Massive athletes are common in bodybuilding, yet only a handful of them reach towering heights. This article will introduce you to the top 10 tallest bodybuilders of all time. When these giants took the stage at any bodybuilding competition, the crowd was in awe of their stature, usually left astonished.
While height can be a significant advantage for showcasing a physique, it doesn’t necessarily secure a win. Fascinatingly, no bodybuilder taller than 6 feet 2 inches has clinched a major IFBB Pro League title such as Mr. Olympia or Arnold Classic.
Compilation of the 10 Tallest Bodybuilders to Ever Compete:
Giant bodybuilders always captivate the audience. Nonetheless, tall competitors often struggle to adequately fill out their elongated physiques, particularly in the lower body muscles. The sport, typically dominated by mass monsters, often sees taller athletes missing out on trophies.
However, some towering athletes possess muscle mass that matches their exceptional height. Below, we spotlight such muscle giants who fans look up to. This collection includes professional, amateur, and part-time bodybuilders globally.
Nevertheless, strongman competitors are excluded from this list due to their naturally massive builds and different training focuses compared to bodybuilders. Without further ado, here are the 10 tallest bodybuilders of all time:
1. Olivier Richters- 7’2” (218.18 cm):
Olivier Richters is immortalized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest bodybuilder ever. Originating from The Netherlands, Richters stands at a towering 7 feet and 1.9 inches and weighs 350 lbs (160 kg). He is also recognized among the biggest bodybuilders in history.
The Dutch Giant claims the title of both the tallest competitive bodybuilder and the tallest non-competitive/professional bodybuilder. He has featured in various Hollywood productions including Black Widow (2021), The King’s Man (2021), Indiana Jones, and The Dial of Destiny (2023).
However, he has yet to showcase his physique in a bodybuilding competition. Nevertheless, he follows the rigorous training and diet regimen typical of bodybuilders to maintain his incredible form. The tallest bodybuilder has also ventured into business with his supplement line, Dutch Giant Nutrition, and a meal-prep company, Muscle Meat.
2. Lukas Lakutsin- 6’10” (208.28 cm):
Lukas Lakutsin, a Russian actor and bodybuilder, is best known for his role in the 2018 film The Scythian. Currently one of the tallest bodybuilders, standing at 6 feet 10 inches and weighing 320 lbs (145 kg), he is also a well-known fitness and bodybuilding influencer with over a million Instagram followers.
Moving from Moscow, Russia, to Los Angeles, USA, Lakutsin chased his bodybuilding dream. His dedication quickly reaped success in the industry. Despite his towering presence, Lakutsin maintains a perfectly shredded and aesthetically pleasing physique.
3. Ike Catcher- 6’9” (205.74 cm):
Ike Catcher is one of the tallest calisthenic bodybuilders worldwide, standing at 6 feet 9 inches and weighing about 270 lbs. He possesses remarkable agility for someone of his size. Originally from Vienna, Austria, he trained in calisthenics and martial arts, among other disciplines.
Catcher, once crowned Mr. Vienna, relocated to California in 2014 to pursue opportunities in Hollywood. He gained popularity on social media platforms, boasting over 150k followers on Instagram and about 50k on TikTok.
4. Martyn Ford- 6’8” (203 cm):
Martyn Ford, another towering figure on our list, stands at 6 feet 8 inches and weighs around 330 lbs. He is also one of the most renowned bodybuilders today, with over 4.5 million followers on Instagram. Ford’s muscular, bald, and tattoo-covered look has earned him several villainous roles in films.
Ford featured as Lieutenant Sue in F9: The Fast Saga (2021) and has appeared in movies such as Final Score, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and The Machine. Despite being known as a bodybuilder, Martyn Ford has yet to compete in any bodybuilding contests.
5. Aaron Reed- 6’7” (200.6 cm):
Another tall bodybuilder who captivates the audience with his height is Aaron Reed. He won Mr. Teen Colorado in 2001, but it took another 14 years to claim a significant victory. In 2016, his persistence paid off when he secured the Classic Physique title at the All-South Championships.
Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing around 315 lbs, Reed has also ventured into acting, with a notable role in Free Guy (2021) as ‘Dude’. Additionally, he has had a brief stint with the WWE.
6. Noah Steere- 6’6” (198.12 cm):
Noah Steere nearly became a professional bodybuilder, achieving a significant feat by finishing at the 2001 NPC Nationals and besting the returning champion, Toney Freeman. He made another effort to turn pro at the subsequent event but was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, he remains one of the tallest bodybuilders ever recorded.
At 6 feet 6 inches and weighing between 300 and 350 pounds, Noah Steere has focused on his nutrition store in North Carolina. Additionally, he is a retired Army service member.
7. Pavel Szotkowski- 6’6″ (198 cm):
Pavel Szotkowski holds the title of the tallest IFBB Pro bodybuilder as of April 2024. Originating from Czechoslovakia, Szotkowski became the inaugural Czech pro in the Classic Physique division. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 330 pounds, he flaunts an immense physique.
His highest achievement was securing the fourth position at the 2020 Europa Pro. He is also popular on Instagram, offering online fitness coaching, and he owns a supplement brand, Nutrend.
8. Ralf Moeller- 6’6” (198 cm):
Ralf Moeller is a seasoned bodybuilder who holds the distinction of being the tallest-ever Olympia participant. The German bodybuilder won the German Championship in 1983 at just 24 years old. He also triumphed in his weight division at the 1986 World Championships, weighing 288 lbs.
His singular Pro appearance was at the 1998 Mr. Olympia, where he finished at the bottom. Moeller also competed in the 1990 Arnold Classic but was disqualified due to a failed drug test.
9. Lou Ferrigno- 6’5” (195.6 cm):
Lou Ferrigno is the most distinguished name among the tallest bodybuilders. Standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 270 pounds, he won the 1973 Mr. America and Mr. Universe titles, winning Mr. Universe again the following year.
He finished second to Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1974 Mr. Olympia, followed by a third-place finish at the 1975 Mr. Olympia. In 1992 and 1993, Ferrigno placed 12th and 10th at the Olympia, respectively.
He is best known for the 1997 bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron and for portraying Hulk in the 1977 series The Incredible Hulk.
10. Jamie Christian- 6’5″ (195.6 cm):
Jamie Christian is the final entrant on our list of the tallest bodybuilders ever. The English giant earned his pro card in the Classic Physique category in 2018 and later switched to the Open class. Known as “The Giant,” Christian has competed in multiple IFBB events, including the Arnold Classic UK.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 300 pounds, Christian was unable to secure any major wins in his professional bodybuilding career due to his underdeveloped lower body, particularly his legs.
Final Thoughts:
These are the ten tallest bodybuilders of all time. The athletes on this list are often remembered more for their impressive height than their muscular development. For several of them, their height proved to be a disadvantage in competitions, while others leveraged their stature for noteworthy roles in film and television.
Here is a summary of our list of the tallest bodybuilders ever:
- Olivier Richters– 7’2” (218.4 cm)
- Lukas Lakutsin– 6’10” (208.28 cm)
- Ike Catcher– 6’9” (205.74 cm)
- Martyn Ford– 6’8” (203 cm)
- Aaron Reed– 6’7” (200.6 cm)
- Noah Steere– 6’6” (198.12 cm)
- Pavel Szotkowski– 6’6″ (198 cm)
- Ralf Moeller– 6’6” (198 cm)
- Lou Ferrigno– 6’5” (195.6 cm)
- Jamie Christian– 6’5″ (195.6 cm)
That concludes this post. Feel free to leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are the top frequently asked questions about the tallest bodybuilders:
Who is the tallest bodybuilder ever?:
Olivier Richters from the Netherlands holds the record as the tallest bodybuilder ever, as noted in the Guinness Book of World Records. Standing at 7 feet 1.9 inches and weighing 350 pounds, Richters has never competed in a professional bodybuilding contest but identifies himself as a bodybuilder.
Who is the tallest woman bodybuilder ever?:
Dutch bodybuilder Maria Wattle stands out as the tallest female bodybuilder in the IFBB Pro League and holds a record in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the tallest female professional bodybuilder. Standing at 5 feet 11.92 inches, Wattle has participated in three sanctioned bodybuilding contests since 2020.
Who is the 8-foot-tall Bodybuilder?:
There are no bodybuilders who stand at 8 feet tall yet. Olivier Richters, known as the Dutch Giant, is the tallest bodybuilder ever at 7 feet 2 inches. He holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest bodybuilder on record. Meanwhile, the tallest IFBB Pro bodybuilder is Czech athlete Pavel Szotkowski.
Who is the shortest bodybuilder ever?:
Indian bodybuilder Pratik Vitthal Mohite is the shortest bodybuilder. Standing at 3 feet 4 inches, Pratik is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the feat. He also holds the Guinness World Record for most push-ups in one minute in the SS (short stature) division.