mr. olympia Archives - Page 2 of 11

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 183: Arnold’s Beach Body

A trip to the beach with Arnold was always interesting—plenty of flexing, wine, and women, who would voluntarily dust the sand off his thighs. Dangerous—this lady was seen wearing an eye-patch after this photo. [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 182: Dave Draper’s Shock at McArdle’s Triceps

Here’s a rare shot of Mr. America/Mr. Universe Dave Draper’s reaction to Bill McArdle’s massive arm: “Aye, your trrricep looks like a wee thick Irrrrish lass straddling yourrrr upper-arm bone.” [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 180: Frank Zane Belts Out Muscle

Frank Zane often frustrated his wife, Christine. She’d ask, “Why aren’t you ready for the party?” His reply: “I am. I’m wearing my new lifting belt.” [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 173: Larry Scott’s Beach-Ball Biceps

Larry Scott’s guns aroused attention everywhere in the ’60s, especially on the beach. Ladies would swoon as they walked up to him and asked, “So exactly how did you shed all of your body hair?” [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 172: Franco Columbu and Arnold, Rare Photos

Sure, Arnold and Franco looked tough in the gym (left), but when a cockroach appeared in their hotel room, all girly-man hell broke loose (right). [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 171: Ronnie Coleman, Young Mass Machine

Here’s an impressive shot of Ronnie Coleman at his elementary school graduation pool party. [Read more…]

Mr. O’s Stretch Overload for Shocking Mass

Yesterday, in my discussion on incline presses, I mentioned that recent studies are indicating that stretch overload is a big key to more hypertrophy.

It’s one reason powerlifters have such massive traps—heavy deadlifts, an exercise that puts those muscle in a max-stretch struggle from start to finish… [Read more…]

Frank Zane: Classic Ecto Physique? (rare photos)

Q: Your discussion on body types was on point, but I’m surprised you didn’t mention Frank Zane, a classic ectomorph who won the Mr. Olympia.

A: I wouldn’t call Frank Zane a “classic ectomorph.” He does lean more ecto than most competitive bodybuilders, but he went from broad-shouldered stick to pretty damn thick—which had him hanging out with beauty Betty Weider on the beach… [Read more…]

Mr. America on Mr. O’s Biceps Shape Shift

A few newsletters ago, I had photos of the first Mr. O Larry Scott in his prime and later in life after he decided to see if he could reshape his biceps—higher peak—by removing preacher curls from his arm workout and emphasize “peak-contraction” exercises. Results… [Read more…]

Muscle-Shaping Madness (photos)

In the last few newsletters, I focused on researcher Chris Beardsley’s observation on how muscles can grow in specific areas…

In a nutshell, he says that muscle can grow in length from stretch resistance, which creates more size at the ends of the target muscle, OR muscle fibers can increase in diameter from contraction, or contractile force, which thickens the muscle more near the center, a.k.a. the belly of the muscle. [Read more…]