Best Bodybuilders of All Time
The road to becoming a professional bodybuilder is not an easy path. It takes tremendous effort and a lot of determination to become one. While learning about this sport (bodybuilding is referred to as a sport), I realized that bodybuilding is good for your body, and the discipline you have to adhere to, is good for your mind. Confidence levels are elevated and the bodybuilder is definitely admired for his good physique, not only by the opposite sex, but also by his fellow men. Larry Scott, the first ever bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia title, which is a prestigious title in itself; even at this age (almost 70 years old) is able to exhibit a nice peak with his biceps! This article is a tribute to all those men with a fantastic physique and an equally good face. Presenting, the best bodybuilders of all time.
1 Steve Reeves
Nickname: HerculesDate of Birth: January 19, 1926Birthplace: Glasgow, USAHeight: 6'1''Competition Weight: 215 lbsOffseason Weight: 225 lbsArms Size: 18.5 inchesWaist Size: 29 inchesThighs Size: 27 inchesCalves Size: 18.5 inchesChest Size: 52 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 1946 Mr. Pacific Coast 1946 Mr. Western America 1947 Mr. Pacific Coast 1947 Mr. America 1948 NABBA* Mr. Universe 1948 Mr. World 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe
2 Larry Scott
Nickname: The LegendDate of Birth: October 12, 1938Birthplace: Blackfoot, Idaho, USA Height: 5'7''Competition Weight: 205 lbsOffseason Weight: 215 lbsArms Size: 20 inchesWaist Size: 29 inchesThighs Size: xx*Calves Size: xxChest Size: 52 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 1960 AAU* Mr. California 1961 AAU Mr. Pacific Coast 2 times IFBB* Mr. Universe (1963-64) 2 times IFBB Mr. Olympia (1965-66) 1979 Grand Prix Vancouver
3 Frank Zane
Nickname: The ChemistDate of Birth: June 28, 1942Birthplace: Kingston, USAHeight: 5'9''Competition Weight: 185 lbsOffseason Weight: 200 lbsArms Size: 18 inchesWaist Size: 29 inchesThighs Size: 26 inchesCalves Size: 16.5 inchesChest Size: 51 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 1965 IFBB Mr. Universe 1968 IFBB Mr. America 1968 IFBB Mr. Universe 1970 NABBA Mr. Universe 1972 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe 3 times IFBB Mr. Olympia (1977-79)
4 Sergio Oliva
Nickname: The MythDate of Birth: July 14, 1941Birthplace: Guanabacoa, Cuba Height: 5'10''Competition Weight: 240 lbsOffseason Weight: 225 lbsArms Size: 23 inchesWaist Size: 28 inchesThighs Size: 31 inchesCalves Size: 22 inchesChest Size: 59 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 1966 IFBB Mr. World 2 times IFBB Mr. Universe (1966-67) 3 times IFBB Mr. Olympia (1967-69) 3 times WBBG* Olympus (1975-76, '78) 2 times WABBA* World Championships
(1977, '80)
5 Arnold Schwarzenegger
Nickname: The Austrian Oak Date of Birth: July 30, 1947Birthplace: Thal, AustriaHeight: 6'2''Competition Weight: 235 lbsOffseason Weight: 260 lbsArms Size: 22 inchesWaist Size: 33 inchesThighs Size: 28.5 inchesCalves Size: 20 inchesChest Size: 57 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 1966 Best-Built Athlete 1966 International Powerlifting Championship 1968 German Powerlifting Championship 1970 AAU Pro Mr. World 3 times NABBA Mr. Universe (1968-70) 7 times IFBB Mr. Olympia (1970-75,'80)
6 Franco Columbu
Nickname: Sardinian StrongmanDate of Birth: August 7, 1941Birthplace: Sardinia, ItalyHeight: 5'5''Competition Weight: 185 lbsOffseason Weight: 185 lbsArms Size: 19 inchesWaist Size: 30 inchesThighs Size: 26 inchesCalves Size: 17.5 inchesChest Size: 52 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 2 times IFBB Universe (1969-70) 2 times IFBB Mr. World (1970-71) 4 times IFBB Mr. Olympia (1974-76, '81) 2 times IFBB European Men's Championships (1969-70)
7 Lou Ferrigno
Nickname: HulkDate of Birth: November 9, 1951Birthplace: New York, USAHeight: 6'5''Competition Weight: 285 lbsOffseason Weight: 275 lbsArms Size: 22.5 inchesWaist Size: 34 inchesThighs Size: 29 inchesCalves Size: 20 inchesChest Size: 59 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 1971 Pro Mr. America 1973 IFBB Mr. America 1974 IFBB Mr. International 2 times IFBB Universe (1973-74)
8 Dorian Yates
Nickname: The ShadowDate of Birth: April 19, 1962Birthplace: West Midlands, UKHeight: 5'10''Competition Weight: 268 lbsOffseason Weight: 308 lbsArms Size: 22 inchesWaist Size: 34 inchesThighs Size: 32 inchesCalves Size: 20 inchesChest Size: 60 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 2 times British Championships (1986-88) 1991 Night of Champions 8 times Grand Prix 6 times IFBB Mr. Olympia (1992-97)
9 Jay Cutler
Nickname: CutsDate of Birth: August 3, 1973Birthplace: Sterling, USAHeight: 5'9''Competition Weight: 274 lbsOffseason Weight: 310 lbsArms Size: 22.5 inchesWaist Size: 34 inchesThighs Size: 31 inchesCalves Size: 20 inchesChest Size: 58 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 1993 NPC Iron Bodies Invitational 1993 NPC Teen Nationals 1995 NPC U.S. Tournament of Champions 2000 IFBB Night of Champions 2002 Arnold Classic
10 Ronnie Coleman
Nickname: RonnieDate of Birth: May 13, 1964Birthplace: Monroe, USAHeight: 5'11''Competition Weight: 296 lbsOffseason Weight: 330 lbsArms Size: 24 inchesWaist Size: 36 inchesThighs Size: 36 inchesCalves Size: 22 inchesChest Size: 58 inches
Awards and Titles Won: 2000 World Pro Championships 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic 2 times Canada Pro Cup (1995-96) 7 times IFBB Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) 10 times Grand Prix
*xx: Measurements Not Known
*IFBB: International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness
*NABBA: National Amateur Bodybuilders Association
*AAU: Amateur Athletic Union
*WBBG: World Bodybuilding Guild
*WABBA: World Amateur Body Building Association
So there you have it; the list of the best bodybuilders of all time. No matter how impressive, statistics don't show the toil and effort undertaken by these sportsmen to reach the steep grueling road to bodybuilding fame. Hats off to their perseverance and never-say-die attitude!
