Terrence Ruffin – Complete Profile: Height, Weight, Biography

Terrence Ruffin is an IFBB professional Classic Physique athlete, Airforce Airman, and trainer/nutrition consultant from the United States. He first competed at 19 and two years later at 21, he earned his Pro Card that set the stage for him climbing the Classic Physique ladder. Ruffin’s best finishes were 2nd at the 2020, 2021 Classic Physique Olympia and 1st at the Arnold Classic Physique 2021, 2022 competitions.

This is his complete profile, biography, training regime, diet plan, and more.

Early Life

Terrence Ruffin is from Beatrice, Alabama, USA.

Ruffin got a taste of the weights at age 13 when he’d mess around with his mother’s friend’s home gym but he trained on and off. 

In high school, he only weighed about 100-110 pounds although he is shorter in stature at 5’5″ tall. He wasn’t very strong either which is hard to believe looking at him now. He’s mentioned trying to bench press just the bar in his teen years of which he could not do.

Ruffin did get bigger and stronger when he started playing football but he was still rather small compared to the other kids. He started training at a gym when he was a Freshmen in high school and remembers being pissed when he couldn’t even bench press the bar with no weights on it. 

After high school, he decided to try for the military, specifically the Tactical Air Control Arm which is part of the Air Force. But unfortunately, he didn’t pass the week-long field training test and it devastated him for a bit.

However, he didn’t give up on joining the military as he eventually made it in of which he was reassigned to the Keesler Air Force base located in Mississippi. There he did Avionics training.

Ruffin explained that bodybuilding was easier for him while in the military than it was for him to do it full-time at the start. This was because he found it easier to eat on schedule when in the military.

He competed at the 2016 and 2017 Olympia while serving in the military. 

Ruffin has said that his favorite part of the sport is the posing which makes sense with his artistic background.

Terrence Ruffin – Competition and Career

“Ruff Diesel” Terrence Ruffin first competed at 19 and only two years later earned his Pro Card at the 2014 NPC National Championships making him one of the youngest to do so. 

He’s done exceptionally well in competition winning the 2016 Tampa Pro and placing 9th in his first Olympia in 2016. In 2017, Ruffin came in 6th place at the Olympia and the 9th in 2018. 

But 2020 was his best year so far, placing second at both the Arnold Classic Olympia and Olympia Classic Physique. 

Related: Terrence Ruffin: ‘I’m Really Hoping For Third’ At 2020 Mr. Olympia

Now he has the 2021 Olympia to prepare for but the competition is fierce, especially because he’ll be up against two-time Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead and other top competitors. 

Contest history

• 2022 Arnold Classic – 1st
• 2021 Olympia Classic Physique – 2nd 
• 2021 Arnold Classic – 1st
• 2020 Olympia Classic Physique – 2nd
• 2020 Arnold Classic Physique – 2nd 
• 2019 Niagara Falls Pro Classic Physique – 1st
• 2018 Olympia Classic Physique – 9th
• 2018 Toronto Pro Men’s Classic Physique – 1st
• 2017 Olympia Classic Physique – 6th
• 2016 IFBB Dayana cadeau classic – 2nd 
• 2016 IFBB Kentucky Muscle – 1st
• 2016 Olympia Classic Physique – 9th
• 2016 IFBB Tampa Pro – 1st
• 2016 IFBB Prestige Crystal Cup – 3rd
• 2014 NPC Panhandle Showdown – 1st
• 2014 NPC National Championships, Lightweight, 1st (Pro card) 
• 2013 NPC Panhandle Showdown – 2nd

Also read: 2021 Olympia Qualification List and Deadline Dates Announced

Terrence Ruffin – Training Regime

Terrence Ruffin is coached by Joe Bennett but he’s also known to have trained with Mountain Dog John Meadows. He’s said that both are like mentors and to him.

Ruffin would train based on how he felt (instinctual) however, at this level, he’s had to be more strategic to be able to stand on stage with the best Classic Physique competitors in the world. 

We provided several of his workout routines below. 

Back and biceps routine w/ Joe Bennett

• Single-arm pulldown
• Chest-supported T-bar row machine
• Machine row
• Hyperextension
• Reverse pec dec 
• Seated cable curl
• Reverse curl drop set

Push workout routine w/ John Meadows

• Incline bench press w/ shoulder saver bar (shorter reps) 
• Incline dumbbell press
• Forward-leaning weighted dips
• Elevated push-ups (low to high ladder)
• Y-raise using kettlebells
• Cables reverse flyes
• Seal row
• Single-arm cable pushdown w/grenade attachment
• Medicine ball pushdowns using pull-up/dip assist machine 

Push workout routine w/ Joe Bennett

• Incline barbell press
• Seated cable fly
• Smith machine high angle incline press
• Lying cable lateral raise
• Cross cable tricep extension

Off-season leg workout routine w/ Joe Bennett

• Romanian deadlift w/ bands
• Seated hamstring leg curls
• Lying hamstring curls
• Leg extensions
• Hack squats

Arm workout routine

2-3 sets, 2 minutes rest between rounds

• (A1) close-grip swiss w/ chains 5-8 reps 
• (A2) single-arm preacher curls 5-10 reps

2-3 sets, 60 seconds rest between rounds

• (B1) hammer curls 6-8 reps
• (B2) incline cable curls 10-12 reps
• (B3) rope press down 10-12 reps
• (B4) rope overhead extension 10-12 reps

10 reps, 2-3 sets, 60 seconds rest between rounds

• (C1) club pronation/supination 

Terrence Ruffin – Diet and Nutrition

In the offseason, Terrence Ruffin consumes roughly 3,748 calories to pack on muscle size and have enough strength and energy to power through his workouts. As you can see below, his food choices are more lenient when he’s not competing but it helps him to maintain his physique. 

Of course, his diet may change every now and then which is common with most competitors. 

Below we provided all meals he eats in a day. 

Meal 1

4 eggs, 3 oz Bison, 2 packets grits, 1 tbsp natural peanut butter

• 50g protein, 38g fat, 49g carbs, 738 calories

Ruffin trains in the morning and will have an intra-workout drink consisting of Gatorade powder and a slower-digesting carb powder. It contains about 47g of carbs and 188 calories. He sips in it during his workouts. 

Meal 2/post-workout

4 cups Fruity Pebbles with cashew milk, and 2 scoops of protein powder

• 47g protein, 10g fat, 101g carbs, 682 calories

Meal 3

320g watermelon, 7 oz chicken in low-carb tortilla wraps

• 46g protein, 8g fat, 43g carbs, 428 calories

Meal 4 

6 oz flank steak, 1 cup cream of rice, sugar-free teriyaki sauce

• 45g protein, 23g fat, 45g carbs, 567 calories

Meal 5

1 cup white rice, 7 oz chicken, serving of zucchini 

• 47g protein, 11g fat, 58g carbs, 519 calories

Meal 6

6 oz beef with buns, pickles with ketchup and mustard

• 47g protein, 18g fat, 69g carbs, 626 calories

Business Endeavors

Terrence Ruffin has a nutrition consulting business where he guides clients online and he also offers training programs and apparel.

Interests 

Ruffin has a few interests that he’s talked one of which is art although he’s admitted that he’s no Kai Greene but can definitely draw up some stuff. His artistic eye has undoubtedly helped him to sculpt his physique and stand out among other competitors. 

He also enjoys cooking and exploring nature. 

Additional Information

From a skinny and weak 100 lb teen to placing second at the two largest competitions on Earth and serving in the Air Force, Terrence Ruffin deserves every bit of success he’s achieved.

His life wasn’t without struggles which seems to be a common trait among top-level competitors but he was able to use bodybuilding to inspire and push him to greatness.

Terrence Ruffin is still young with plenty of potential and the goal of winning the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition and the future looks bright for the young, determined, and passionate Classic Physique competitor.

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