Tag: Ronnie Coleman
Ronnie Coleman Discusses Motivation In The Gym At 57 Years Old
Ronnie Coleman is continuing to train and keep up his physique at 57 years old.
Ronnie Coleman is one of the best bodybuilders of all-time. He has eight Olympia titles, which is tied for the most in the history of the sport. It has not always been an easy road for Coleman but he was able to stay at the top of his game throughout his career and is continuing to train to 57 years old.
In a recent YouTube video, Coleman spoke on his motivation in the gym to the day. He has struggled with his health over the years and this includes a recent back injury sine retiring from competition. He still makes frequent appearances in the gym and this led to him being asked what his motivation was to this day.
“That’s easy. Working out is a hobby for me. I’m having the most fun that I’ve ever had in my whole entire life. So I look forward to going to the gym each and every single day, and if I don’t I’m in a real, real, real bad mood. So I stay motivated because it’s my passion, and I’m having the time of my life, and I look forward, and it is the best hobby that I’ve ever had,” Coleman said.
Ronnie Coleman received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Arnold Classic. This is because of the work he has done for the sport of bodybuilding and the great success that he saw on stage. Coleman was always well-conditioned but transformed the sport of bodybuilding in a way that led competitors to aiming for incredible mass.
There are many accomplishments to be proud of for Coleman but he admits that wining his first Olympia title is still the best.
“The best moment of my life was when I won my first Mr. Olympia title, because the only I reason I got into bodybuilding was because Brian told me he would give me a free membership to the gym. Never had any intentions whatsoever of winning the Mr. Olympia. Hell, I didn’t even know what it was when I started bodybuilding.”
Ronnie Coleman’s first Olympia title was in 1998. This was well after he began having issues with his back. In 1996, Coleman suffered herniated discs that put his status at the Arnold Classic in jeopardy. Coleman refused surgery and went back to training.
The competition was about eight weeks away and Coleman was determined to get on stage. In fact, he credited hard work in the gym for improving his back and overall status to get back to competition.
“The doctors said ‘We can do surgery if you want us to and we can fix. that herniation right away.’ I was like dude, I ain’t doing no surgery. So I went straight to the chiropractor, and I went every single day, and that helped a whole lot. That got me ready to get back in the gym… So I get back in the gym after two weeks laying on the floor, and I started back working out. Actually I think the gym is what really got me back to normal. Going to the gym, working out, doing that same old thing.”
Even during his years of retirement, Coleman has remained a huge name in bodybuilding and that will continue. His work in the gym will also continue and he has made that clear. It is nice to see that Coleman still remains motivated to put his body through workouts and that he is healthy enough to endure the pump.
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Ronnie Coleman Receives Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award
Ronnie Coleman receives the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award.
Each year at the Arnold Classic, an individual in the bodybuilding and fitness industry is selected for the lifetime achievement award. This award is to commemorate an individual who contributed to the sport of bodybuilding throughout their life and career. During the Arnold Classic 2021 finals broadcast, Ronnie Coleman received the lifetime achievement award.
Presented by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, it was spectacular to see two massive legends of bodybuilding share the stage together. The announcement came during the Arnold Classic 2021 finals and included a special video segment recapping his life, career, and legacy. Ronnie Coleman requires truly no introduction – best known as one of only two 8x Mr. Olympia champions. The most Olympia victories in the history of the sport only tied by Lee Haney.
Beyond his record setting eight Mr. Olympia wins, Ronnie Coleman is a bodybuilding icon. He single handedly changed the entire direction of the sport. His massive frame and insane conditioning redefined the term “mass monster.” Ever since Coleman’s reign in pro bodybuilding – each following generation of competitors have tried to chase that massive size. Coleman raised the bar and changed what was possible with the human body.
Ronnie Coleman’s journey was chronicled in the 2018 documentary film – Ronnie Coleman: The King. It followed his childhood, bodybuilding rise to success, and life post retirement. More specifically, he tracked his post retirement injuries and surgeries – including multiple spinal and hip surgeries. Due to his intense training and massive size, he has suffered many complications in his later life. Despite this, he has repeatedly claimed to have no regrets.
Upon receiving the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award, Ronnie Coleman thanked his wife and eight kids. He also thanked his mother – and became slightly teary eyed upon reflecting on the love and support he received from his mother, wife, and family. He also recounted his multiple surgeries post retirement – confidently claiming, “I’m still here.” He also stated that, in his opinion, the Arnold Classic is the greatest bodybuilding competition in the world.
“This is one of the greatest awards I’ve ever received,” Ronnie Coleman stated at the end of speech. This includes his eight Mr. Olympia titles. He then quickly became emotional again, gasping for air as he teared up. A truly exceptional moment fitting for one of the most successful, legendary, and talented pro bodybuilders ever in the history of the sport.
“Momma, we got ourselves a lifetime achievement award,” he uttered finally. There will perhaps never again be a bodybuilder as significant as Ronnie Coleman. The Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award was long overdue.
Generation Iron Fitness Network will be coverage the full Arnold Classic 2021 event including pre-judging reports, analysis, and results updates. Stay tuned to Generation Iron and visit our official Arnold Classic 2021 coverage hub right here!
Talking Huge | EP 13: Craig Golias & Vlad Yudin Debate Ronnie Coleman’s Shocking Comments
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Craig Golias shares his thoughts on Ronnie Coleman’s recent bold comments asking for diuretics to be banned from competitive bodybuilding.
Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias debates with Vlad Yudin about Ronnie Colemans call to ban diuretics in bodybuilding, tips to be a successful bodybuilder, and the importance of genetics.
Craig Golias has had a busy week. He has been remodeling his home and showing off the transformation on social media while also keeping tabs on the latest news in bodybuilding. The biggest news came in the form of the legendary Ronnie Coleman. In a recent interview, he bluntly claimed that diuretics kill bodybuilders and they should be drug tested and banned from the sport. Craig Golias shares his gut reactions to Ronnie’s comments. He also shares the advice he gives his new clients who want to be bodybuilders. And comments on how important genetics are to succeed in the sport.
Ronnie Coleman Calls For A Ban Of Diuretics – Is He Right?
After some a truly tragic string of deaths in the bodybuilding world, many have been speaking out about the unhealthy side of the sport. Let’s be clear up front – there has been no definitive connection between many of the too soon bodybuilder deaths as of late. Many were coincidence. But despite that – many are opening up about certain dangerous tactics athletes make to be perfect on stage.
One such tactic is the use of diuretics to be as lean and conditioned as possible on the day of a competition. Ronnie Coleman recently spoke out in an interview calling for the drug to be banned and tested in competition. Ronnie claims that it can cause deaths in bodybuilding that could have been avoided. During our latest Talking Huge conversation, we asked Craig Golias his thoughts on the matter.
Craig Golias believes that Ronnie Coleman is right. Diuretics are a very dangerous supplement that can quickly become dangerous. In a vacuum and when used correctly, diuretics cause little issue. But bodybuilders are often using many other supplements and under a unique kind of diet. This case cause accidental “overdoses” and deeply dangerous outcomes. It’s something that bodybuilders have spoken out about before on our network.
Craig Golias understands this and agrees whole heartedly with Ronnie Coleman. But he’s also cynical about a change really happening. Ultimately, he thinks nothing will change. That athletes will always do whatever they can to be the best – and take those risks.
Advice For Aspiring Bodybuilders & The Importance Of Genetics
Craig Golias also talks in depth about the kind of advice he gives clients who are just starting their bodybuilding journey. The number one tip he can give is less functional and more mental. The person needs to truly have a passion for bodybuilding and fitness. Bodybuilding is more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle. To become a bodybuilder is a 24/7 endeavor. If you’re not completely in love with bodybuilding – it will eventually wear you out. If that happens – you won’t succeed in the long run.
Sadly, Craig Golias also admits that genetics do matter. Some people may be in love with bodybuilding but have awful genetics. They can still succeed a lot – but they might not ever be able to earn something like an Olympia title. We asked Craig Golias if he could know in advance if someone has bad genetics before they start bodybuilding. He answered that it’s hard to predict. Unfortunately you can only know once you start putting yourself through the work.
Wrap Up
There are far more topics discussed in this episode than we can cover in this article. Craig Golias also talks about his recent renovations to his house, a blood test health challenge he is currently undergoing with Tony Huge, and more! You can check it all out in the latest episode of Talking Huge above! Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
Ronnie Coleman Believes Diuretics Should Be Banned: ‘They Will Kill You’
Ronnie Coleman spoke out about the issue in a recent interview.
Ronnie Coleman is a legendary name in the spot of bodybuilding. He is considered to be one of the best to ever step on stage so he draws much attention when he speaks on certain topics. In a recent interview, Coleman took a stand on the issue of diuretics in bodybuilding.
The use of diuretics is common in bodybuilding. This is a tactic used to dehydrate the body and allow muscles to pop more on stage. However, it could have some serious side effects and that is what Coleman explain in his interview. He highlighted his process prior to the 2001 Olympia, where he thought he was going to die.
“The one that stands out the most to me is ’01, where I was totally dehydrated the day of the show, and I was thinking I was going to die. That stands out to me more than any other show because I was on my way to the hospital and Chad (Nicholls) called me and said ‘Don’t do that,” Coleman said.
“I wasn’t cramping or nothing, I was just exhausted, tired. I didn’t have no energy. When I went to get out of bed, I couldn’t hardly get out of bed because I was so exhausted and tired. I went to try to walk around a little bit, and I didn’t have no energy to walk around. I was like ‘Man, I’m out of it. Ain’t no way I can compete like this.’”
Ronnie Coleman won eight-straight Olympia’s from 1998-2005. He was dethroned in 2006 when he finished second to Jay Cutler. The 2001 competition sticks out the most because of how he felt physically before. Coleman was told to hydrate before the competition — even if it would impact his performance on stage.
This helped Coleman feel better physically. Because of this experience, Coleman believes that competitors should be tested for different diuretics and they should be banned from the sport all together.
“Those diuretics are dangerous. They will kill you, as we’ve seen in the past. I think it’s mostly all about the diuretics, so I think if they brought diuretic testing back, that would solve the problem.”
Coleman knows a thing or two about Olympia’s so he gave some insight on the upcoming event. Big Ramy took home the title in the 2020 Olympia and will look to make it two in a row this year. Coleman is one of the believers that says Big Ramy will be difficult to defeat.
“It’s going to be real hard (to beat Ramy), especially after you done won one and you now have the formula. I think it’s going to be real hard. Plus he’s a big guy and nine times out of ten they’re looking for the biggest guy to be Mr. Olympia,” Coleman said.
“He figured out how to manipulate the water, that’s what it’s all about… I think Ramy’s a shoe-in.”
Ronnie Coleman is the latest to speak out on the controversial issue of diuretics in bodybuilding. There has been a string of recent deaths in the bodybuilding world and while there have not been many causes revealed, diuretics has been a discussion. Coleman believes that the sport can benefit from getting rid of them all together.
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Melvin Anthony’s Behind The Scenes Account Of Jay Cutler Defeating Ronnie Coleman At Olympia 2006
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Melvin Anthony shares his first hand story of seeing Jay Cutler defeat Ronnie Coleman for the first time.
Ronnie Coleman is a bodybuilder of legends. He’s arguably the greatest bodybuilder to ever live. So of course, the moment when he was finally defeated from his Mr. Olympia reign was a noteworthy one. The man to take down Coleman was Jay Cutler – who went on to win four Mr. Olympia titles. Many bodybuilding fans have seen the footage – but only a small number of people were there in person for this historic moment. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Melvin Anthony shares his behind the scenes first hand account of Jay Cutler’s victory over Ronnie Coleman at Olympia 2006.
Melvin Anthony was competing at the Mr. Olympia in 2006. So not only was he in person to witness Ronnie Coleman’s defeat after eight Mr. Olympia wins, he was also behind the scenes in the events leading up to it. That’s why in our video interview, we asked Anthony to break down what that experience was like. Was it clear from the beginning that Jay Cutler would take down The King? Or was it a surprise for even the competitors?
Melvin Anthony admits that his perception on the moment is slightly skewed. He was competing himself – and so he had tunnel vision due to the hunger for victory. He wasn’t worrying whether or not Jay Cutler could beat Coleman. He instead was focused on being the one to beat Coleman himself.
Despite this, Melvin Anthony had some interesting stories to tell about the Olympia 2016. Once Anthony saw Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman pose – he knew that he wouldn’t be able to take the first place spot. It’s at this moment he was able to focus on the battle between Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman with more focus.
Was he surprised that Ronnie Coleman lost? No, not really. This isn’t because it was obvious he would lose. It was because in a sport like bodybuilding – anything can happen between competitors at this top tier level. In fact, Melvin Anthony believes that Jay Cutler had a better physique in previous years. Cutler only lost because he lost the mental game.
Melvin Anthony describes a moment from a previous Olympia, when Ronnie Coleman came out to warm up backastage and, according to Anthony, you could see Coleman’s size grow as he got pumped up. It was in that moment that Jay Cutler go psyched out. By having his mental game thrown off – his physique diminished and he lost to Coleman.
Anthony believes that Jay Cutler’s physique was slightly less on point in 2006 – but his mental game was completely on point. It helped take down Ronnie Coleman. The moment was a big one. It was the passing of the torch and the end of an era for one of the longest running Mr. Olympia champions. Everyone knew that day that there would never be another like Ronnie Coleman.
You can watch Melvin Anthony go into full detail about his behind the scenes experience of Ronnie Coleman vs Jay Cutler in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Gunter Schlierkamp: The Biggest Reason Lee Haney Should Be Considered Greatest Of All Time
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Gunter Schlierkamp goes into great detail as to why he believes Lee Haney is the undisputed greatest bodybuilder of all time.
There are only two people who earned the world record of most Mr. Olympia wins. Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman have yet to be matched in the years since their bodybuilding careers. But for the most part, it seems history has favored Ronnie Coleman of the two. He is often considered the greatest bodybuilder to ever live. This is due to his unfathomable mass monster size. A size that still has not been matched to this day. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Gunter Schlierkamp explains why Lee Haney, and not Ronnie Coleman, is the undisputed greatest bodybuilder of all time.
Gunter Schlierkamp is an old school kind of guy. That becomes clear in the beginning of our latest interview segment. We discuss bodybuilding’s popularity in mainstream culture and how the internet influenced it. Schlierkamp goes into detail as to why he feels something has been lost in all the technological change.
There are too many options for things and consumers seem to favor cheaper items over high quality items. It’s a quantity not quality world. He finds this to affect bodybuilding itself. It’s evident in the supplements people buy, the influencers people follow, and the number of divisions the sport now has.
So it makes sense that Gunter Schlierkamp considers Lee Haney his favorite bodybuilder of all time. Haney was the first bodybuilder to achieve a world record eight Mr. Olympia wins. This was later matched by Ronnie Coleman. Often times, Coleman gets more of the spotlight. This is due to his inhuman physique that would make Haney look small in comparison.
But Gunter Schlierkamp has very good reasons for favoring Lee Haney as the greatest of all time. Side note – he also puts Ronnie Coleman in his top five, just one notch behind Haney. We asked Schlierkamp why he felt Haney is the ultimate best bodybuilder of all time. In a refreshing move, he gave a very detailed answer. The answer is so convincing – that it might perhaps cause others to pause and reconsider their own “best of” list.
Gunter Schlierkamp first defines what, in his opinion, makes a bodybuilder the best. Who did it and was the most dominant at the end, who is still healthy today, and who did it the right way. These may seem like vague terms – but what he’s talking about here is the past, present, and future of a bodybuilding icon.
Lee Haney was the first to change the game of bodybuilding. He was the first to win eight Mr. Olympia competitions. Schlierkamp also believes that Haney could have won more if he hadn’t decided to retire. And that’s exactly the point, Haney went out on top instead of slowly dwindling down into a has-been. This is rare in the bodybuilding world.
Gunter Schlierkamp also points out the Lee Haney is healthy and active in his twilight years after bodybuilding. Ronnie Coleman, on the other hand, has had a massive amount of health issues – very possibly due to how hard he pushed his body. We covered it extensively in our documentary film Ronnie Coleman: The King.
Lastly, Gunter Schlierkamp believes that Lee Haney “did it right.” Meaning that he knew his own limitations, knew how to keep his achievements as healthy as possible, and still changed the game in memorable way. It’s the reason we still talk to him today. Perhaps by today’s standards, if you simply compare physique to physique – you would be more impressed by a mammoth like Ronnie Coleman. Again, Coleman’s achievements are incredible. But for Schlierkamp – Haney gets a notch above for doing everything perfectly right.
You can watch Gunter Schlierkamp go into full detail about Lee Haney in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Gunter Schlierkamp Answers: How He Beat Ronnie Coleman In His Mr. Olympia Prime
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Pro bodybuilding Gunter Schlierkamp reflects on beating Ronnie Coleman in 2002 just three weeks after he won the Mr. Olympia.
It’s no secret that Ronnie Coleman is one of the biggest legends in the sport of bodybuilding. His eight-time Mr. Olympia reign is stuff of legend and his mass monster physique is touted as impossible to match – even decades after his prime. Yet somehow in 2002, Gunter Schlierkamp defeated Coleman at a bodybuilding show just three weeks after Coleman took his fifth Sandow trophy. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Gunter Schlierkamp details the moment he defeated Ronnie Coleman in his prime and just how he pulled it off.
Gunter Schlierkamp is a bodybuilder who is beloved by many fans in the history of the sport. He may not have earned an Olympia win – but his mass monster physique was impressive and earned him a spot as an icon in bodybuilding. But there is one fact that might be shocking to fans who don’t know Schlierkamp’s career in detail. In 2002, just three weeks after Ronnie Coleman won his fifth Mr. Olympia title, Schlierkamp defeated Ronnie Coleman.
Of course, Ronnie Coleman had been defeated before. It’s well known that Coleman struggled to place high initially before dominating the field. That being said, after he started winning the Mr. Olympia year after year – Gunter Schlierkamp is the only bodybuilder to have defeated him during his reign. How did he do it?
We asked this very question to Gunter Schlierkamp during our latest video interview. His answer has little to do with some sort of mysterious trick – and more to do with continued hard work mixed with a boost of extreme confidence.
Gunter Schlierkamp faced off against Ronnie Coleman at a pro show in New Orleans three weeks after the Mr. Olympia. During the Olympia show – Schlierkamp placed fifth. This his first time making it into the top five at Mr. Olympia. Afterwards, famous bodybuilding journalist Peter McGough came up to him backstage. With extreme excitement, McGough stated that Schlierkamp should have placed in the top five the previous year. His placing in 2002 was vindication of the mistake that the judges made sleeping on him last year.
This news from such a trusted voice in bodybuilding made Gunter Schlierkamp ecstatic. So when he went into the New Orleans show just three weeks later – he had extreme confidence in his own ability going into the show. Not only that but he felt the energy of the fans. Any self doubt was thrown out the window. Mix that with continued hard work – and Schlierkamp found himself with the best conditioned physique he ever had.
Contest timing is always important as well. We asked Schlierkamp if he felt that Ronnie might have peaked at the Olympia only to be off three weeks later. Gunter Schlierkamp dismissed this idea. In his opinion, Ronnie Coleman looked better at the New Orleans show compared to the Mr. Olympia. By that notion, Schlierkamp believes to not have won by luck – but by pure hard work and will power. He didn’t defeat Ronnie on an off day. He defeated Ronnie at the top of his game.
There’s many more fascinating details to this period of time that we can’t get into with this article. That’s why you should check out Gunter Schlierkamp explain it fully in our GI Exclusive interview segment above!
OPINION: Will There Ever be Anyone as Legendary as Ronnie Coleman Again?
Ronnie Coleman is a true legend of bodybuilding.
Legendary status. Sometimes the term can be thrown around with little to no care. We call people legends because of what they’ve accomplished in a specific endeavor, the time they put in to hone their craft and become a figure that garners respect. But there are legends and then there are Legends.
Some individuals in a given sport or endeavor just have that certain “It” factor that makes them tower above the rest. For bodybuilding in particular, champions like Arnold Schwarzenegger are revered for what they’ve accomplished in and out of the sport. Other champions like Dorian Yates have reached legendary status based on their ability to change the game and bring things to a whole new level.
Certain legends leave you with feeling of awe, that you’re gazing upon something truly special that will only come about once in a lifetime. A certain individual that can be easily pointed to as the one who made the shift or influenced an entire industry.
The last legend to have that kind of effect in bodybuilding is Ronnie Coleman.
After Dorian Yates ushered in the era of the mass monsters, Ronnie Coleman had come forth from the bottom of the pack to eventually take his place as one of the greatest bodybuilding champions of all time. His sheer size and ability to present himself like a living work of art was one of Ronnie Coleman’s biggest attributes.
There’s a reason why people continue to call Ronnie Coleman “The King”. To this day, fellow bodybuilders and fans still acknowledge just how massive and otherworldly Coleman looked when he prepared himself for the Olympia. This wasn’t your average bodybuilder with some impressive musculature and definition. Coleman was a man legendary for his preparation, the kind of intense training that would make mush of even the most talented bodybuilders in the game.
While Ronnie Coleman pays the price now for that intense training, he has also built the kind of legend that will live on well into the future. But since his retirement, it’s been hard to replicate that same legendary status.
While Phil Heath is the reigning Mr. Olympia champion, it seems that reverence for his considerable abilities are somewhat downplayed by the fans. It’s an unfair assessment, especially considering how accomplished Heath is. Yet despite that, there could be more than a few reasons behind this.
Ronnie Coleman at the height of his powers had to contend with the likes of Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler, Dexter Jackson and Jay Cutler just to name a few. Each of those bodybuilders have gained their own legendary status on par with Coleman and he was able to overcome all of them. There’s no doubting that the level of competition in Ronnie Coleman’s day were some of the most impressive competitors to ever grace a posing stage.
So that leaves one question. Will there ever be a legendary champion like Ronnie Coleman again?
Wisdom would say that Phil Heath will be held in high regard when he eventually decides to call it a career. We tend to have blinders on during the present, but then look back on the past with reverence. It’s likely the case with the current reigning Olympia champion.
Still, it can’t be denied that Ronnie Coleman had something special and has garnered a massive following through his presence as an unbeatable champion.
Ronnie Coleman has always been a man willing to put everything on the line to accomplish his ultimate goal. In a day and age where so many people want instant gratification, Coleman had to struggle from the bottom in order to get to the top. It wasn’t given to him and you never felt that he came off as a man who thought he deserved greatness. Ronnie Coleman has always been the kind of man that was willing to sacrifice in order to become the best.
For those looking to get a deeper dive into the legendary history of Ronnie Coleman can check out our documentary Ronnie Coleman: The King. The film delves deep into the life of one of the most influential champions bodybuilding has ever seen. With his will to win and his mental fortitude to push past perceived limits, it’s truly hard to think of any other bodybuilder that will be able to reach the kind of lofty status that Ronnie Coleman has attained.
Time will tell if there will be another bodybuilder given the same reverence and respect that Ronnie Coleman has garnered. For now all we can do is appreciate the legend for the hard work, grit, and inspiring story he has left behind.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
Melle Mel: “Frank Zane Is Hands Down The Best Bodybuilder Ever”
Melle Mel explains why he thinks Frank Zane stands tall as the greatest bodybuilder of all time.
During our Generation Iron interviews, we always make sure to ask who the top five bodybuilders are of all time. Each person has a different list that reveals something about how they view bodybuilding. This held true for rapper and bodybuilding aficionado, Melle Mel. He not only picked a diverse top five – he placed a wild card for the very top of his list. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Melle Mel details why he believes Frank Zane is the greatest bodybuilder ever – even above the likes of Ronnie Coleman.
Frank Zane is truly a legendary athlete. This much is known throughout the bodybuilding community. But if you were to start discussing the greatest bodybuilder of all time, Zane might not be at the very top of the list. That is usually reserved for the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, or Lee Haney among perhaps a few others.
Melle Mel thinks it’s time for Frank Zane to get his due. Again, there is no one who undervalues Zane as a whole. He has gone down in history as a true legend in the sport. But for Melle Mel – that’s not enough. Zane should be noted as the single greatest bodybuilder of all time.
Of course, this comes back down to the debate of size versus aesthetic. Bodybuilders like Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman changed the game. The limits were pushed into inhuman levels and created the term mass monster. Ever since then, the broader and heavier look has reigned supreme.
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Check out our latest GI Exclusive with Melle Mel above!
For Melle Mel, Frank Zane represents a perfect physique before the world turned towards mass monsters. His aesthetic, conditioning, and size all came together into something perfect. More reminiscent to a Roman statue than The Hulk. It showcased a true mastery of bodybuilding without the bigger health risks.
Melle Mel believes that health should still be more of a consideration in pro bodybuilding. He prefers classic physiques of yesteryear because they still mastered muscle without taking it to extremely unhealthy places. It’s an opinion that he shares with a sub category of fans. Their outcry eventually led to the creation of the Classic Physique division.
Melle Mel even draws direct comparisons to Ronnie Coleman. Typically, Coleman is placed as a contender for the greatest bodybuilder of all time. Melle Mel thinks this is misplaced. Coleman certainly is one of the greatest but the sacrifice he paid for that physique promotes unhealthy choices. To Melle Mel, that’s not what bodybuilding should be about.
“Everybody loves Ronnie Coleman. He’s a great guy. I met him, I love him,” Melle Mel states in our interview. He continues:
“The difference between him and Frank Zane is like… I could look like Frank Zane… But you’re never going to look like Ronnie. And if you do there’s a price to be paid to look like Ronnie. And he’s paying the price and he’s a great man because he don’t shy away from it… but there’s a price to be paid because to look like Ronnie Coleman you will pay the price.”
You can watch Melle Mel list off his top five bodybuilders of all time and go more in-depth on Frank Zane by checking out our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!