You may or may not be familiar with some of the bodybuilders on this list depending on the era of which you grew up in. But these legends made a big impact in bodybuilding and it’s no surprise they continue to keep themselves in shape and good health…
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger
The 7x Mr. Olympia champion, former California Governor, and action movie star has to keep in shape for his roles but he’s also an iconic ambassador for the fitness lifestyle. Arnold Schwarzenegger had emergency heart surgery in March of 2018 which stemmed from a heart condition he was born with. But he never let it stop him from doing anything really!
2. Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler is still massive and probably one of the biggest guys still going at it after retiring from competition in 2013 after placing 6th at the Olympia. He is a 4x Mr. Olympia winner and was chosen as the honorary ambassador for the 2019 Olympia weekend.
The key is to stay ‘consistent’…
“When people ask me for that one piece of advice on how to maintain a stage-like physique, they’re normally looking for some scientific response.
However, bodybuilding is all about the driven mindset to constantly goal set and to do so without any rhyme or reason besides wanting to continually outdo that person in the mirror.
So if you ask me, “Jay what’s the best way to maintain, build or shred?”Consistency! Consistency!! Consistency!!!
He still destroys the weight room at 46 years old.
3. Ronnie Coleman
He’s still the king of bodybuilding (Tied with lee Haney) with 8 Olympia titles to his name. Ronnie Coleman had to undergo several back surgeries and was very close to never being able to walk again.
He trained like a beast in his prime and had to pay the price but continued to rush the recovery process which prolonged his healing, even requiring additional surgery. But he’s back to training, although not nearly as heavy as before…
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz403KFnDXl/
4. Dorian Yates
The 6x Mr. Olympia champion was a force to be reckoned back in his days of bringing a massive and freakishly conditioned physique to stage. But his career ended due to many injuries including bicep and tricep tears, even though he won the 1997 Olympia with an injury.
But his focus now is training others, doing yoga sessions, and enjoying life, rather than lifting massive weights.
5. Kevin Levrone
The “Maryland Muscle Machine” was one of the few elite bodybuilders of the 90s who never won an Olympia title, although many believed he should have, at least once. He did place second at the Olympia multiple times and even won the Arnold Classic as well.
Levrone made a return to bodybuilding in 2016 at age 51 but placed 17th at the Olympia with five months of preparation but it was clear he that he was done although he still looked pretty incredible.
6. Lou Ferrigno
At 67 years old, Lou Ferrigno is just as passionate about training as he was in his prime when he won the Mr. Universe twice in the 70s. Here’s a video where he talks about a time when he tried benching heavy without a spotter… he recommends not doing so.
7. Frank Zane
The three-time Mr. Olympia champion has an obvious love for training. Here’s he is showing how to do an incline press on a strange set up at age 77… but hey who are we to judge.
8. Tom Platz
If you were wondering who had the best legs back in the day… well, anyone with the nickname “The Quadfather” would answer that question. Platz never won an Olympia but dang his legs were just insane…
Here he was at 61 squatting some massive poundages.
9. Rich Gaspari
Rich Gaspari had an amazing career with three second-place finishes (1986, 1987, 1988) at the Olympia. But at 56, Gaspari still looks incredible and here’s a very recent video of him doing some weighted sled pushes on leg day.
10. Bill Grant
Bill Grant, known as the “Man of Steel” in his prime, had some of the best arms of all time and he still looks mind-blowing in his early 70s. Check him out…
Sad to see Lee Haney is not featured. He is the God of Bodybuilding. Still Maintains a Bomb shape!
Where’s Robby Robinson or Boyer Coe? – both of whom competed for decades successfully
Where is nasser el sonbaty
He died back in 2013!