Bodybuilding is a sport revered by aficionados but isn’t for everyone. Only the most dedicated individuals can partake, and even fewer achieve legendary status. Sifting through the annals of this discipline, we compiled this list of the 20 most iconic bodybuilders ever, spotlighting only the titans of the sport.
Curious about who holds the title of the greatest bodybuilder ever or the most prominent figure in the industry? This article will provide clarity. We considered various criteria to determine who the most distinguished mass monsters are, those who have set unparalleled standards in the bodybuilding realm.
These bodybuilders possess extraordinary genetics coupled with unwavering discipline and exceptional talent. They are almost a different breed of humans, boasting physiques that should be preserved for posterity. Here’s our rundown of the top bodybuilders in history.
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger:
Topping our list is none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger, arguably the most renowned bodybuilder in history. With seven Mr. Olympia titles to his name, Arnold began his professional journey at the 1968 NABBA Mr. Universe and clinched his first Olympia title in 1970. He then dominated the championship for six consecutive years.
In 1976, he stepped down, only to return after five years to secure his seventh Mr. Olympia title, then retired from the sport. Arnold has become synonymous with bodybuilding globally, significantly contributing to its mainstream appeal.
Arnold reigned supreme in bodybuilding competitions from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s. Post-retirement, he starred in numerous films like Commando, Twins, Predator, Maggie, and Junior. This titan will forever be celebrated for his iconic physique as the most outstanding bodybuilder.
2. Ronnie Coleman:
Ronnie Coleman stands as one of the finest bodybuilders and could have topped this list if not for Arnold’s fame. This colossal American retired professional bodybuilder boasts eight Mr. Olympia titles, sharing the record for the most Olympia wins.
Coleman previously held the record for the most victories as an IFBB professional, with 26 titles until Dexter Jackson surpassed it. Debuting in 1992 at the IFBB World Amateur Championships, Coleman won his first Olympia title in 1998 and dominated until 2005.
Known to weigh up to 320 lbs during the off-season, he slimmed down to 287-300 lbs for competitions. Coleman’s sheer mass made his competitors seem miniature. He is arguably the most imposing and perfectly sculpted mass monster the world has seen.
3. Lee Haney:
Third on our list is Lee Haney, co-record holder for the most Mr. Olympia titles, alongside Coleman. After debuting professionally at the 1983 World Pro Championships, he won his first Olympia title the following year.
Haney dominated the championship for eight consecutive years, also winning 11 IFBB professional contests and being the first NPC National Championship victor. He weighed around 260 lbs during the off-season, trimming down to 230-250 lbs for competition.
Retiring from professional bodybuilding at just 31, Haney transitioned to a career in sports training and nutrition. Had he continued, he might have amassed even more Olympia titles. Alas, we can only speculate.
4. Dorian Yates:
Dorian Yates is the next legend on our list. This British former professional bodybuilder debuted at the Newcastle Pro in 1991. Winning the Mr. Olympia title the following year, Yates captured it six times consecutively until 1997. He is renowned for his immense size, shredded glutes and hamstrings, and high-intensity training routines.
Yates also triumphed at the Night of Champions and the Grand Prix Germany. Weighing around 310 lbs in the off-season, he slimmed down to 275 lbs for competitions. Known as “The Shadow,” Yates penned an autobiography, ‘Blood and Guts,’ to guide aspiring bodybuilders.
5. Frank Zane:
Frank Zane is among the most aesthetically pleasing bodybuilders ever. This three-time Mr. Olympia winner is the lightest professional bodybuilder on our list of legends. Weighing 185 lbs on stage, Zane began weight training at 14 and debuted at the 1961 Mr. Pennsylvania contest. He won Mr. Olympia first in 1977, maintaining his reign for two more years.
Zane’s titles include IFBB Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Mr. Keystone, and NABBA Mr. Universe. He had the second-thinnest waistline in Mr. Olympia history and is one of only three men to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a professional contest.
6. Phil
Heath:
Ranked fifth among the greatest bodybuilders of all time, Phil Heath is renowned for his gigantic build and his streak of seven consecutive Olympia triumphs from 2011 to 2017. He commenced his professional journey at the Colorado Pro Championships in 2006 and last graced the stage at Mr. Olympia 2020.
Known as “The Gift” due to his superior genetics, Heath’s off-season weight often soared to 300 lbs, trimming down to 240 lbs for competitions. His physique is celebrated for its completeness, with each muscle group distinctly highlighted.
7. Dexter Jackson:
The seventh name on our list, Dexter Jackson, made his professional entrance at the Arnold Classic in 1999 and secured the title of 2008 Mr. Olympia. Familiarly known as “The Blade,” Jackson holds the record for the most professional bodybuilding titles (29) claimed by any individual.
Notable accomplishments of Jackson include an unprecedented five Arnold Classic victories, several Grand Prix wins, and numerous Masters first-place awards. He is among the exclusive trio who have triumphed in both Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic competitions.
8. Jay Cutler:
Jay Cutler stands out for clinching the Mr. Olympia title four times, starting with his inaugural victory in 2006. Before that, he achieved consecutive wins at the Arnold Classic in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Cutler is famed for his remarkably sculpted quads that measured a colossal 30″ and for gracing numerous fitness magazine covers through the years.
Beyond Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classics, Cutler’s major victories include the Australian, British, Dutch, and Romanian Grand Prix competitions, as well as the Ironman and San Francisco Pro Invitationals.
9. Flex Wheeler:
Hailed as “The Sultan of Symmetry” for his exceptional build, Kenneth ‘Flex’ Wheeler is considered one of the most impressive bodybuilders ever by legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman. This retired American IFBB professional started his career at the 1990 IFBB World Amateur Championships.
Wheeler won numerous prestigious titles in the sport, including four Arnold Classics, the French and Hungarian Grand Prix, the Night of Champions, and the South Beach Pro Invitational. Although he never secured the Mr. Olympia title, he was the runner-up in 1993, 1998, and 1999.
10. Franco Columbu:
Franco Columbu, a two-time Mr. Olympia victor, is celebrated as “The Sardinian Strongman.” A lifelong friend, business partner, and training companion of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Columbu boasted a perfectly symmetrical physique that led him to win numerous contests.
Aside from bodybuilding, Columbu was a competitive strongman, securing fifth place at the 1977 World’s Strongest Man contest. He also set several powerlifting records, including a 525 lb bench press, 655 lb squat, and 750 lb deadlift. Plus, he found success as an author and chiropractor.
11. Samir Bannout:
Next on our list is Samir Bannout, known as the “Lion of Lebanon.” Bannout began training with weights at 16 and launched his competitive career by winning Mr. Lebanon in 1978. His career spanned 18 years, during which he also clinched the IFBB World Amateur Championship.
In 1983, Bannout won the Mr. Olympia contest, dethroning the reigning champion Chris Dickerson. He became the first Lebanese athlete to win this prestigious title and also claimed victories in competitions like the IFBB Night of Champions and the Grand Prix Sweden.
12. Rich Gaspari:
Rich Gaspari, also known as The Dragon Slayer, follows next on this list. He is recognized as the first-ever Arnold Classic Champion. Gaspari started training at the age of 14 and achieved his first significant win at 19 by securing the Teenage Mr. America title.
He later won the NPC Nationals in 1984, turning professional in the process. Gaspari finished as the runner-up at Mr. Olympia from 1986 to 1988. Following his competitive career, Rich launched “Gaspari Nutrition,” a well-regarded supplement brand in the industry.
13. Sergio Oliva:
Sergio Oliva Sr. is celebrated as one of the finest bodybuilders, evidenced by his three Mr. Olympia victories during the 1960s. Known as “The Myth,” Oliva’s extraordinary genetics allowed him to achieve impressive size and presence.
Weighing 225 to 235 lbs, Oliva was a Cuban defector who later emigrated to the USA, served as a police officer, and then pursued bodybuilding. He is also remembered for his intense rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
14. Eugen Sandow:
Eugen Sandow is regarded asthe “pioneer of contemporary bodybuilding.” Starting his life in Prussia in 1867, Sandow initially turned to the circus and athletics to dodge military service. Nevertheless, he later found his true passion in weightlifting and strongman contests across Europe.
Realizing he possessed extraordinary genetics suited for the sport, he swiftly developed impressive musculature and strength. Sandow was among the earliest bodybuilders to showcase his physique and abilities before an audience. This is why his likeness is featured on the Mr. Olympia winner’s trophy.
15. Lou Ferrigno:
Lou Ferrigno emerged as one of the most prominent bodybuilders of his time. At a towering 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 295 lbs in his peak years, Ferrigno became the youngest individual to secure the IFBB Mr. Universe title twice. His enormous build landed him the role of The Incredible Hulk during an era when Hollywood’s special effects were rudimentary.
Ferrigno was also noted as a significant rival in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding documentary. His physique remains an inspiration for future generations of bodybuilders.
16. Kevin Levrone:
The subsequent name on our list of legendary bodybuilders is Kevin Levrone. Inspired by his weightlifting brothers, he began training with weights at just 11 years old. Making his professional entry at the Chicago Pro Invitational in 1992, Levrone never looked back.
Although he never clinched the Mr. Olympia title, he frequently ranked among the top five. Competing in 68 events, he earned 20 professional wins and three amateur titles. Even at 59 years old, his physique remains impressive. In recognition of his outstanding career, he was honored with an induction into the IFBB Hall of Fame.
17. Shawn Ray:
Shawn Ray may be considered one of the unluckiest legends in bodybuilding history, but he is also one of its greatest icons. Finishing in the top five at the Mr. Olympia contest for twelve straight years from 1990 to 2001—with two of those as the first runner-up—Ray never secured the title.
In another unfortunate event, Ray was the first pro bodybuilder to fail a drug test at the Arnold Classic in 1990 but rebounded to win the title in 1991. Ray competed across three decades before retiring at 36 in 2001.
18. Kai Greene:
Kai Greene stands out as a modern-day legend despite never winning the Mr. Olympia competition. He was the runner-up in 2012, 2013, and 2014, and did not compete thereafter. Greene rose to prominence in the late 2000s, drawing comparisons to bodybuilding greats like Ronnie Coleman and Phil Heath.
Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 300 lbs in the off-season, Greene always managed to cut weight precisely for competitions. He is renowned for his exceptional back development. His popularity and size also landed him roles in Netflix’s Stranger Things and the movie “Pogaru.”
19. Mamdouh Elssbiay:
Mamdouh Elssbiay, better known as “Big Ramy,” is among the finest bodybuilders of the current era. He began his Mr. Olympia journey in 2013, showing continual improvement with each participation. The Egyptian titan almost clinched the title in 2017, narrowly missing out to Phil Heath.
Despite falling short and placing sixth the following year, Big Ramy finally triumphed in 2020 and 2021. His immense size is attributed to his remarkable genetics and rigorous fisherman training. Today, he remains one of the largest professional bodybuilders globally.
20. Jean Pierre-Fux:
Jean Pierre-Fux was one of the biggest mass monsters of his era. The Swiss bodybuilder, standing at 5 feet tall and weighing 270 lbs on stage, consistently ranked among the top eight at the Mr. Olympia contests in 1996 and 1997 against formidable competition.
Tragically, a severe accident during a FLEX magazine photo shoot abruptly ended his career. Had it not been for this misfortune, his name could have been ranked higher on the list of those with elite physiques.
Final Take:
If bodybuilding is considered an art form, then these 20 individuals are the finest artists whose physiques warrant a spot in any museum dedicated to the sport. Their remarkable muscle symmetry, conditioning, and proportion, along with substantial muscle mass, make them top contenders in any bodybuilding competition.
Fans are mesmerized by their extraordinary bodies both on screens and in person. Encountering them in real life leaves one awestruck. That’s all for this guide. If you have any feedback or suggestions for our list of the greatest bodybuilders ever, please let us know.
Here’s a brief recap of our list;
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Ronnie Coleman
- Lee Haney
- Dorian Yates
- Frank Zane
- Phil Heath
- Dexter Jackson
- Jay Cutler
- Flex Wheeler
- Franco Columbu
- Samir Bannout
- Rich Gaspari
- Sergio Oliva
- Eugen Sandow
- Lou Ferrigno
- Kevin Levrone
- Shawn Ray
- Kai Greene
- Mamdouh Elssbiay
- Jean Pierre-Fux
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is the best bodybuilder of all time?:
Arnold Schwarzenegger is lauded as the greatest bodybuilder ever, thanks to his efforts in popularizing the sport and becoming its face globally. With exceptional genetics, an impressively carved physique, and outstanding symmetry, he remains a true icon of the sport.
Who is the world’s No. 1 bodybuilder?:
Derek Lunsford is presently the top bodybuilder, having won the 2023 Mr. Olympia title by defeating the reigning champion Hadi Choopan. However, the all-time number one rank is held jointly by Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney, each boasting a record of 8 Mr. Olympia wins.
Who is the king of bodybuilding?:
Ronnie Coleman is considered the king of bodybuilding, elevating the sport to unprecedented heights. With eight Mr. Olympia titles and a record 26 IFBB wins, he reached over 320 lbs during the off-season, trimming down to 287 to 300 lbs for competitions.
Who is better Ronnie or Arnold?:
While Ronnie Coleman surpasses Arnold Schwarzenegger in terms of body and muscle mass, the latter enjoys greater popularity due to his Hollywood career and status as a global sports icon. Both are legendary figures in the world of bodybuilding.
Who won most of Mr. Olympia’s competitions?:
Holding the record for the most Mr. Olympia victories, Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney each have eight wins. Arnold Schwarzenegger follows closely with seven titles. These three remain eminent figures in the history of the competition.