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When we hear “sports betting,” most of us immediately think of football matches, UFC fights, or maybe a tennis tournament. But here’s an interesting question: can betting on bodybuilding be considered sports betting too? After all, bodybuilding is a sport, right? Well, it’s not that simple—let’s break it down.
How Is Bodybuilding Different from Classic Sports?
Bodybuilding isn’t a competition where the winner is the fastest, scores the most goals, or earns the most points. It’s a subjective sport. Judges evaluate athletes based on physique, muscle definition, symmetry, posing, and overall presentation. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges—not by clear numbers or results. And that’s the key difference.
That’s why betting on bodybuilding feels more like betting on contests like Eurovision or Miss Universe, where a panel decides the outcome.
Can You Bet on Bodybuilding?
Yes, you can. Some sportsbooks do offer odds on major events like Mr. Olympia or the Arnold Classic. The options are usually pretty straightforward: who will win, who will make the top 3, or head-to-head bets—who will rank higher between two athletes.
But these bets are quite rare. First, bodybuilding is a niche sport. Second, because judging is so subjective, most bookmakers aren’t too eager to offer these kinds of markets widely.
How Is It Different from Other Sports Betting?
- Harder to Predict
In football, for example, you can analyze team form, player injuries, goal stats, and so on. In bodybuilding, while you can look at an athlete’s condition, the final decision - is still in the judges’ hands—and each judge might see things differently.
- Less Public Information
Bodybuilding doesn’t get nearly as much media coverage as other sports. If you’re not “in the loop”—following athlete prep, knowing who’s working with whom, or tracking who’s in top shape—it’s really hard to make an informed bet. - Risk of Insider Knowledge
Because the community is small and tight-knit, there’s a risk that some people might have early access to results or know the judges’ preferences. That can affect the fairness of the betting market.
What Should You Keep in Mind If You Want to Bet Anyway?
- Study the athletes. Follow them on social media, watch their prep videos, and check out their previous performances.
- Watch the competitions. Learn who the judges are and how they’ve judged in past years.
- Compare physiques. It’s not just about muscle mass—posing, symmetry, and stage presence all matter.
- Expect surprises. Even top athletes can lose simply because their look didn’t appeal to the judges that day.
The Bottom Line
Yes, betting on bodybuilding can be considered a form of sports betting—but with a big asterisk. It’s not a sport in the traditional competitive sense. It’s all about aesthetics and subjective judgments. If you truly understand the sport and follow the scene closely, betting can be an interesting experience. But if you’re just trying your luck, you’re probably better off starting with something more predictable.