Bodybuilding is a beautiful and difficult sport that owes its popularity to real Hercules. Today, the biggest bodybuilders in the world are under the gun, whose stunning achievements and sculpted stone muscles are attracting more and more new fans in favor of sports and gyms. Here are the top 10 most majestic bodybuilders in world history.
There are many opinions that rank bodybuilders based on their physical characteristics and contribution to the development of this sport. Here is one of the seat allocation options.
10th position - “Gifting” Phil Heath
Phil Heath has been taking first positions in the Mr. Olympia and Sheru Classic competitions since 2011 and until now. His biometrics:
- height - 1 m 75 cm;
- weight - 114 kg, and in the off-season - 125 kilos;
- neck circumference - 47 cm;
- waist circumference - 73 cm;
- hip volume - 82 cm;
- size of biceps - 56 cm, shins - 51 cm.
Phil Heath was born in 1979 in Seattle, and the athlete began his dizzying career as a basketball player. Phil was always lacking in height, and subsequently he retrained as a powerlifter. In 2003, the strongman won his debut bodybuilding tournament in Northern Colorado, and since then, Phil Heath has held the lead in bodybuilding Olympus as a “natural bodybuilder.” Read more about it.
9th position - Lee Haney or “The Forgotten Star”
Lee Haney was born in California in 1959. Professional bodybuilders respect Lee for the fact that for the first time in the history of this sport, he held the coveted Mr. Olympia award for 8 years. Previously, the record for holding the title was held by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who stood on the podium 7 times. Indicators:
- height - 180 cm;
- weight during competitions - 112 kg, and between seasons - 118 kilos;
- biceps - 51 cm;
- waist - 79 cm.
The 80s in bodybuilding were rightfully considered the era of Haney. There was not a single athlete who could compete with Lee. Interestingly, but the distinguishing feature is the fact that Haney was never injured. When asked how he managed this, the man replied that he never pushes himself to the limit of his physical abilities. Today, the bodybuilding veteran has already completed his career, but he has not lost his passion for weightlifting and has become a coach. The coach pays special attention to difficult teenagers, training them at a special base.
8th position - Ronnie Coleman "America's Strongest Cop"
Ronnie Coleman (about whose fate you can learn more here) is an American, originally from Louisiana. The strongman was born in 1964, was fond of American football, simultaneously graduated from the University with a degree in accounting and finance, and then fulfilled his old dream by studying at the Police Academy. The athlete devoted the lion's share of his biography to maintaining order on the streets of Arlington. The villains were apparently shocked by the cop's anthropometry:
- height - 1 m 80 cm;
- weight - 138 and between seasons 149 kg;
- biceps size - 61 cm;
- sternum volume - 1 m 48 cm;
- waist circumference - 78 cm;
- hip - 87 cm.
The passion for bodybuilding came only as a desire to set an example to everyone of exactly what an American “policeman” should look like. And I got to the first competition in my life thanks to the light hand of the gym director. Already in 1988, Ronnie won the Olympia, and was so carried away that he lasted another 8 years on the first step, duplicating the record. An interesting fact is that the champion treats bodybuilding as a hobby, believing that only official work can feed him.
7th place - “Italian” Franco Colombo
- doctor, writer, actor and boxer, who was born in 1941 on the island. Sardinia. Franco came to the bright world of bodybuilding from boxing thanks to a chance meeting with Arnold Schwarzenegger, to whom, of course, he was slightly inferior in terms of anthropometry:
- height - 1 m 66 cm;
- competition weight - 84 kg;
- biceps - 47 cm;
- chest - 1 m 34 cm;
- boot - 44 cm.
Despite his modest size, the athlete won “lightweight” competitions more than once, and twice became the absolute “Mr. Olympia". This is not surprising, because he could sit down with a weight of 297 kg, bench press 238 kg, and even handle 341 kg with a deadlift. The champion was respected when, after a long break caused by injury, he was able to return and take Mr. Olympia again in 1981.
6th place - “Dark Horse” Dorian Yates
Dorian Yates was born in 1962 in Birmingham, was a skinhead, was registered with the police, and spent six months in a correctional institution. Having decided to change radically, he achieved the following indicators:
- height - 1 m 78 cm;
- body weight - 121/131 kg;
- biceps - 54 cm;
- Yats's chest is 148 cm;
- in the belt - 86 cm;
- hip - 81 cm;
- shin - 56 cm.
Already at less than 24 years old, the strongman became the best in competitions in Britain, and bought himself a personal gym. In his debut year, he became second at Olympia, losing only to Haney, and the next time he simply “threw” his competitor off the podium. In 1997, he injured his biceps brachii muscle, but despite this, he became the best again. It is described in detail.
5th place - “Mr. Optimism” Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler was born in 1973 in Massachusetts. I got used to work, studied, and worked with a trainer. Options:
- height - 1 m 76 cm;
- weight - 121/141 kg;
- neck size - 50 cm;
- the size of the cans is 57 cm;
- waist - 86 cm;
- Cutler's hip - 79 cm;
- shin size - 51 cm.
Having started his career in 1998, it was only in 2006 that he won Olympia. Today the athlete has 4 figurines in stock. you can get to know the athlete better.
4th place - “Hercules from Montana” Steve Reeves
- height - 1 m 85 cm;
- weight - 95;
- chest part - 132 cm;
- Reeves waist - 73;
- hips - 66 cm.
Judging by the parameters, it is clear that Stevie is far from the biggest bodybuilder in history, and he clearly does not live up to the monsters of bodybuilding. However, he visited the war, which strengthened the athlete’s character. In 1946, Steve was already performing as a bodybuilder. At the age of 20, Reeves topped the list of the youngest bodybuilders in history. In 1948 he took the title of World Champion, and in 1950 he became Mr. Universe. But now they remember not his performances at competitions, but historical videos and films in which Stephen starred as an actor, including playing Hercules.
3rd place - “Myth” by Sergio Oliva
Sergio (Sergio) was born on American Independence Day on Liberty Island in 1941, and at the age of 20 he immigrated to the United States. Options:
- height - 1 m 78 cm;
- weight - 102 kg;
- the size of the cans is 54 cm;
- chest - 1 m 40 cm;
- waist length - about 75 cm;
- hip - 73 cm;
- shin - 47 cm.
Legendary person. This is the main opponent of the iron Arnie, who managed to conquer Olympia three times. Read more about Sergio.
2nd place - “Arnie” Arnold Schwarzenegger
Now even the biggest bodybuilders in the world pay tribute to Arnold. It had the most outstanding parameters in history:
- height - 187;
- weight - 107/118 kg;
- biceps - 56 cm;
- sternum - 145 cm;
- waist - 86 cm;
- hips - 72 cm;
- calf circumference - 51 cm.
Arnie once said: “My favorites are Reg Park and Steve Reeves.” This once again suggests that large and muscular bodybuilders who appeared in cinema had a great influence on the consciousness of young people throughout the 20th century. Schwarzenegger's advantages are so great that they deserve special attention. Born in the small village of Tal, he managed to achieve dizzying results in bodybuilding: at the age of 20 he became the youngest “Mr. Universe”, after which he received the same title 4 more times, “Olympia” submitted to Arnie 7 times, in addition, he won the title “ Mister World." The surname “Schwarzenegger” has long become a household name, as the bodybuilder achieved world recognition and fame on all continents of the planet. Since 1980, he has been passing on his knowledge of sports through books and magazines.
1st place - Founder of bodybuilding Evgeniy Sandov
From birth his name was Friedrich Müller, but for his career he took his mother’s surname. The athlete was born in 1867. There were no competitions at that time, but the whole neighborhood came running to see the famous strongman.
- Height - 1 m 70 cm;
- body weight - 88 kg;
- jars - 43 cm;
- hip - 63 cm;
- each shin is 40 cm.
The athlete earned money by wrestling with lions in the circus, actively advocated a healthy lifestyle, and in 1911 he was awarded the title of “professor” of physical education. It was he who is considered the founder of bodybuilding, and it was from his photo that the Mr. Olympia figurine was cast from his figure. This is, without a doubt, the most natural bodybuilder of all those listed, since during the life of Friedrich Müller the world did not yet know about any anabolic steroids.
Interesting! Today, the largest female bodybuilder is the Russian bodybuilder Natalya Kuznetsova, whose parameters any weightlifter will envy:
- height - 170 cm;
- weight - 93 kg;
- biceps - 48 cm;
- waist - 76 cm;
- hips - 72 cm.
We have already talked about Natasha’s other achievements.
Each of the listed bodybuilders has already found their niche in the sport and entered the history of bodybuilding for centuries. Who do you think deserves a place on the list of the best? Share your opinion in the comments.
Video: Top 10 best bodybuilders in the world
Giuliano Stroe (born July 18, 2004) is a Romanian athlete and bodybuilder. Giuliano Stroe began lifting weights at the age of 2. His family now resides in Florence, Italy. A young strongman has earned a place in the pages of the Guinness Book of Records after performing one incredible coordination exercise.
Giuliano says fame hasn't gone to his head. And he adds that he still does activities typical of a small child, such as watching cartoons and drawing.
The world's smallest athlete often performs on shows in Italy and his native Romania, where he shows off his amazing skills, as well as his muscular figure as a true strongman. Giuliano has repeatedly become a Guinness Book of Records record holder - the last time he did 20 push-ups on one hand, while keeping his legs in the air.
His father, gymnast Julian, instilled in the boy a love of sports from birth. At 2 years old, the boy was already lifting weights. The father says that he does not torture the child with training, claims that his son’s training regimen is not difficult “He is just a child and when he gets tired, we go and play”
Giuliano set the record for the fastest hand walk of 10 meters with a heavy ball between his legs. He performed the stunt in front of a live audience on an Italian TV show and became an internet sensation as hundreds of thousands of people watched footage of him doing it on YouTube.
VIDEO:
Let's start with the newest hero - David Lawrence (nickname "Sid"). He began his sports career back in 1988 as a cricket player. But in 1992 he suffered a terrible knee injury, after which Sid had to quit the sport altogether.
Look how it happened:
After 22 years, David realized that this could not continue. Therefore, he decided to return to big sport. And now the most interesting thing: the star appeared not on the cricket field, but at a British bodybuilding competition. Moreover, 50-year-old Lawrence even managed to win (in the “over 40” category). Bravo, Sid, bravo:
Taking this opportunity, we’ll tell you more about the strongmen whose bodies all of humanity relies on.
10th place - Phil Heath, nickname "Gift"
We start with the champion, who from 2011 to this day has taken first place in the Mr. Olympia and Sheru Classic competitions. With a height of 175 cm, Phil weighs 114 kg (in the off-season - up to 125 kg), and boasts the following:
- neck volume - 47 cm;
- waist size - 73 cm;
- biceps volume - 56 cm;
- thigh volume - 82 cm;
- calf volume - 51 cm.
Phil (born in 1979 in Seattle) began his sports career as a basketball player - his success in this sport allowed him to receive a scholarship and graduate from the University of Denver. But his short stature put an end to Phil’s professional career. The guy was not at a loss and decided to go into bodybuilding.
In 2003, he won his first tournament in Northern Colorado, where he met Jay Carter, a bodybuilder who provided invaluable assistance to Phil in his further development. At the moment, Phil Heath maintains his leadership on the Olympus of bodybuilding. He is also young (34 years old). Therefore, you can expect everything from him (hopefully only good).
Source: rewalls.com
9th place - Lee Haney
Born in 1959 in California. The world of bodybuilding knows him for the fact that for the first time in the history of bodybuilding, he held the most prestigious title - Mr. Olympia - for 8 years in a row.
*by the way: before this, the record belonged to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who climbed the winner’s step 7 times
- Height - 180 cm;
- competition weight - 112 kg;
- off-season weight - 118 kg;
- biceps volume - 52 cm.
You can be sure: the 80s in bodybuilding was the era of Haney. No other bodybuilder in those days could compete with him. Interesting fact: Lee has never been injured throughout his entire sports career. What's the secret? He admitted:
“I never push myself to the limit.”
Today Lee is already 54. Naturally, he has finished his career. But the passion for weightlifting has not faded. That's why Haney is involved in coaching. Having a diploma in child psychology, he pays a lot of attention to difficult teenagers at his own specially built camp site, hosts a sports and educational program on the radio, believes in God and adores his wife, whom he became friends with as a 6-year-old boy.
Source: ohmymag.com
8th place - Ronnie Coleman, America's most powerful police officer
Ronnie is a Native American from Louisiana. Born in 1964, played American football, graduated first from the University with a degree in finance and accounting, and then from the real Police Academy. Coleman devoted most of his life to maintaining order on the streets of Arlington, where he shocked local villains with his:
- height - 180 cm;
- weight - 138/149 kg;
- biceps volume - 61 cm;
- chest volume - 148 cm;
- waist volume - 87 cm;
- thigh volume - 87 cm.
The bodybuilder got into bodybuilding in order to set an example for everyone. Like, this is what a real cop should look like. And I got to my first competition thanks to requests from the owner of the gym.
In 1988, Haney won the Mr. Olympia competition. He was so captivated by the fun that the bodybuilder remained on the “golden” step for another 8 years (yes, he managed to repeat Lee Haney’s record). The funny thing is that Ronnie always treated bodybuilding as a hobby. Speaks:
“Sport is good, my police service doesn’t feed me.”
Source: infocium.com
7th place - Franco Colombo, actor, boxer, doctor and writer
Italian Franco (born in 1941 in Sardinia) got into the world of bodybuilding due to boxing and a chance acquaintance with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Compared to the background of a Hollywood star, Franco, of course, looked more modest:
- height - 166 cm;
- competition weight - 84 kg;
- biceps volume - 47 cm;
- chest volume - 134 cm;
- shin volume - 44 cm.
Although he is not so big, he won several times in special “lightweight” categories, and was recognized as the absolute “Mr. Olympia” twice (in 1976 and 1981). Of course: not everyone can squat with a weight of 297 kg, lift 238 kg in the bench press, and lift 341 kg in the deadlift.
Colombo earned special respect from his colleagues because, after a severe knee injury and a long break from competitive activity, he was able not only to return to bodybuilding, but also to become Mr. Olympia again (in 1981). All thanks to his knowledge of medicine and his own program, which Franco developed for himself.
Source: jaja.club
6th place - Doriyan Yates, bodybuilder with a “dark past”
Born in Birmingham in 1962. In his youth he was a skinhead, often got into street fights, was registered with the police, and even spent six months in a correctional facility. Sitting there, Yates realized:
“We need to change something in this life.”
And went to the gym.
- Height - 178 cm;
- competition weight - 121 kg;
- weight in the off-season - 131 kg;
- biceps volume - 54 cm;
- chest volume - 148 cm;
- waist size - 86 cm;
- thigh volume - 81 cm;
- shin volume - 56 cm.
At the age of 24 he became the best at the British Championships and acquired his own gym. During his first participation in Mr. Olympia, Dorian became second (lost to Lee Haney, although the next year he pushed the leader off the pedestal).
In 1997, three weeks before the next Mr. Olympia, Dorian tore his biceps brachii muscle. With frantic pain, he wins the competition for the sixth time, after which he goes to the bench of bodybuilders, for whom big sport is closed forever.
Source: muskelaufbau1.de
5th place - Jay Cutler, Mr. "Optimism"
Born in Massachusetts in 1973, in the family of a construction businessman. So from early childhood he was accustomed to physical labor. I went in for sports, studied, worked. And then I decided to go to the gym. What came out of this:
- height - 176 cm;
- competition weight - 121 cm;
- weight in the off-season - 141 cm;
- neck volume - 50 cm;
- biceps volume - 57 cm;
- waist size - 86 cm;
- thigh volume - 79 cm;
- calf volume - 51 cm.
The start in his sports career was sluggish - 11th place at the Night of Champions in 1998. A year later - 4th place at the Arnold Classic, and only 14th place at Mr. Olympia. And then Jay got tired of losing. He took on a 320kg squat and a 250kg bench press. Deadlift is also not a miss: 305 kg.
The result - in 2006, Cutler finally achieved his goal and became the first at Mr. Olympia. Today he has 4 victories in the same competition. In addition, Jay has 11 more gold medals in his treasury.
Source: viagialla.ch
4th place - Steve Reeves, Hercules from Montana
- Height - 185 cm;
- competition weight - 95 kg;
- chest volume - 132 cm;
- waist size - 73 cm;
- thigh volume - 66 cm.