mr. olympia Archives

“I thought you’d be bigger”

You may recognize the quote “I thought you’d be bigger” from the movie “Roadhouse.” Patrick Swayze, an ass-kicking bouncer, got that a lot because he had a tough-guy reputation but wasn’t big….

Maybe you can relate. I can… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 137: Mike Mentzer’s Grainy Mass

Back in the 1970s, Mike Mentzer’s physique at its peak was shocking. But even by today’s standards, Mentzer’s grainy thickness is jaw dropping. [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 134: Rich Gaspari’s Side Triceps

This is a great photo of Rich Gaspari looking aesthetic in the gym… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 133: Vince Gironda’s Aesthetic Physique

This classic shot of Vince Gironda, the legendary Iron Guru, was taken way back in the 1950s. His aesthetic physique, with its symmetry, lines, and rippedness, holds up today.

Yep, even now most guys would kill to hang out by the pool looking like Vince… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 131: Frank Zane’s Muscle As Art

Here’s a unique shot of Frank Zane from an angle that makes him look like a Greek god statue. Genuinely muscle as art… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 130: Mike Mentzer’s Shocking Beach Physique

Mike Mentzer’s beach physique at its peak was shocking. Imagine seeing this on the beach (Gallasch photo). Even today Mentzer’s mass is still jaw dropping… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 128: Lee Haney’s Shirt-Busting Muscle

This is a great photo of Lee Haney holding the Sandow trophy, his muscles almost busting out of his V-neck. You can even see his abs through the fabric—and who wouldn’t want to stretch their shirtsleeves with those gargantuan guns… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 126: Frank Zane’s Sculpted Muscle

Here’s a unique shot of Frank Zane onstage looking like a statue of physical perfection. [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 124: Serge Nubret’s Aesthetic Mass

French bodybuilder Serge Nubret competed against Arnold for the Olympia multiple times. But his aesthetic physique never quite overshadowed The Oak’s mass.

Nubret’s physique was more about animalistic beauty, artistic rather than gargoyle-like—tiny waist, broad shoulders, every muscle fully developed… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 117: Rich Gaspari’s Chiseled Mass

This is a great photo of Rich Gaspari looking aesthetic—something he was not known for… [Read more…]