It’s hard to objectively choose the best bodybuilder in the world and unconditionally give him the palm, because each of them trained hard. They gained fame thanks to victories in international competitions and recording of achievements in the Guinness Book of Records. If society supports men when they choose a career in bodybuilding, then it is more difficult for women. They are often criticized, citing the fact that girls are delicate creatures and their figures must comply with other canons and standards. But the ladies don't give up. They manage to pump up their body and become stronger without losing their grace and attractiveness.
Flex Wheeler
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 deserves to be included in 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 aesthetics. More commonly known as the "Sultan of Symmetry". Contrary to popular belief, the nickname "Flex" comes from his remarkable flexibility, and not from the fact that his muscles are good at flexing.
Worldwide success
While attending football training less and less, Tristin Lee became seriously interested in bodybuilding. The athlete changed his appearance, and in parallel with his workouts in the gym, he successfully maintained an Instagram profile and a YouTube channel. More than 1.6 million followers on Instagram, almost a million subscribers on YouTube - this is the result of Tristin Lee’s progress on the Internet at the end of November 2020. The young athlete positions himself as a staunch opponent of “chemistry”. Success in the athletic media field allowed the young man and his family to move to the United States - now Tristin Lee is an American.
In 2020, the “mini-monster” (as Tristin was dubbed in the media) is training under the guidance of two-time NPC champion Bradley Martin, known as a supporter of “hard” training. Young Lee's training sessions are mainly filmed by his brothers Brandon and Tyrone. They also go to the gym and train, although not as successfully as their brother. But Tristin has repeatedly emphasized that Brandon and Tyrone are a significant part of his success, that they have contributed greatly to his worldwide popularity.
Dexter Jackson
Jackson is considered a symbol of the times; he never ages. The former 2008 Mr. Olympia champion, most recently took second place in the same competition in 2015 at 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 competition since 1999, Jackson has graced the covers of countless bodybuilding magazines and articles. He is also a five-time Arnold Classic winner. Dexter has cemented himself as one of the best bodybuilders of a generation.
Tristin Lee and Chelsea
No, this is not a section about the personal life of an athlete! The conversation will be about a dog that appeared in Tristin's house when he was two years old. The funny fluffy ball grew into a large dog with fur the color of ripe wheat, and for fourteen years Chelsea became the boy's most faithful friend. “These were years of endless joy that you gave to me and the whole family,” Lee wrote in August 2019. A huge post was dedicated to a pet who at that time went to a dog rainbow...
Another quote: “Not only has she been my best friend since I was a baby, Chelsea was the first to push me to experience pure joy. To say that I was sad to see her leave is to say nothing... No one else can cheer me up or make me laugh like that. There are tears of grief and joy in my eyes. The first - because you left me, the second - because I am happy for you that you are now in your paradise without pain and suffering.” Judging by the lack of photos of dogs in Tristyn Lee's profiles, he no longer had a pet.
Franco Colombo
Known as a friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger, he pushed him to his maximum limits while remaining in great shape himself. Received the Mr. Olympia title in 1976 and 1981. Colombo was known for his aesthetic and symmetrical physique.
He was not only Schwarzenegger's favorite partner, but also a world champion powerlifter, a participant in the "Strongest Man on the Planet" competition and an actor. It's a little-known fact, but Franco also had a short role in the movie The Terminator, which made Arnold famous.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
Read also: Bodybuilding at home: how to pump up without bench press?
Let's start with the newest hero - David Lawrence (nickname "Sid"). He began his sports career back in 1988 as a cricketer. 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.
Read also: Where to start bodybuilding
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).
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
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.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
Source: ohmymag.com
8th place - Ronnie Coleman, America's most powerful police officer
Read also: TOP 10 main secrets for the gym
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.”
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
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 “light” 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.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
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.
Read also: The sexiest mommy in bodybuilding
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.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
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 is that 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.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
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.
Read also: TOP 10 best muscles in Hollywood
Given the anthropological data, Reeves was clearly far from the modern “monsters” of bodybuilding. But he visited the war, which probably did not influence young Stevie. Indeed, in 1946, at the age of 20, he had already achieved his first successes as a bodybuilder. And a year later he became not just Mr. America, but the youngest bodybuilder in the history of bodybuilding. In 1948 he won the title of World Champion, and in 1950 - Mr. Universe.
Although, today he is more often remembered not as a mountain of muscles, but exclusively as an actor who starred in historical films, including the role of Hercules.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
Source: musclemag.com
3rd place - Sergio Oliva, “doomed to success”
Born in Cuba on American Independence Day in 1941. As a 20-year-old boy, he earned the reputation of a promising bodybuilder. Thanks to this, he emigrated to the USA.
- Height - 178 cm;
- competition weight - 102 kg;
- biceps volume - 54 cm;
- chest volume - 140 cm;
- waist size - 75 cm;
- thigh volume - 73 cm;
- shin volume - 47 cm.
Read also: Happy birthday, Arnie: Schwartz's training secrets
Interesting fact: Sergio once reformed his training system. And he swung so much that at the first meeting with the then young Schwartz, he shocked the future Hollywood star. He has 3 victories at the Mr. Olympia competition.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
Source: evolutionofbodybuilding.net
2nd place - Arnold Schwarzenegger, does not need advertising
Well, you can write about Arnie forever. It’s not for nothing that he had the most amazing forms in the entire history of bodybuilding:
- height - 187 cm;
- competition weight - 107 kg;
- off-season weight - 118 kg;
- biceps volume - 56 cm;
- chest volume - 145 cm;
- waist size - 86 cm;
- thigh volume - 72 cm;
- calf volume - 51 cm.
Schwartz once admitted:
“My idols are Steve Reeves and Reg Park.”
This once again suggests that bodybuilders who made their mark in cinema had a huge influence on the minds of young people of the 20th century.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
Source: awesome-body.info
1st place - Evgeniy Sandov, founder of bodybuilding
Read also: The first strongmen of the world: the battle of Poltava
We decided to give leadership to the person with whom it all began. This is Friedrich Müller, half German, half Russian. For his sports career, he took his mother’s surname as a pseudonym. So he became Evgeniy Sandov. Born in 1867. Then, of course, there were no Mr. Olympias, similar competitions, and especially no competitors. Therefore, everyone came running to see his amazing forms.
- Height - 170 cm;
- weight - 88 kg;
- biceps volume - 43 cm;
- thigh volume - 63 cm;
- shin volume - 40 cm.
Sandov worked part-time in a circus. There he fought with lions, for which he was considered almost a Roman gladiator. And then he began to tell everyone about his special training system and healthy lifestyle. For this, in 1911 in England he was awarded the title of “professor” of physical culture. It was Sadov who created the sport, which today is considered one of the most masculine. By the way, the gold-plated figurine that is awarded to the best bodybuilders at Mr. Olympia is a figurine depicting Evgeniy Sandow.
The strongest: TOP 10 best bodybuilders in history
Source: thegymlifestyle.com
Arnold Schwarzenegger bodybuilding bodybuilding strongmen
Jay Cutler
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 over 100 kg category.
His massive chest and quads are impressive. Cutler is known to this day to have one of the heaviest and most aesthetically pleasing forms of modern times.
Frank Zane
When most people think of aesthetically 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. Zane has the body that every bodybuilder hopes to one day have.
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 an aesthetic with broad shoulders and an unusual V-shaped tapered waist.
Phil Heath
Better known in the bodybuilding world as “The Gift.” He is a six-time Mr. Olympia title winner from 2011 to 2016. Thanks to his hard training, Phil is unlikely to stop winning in the near future, his career is still going strong and it is unlikely that he plans to stop.
The combination of natural genetics and a clear mind allows Phil to set a high bar for everyone who shares the stage with him. Although his portrayal in Generation Iron is somewhat controversial, Phil is very passionate about maintaining a strong relationship with his fans and is constantly trying to expand his business.
Dorian Yates
What makes Doriana Yates one of the best bodybuilders of all time? It's not just his Mr. Olympia titles from 1992 to 1997, but also his unique training style. While many professional bodybuilders train six days a week, Dorian was famous for his development of "High-Intensity Interval Training" (HIIT), which achieved maximum muscle stimulation with shorter, intense workouts four days a week.
He was also known for coming on stage with a torn triceps and an injury he suffered three years prior to his thigh muscle. He was able to recover and also win the competition and take 1st place.
His life before fame
On English-language and Russian-language resources, the United States is indicated as the birthplace of Tristin Lee, but there is a suspicion that this information is incorrect. Some sources wrote that in fact Tristyn Lee was born on the “Beautiful Island” - this is how the old name of Taiwan is translated from Portuguese. When he was very young, his parents took him to football, and Tristin enjoyed training, but the problem was: due to thin bones and poorly developed muscles, it was difficult for him to withstand the loads on the field.
Agile and agile, Christine Lee was seemingly a natural striker, but he clearly lacked muscular endurance. The football coach, interested in the success of his ward, advised Tristin to go to the gym and pump up. At the age of 13, the teenager began to seriously train with iron - this was the beginning of his journey into youth bodybuilding, which was rapidly developing around the world.
Lee Haney
Winner of 8 Mr. Olympia titles from 1984 to 1991. Haney ended his bodybuilding career extremely early at 31 years old.
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 is the envy of young bodybuilders.
Hard training and bean diet
Richard Sandrak was born in Ukraine into a family of professional athletes. His father Pavel was once a world champion in martial arts, and his mother Elena devoted her entire life to aerobics. Therefore, from early childhood, the child was introduced to training and sports activities. At the age of one, the baby was already sitting down with his mother to stretch.
When the child turned two, the family moved from Ukraine to America. There Pavel had more free time, and he decided to take seriously the physical development of his son. The man started with simple training, and immediately noticed that Richard was making amazing progress. Then the father decided to add hand-to-hand combat techniques and strength training to the stretching and basic children's exercises.
Richard's father and mother were professional athletes / open sources
At three years old, the kid was already working hard in the gym, doing exercises with dumbbells and on exercise machines. Until one of the doctors remarked to the father that forceful loads could be detrimental to the child’s musculoskeletal system. Then Pavel switched to lightweight plastic dumbbells and began to pay increased attention to his son’s “relief”.
The father “dried up” his son so that there was not an ounce of fat on the child’s body / collage Kolobok.ua
Those who are involved in sports know what “drying the body” is. This is a real lifestyle aimed at removing fat and emphasizing muscles. Cutting involves very intense exercise and a special protein diet. Pavel took up such drying - he forced his son to train 6-7 hours a day, counted the calories in each of his meals and personally went to the market to buy food. Rumor has it that the child's main dish every day was beans.
Ronnie Coleman
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, since 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 an athlete as massive, strong and sharp as Ronnie Coleman.
Dorian Yates
The massive athlete managed to win the Mr. Olympia competition six times. The athlete's fate is not an enviable one. He lost his father at an early age and by the age of nineteen he had managed to make a mess. Dorian was sent to prison due to participation in riots. It was in the penal colony that Yates took up bodybuilding. For the first time, the athlete competed at the British Championships, in which he won. In addition to Olympia, Dorian participated and won the following competitions: “Night of Champions”, “Grand Prix England, Germany and Spain”.
View this post on Instagram
From winning the novice contests, to winning the Mr Olympia's, it wasn't surprising. This is because I left absolutely nothing to chance on my diet and gave 110% in the gym each and every session. I practiced my posing for hours on end and probably more importantly, I visualized winning every contest over and over. #MondayMotivation #MrOlympia #Bodybuilding
Posted by Dorian Yates (@thedorianyates) Oct 19, 2022 at 2:52 am PDT
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Here's some #MondayMotivation to kick start your week! You've got to believe in yourself… it's as simple as that. I set my smaller goals during my bodybuilding career, my first goal when competing was to become British Champion. Then after winning the Night of Champions, I set my sights on the Olympia... I had a vision, a goal... and nothing would stop me from achieving that! #Bodybuilding #Motivation #MrOlympia
Posted by Dorian Yates (@thedorianyates) Sep 21, 2022 at 2:22 am PDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger
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 every career related to bodybuilding, films and politics, he captivated many. Arnie is the standard by which every bodybuilder measures himself.
With his incredible charisma and never-fading intelligence, Arnold Schwarzenegger 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.
Interesting Facts
- Tristyn Lee is not married and has no children. There is information that he does not have a permanent girlfriend now. There were rumors that in the recent past, a love relationship with a certain girl almost developed into an engagement, but something prevented events from developing towards a wedding.
- The athlete eats according to a ketogenic plan: the diet includes foods with a high percentage of proteins and fats, but low in carbohydrates. Tristin Lee claims that the diet allows him to easily burn fat and gain muscle mass.
- Perseverance to achieve what you want, giving up many of the joys of life in sacrifice of a great goal - these are the “stones” for building success, according to Tristin Lee. An athlete's favorite quote on this topic is: “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with one confident step.”
