As a young twig, I admired Arnold. He was the Oak after all. His incredible biceps peak was especially impressive. The photo on the cover of his Education of a Bodybuilder was mind-blowing (photo by John Balik, who was paid a paltry $100 for the pic)… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 162: Arnold’s Growler Curls
Here’s great Art Zeller shot of Arnold in his prime curling and growling, apparently in extra pain due to a pair of legs growing out of his stomach. Some critics said he had no legs, but he actually has four. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 155: Arnold’s Underwear Flex
Apparently if Arnold has a dream about showing up somewhere in his underwear, it’s no problemo—just start posing. [Read more…]
Mass and Muscle Contraction
I remember putting exercises on the trash heap if they didn’t have the most resistance in the contracted position…
Or I’d try to alter them to make the contracted position harder… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 144: Arnold at His Peak
Here’s a cool shot from the 1970s of Arnold apparently substitute teaching in Speedos. It’s colorized, something the photographer, the late Gene Mozee, probably wouldn’t approve of, but it does make this version unique… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 93: Arnold’s Double-Muscle Shocker
Here’s a backstage shot of Arnold casually hitting a shocking double-biceps pose. We’re not sure who took it, or what contest it was, but we are sure that it was the Oak at his absolute best… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 72: Arnold’s “Dangling” Concentration Curls
We’ve discussed Arnold’s biceps peak and his full-range workout—standing curls, incline curls, concentration curls—a few times in this newsletter.
While most bodybuilders did concentration curls seated with their arm braced against the inside of their thigh, Arnold preferred a standing version… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 69: Arnold Gym Flex
It never took much to get Arnold to throw his arm up into a jaw-dropping flex—like this shot at the old Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. Incredible, unreal peak—no Photoshop necessary. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 58: Arnold’s Polo Shirt Flex
Even fully clothed, Arnold could throw his arm up into a flex and make jaws drop. What a peak! And it was no accident… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 38: Sergio Oliva’s Biceps
Sergio Oliva’s monster mass, wasp waist, and incredible proportions are legendary—and his physique is still shocking, even by today’s over-drugged standards…
[Read more…]