Find in this article the world’s greatest bodybuilders of all time along with their profile. The hard work, determination, and patience put in by these bodybuilders to reach the pinnacle of success is commendable.
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: Hercules
Date of Birth: January 19, 1926
Birthplace: Glasgow, USA
Height: 6’1”
Competition Weight: 215 lbs
Offseason Weight: 225 lbs
Arms Size: 18.5 inches
Waist Size: 29 inches
Thighs Size: 27 inches
Calves Size: 18.5 inches
Chest 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 Legend
Date of Birth: October 12, 1938
Birthplace: Blackfoot, Idaho, USA
Height: 5’7”
Competition Weight: 205 lbs
Offseason Weight: 215 lbs
Arms Size: 20 inches
Waist Size: 29 inches
Thighs Size: xx*
Calves Size: xx
Chest 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 Chemist
Date of Birth: June 28, 1942
Birthplace: Kingston, USA
Height: 5’9”
Competition Weight: 185 lbs
Offseason Weight: 200 lbs
Arms Size: 18 inches
Waist Size: 29 inches
Thighs Size: 26 inches
Calves Size: 16.5 inches
Chest 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 Myth
Date of Birth: July 14, 1941
Birthplace: Guanabacoa, Cuba
Height: 5’10”
Competition Weight: 240 lbs
Offseason Weight: 225 lbs
Arms Size: 23 inches
Waist Size: 28 inches
Thighs Size: 31 inches
Calves Size: 22 inches
Chest 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, 1947
Birthplace: Thal, Austria
Height: 6’2”
Competition Weight: 235 lbs
Offseason Weight: 260 lbs
Arms Size: 22 inches
Waist Size: 33 inches
Thighs Size: 28.5 inches
Calves Size: 20 inches
Chest 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 Strongman
Date of Birth: August 7, 1941
Birthplace: Sardinia, Italy
Height: 5’5”
Competition Weight: 185 lbs
Offseason Weight: 185 lbs
Arms Size: 19 inches
Waist Size: 30 inches
Thighs Size: 26 inches
Calves Size: 17.5 inches
Chest 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: Hulk
Date of Birth: November 9, 1951
Birthplace: New York, USA
Height: 6’5”
Competition Weight: 285 lbs
Offseason Weight: 275 lbs
Arms Size: 22.5 inches
Waist Size: 34 inches
Thighs Size: 29 inches
Calves Size: 20 inches
Chest 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 Shadow
Date of Birth: April 19, 1962
Birthplace: West Midlands, UK
Height: 5’10”
Competition Weight: 268 lbs
Offseason Weight: 308 lbs
Arms Size: 22 inches
Waist Size: 34 inches
Thighs Size: 32 inches
Calves Size: 20 inches
Chest 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: Cuts
Date of Birth: August 3, 1973
Birthplace: Sterling, USA
Height: 5’9”
Competition Weight: 274 lbs
Offseason Weight: 310 lbs
Arms Size: 22.5 inches
Waist Size: 34 inches
Thighs Size: 31 inches
Calves Size: 20 inches
Chest 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: Ronnie
Date of Birth: May 13, 1964
Birthplace: Monroe, USA
Height: 5’11”
Competition Weight: 296 lbs
Offseason Weight: 330 lbs
Arms Size: 24 inches
Waist Size: 36 inches
Thighs Size: 36 inches
Calves Size: 22 inches
Chest 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!
