Golden-era talent Robby Robinson continues to prove why he was one of the greatest bodybuilders of his time. In a recent YouTube video, Robinson revealed his top exercises for each body part and provided insight into his selections.
Robinson, well known as ‘The Black Prince,’ was a top name in the IFBB Pro League during the 1970s and 80s. Having secured titles like Mr. America, Mr. World, and Mr. Universe, Robinson’s skills were held in high regard, and many today still believe he possessed some of the best arms of all time.
While Robinson never managed to hoist a prestigious Sandow trophy above his head, the proven IFBB Pro secured gold at the Masters Olympia three times, (twice in Over 50, 1994, 1997, 2000). Boasting unbelievable longevity at 77 years old, Robby Robinson remains a star of the sport.
Robby Robinson Gives His Top Exercise For Each Body Part
In his latest effort, Robinson opened up on some of his go-to exercises for each body part. Given Robinson’s knack for intense training, many were eager to hear from him on the matter.
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Quick Breakdown
- Behind-the-neck press
- Dumbbell press/barbell press
- Bicep curls
- EZ bar press
- Chin-ups
- Hanging leg raise
- Squats
- Stiff-legged deadlift
- Donkey calf raise
Shoulders
Robinson starts with shoulders, sharing that he’d want them to be very muscular. His method to achieve that was behind the neck presses where he made sure to emphasize the importance of form and posture.
“If I was going to do shoulders I would seriously want to build incredible muscular shoulders, behind the neck press. I would lean, make sure that weight, I’m pressing the deltoids. Barbell or dumbbell it doesn’t matter just got the upper back arch.”
Chest
Robby Robinson moves on to the chest where he couldn’t pick just one exercise instead he states that he would use dumbbell presses or barbell presses as his go-to chest maneuvers.
“If I was going to do chest it would be, definitely be dumbbell presses or barbell presses. That would be my two. Both (inclined and flat) preferably I would go back and forth between both.”
Biceps
Once again, when talking about biceps, Robinson draws attention to the importance of proper posture to ensure the pressure remains on the correct muscles.
“If I am really trying to stress my biceps I was putting my back against the wall, my knees out in front of me a little bit that forces all the weight to be on the biceps. I wouldn’t have my shoulders here (towards the front), I’d have my shoulders there (towards the back).”
“You always pull the shoulders back so you are in the upper back arch position, all that pressures kept on the biceps. If I bring my shoulders forward, the shoulders are going to carry the load. If you aren’t turning your wrist you aren’t going to get any biceps. You can’t keep the wrist straight you have to turn them.”
Triceps
Robinson shared his favorite tricep movements however, when working that muscle group, he also hit the delts and the pecs, making the EZ bar press a well-rounded exercise.
“My choice would be to do close grip EZ bar press because what that does that affects the whole biceps, all three halves of the tricep. I would let the weight come down. A flat bench. My thinking right at the end I lift it up that way I’m hitting front delts, pecs, all three parts of the tricep” Robby Robinson explains.
“I like to focus on everything. My next exercise for triceps would be rope extensions because what is happening is the closer you keep your head, your elbows to the head, it flexed all three heads of the tricep. You gotta keep the elbows close to the side of your head.”
Back
Keeping it simple, Robinson named chin-ups and T-bar rows as his top two exercises for the back.
“Chin ups. Chins to the front, chins to the back.”
“Next for the back would be a T-bar row.”
Abs
Focusing on the abs, Robby Robinson recommends hanging leg raises or lying leg raises to hit the entire abdomen and help create a V-taper.
“Hanging leg raises or lying leg raises. Those are the two exercises where it doesn’t, it affects the whole area. Hanging leg raises, it creates that whole V-taper.”
Quads
He also advocated for squats to work the whole body.
“Squats. You got to, squats work the whole body. You gotta get that squat in there. Leg presses is for a day you wanna have a break. Get the lower back a break.”
Hamstring
Robinson named stiff leg deadlifts as his motion of choice for the hamstrings though he reminds his fans about the upper back arch and to keep the pressure solely on the hamstrings.
“Stiff leg deadlifts. With your leg and your body at an odd position where you are kinda leaning back but again upper back arch all the pressure is on the hamstrings.”
Calves
Finally, Robinson shares his favorite movement for calves.
“Donkeys. Anybody sit on your back and you’re doing five sets of 20. You see that’s all we did. Very seldom did you see a bodybuilder back in the old days using the seated calf machine or the standing calf machine. It’s just donkeys. You got all to get on your back for 20 reps. Franco and all will get on your back and you gotta do 20 reps. There is nothing like it.”]
Aside from Robby Robinson’s recent picks, a number of other bodybuilding standouts have revealed their selections. Recently, reigning five-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead listed his top 10 exercises for muscle growth in addition to nutritionist Stan Efferding and Open bodybuilding titan Nick Walker.
Considering Robby Robinson’s undeniable longevity, it gives even more credence to his lifting techniques, which are still on display today. Feel free to try out his favorite exercises for each body part!
RELATED: Robby Robinson: ‘I Built My Physique With Hard Work, I Didn’t Know Bodies Were Built With Steroids’
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