In a sport rich in history, head judge Steve Weinberger has watched bodybuilding change for better or worse. In a recent interview, Weinberger discussed how the sport has evolved ‘back into’ the 1990s, as competitors today display improved posing and abdomen control. He also discussed his time training with Dorian Yates.
Since the days of Dorian Yates in the 1990s, fans have watched bodybuilders pursue their ultimate physiques for decades. Having ushered in the mass monster era, no one could forget the dominant back shots of six-time Olympia winner Yates, including IFBB Pro League head judge Steve Weinberger.
Boasting years of experience judging contests at the highest level, Steve Weinberger remains one of the most influential officials of the sport. He regularly oversees the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic contests. Now, he is breaking down how the sport has changed. In addition, he opened up on training with ‘The Shadow’ during the Englishman’s title reign.
Steve Weinberger Says Bodybuilding ‘On The Way Up,’ Talks Training W/ Dorian Yates
After years of watching the sport grow, Steve Weiberger maintains that there are just as many top-tier IFBB Pros as there were in the 1990s.
“There were a lot of guys in the 90s that were very good but I think if you look at bodybuilding now, there are about 10 bodybuilders that are excellent, that are coming up, that are almost about the same as it was back then. So, bodybuilding is on the way up. There’s a lot of good bodybuilders.”
He adds that it’s still quite challenging to finish in the top six at the Mr. Olympia contest.
“It’s hard to get into that top six at Olympia, it’s very hard, they are very good bodybuilders,” adds Steve Weinberger.
Overall, Weinberger believes the sport has ‘evolved’ back to where it was in the 90s, crediting competitors for their lack of bloated stomachs and refined posing skills.
“The 90s were great. The 2000s with Ronnie was amazing. Phil Heath amazing. It’s just nothing stays the same. Everything evolves. Bodybuilding evolves. The world evolves. Life evolves. I think bodybuilding evolved also and I think it’s evolved back into to where it was.”
“You don’t see those bloated bellies no more, you don’t see that. You don’t see anyone with that. All the guys hold their stomachs in, all the guys hit their poses correctly. I think it was maybe getting a little out of hand but the powers to be pulled it in. It’s working.”
Weinberger also reflected on training in the company of six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates during the champion’s title reign. He underscored that he never judged Yates in competition.
“His Olympias he would come to New York for the last month and we would train together, yes. That’s why I didn’t judge those Olympias. I never judged Dorian. I never judged Dorian,” said Steve Weinberger.
In addition to his judging duties, Steve Weinberger’s name sits atop one of the IFBB Pro League calendar’s most prestigious shows — the 2024 New York Pro. Fans are counting down until May 18 as some of the world’s most famous Men’s Open competitors battle, like former 2021 champion Nick Walker and 2023 NY Pro titleholder Tonio Burton.
Witnessing changes in the sport from generation to generation, Steve Weinberger believes bodybuilding is on an upward trajectory. And given that Arnold Schwarzenegger just raised the 2025 Arnold Classic Open prize money to half a million, Weinberger appears to be right.
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