Bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates dominated the bodybuilding stages during his professional career in the 90s. In a recent post made on Instagram, Yates shared the results after undergoing a comprehensive health check and testing his VO2 max.
Six-time Mr. Olympia winner Dorian Yates carved out his own space in the sport with his signature back muscle development. Besides boasting an impressive physique, Yates was renowned for pushing himself to near failure every time he worked out. While other traditional bodybuilders would utilize a training regiment consisting of a set number of sets and reps, Yates had no easy days in the gym.
During his run at the top, Yates went up against some of the most respected athletes. He racked up six Mr. Olympia titles in a row from 1992 to 1997 by dispatching the likes of eight-time Mr. Olympia winner Lee Haney, Chris Cormier, Flex Wheeler, Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, and Lee Priest. Yates would stay away from the limelight in the off-season and instead train at his private gym. When he returned for competition, he would shock everyone with an improved package each time, which earned him the nickname, ‘The Shadow.’
Yates opened up on his intense training mindset last October. He admitted he could have been a bit easier on himself and avoid injuries that were sparked by his heavy high-intensity workouts.
Bodybuilding veteran Tom Platz recounted his experience mentoring Yates as a budding contender. He heaped praises on ‘The Shadow’ for his passion and commitment to the sport.
Dorian Yates teamed up with Junior Mr. Universe Kaya Yusuf to guide him through a taxing back workout followed by some posing tips. He motivated Yusuf to push himself to the limit in each exercise before wrapping up with a posing routine.
Yates pioneered bodybuilding in the United Kingdom. He talked about how landing up in prison as a teenager led him to direct all his energy into bodybuilding and eventually represent the British on the global stage.
Dorian Yates underwent an extensive health check & tested his VO2 Max
In a recent Instagram post, Dorian Yates shared the results after getting an extensive health check done along with a VO2 max test in Brazil. The 60-year-old reported that his biological age came out between 30-39 years old, which means he’s still considerably fit for his age.
“Going all out on an extensive health check and V02 max test in Brasil Looks like my HIIT 8 minute 2 x weekly cardio sessions paid off,” he wrote.
“CONCLUSION : Comparison of the maximum VO2 achieved with the values of the American population places the patient between the 90-100 percentiles (excellent aerobic capacity). The VO2 max analysis is one of the indicators of biological age.
“Your chronological age is 60 years old, but your biological age is 30-39 years old.”
Related: Try Our VO2 Max Calculator: Estimate Maximum Volume of Oxygen
The impact of Dorian Yates on bodybuilding can’t be understated. Although he moved on from professional competition decades ago, his insanely jacked back is still seen as the gold standard for modern-day Olympia champions. Retired bodybuilder Rich Gaspari bashed Hadi Choopan, winner of the 2022 Mr. Olympia, for his conditioning levels by drawing a comparison between his back muscle development with that of Yates.
Yates is one of the few athletes who has maintained a high level of fitness in his later years. He showed off his shredded physique under a waterfall about two weeks ago. Based on his latest update, it’s clear Yates’ work in the training room is yielding him the results he wants.
Published: 29 January, 2023 | 11:50 AM EDT
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As a lifetime natural competitive bodybuilder, I find it gratifying that sticking to my principals all these years has put me on the same or superior level physique wise to those that beat me on stage and abused steroids. Coming in fourth in my class a couple contests in a row ultimately led me to walk away from competitive bodybuilding, but I’ve continued to still train 5-7 days a week since 1986. I’m a couple years older than Dorian, glad to see he has kept himself in shape and appears to be healthy, good for him. BTW, you are not natural if you’re running to the anti-aging clinic weekly for TRT or HGH or both. I see countless older guys get jacked temporarily, then shrink back down, just like the steroid guys used to. Now everyone is on PEDs year round, including the seniors on TRT. Health implications, TBD…(If God had wanted you to have a steady testosterone level as you age, he would have designed us that way)