+ 3 Which bodybuilder motivates you the most?
Hey guys I’ve been in a rut for a long time and was trying to remember what motivated me the most back in the day. I remember watching videos of Franco columbu deadlift over 700 pounds bench over 500 pounds and squat over 600 pounds. To me this was amazing because he was only around 5’5 and under 200 pounds and was arguably the strongest bodybuilder for a long time. I guess he motivates me so much because he’s my height and beat out bodybuilders bigger than him and I feel if he can do it then why can’t I? My goal from now on is to try and become as big and strong as Franco. This will be a huge goal for me likely unattainable but will keep me motivated and moving forward for years and years to come. I’m also motivated to just look good and be as strong as I can. But I wonder, what motivates you?
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To answer properly : Greg Plitt. This guy is a former Army Ranger / Commander / 2 Time All American wrestler who became one of the most popular fitness models of all time, and one of the toughest motivational speakers in the fitness community. He lived his life so passionately that he died trying to outrun a train for a promo he was shooting for some product.. I guess his plan was to jump aside after some time but the guy was just constantly bursting with passion. To this day he has one of the best physiques in terms of just looking good and being ripped/jacked year round without having to look like a "typical" bulky/big bodybuilder while still being bigger than most dudes who lift.
Not a bodybuilder persay but Watching CT Fletcher and Iron Addicts Gym / Iron Wars.. There's nothing like that level of competitiveness and comradery anymore.. Pumping Iron is like a library in comparison.
Franco pound for pound was the strongest bodybuilder of all time. The guy didn't even weigh more than 200 pounds yet his lifts surpassed 250-300 pound guys. So I can understand why he motivated you.
I was fortunate enough to meet one of my idols at a gym. I was introduced by the gym owner. This guy I am referring to is Anthony Clark, the first man to reverse grip bench press 800 pounds, and he held several world records in bench press with a reverse grip. At the time he was all in the magazines and even appeared on Oprah Tv show. The guy gave me advice on several different occasions and invited me and my brother to a few powerlifting competitions so I was very fortunate. He definitely motivated me as a 20 something year old kid. I remember seeing blood from his nose under the squat rack that he was repping 900 pounds with on the bar and he played with 700 on bench.! Memories! And as far as Franco Columbo, he was pound for pound the strongest bodybuilder ever and he definitely showed that bodybuilders can be very strong. Also guys like Ken Lain are who I looked up to simply because Ken not only held world benchpress records but also looked like a bodybuilder and eventually started bodybuilding. Needless to say I had alot of motivation.
Old school frank zane. Amazing symmetry. Owns the ectomorph look. Something that’s encouraging to a 6’7” person.
I know he was fairly short tho lol
Frank defined what symmetry was. He had a greek statue type physique. I don't even think he weighed over 200 pounds.
Lately, this guy Sadik Hadzovic has been my motivation. It’s obvious to me that I’m not designed to be a huge bodybuilder, so I just want to be the best me I can be. If I can get to this guys build, I will be more than happy.
Check out @SadikHadzovic1 on YouTube
He a beast? Might have to check him out
O yeah I can see him being conservative with his dosages. Nice physique
I think you would like him because he seems to be a lower dosage guy
@JakeKO notice his hand placement on the bar. I've seen that mofo move some weight
He squatted 1025 pounds. Those numbers are good now but were more impressive back then.
O yeah? Shit that's rare. I'll have to look into him. Hey look at video of that Anthony Clark guy that I mentioned. The dude reversed gripp bench pressed 800 pounds. I still can't figure out how he did that with that type of grip. You won't see that nowadays from anyone.
Wow, that’s insane. I never seen anyone use that grip benching. I use it for deadlifts,
You remember Ted Arcidi the first man to bench 700 pounds? Well him and Anthony use to go at it when Anthony was a young man. Ted was a hater though lol and older and at the end of his career. Great battles on the bench though.
I mean you would have to see up close with your own eyes. 800 is good but it's the way he did it. We not sure why he kept pushing himself cause he had nothing to prove. He died around 40 or so.
Honestly, probably Kamal. Or Dexter.
Iain as well. Gracefully retired when he knew it was his time.
All from a longevity standpoint. None of them were/are wildly strong. But they put in the work day in and day out. Consistently doing well. Living the life they loved and loving the life they lived. Still competing, or Walked away from the sport, with arguably good health and no major issues.
It’s seeing that foresight and humility that drives and motivates me. To keep working smarter, not always necessarily harder. A good combination of both perhaps. And be aware enough to know when enough is enough.
Lain as in Ken Lain? Lol I just mentioned him in my comment. The dude was strong as hell but was also looked damn good. He looked better than alot of bodybuilders. He would go back and forth from bodybuilding to powerlifting. Yep the great Ken Lain.
I was referring to Iain (with an I) Valliere.
I honestly had no idea who Ken Lain was lol had to look him up
Bodybuilder and powerlifting World record holder for bench press at one time...Ken Lain
O my bad. I was a bit surprised, thought you were referring to ken. But yea Ken Lain was something special.
And of course the blade( Dexter) is a legend.
Cutler for sure. Can’t leave out Ronnie of course. It’s hard for me to get into current bodybuilders workout videos because they always play really obnoxious music over their lifting and it kills it for me. The old heads are the best bro. The old jay cutler videos, Dennis James videos, Dexter Jackson videos I watch all these for motivation.
Arnold for his physique and mindset but Piana for his positivity.
I actually wanna change from piana to Sam Sulek. Kid is awesome.
Sam is good. But he will be passed by anton swl for popularity and winning shows
I figured you'd say that
Yhea have to stay up with the times
I know you do. I watched a few videos of these newer young guys. Times change
OGJuggernautCutler and Piana
For me, it has to be Arnold. His mental approach is amazing. In his time, his size and overall build was too.
Probably Dorian. I still disagree with him about many things but I like his outlook on life.
Those black and white pics really got some attention. Real nasty looking, dense physique
Those pics of him in his socks, Bro. That changed everything. But I don't agree with many of his training ideas.
I must admit I was also a Big fan of his at one point, he's very direct and to the point isn't he. First of the proper mass monsters that wasn't a direct result of super heavy genetics. Have you seen how he looked when he first started out?! Absolutely nothing like the end result when he was winning Olympia's - a real blood and guts work ethic.
Stan Efferding for a long time was someone who I really admired both as a Bodybuilder & Powerlifter rolled into one. I remember when I first got into watching Youtube strength videos and I saw him incline bench 500 lbs for 8 reps at about 50 years old - I was completely blown away. To do that once on a flat bench when young is a huge feat in itself but inclined for 8 at 50, unbelievable. I liked Branch Warren and Nasser also because of their immense strength and thickness. I prefer the look of the 'What the f**k is that' bodybuilder to the 'Isn't he symmetrical' type Lol
For me it is Frank Zane in 1983
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpBtMircRUc
the original mass monster DORIAN YATES !!
You better believe it! Those black and white pics!
I see what you're saying Bro. A lot of people would call Sergio or Arnold the "original mass monster" . But Yates took it to the next level and more. Like I said to some other Bro, those "socks" pics were stunning.
fun fact:
he was nicknamed: "the beast with two backs"
Dallas Mccarver and Chris Bumstead. I cried when Dallas passed :*[
Yeah that was sad. He had size but goes to show you that it's not worth it
If you liked dallas what you think of nick walker
He's another bloody Animal!!! Another level ....
Kai Green.
Dude is a monster.
I like Mr Piana (RIP) , sometimes put his motivation vids while working out
AnonPiana, hands down.
Im still blown away at how fucking thick he was....like, his trunk, plus muscle on top. Pure insanity! RIP
Supamangohan127Same here bro! I was just watching his bigger by the day day 52 to be exact haha. I do miss watching this guys vids he seemed like a good guy overall besides those crazy cycles
Lee Preist and as much as it pains me to say it Aaron Lambo, I watch his videos a lot.