How famous bodybuilders have changed over the years (14 photos). The most famous bodybuilders American bodybuilders

31.08.2023

The world of bodybuilding and fitness is full of talented athletes, businessmen and other personalities who are influencing the bodybuilding, fitness and wellness industry. GENERATION IRON & GASPARI NUTRITION has unveiled the list of the most influential people in the world of bodybuilding - Power 30 honors thirty unique and influential personalities who have made their mark on the bodybuilding and fitness industry this year.

The Power 30 is our annual attempt, through the discussions of our editors, to create a ranking of 30 athletes, executives and personalities who have influenced bodybuilding this year.

30. Sheru Angrish

Sheru Angrish has recently proven his entrepreneurial prowess. Not only did he create the Sheru Classic bodybuilding show, but he continued to use his entrepreneurial influence by teaming up with some of the most influential companies in the international market.

29. Felipe Franco

In addition to his work on the Generation Iron team, Felipe Franco continues to impress the professional bodybuilding circuit. His victories at the Grand Prix championships once again demonstrated his incredible abilities and won him a ticket to the 2018 Olympia. He is also one of the top influencers in the fitness industry with over 5 million followers across multiple platforms. We are looking forward to seeing what form he will put on the show in 2018, having many months of preparation in his bosom.

28. Paige Hathaway.

An influencer in the fitness community, Paige Hathaway is one of the most recognizable female fitness ambassadors on the web with over 10 million social media followers. F45 Training Global Representative who creates her own fitness program called "Fit in 5", Paige Hathaway is one of the most influential women in the industry.

27. Kevin Levrone

For Kevin Levrone, 2018, the year of his return to the stage, was a good one. Bringing superb form after a long hiatus from competitive career, Kevin made a great showing at the Arnold Classic Australia, as stated in the movie Born to Overcome.

26. Regan Grimes

Having successfully moved up to the classic physicist, Regan Grimes has gone from a lighter openweight bodybuilder to a powerful classic. With a ticket to the 2018 Olympia after a big win at the New York Pro, Regan Grimes looks to succeed in his move to a new division and challenge the top 5 classic competitors.

25. Edwin Mejia Jr.

Edwin Mejia Jr. remains a powerful force in the bodybuilding and fitness community. He continues to release films like "Generation Iron 3" and "Ronnie Coleman: King" as well as leading figures in fitness and bodybuilding. It helps support the careers of some talented and emerging athletes. With the guidance of athletes such as Calum von Moger, Edwin Mejia Jr. is a point of reference for talented individuals looking to make a big splash in the fitness industry.

24. Jeremy Buendia

Four-time Olympia champion in the mens category, physicist Jeremy Buendia has been working hard all last year. After suffering a chest injury and surgeries, Jeremy Buendia is back in action and looking in great shape to defend his title at the 2018 Olympia.

23. Angelica Teixeira

Angelica Teixeira rose to fame last year by winning the 2017 Olympia. As Miss Bikini Olympia, Teixeira continued to assert her dominance with a brilliant performance at the 2018 Arnold Classic.

22. Bradley Martin

Working hard in both the bodybuilding and business worlds, Bradley Martin has become a strong figure in the industry through his entrepreneurial mindset and strong execution. By opening his own gym in 2017 and teaming up with popular fitness personalities and trainers like Honey Rambod, Bradley Martin is demonstrating his business influence.

21. Stacy Kaufman

The man behind Pro Tan, Stacey Kaufman (left), has been a very important figure in the bodybuilding industry since the late eighties. With Pro Tan providing make-up products to the entire bodybuilding community, Stacy Kaufman's role has proven to be pivotal in the careers of many IFBB athletes. Constantly striving for innovation, Kaufman and

Pro Tan have released brand new products this year, including a new Super Dark Competition Color. There seems to be no limit to what a brand CEO can achieve.

20. Rich Gaspari

A veteran bodybuilder for over 30 years, Rich Gaspari has established himself both on stage and in the business. The new and improved Gaspari Nutrition continues to thrive in the fitness industry, as does the Vintage Muscle bodybuilding line. Starring on the GI series Hunt For Hardcore, Rich Gaspari looks set to continue to innovate and thrive for years to come.

19. PJ Brown

Businessman and bodybuilder PJ Brown is an honorary titan in the sports nutrition industry. P.J. Brown has his finger on the pulse of modern bodybuilding, has a keen sense of what the market demands, and has provided it with quality products from his sports nutrition firm Blackstone Labs. Get ready to see something cool from Brown as he's starring in his GI series The Muscle Mogul this year.

18. Breon Ansley

Until 2016, few people knew the name Breon Ansley. Since then, the young bodybuilder has been able to win the best competition in the classic physicist category, winning the valuable title of Olympia champion. Having subsequently won the Arnold Classic 2018, the reigning champion “classic physicist” looks set to continue to assert his dominance at the 2018 Olympia. If you look at it like that, he could hold the championship in this nomination for many years.

17. Charles Glass

Known for training some of the best bodybuilders in the business, Charles Glass has proven to be one of the best trainers in the fitness industry. Understanding exactly the desires and needs of his clients, Charles Glass has always been a storehouse of knowledge and passed on this experience to his wards.

16. Martin Ford

It looks like Martin Ford has a knack for everything from bodybuilding to business to acting. After the sudden death of Rich Piana, Martin became the head of 5% Nutrition and kept the company thriving. Having endured life-threatening illnesses, the British native, despite everything, recovered well. Ford has also appeared in a number of films as he has been making great strides in the entertainment industry lately.

15. Big Ramy

Despite finishing second at the 2017 Olympia, it was clear to everyone that Mamdu "Big Rami" Ellsbiaye was clearly the one to look out for. Rivaling current Olympia champion Phil Heath, Big Ramy has proven himself to be a formidable contender and has been working for years to once again demonstrate his dominance at the show in 2018. Given the amount of improvement he has made over the past year, see what shape Big Ramy will be in in September, it will definitely be interesting.

14. James “Flex” Lewis

Defending his title at Olympia 212 for the last time, James "Flex" Lewis has established himself as a powerful force in the nomination since its inception. Flex Lewis is looking to win the 2018 Olympia and move up to the Openweight division, making him the first defending champion to move up to the new category.

13. Tamer El Guindi

IFBB Pro and two-time former Mr. USA, Tamer El Guindi has brought his bodybuilding talent to important roles behind the scenes. Not only is he an Olympia judge, but he is also the chairman of NPC SoCal, as well as the Brazilian CEO of IFBB Pro. You can expect more from Tamer as his new bodybuilding achievement will be Musclecontest 2018.

12. CT Fletcher

CT Fletcher went through a lot last year, but the former powerlifting champion didn't give up. Having survived a heart transplant, Fletcher returned to the stage, showing that the fiery spirit of Compton's Superman had not faded. Such a demonstration of unwavering strength and will is a real inspiration for everyone.

11. Honey Rambod

Head coach for many of the world's top athletes, Honey Rambod is a treasure trove of fitness and bodybuilding knowledge. Having trained numerous bodybuilding champions, including seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath and Olympia Men's Physicist Champion Jeremy Buendia, Honey Rambod is by far the industry's premier trainer. Now that he has joined forces with Hadi Choupan, Rambod has added another champion to his already impressive resume.

10. Calum von Moger

Having endured an extremely difficult year, Calum von Moger has shown that his spirit cannot be broken by unfortunate injuries. Karum von Moger, having torn his biceps and quads twice, recovered well and is already planning his comeback. Meanwhile, Calum has also been able to immerse himself in the film world as he plays Arnold Schwarzenegger in the upcoming film More.

9. Ronnie Coleman

One of the greatest bodybuilders in history, Ronnie Coleman has skyrocketed and fallen to the bottom. However, despite the injury, Ronnie Coleman maintains a positive attitude. An optimist and always striving for improvement, Ronnie Coleman still strives to return to some of his public fame. This is reflected in the documentary Ronnie Coleman: The King.

8. Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler, a gem of the bodybuilding community, has become one of the most successful Olympia champions while also leading the Cutler Nutrition and Cutler Athletics brands. Jay Cutler has managed to keep himself in such an incredible state since leaving the stage that people are still wondering if the former Mr. Olympia could one day make a grand comeback.

7. Phil Heath

After seven Olympia victories in a row, Phil Heath is now somewhere in the upper atmosphere along with the great Arnold Schwarzenegger. Wanting to combine the records of Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman, Phil Heath could be the one to achieve what no other bodybuilder has had: ten Olympia wins in a row. Having overcome the hernia, Heath is able to perform impressively at the 2018 show.

6. Kai Green

Continuing his activities outside of bodybuilding, Kai Green begins to make waves in the entertainment industry. With his appearance on the hit series Stranger Things, landing a role on Crazy Fist, and taking his new Dynamik Muscle line to new heights, it's clear that Kai Greene will continue to grow in both fitness and entertainment.

5. Steve Weinberger

Arguably the second most powerful person in the IFBB Pro, Steve Weinberger has a big impact on the outcome of every major event in the professional bodybuilding organization. As head judge, Steve Weinberger sets the criteria for who truly deserves championship status, and he must be convinced that the athlete is the best of the best. Here is the influence!

4. Jim and Bob Lorimer

The people in charge of all Arnold Classic competitions, Jim and Bob Lorimer, have left their mark on the world of bodybuilding with their incredibly diverse events around the world. Having brought the Arnold Classic to several different continents, the Lorimer brothers continue to push the brand forward and prove that their shoes, led by a legendary bodybuilder, are some of the best in the world.

3. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Brand ambassador and big bodybuilding fan Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been a major figure in the fitness industry for years. With the official announcement that his own Seven Bucks Productions would be helping to promote the 2017 Olympics, it was clear that The Rock would have a strong foothold in the bodybuilding community for years to come. One can definitely expect more from the professional wrestler, actor and producer in the coming years.

2. Arnold Schwarzenegger

A man who needs no introduction. Arnold Schwarzenegger is still an influential figure in the fitness and bodybuilding community to this day. With his presence in the social media, he inspires and motivates, his Arnold Classic shows showcase international activity, and returning to his most iconic role as the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger remains at the top of the bodybuilding world and will be remembered by everyone as the most influential figure in the history of sports.

With his inspiring and motivating presence on social media, his Arnold Classic show going international, and his upcoming return to the most iconic role of the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger is still at the top of the bodybuilding world and will definitely be remembered as the most influential figure in the history of the sport. .

1. Jim Manion

Larry Scott a year after his triumphant victory at the first Mr. Olympia, 1966

Nickname: Legend

Mr. Olympia: 1965, 1966

Years of life: 10/12/1938 - 03/08/2014

Height: 170 cm

Competitive parameters*: weight - 94 kg / biceps - 50 cm / chest - 128 cm

The very first

A one-year-old child is standing on the floor in shorts. Holds a hefty chair at arm's length. With such a picture, the first comic book about Superman began - a guy with unnaturally huge muscles who can move entire planets. In October 1938, four months after Action Comics debuted with a story about Superman, another baby, Larry Scott, was born in Blackfoot, USA. For the next ten years, the world around Larry will look like this: the McCarthyists blame the communists for all the troubles, the Cold War is gaining momentum, the two superpowers are working hard on atomic bombs. Well, at the same time - the golden age of comics: Batman, Captain America, Atomic Thunderbolt and other relief heroes plowed the expanses of millions of children's bedrooms. It was on the pages of comics that an advertisement for one of the world's first bodybuilding workouts appeared.

"Why be weak when you can be strong?" - Asked juvenile readers the beefy author of the training course Charles Atlas, smiling from the picture, like Superman. Larry was reading comics with might and main, and at the age of 16 he first appeared in a rocking chair. Then it would never have occurred to anyone to call him either a Legend, or even an Atomic Thunderer - it was a canonical drisch with a 28 cm bicep in diameter. In 1965, when Larry took the first Mr. Olympia in history, a man had already flown into space, well, Larry got prettier - his biceps grew to 50 cm. The superhero of this note died in 2014 at the age of 75, when another story about Superman - cartoon "Justice League: War".

Arnold Schwarzenegger on the set of Pumping Iron. 1976

Nickname: Arnie

Mr. Olympia: 1970–1975

Years of life: 07/30/1947 - present

Height: 188 cm

Competitive parameters: weight - 107 kg / biceps - 55 cm / chest - 140 cm

Most famous

Oh, how much coal little Arnold had in his childhood! Imagine: the Austrian village of Thal near Graz. Another autumn. Coal-stained Arnie stands on a hillock and stares thoughtlessly at the ruins of an ancient castle, which is located right here, in front of the dusty house of the future bodybuilder. “Let’s go to carry coal to the basement, there will be nothing to heat in the winter!” his father yells at him, and thumps his heavy police boot on the old wheelbarrow. They drag him until lunch, and then, sitting at the table, the father talks about his everyday life - the work of a law enforcement officer. “On a harsh black night, this bastard rushes at us with a knife,” the head of the family shouts something like that with fervor and, most likely, spills the soup on the tablecloth.

What would Arnold do after dinner? There is an idea - to carry coal. What would you do, reader, if you were all week dirty in something black? Shower, bath? Schwarzenegger wholeheartedly dreamed of washing more often, but this procedure was difficult for him. First, it was necessary to drag water from a well, which stood two kilometers from the house. When the bath was full (Arnold by that time had time to sweat and out of breath pretty much), first of all, the father washed, then the mother, and then the future star of bodybuilding magazine covers cleaned her body exactly in the same muddy water. Well, thank coal and water for the fact that Schwartz grew up hardy and accustomed to difficulties: he won all kinds of competitions, became a movie star, then a politician (Governor of California in 2003-2011), then again a movie star ...

But Arnold Gustavovich does not feel any gratitude to the main tormentor of his childhood - a fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient plants. Having become a politician, Schwartz took up the support of the Kyoto Protocol with all his huge hands. The countries that have acceded to this international agreement undertake to reduce harmful environmental emissions into the atmosphere. And how would you do it? Well, for example, to reduce the consumption of coal - that's what is written in this important document.

Nickname: no

Mr. Olympia: 1984–1991

Years of life: 11/11/1959 - present

Height: 180 cm

Competitive parameters: weight - 112 kg / biceps - 52 cm / chest - 137 cm

Most titled

A passenger plane is flying over the Atlantic Ocean, the destination is Spain. It is dark in the cabin, and a huge passenger, a mobile Mount Elbrus, a grizzly bear in an official suit - American Lee Haney, eight-time champion of Mister Olympia, barely fit in the chair. Now, as a member of the World Bodybuilding Federation, he routinely flies to the Madrid headquarters of the IFBB. Haney is no stranger to bureaucratic work, because even under Bill Clinton, he was chairman of the US Presidential Council on Physical Education and Sports for several years.

And what else do giants do when they no longer go out, oiled, under the spotlight? Lee Haney has written two books (of course, on bodybuilding) and is currently working on another one, starred in several documentaries, broadcasts on Christian radio, owns a chain of fitness clubs, and also built and maintains an orphanage village (with zoo, by the way).

And what do mountain ranges think about in retirement? 55-year-old Haney looks out the window, cirrus clouds fly by, and in them you can clearly see the deltoid muscles of rivals on his first Mr. Olympia in 1981. Here, at an altitude of 10,000 kilometers, the silhouettes of the Egyptian Mohammed Makkavi and the German Yusup Wilkosh, who took second and third places, clearly emerge: Haney then easily outperformed them, and later for another 7 years (the last - in 1991) became the winner of Olympia. This is a record that no other athlete has ever broken. Roni Colman () will only repeat the same result in 2005, 14 years after Haney.

Lee Haney helps boxer Evander Holyfield prepare for his next fight. 1997

Reverse

In the 1980s, Lee Haney invented the Haney deadlift, a posterior deltoid shoulder exercise that many athletes still use today.

Stand with your back to the bar, grab the bar shoulder-width apart.
Pull up, bending around the buttocks, but without moving the barbell more than five centimeters from the body. Keep your head straight. Raising the bar just above the waist, lower it down. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Like buttered

Professional competition Mr. Olympia has been held since 1965 and is hosted by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness. Now the main site of Mr. Olympia is Las Vegas (USA). The judges evaluate not only the size of the athlete, but also the study of each muscle and the overall harmony of the body of the contestant. In order for you to become a member of Mr. Olympia, you need to win several significant amateur competitions (here you will be given a professional certificate - IFBB Pro Card), and then win professional shows (for example, Arnold Classic or New York Pro). Participants of the previous Mr. Olympia, who took places from 1st to 5th, are also allowed to participate.

But there is a shorter way. The Amateur Mr. Olympia - amateur tournaments, but from special ones. They are distinguished by softer requirements for the development of muscles and the size of athletes. The Amateur takes place several times a year, each time in a different location. The absolute winner immediately receives a cash prize, an IFBB Pro Card, and a ticket to a professional Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas.

Dorian Yates is preparing for the competition. 1993

Nickname: Shadow

Mr. Olympia: 1992–1997

Years of life: 04/19/1962 - present

Height: 178 cm

Competitive parameters: weight - 121 kg / biceps - 54 cm / chest - 148 cm

The most tied

Look, someone is being beaten in a narrow street. Who is the most zealous? Yes, this is our Dorian, here he is guarding the poor fellow with his feet. Hey, passerby, you screwed up your eyes in a strange way - get a fist in the nose. Woman, wait, I need to call you names. 1976, the first skinheads proudly walk the streets of England, they listen to reggae and ska and carry knives in their pockets. When Dorian moved with his mother to live in Birmingham, he was 14 years old - he immediately fit into the local skinhead company. While other children were sweating over homework, Dorian was hanging out with friends in clubs and brawling. In April 1981, there are riots in England. Oh yes, this is a real holiday for a young and aggressive person.

Black residents are loudly protesting against the actions of the police: cars flash colorfully, shop windows scatter into multi-colored fragments, law enforcement officials use tear gas for the first time in the history of the United Kingdom. Somewhere in the midst of all this mess, a contented Dorian rushes about - he also beats and sets fire. Then the riots will end (about 60 police cars were destroyed in London alone, two hundred buildings were damaged) and about 500 people will go to prison - including 19-year-old Yeats. He will spend six months in prison and in the local stuffy gym he will begin to pull the barbell, which will then lead him to the Olympus for bodybuilders. And now our hero flaunts in the photographs and smiles kindly from the advertisement of nutritional supplements. And that ferocious period of youth on the champion’s website is now described briefly: “Dorian got into trouble and decided not to do bad things anymore.” Well, it seems like yes, it does not.

Here our hero is 23 years old, his studies are over, and the measuring bar is frozen at 175 centimeters. And instead of growing in length, Phil decides to grow in breadth. He suddenly has a great talent for this. He leans on dumbbells and barbells, grows by leaps and bounds (this is where Phil is given the nickname The Gift), begins to win at all bodybuilding competitions in a row. And look: today, the Heat is still not the most brilliant basketball player, but his neck is 47 centimeters in girth (another question is who needs this and why, but we will take the discussion of this issue out of this article). In September 2014, in the huge Las Vegas Convention Center (in Las Vegas), Phil was hung on his chest for the fourth time with the Mr. Olympia medal. Descending from the pedestal, he told reporters: “I am still growing. You haven't seen my real muscles yet - watch closely next year."

Four facts about bodybuilding

1959
The first athlete in the world begins to take anabolic steroids. His name is Bill March and he is a member of the American weightlifting team. The drug was given to him by the team's sports doctor, John Ziegler. Massively, these substances were banned only in 2005, when representatives of 191 countries signed the World Anti-Doping Convention. Now, for example, in Russia, anabolic steroids are under special state control (their sale falls under Article 234 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, “Illicit trafficking in potent or toxic substances”).
74 years old
Japanese Tsutomu Tohsaka. At this age, he is still engaged in bodybuilding and participates in competitions. In 2009, the Japanese entered the Guinness Book of Records.
204 cm
This is the height of the tallest professional bodybuilder in the world, American Noah Steer (his weight is 160 kg).
1948
One of the first bodybuilding competitions in the USSR. The Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow is hosting a physique beauty contest. Circus acrobat Alexander Shirai wins.

Larry Scott a year after his triumphant victory at the first Mr. Olympia, 1966 Larry Scott

Nickname: Legend

Mr. Olympia: 1965, 1966

Years of life: 10/12/1938 - 03/08/2014

The very first

"Why be weak when you can be strong?" beefy training course author Charles Atlas asked younger readers, smiling like Superman from the picture. Larry was reading comics with might and main, and at the age of 16 he first appeared in a rocking chair. Then it would never have occurred to anyone to call him either “Legend”, or at least “Atomic Thunderer” - it was a canonical drisch with a bicep 28 cm in diameter. In 1965, when Larry took the first Mr. Olympia in history, a man had already flown into space, well, Larry got prettier - his biceps grew to 50 cm. The superhero of this note died in 2014 at the age of 75, when another story about Superman - cartoon "Justice League: War".

Nickname: Arnie

Mr. Olympia: 1970–1975

Years of life: 07/30/1947 - present. temp.

Height: 188 cm Competitive parameters: weight - 107 kg / biceps - 55 cm / chest - 140 cm The most famous

Oh, how much coal little Arnold had in his childhood! Imagine: the Austrian village of Thal, not far from Graz. Another autumn. Coal-stained Arnie stands on a hillock and stares thoughtlessly at the ruins of an ancient castle, which is located right here, in front of the dusty house of the future bodybuilder. “Let’s go to carry coal to the basement, there will be nothing to heat in the winter!” his father yells at him, and thumps his heavy police boot on the old wheelbarrow. They drag until lunch, and then, sitting at the table, the father talks about his everyday life - the work of a law enforcement officer. “On a harsh black night, this bastard rushes at us with a knife,” the head of the family shouts something like that with fervor and, most likely, spills the soup on the tablecloth.

What would Arnold do after dinner? There is an idea - to carry coal. What would you do, reader, if you were all week dirty in something black? Shower, bath? Schwarzenegger wholeheartedly dreamed of washing more often, but this procedure was difficult for him. First, it was necessary to drag water from a well, which stood two kilometers from the house. When the bathtub was full (Arnold by that time had time to sweat and out of breath pretty much), first of all, the father washed, then the mother, and then, exactly in the same muddy water, the future star of bodybuilding magazine covers cleaned her body. Well, thank coal and water for the fact that Schwartz grew up hardy and accustomed to difficulties: he won all kinds of competitions, became a movie star, then a politician (Governor of California in 2003-2011), then again a movie star ...

Nickname: none Mr. Olympia: 1984–1991

Years of life: 11/11/1959 - present. temp.

Height: 180 cm Competitive parameters: weight - 112 kg / biceps - 52 cm / chest - 137 cm The most titled

A passenger plane is flying over the Atlantic Ocean, the destination is Spain. It is dark in the cabin, and a huge passenger, a mobile Mount Elbrus, a grizzly bear in an official suit - American Lee Haney, an eight-time champion of Mister Olympia, barely fit in the chair. Now, as a member of the World Bodybuilding Federation, he routinely flies to the Madrid headquarters of the IFBB. Haney is no stranger to bureaucratic work, after all, under Bill Clinton, he was chairman of the US Presidential Council on Physical Education and Sports for several years.

And what else do giants do when they no longer go out, oiled, under the spotlight? Lee Haney has written two books (of course, on bodybuilding) and is currently working on another one; starred in several documentaries; broadcasts on Christian radio; owns a chain of fitness clubs; he also built and maintains at his own expense an orphanage-village (with a zoo, by the way).

And what do mountain ranges think about in retirement? 55-year-old Haney looks out the window, cirrus clouds fly by, and in them you can clearly see the deltoid muscles of rivals on his first Mr. Olympia in 1981. Here, at an altitude of 10,000 kilometers, the silhouettes of the Egyptian Mohammed Makkavi and the German Yusup Wilkosh, who took second and third places, are clearly visible: Haney beat them then with ease, and later another 7 years (the last - in 1991) became the winner of Olympia . This is a record that no other athlete has ever broken. Roni Coleman (MH wrote about him in February 2009) will only repeat the same result in 2005, 14 years after Haney.

Lee Haney helps boxer Evander Holyfield prepare for his next fight, 1997 Backward In the 1980s, Lee Haney invented the Haney Pull, a posterior deltoid exercise that many athletes still use today.

Stand with your back to the bar, grab the bar shoulder-width apart.

Pull up, bending around the buttocks, but without moving the barbell more than five centimeters from the body. Keep your head straight. Raising the bar just above the waist, lower it down. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Like buttered

Professional competition Mr. The Olympia has been held since 1965 and is hosted by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB, www.ifbb.com). Now the main site of Mr. Olympia is Las Vegas (USA). The judges evaluate not only the size of the athlete, but also the study of each muscle and the overall harmony of the body of the contestant. In order for you to become a member of Mr. Olympia, you need to win several significant amateur competitions (here you will be given a professional certificate - IFBB Pro Card), and then win professional shows (for example, Arnold Classic or New York Pro). Participants of the previous Mr. Olympia, who took places from 1st to 5th, are also allowed to participate.

The most tied Dorian Yates preparing for the competition, 1993 Dorian Yates

Nickname: Shadow

Mr. Olympia: 1992–1997

Years of life: 04/19/1962 - present. temp.

Height: 178 cm Competitive parameters: weight - 121 kg / biceps - 54 cm / chest - 148 cm

Years of life: 12/18/1979 - present. temp.

Height: 175 cm Competitive parameters: weight - 111 kg / biceps - 56 cm / chest - 138 cm

Phil, the last Mr. Olympia for today, actually wanted to become a basketball player. At first he did not even think about how to grow his neck like a bull, and swing his hips to the thickness of a lamppost. 15-year-old Phil, having put his short body from birth to bed, imagined: he is Michael Jordan, he throws the winning basketball into the ring ... Heath looked enviously at the long television towers, looked at the endless pine trunks with wet eyes, three meter rods. Heath asked the powers that be to give him the best future in the world - to grow up a little and play in one of the NBA teams. But Phil only managed to get into the student team of the Denver Institute.

Here our hero is 23 years old, his studies are over, and the measuring bar is frozen at 175 centimeters. And instead of growing in length, Phil decides to grow in breadth. He suddenly has a great talent for this. He leans on dumbbells and barbells, grows by leaps and bounds (this is where Phil is given the nickname The Gift), begins to win at all bodybuilding competitions in a row. And look: today, the Heat is still not the most brilliant basketball player, but his neck is 47 centimeters in girth (another question is who needs it and why, but we will take the discussion of this issue out of this article). In September 2014, in the huge Las Vegas Convention Center (in Las Vegas), Phil was hung on his chest for the fourth time with the Mr. Olympia medal. Descending from the pedestal, he told reporters: “I am still growing. You haven't seen my real muscles yet - watch closely next year."

Four facts about bodybuilding

1959 The first athlete in the world begins to take anabolic steroids. His name is Bill March and he is a member of the American weightlifting team. The drug was given to him by the team's sports doctor, John Ziegler. Massively, these substances were banned only in 2005, when representatives of 191 countries signed the World Anti-Doping Convention. Now, for example, in Russia, anabolic steroids are under special state control (their sale falls under Article 234 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, “illicit trafficking in potent or toxic substances”).

Japanese Tsutomu Tohsaka. At this age, he is still engaged in bodybuilding and participates in competitions. In 2009, the Japanese entered the Guinness Book of Records.

204 cm This is the height of the world's tallest professional bodybuilder, American Noah Steer (his weight is 160 kg).

Who rightfully deserved the title of the best bodybuilders? In every generation, you can hear big names with incredible physical abilities and a lot of muscles. But who turned out to be more outstanding than the others?

Although he is the only professional bodybuilder on this list who has never won the Mr. Olympia title, this does not diminish his overall career success. Having won the Arnold Classic 4 times and received many more awards, he has proven that he has the right to enter the list of the best bodybuilders of all time.

In addition, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman noted him as one of the greatest bodybuilders. It impresses with its symmetrical aesthetic. More commonly known as the "Sultan of Symmetry". Contrary to popular belief, the nickname "Flex" comes from his remarkable flexibility, not from the fact that his muscles flex well.

Jackson is considered a symbol of the times, he never gets old. The former 2008 Mr. Olympia champion, most recently in 2015, took second place in the same competition at his almost 46 years old.

He was given the nickname "Blade". Dexter is known for his low body fat percentage and seemingly timeless physique. Competing in every Mr. Olympia contest since 1999, Jackson has graced the covers of countless bodybuilding magazines and articles. He is also a five-time winner of the Arnold Classic. Dexter has cemented himself as one of the best bodybuilders of the generation.

Known as a friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom he pushed to his maximum limit, while he himself remained in great shape. He received the title of "Mr. Olympia" in 1976 and in 1981. Columbo was known for his aesthetic and symmetrical physique.

He was not only Schwarzenegger's favorite partner, but also a world champion in powerlifting, a participant in the competition "The Strongest Man on the Planet" and an actor. A little-known fact, but Franco also had a brief role in the Terminator movie that made Arnold famous.

He should not be confused with the American football player of the same name, as is usually the case. Jay is a four-time Mr. Olympia champion 2006-2007 and 2009-2010. He personifies the modern bodybuilder and performs on stage in the category over 100 kg.

His massive chest and quads are impressive. Cutler, as you know, still has one of the heaviest and most aesthetically pleasing forms of modernity.

When most people think of aesthetic symmetrical bodies, the first name that comes to mind is Frank Zane. Winner of 3 Mr. Olympia titles from 1977 to 1979 and the "vacuum" pose, he sets a certain standard to this day. Zayn has the body every bodybuilder hopes to have one day.

Unlike some of the other bodybuilders on this list, Zane is the lightest bodybuilder of them all. He performed on stage in the category up to 85 kg. Frank epitomized an era based on broad-shouldered aesthetic with an unusual V-shaped tapered waist.

Better known in the bodybuilding world as "The Gift". He is a six-time Mr. Olympia winner from 2011 to 2016. Thanks to hard training, Phil is unlikely to stop winning in the near future, his career is still going uphill, and he is unlikely to stop.

The combination of natural genetics and a clear mind allows Phil to set the bar high for everyone who appears on the same stage with him. Although his portrayal in the Iron Generation film is somewhat controversial, Phil is very passionate about maintaining strong relationships with his fans and is constantly trying to expand his business.

What makes Doriana Yates one of the best bodybuilders of all time? This is not only his Mr. Olympia titles from 1992 to 1997, but also his unique teaching style. While many professional bodybuilders train six days a week, Dorian was known for his development of "High-intensity interval training" (HIIT - High-intensity interval training), which achieved maximum muscle stimulation with shorter, intense workouts four days a week.

In addition, he was notorious for entering the stage with a torn triceps and an injury that he had suffered three years earlier, he had a torn thigh muscle. He was able to recover, as well as win the competition and take 1st place.

Winner of 8 Mr. Olympia titles from 1984 to 1991. Haney ended his bodybuilding career extremely early at 31.

But to this day, he works in the field of sports training for fitness athletes in the NBA, MLB and professional boxing. At the age of 55, Lee Haley is still in good shape, which young bodybuilders can only envy.

Ronnie Coleman was not only one of the most massive bodybuilders of all time, weighing 138 kg, but also one of the strongest. With a deadlift of 365 kg and a bench press of 250 kg, it's scary to imagine what else Ronnie is capable of, because he himself claims that he did not train as hard as he could.

Having a record number of victories (8 times in a row) in the Mr. Olympia competition from 1998 to 2005. and while remaining the best bodybuilder in the world, Ronnie managed to work full-time as a police officer. It is difficult to find the same massive, strong and sharp athlete as Ronnie Coleman.

It's hard not to put Arnold Schwarzenegger at the top of this list. With 7 Mr. Olympia titles (1970-1975, 1980) and success in any career related to bodybuilding, films and politics, he conquered very many. Arnie is the bar by which every bodybuilder measures himself.

With his incredible charisma and never-ending mind, Arnold Schwarzenegger has successfully changed bodybuilding for generations, overcoming all odds and obstacles. A little-known fact about Arnold: He competed in several powerlifting competitions throughout his career.

Want to know how the best biceps in bodybuilding history were created? You don't have to search anymore! In this article, you will see not only 35 samples of amazing biceps, but also tips for training them.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

“When I was 15, I undressed and looked at myself in the mirror. As I considered myself, I realized that in order to have perfect proportions, I would need 20 inch long arms to fit my entire body." - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Joel Stubbs

"If I had to choose one biceps exercise that a bodybuilder can’t do without, I would say that this is a barbell curl for standing biceps. The most important thing is to increase the weight while maintaining the correct form and technique, and curling the barbell for biceps is the best way to do this. This exercise helps you move more weight, so try to hone your technique. Of course, if you have a problem with your wrist, then lifting the EZ bar is a worthy alternative.- Joel Stubbs

Albert Bekles

"I like to emphasize the peak contraction phase of the flexion. I resist supination until I am close to the point of flexion, and turn my wrists outward as much as possible when I reach peak flexion. This creates a strong contraction and I hold it for a couple of seconds.- Albert Beckles

Robbie Robinson

"I do a concentration barbell curl using a narrow grip and leaning over so that my torso is parallel to the floor. I slowly do the upward curl with the barbell, feeling the resistance with every millimeter of movement. At the peak of the movement, I hold the weight for a few seconds by flexing and squeezing my biceps. It is hard and painful work, but it helps to achieve density.- Robbie Robinson

Larry Scott

"I did 4 different exercises for biceps, 5-6 sets each, with 8-10 reps. Total 24 sets for biceps. If I trained biceps, triceps, and deltoids on the same day, I would do 4 exercises for each muscle and 5 sets of each exercise, for a total of 60 sets. This workout takes 2 hours. I don't rest too long between exercises or sets, and I try to move as much as possible.- Larry Scott

Mike Matarazzo

"Old school bodybuilders have always been my idols. They didn't need cool equipment. They trained purposefully and intensively, despite the equipment of the gym and other restrictions. They could bench press with buckets filled with concrete, and it was still a great workout.- Mike Matarazzo

Phil Heath

"Personally, I like isolated curls of one arm with dumbbells. You don't have to do 100-pound lifts to feel the burning sensation. Hell, I can get results with 35-40 pound dumbbells. In addition, it is a great option for those who travel. After all, this is the type of equipment that is available in almost all hotels.- Phil Heath

Freddy Ortiz

"I don't count reps. I just work until my body gets tired.- Freddie Ortiz

Lee Priest

"Once during a workout, a guy came up to me and said that curls should be done differently. I looked at his arms, they were about 15 inches. It's the same as if I walked up to Tom Platz and started teaching him how to squat!- Lee Priest

Paul DeMayo

Barbell curl for biceps
Alternate lifting of dumbbells for biceps while sitting
Curls on a bicep isolation machine

Leroy Colbert

"I, Leroy Colbert, was the first person to create arms with 21 inches of muscle without the use of drugs, and I am proud of this.- Leroy Colbert

Jay Cutler

“I am all for volume training.- Jay Cutler

Kevin Levrone

"For isolated curls, this exercise is performed with an EZ bar, you can use a narrow or wide grip. If you don't have an EZ bar, you can use a short straight bar.- Kevin Levrone

Dexter Jackson

"I find that posing improves the shape and firmness of my hands. Before the competition, daily posing improves my hands every day. Try to flex your arms after each set to get more blood flowing to your muscles.- Dexter Jackson.

Manfred Herbel

"You can't plan how big you'll get because you never know what your genetics will turn out to be. So when I started, I had no idea how far I would get in the sport. And the fact that I have big hands is actually a disadvantage in our sport. So I never planned that my hands would be so huge, but nevertheless, over time, I realized that having the biggest hands in the world is a great marketing tool.- Manfred Herbel

Sergio Oliva

"In the magazine, you could see that this guy's hands are 21 inches, this one's 22, and this one's 19 and a half. When they all went to Florida, the only one who came close to my result was Arnold, and his hands were only 19. My hands were so large that they were larger than my head. I was definitely the first.- Sergio Oliva

Vince Taylor

"Most will say that I practice multiple repetitions. It is not true. I need a weight that will allow me to feel the work of the muscles. And no matter how trite it may sound, I need to feel that the muscles are working.- Vince Taylor

Cal Shkalak

"The mind-muscle connection is the key to great hands. More than on any other part of the body, you can easily watch your muscles move with each rep, and with a regular hinge joint, you can focus on getting maximum stretch and concentration. Make your reps harder, not easier.- Cal Shkalak

Flex Wheeler

"The biceps is a relatively small muscle, and if you train hard, it doesn't take much effort to bring it to exhaustion. I do no more than 10 sets, once a week, but if I take each set to the point of muscle failure, that's enough for my muscles to grow constantly, without overtraining.- Flex Wheeler

Bill Pearl

"If I wanted to get my arms as big as possible, I would do about 20 sets of 4 exercises and 5 sets of each for triceps and 20 sets for biceps in each workout 3 times a week. This would give you about 60 sets for triceps and 60 sets for biceps per week. I would do 6-8 reps and do all the basic movements where I can hold the maximum weight. I would consume nutritious food containing calories and corny - eat!- Bill Pearl

Bertil Fox

"Anyone who rejects brachialis development automatically limits the height and ultimate volume of their biceps, because a well-developed brachialis pushes the biceps up, away from the humerus, and gives the biceps apparent height and volume.- Bertil Fox

Mike Christian

"Remember, 4 sets, 8-10 reps, hard and hard.- Mike Christian

Boyer Co.

"I remember reading an issue of Joe Wader's "Muscle Builder" magazine and I came across an article by Steve Reeves on bicep training. He wrote about incline dumbbell curls. This was good advice to me, so the first biceps exercise I did was the incline dumbbell curl. In fact, it was the only bicep exercise I did in five years. All I did was 8-10 sets on an incline bench, and then switched to triceps training.- Boyer Co.

Brian Buchanan

"Let's be honest and name two qualities that a bodybuilder needs to have a chance to reach the top. First of all, he must have outstanding, genetically determined, physical characteristics - the ability to respond to training and build muscle mass. Secondly, he must have mental endurance, the will to harness and develop this physical potential.- Brian Buchanan

Dorian Yates

"In addition, it seems to me that the less separation is observed, the larger the volume. If you go to the gym and shake your arms, they become larger due to the pressure of the blood. But the separation is not so clear.- Dorian Yates

Ronnie Coleman

"Well, it was a long and hard journey, but I enjoyed every moment. I liked the complexity. The path to the title of Mr. Olympia is in the head. Everyone emphasizes the physical component, but, in fact, only those who are spiritually strong can succeed.- Ronnie Coleman

Paul Dillett

"I like to use a cable instead of a handle to train my triceps. The rope handle triceps press is more of a stand-alone exercise than a mass-building exercise because underneath you can rotate your arms independently of your body. You may not get volume with this exercise, but it does help with shaping and separation.- Paul Dillett

Lou Ferrigno

"Definitely, I don't agree with bodybuilders who claim that you can get big forearms just by squeezing dumbbells while doing curls. It may work in some cases, but for these guys, eating eggs in the morning would be enough to get big forearms. Most bodybuilders, and I am no exception, need to work hard to achieve noticeable development.- Lou Ferrigno

Frank McGrath

"First of all, you yourself are the only person to whom you have to prove something. Secondly, you can watch how life goes by, being behind the glass, or you can open the doors and enter.- Frank McGrath

Serge Nubret

"Genetics helps to a certain extent, but the most important thing is the mind and spirit. These two aspects are far more important than the physical characteristics you inherit.- Serge Nubret

Reg Park

"As your bodybuilding goals get higher, it's obvious that you need to work harder until, believe it or not, you start doing 20-30 sets of biceps and triceps 3 times a week.- Reg Park

Sean Ray

"Use a different exercise for every workout. Confuse the muscles and stimulate them to new growth.- Shawn Ray

Dave Draper

"And the biceps and triceps and hips had to sweat this Saturday. Everyone participated in the show.- Dave Draper

Markus Rule

"After reading bodybuilding magazines, I realized the shortcomings of my initial workouts. And then I decided to develop my own program. Everything is amplified: weights and sets are increased, and I took on a 6-day program, with training a single part of the body every day, with Sunday being a day off. This time, my goal in every workout was to get a big pump with a lot of weight.- Markus Ruhl

Nasser El Sonbaty

"I don't have a favorite body part and I don't have a favorite exercise. Anyone who is honest will admit that they prefer machines to free weights because machines are more comfortable and less painful, require less concentration, and are generally less dangerous. BUT, if you want to get a real result, you must train exhaustingly and diligently, and choose your most HATED exercise that gives a truly better result. So, do your least favorite exercise, free weights... and feel the muscle pain!- Nasser El Sonbaty

Marko Savolainen

"What I would like to bring to modern bodybuilding from the bodybuilding of the 90s is the muscle hardness characteristic of the athletes of that time. The best example is Dorian Yates. Now the guys are bigger, but they look softer, especially in the shoulders and arms. But I think there are reasons for this.- Marko Savolainen.