comes to mind ::) ) but I know that my fiancee is completely not into that type of thing and I would imagine that most women are not.  I have not done a study, nor am I an expert in the area of the typical female, but I have always gotten the impression that women tend to look at that type of behavior as caveman-ish.  How many times have you seen or heard women scoff at men when they start that behavior (chest bumping, flexing, roaring, or just boasting about their superiority?)  I have heard it several times which is what leads me to that conclusion.

Of course a straight woman will not enjoy it in the same way as us, but I don't think that women are as against it as you suspect.  Yes, two men slugging it out will provoke a reaction as it is a primitive, caveman-like sight, but women in organised battle?  I remember Lingster linking to one woman's blog where she recalled being a huge fan of the original series as a girl, and that she was loving the new series, not only for the buff guys, but also to admire and root for her favourite female Gladiator too.

[ScottG]

Of course a straight woman will not enjoy it in the same way as us, but I don't think that women are as against it as you suspect.  Yes, two men slugging it out will provoke a reaction as it is a primitive, caveman-like sight, but women in organised battle?  I remember Lingster linking to one woman's blog where she recalled being a huge fan of the original series as a girl, and that she was loving the new series, not only for the buff guys, but also to admire and root for her favourite female Gladiator too.

Like I said, I am far from being an expert, I just personally don't know of many females that view the program favorably.  I do sincerely hope that my assessment is off the mark.

[Author]

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