Sergi Constance & Lazar Angelov - Modern Bodybuilding Icons (Aesthetics)

Modern Bodybuilding on Aesthetics

One of the characteristics of modern bodybuilding is the great detail on AESTHETICS wherein there is a balance in the physique (muscles and body form) in relation to body proportion.

See it through two of the most famous modern bodybuilders of the era - Sergi Constance and Lazar Angelov.

Sergi Constance                                                             Lazar Angelov

Is it in their genes? their diets? or in their hardworks in the gym?  Whatever the reasons for their unbelievable physique, they both became bodybuilding icons of the modern times.

Let us know more about them:

SERGI CONSTANCE

Sergi Constance, born 25 October 1988, is originally from Spain and a professional fitness model and fitness athlete

• 5 year degree in Sciences of Physical Education and Sports
• WBFF PRO Mucle Model
• Owner of Aesthetix Era clothing and training apparel
• Global ambassador for Myprotein

2014

A Year of Aesthetics

2014 was an amazing year - I reached two million followers online, won my WBFF Pro status, became a global ambassador for Myprotein and worked with many of the world's leading photographers. This video shows highlights from the entire year.

• Champion WBFF Denmark Show (Achieved WBFF PRO status)
• Fitness For Him magazine cover

2013

• Champion "Muscle and Fitness Covermodel Search" at Mr.Olympia Weekend
• 1st - Mens Phisique NPC Tampa Wings of Strengh Championship. Fl., E.E.U.U. and Overall Champion Mens Physique.
• 2nd - Mens Phisique NPC Southern States Championship, Fl., E.E.U.U.
• 1st - Mens Physique I.F.B.B. La nucia xpecience championship, Spain
• 1st - Mens Physique I.F.B.B. Noray trophhee championship, Spain
• 1st - Mens Physique I.F.B.B. Bigastro trophee championship, Spain
• 1st - Mens Physique I.F.B.B. Callosa de segura championship, Spain
• Iron Man magazine cover
• Solid Homme magazine cover
• Wire magazine cover

2012

• Muscle and Fitness magazine cover
• Body Fitness Muscle Show magazine cover

2011

• 1st - Copa de España/Spain - Wabba 2011

Source: http://www.sergiconstance.com/sergi-constance-biography/

Visit Sergi Constance's Youtube Channel and Facebook Fan Page

• https://www.youtube.com/user/SergiConstance
• https://www.facebook.com/sergiconstanceweb

LAZAR ANGELOV

HEIGHT:  6”0 (180 CM)

WEIGHT:  195 LBS (88 KG)

DATE OF BIRTH:  SEPTEMBER 22ND, 1984

BIRTHPLACE:  SOFIA,BULGARIA

Before becoming a bodybuilder and a personal trainer, Lazar Angelov played professional basketball for 10 years. He led his team in scoring for multiple seasons and was one of the best point guards of his class. At the age of 16 he joined the junior national team of Bulgaria and played for a couple of teams in the National Basketball Association of Bulgaria. At the age of 18 he spent an year and a half in the Army, where he found his vocation – bodybuilding. It became a constant part of his life and he went on to earn a certificate for a personal trainer from the National Sports Academy. Lazar started working with people, helping them to reach their maximum potential in developing their bodies.

He dedicated his life to bodybuilding and since 2006 has been taking part in different competitions, while never failing to win at least a bronze medal every time. He achieved that despite never taking (and never will) steroids. Lazar dominates other bodybuilders with balanced physique and incredible definition.

He owns some of the best abs in the world. As a personal trainer he has been able to transform the bodies of thousands of people and to make his motivation and knowledge contagious to them. As a model he takes part in a number of music videos and advertisements. His body, his ambition and his motivation are inspiration to millions of people around the world thanks to his youtube videos. Due to the thousands of questions and inquiries about his every day training and nutrition he decided to create his personal website – lazarangelov.com, where everyone will have the chance to receive everything needed for reaching the maximum physical potential without using steroids.

Source:  http://www.lazarangelov.com/biography.html

Visit Lazar Angelov's Youtube Channel and Facebook Fan Page

• https://www.youtube.com/user/174315
• https://www.facebook.com/LazarAngelovFitness

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Branch Warren Wins Arnold Classic 2012! Results!

IFBB Pro Bodybuilding
1. Branch Warren
2. Dennis Wolf
3. Evan Centopani
4. Ben Pakulski
5. Dexter Jackson
6. Lionel Beyeke

Most Entertaining Poser:
1. Branch Warren

Most Muscular Award
1. Branch Warren

CONTEST HISTORY

2012

2012 NPC Pittsburgh Championships
   Bodybuilding: Guest Posers
 
2012 NPC Europa Show of Champions
   Bodybuilding: IFBB Pro Seminar
   Bodybuilding: Guest Poser
  
2012 Emerald Cup
   Bodybuilding: Guest Posers
  
2012 IFBB Australia Pro Grand Prix XII
   Bodybuilding: IFBB Pro Bodybuilding (1st)

2012 Arnold Classic
   Bodybuilding: IFBB Pro Bodybuilding (1st)
 
2011

2011 Natural Northern
   Mens Bodybuilding: Guest Poser

2011 NPC Branch Warren Championships
   Bodybuilding: Guest Posers

2011 NPC Pittsburgh Championships
   Guest Posers: Guest Posers

 2011 IFBB British Grand Prix
   Men's Open: Men's Open List (1st)

2011 Arnold Classic
   Arnold Classic: Mens Bodybuilding (1st)

2010

2010 Mr Olympia Weekend
   Men: Open (3rd)

2010 NPC Junior USA Bodybuilding Championships
   Men: Guest Poser

2010 Branch Warren Classic
   Men: Guest Posers

2010 Atlantic States
   Men: Guest Posers

2010 NPC Pittsburgh Championships
   Mens Bodybuilding: Guest Posers

2010 Emerald Cup
   Men: Guest Poser

2010 Ronnie Coleman Classic
   Mens Bodybuilding: Guest Poser

Arnold Classic
   Mens Bodybuilding: Mens Bodybuilding (3rd)

2009

Olympia
   Mens Bodybuilding: Mens Bodybuilding (2nd)

NPC Pittsburgh
   Mens Bodybuilding: Guest Poser

Arnold Classic
   Mens Bodybuilding: Mens Bodybuilding (3rd)
   Mens Bodybuilding: Most Muscular (16th)

2008

Ronnie Coleman Classic
   Mens Bodybuilding: Guest Poser

Arnold Classic
   Mens Bodybuilding: Mens Bodybuilding (4th)
   Mens Bodybuilding: Most Muscular

2007

Dexter Jackson Classic
   Men: Guest Posers

Branch Warren Championships
   Men: Guest Posers

Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic
   Men: Men (7th)

Keystone Pro Classic
   Men: Men (4th)

New York Pro
   Men: Men (1st)

New York Metropolitan Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships
   Men: Guest Posers

Arnold Classic
   Men: Men (7th)

2006

San Francisco Bodybuilding & Figure Championships
   Men: Guest Poser

Olympia Weekend
   Men: Men (12th)

Europa Super Show
   Women: Guest Poser

Grand Prix Australia
   Men: Men (5th)

IFBB San Francisco Men's Pro Bodybuilding and Pro Figure Championships
   Men: Men (2nd)

Arnold Classic
   Men: Men (2nd)
   Men: Most Muscular

2005

Olympia Weekend
   Men: Men (8th)

2004

GNC Show of Strength
   Men (4th)

Night of Champions XXVI
   Men (8th)

2001

National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships
   Men: Earned Pro Card
   Men: Heavyweight (1st)

2000

USA Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships
   Men: Heavyweight (3rd)

1999

Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships
   Men: Heavyweight (4th)

1996

National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships
   Men: Light Heavyweight (16th)

1993

Teen National Bodybuilding Championships
   Men: Overall Winner
   Men: Light Heavyweight (1st)

Bodybuilding Evolution - How Has it Changed?

Has bodybuilding and weight lifting changed over the years? Take one look at performers from fifteen years ago, and the question becomes laughable. Athletes in sports from baseball to football - to even golf - are bigger, stronger, and faster than their mentors ever could have hoped to be. But one area specifically takes the cake, and that's in bodybuilding.

Today's competitors have muscles that are much bigger, more defined, and more symmetrical. Advancement in training techniques and what to eat - nutrition - have given today's strongmen a shape and physique that many thought not even possible a decade ago.

It's still difficult. It still takes patience, dedication, and determination. But now, with so many how-to books and courses (usually written and given by former builders and experts), it's not something that's out of reach for ANYbody, and it's much, much easier.

Heath, Coleman and Cutler

Just like in any field or any "new" sport, athletes and weight lifters of the past tended to rely more on trial-and-error methods. Luckily, they wrote these things down. Also, since bodybuilding is a relatively new sport as sports go, most of the real pioneers are alive and well today, able to impart their knowledge onto today's crew of learners.

Go into a gym and look at all the machines designed for a specific group of muscles, created to isolate them. It's staggering, and in no way did the fathers of the sport have access to such creations. Many of them relied on soreness and doctors to tell them what was going on when they did certain lifts. We live in a great time to be a serious weight lifter.

Body Building Evolution
Build Your Muscles

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_A_Buchanan

Ronnie Coleman - Top of His Class

Alongside his eight Mr. Olympia wins as a professional bodybuilder, Coleman holds the record for most wins as an IFBB professional with 26. He broke the previous record (held by Vince Taylor at 22 wins) in Moscow on November 5, 2004.

Coleman graduated cum... laude from Grambling State University (GSU) in 1986 with a B.S degree in accounting[citation needed]. While attending Grambling State University Coleman also played football as a middle linebacker with the GSU Tigers under famous coach Eddie Robinson.

After graduation, Coleman became a police officer. Being a police officer allowed Coleman the free time he needed to work out. Coleman's fellow officer suggested he attend a gym known as Metroflex. The owner of the gym was Brian Dobson, who happen to also be an amateur bodybuilder, offered Coleman a free lifetime membership to Metroflex if he would allow him to train Coleman for the upcoming Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition that year.

After the training for the upcoming event of Mr. Texas, Coleman won first place in both the heavy weight and overall categories. He also defeated the man that trained him, Dobson. Also in 1990 not only did Coleman take the title of Mr. Texas but he also took titles in that years National Physique Committee (NPC) Texas Championships.

In 1991 Coleman also won what is probably considered one of the most prestigious competitions in amateur bodybuilding, Mr. Universe. This victory qualified him to enter the professional contest sponsored by the IFBB, the sport's largest sanctioning body.

Coleman won his first competition as a professional—the Canada Pro Cup in 1995. The following year he won the contest again. Followed by a first place win in 1997, The Russian Grand Prix. Coleman's success as a professional bodybuilder has led to many product endorsements and other opportunities in his career.

Due to his bodybuilding profession Coleman undergoes a lot of travel to places such as China, Brazil, and Australia. Coleman also makes many guest appearances at gym openings all around the U.S. Coleman has also made some training videos. His first Training Video; The Unbelievable; The cost of Redemption; and On the Road. In these videos Coleman gives tips for more experienced weightlifters, while warning against over exertion and improper form.

When working out, Coleman prefers to use free weights rather than machines in order to maximize his flexibility and range of motion. He lifts weights six days per week.

Coleman supports the Inner City Games, an organization that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger co-founded in 1991. He was the recipient of the 2001 Admiral in the Texas Navy Certificate Award from Texas Governor Rick Perry for outstanding achievements in bodybuilding and for the promotion of physical fitness.

On June 30, 2009 on MuscleSport Radio, Coleman stated that he would compete in the 2010 Mr. Olympia competition. Coleman also indicated that he would not participate in the 2009 Mr. Olympia competition for lack of preparation time. On October 10, 2009 at the Northern Territory Fitness & Bodybuilding Titles in Darwin, Australia, Coleman confirmed that he would compete in the 2010 Mr. Olympia competition, however, he did not appear at the 2010 Mr. Olympia competition.

Jay Cutler ~ Four-Time Mr. Olympia and More

About                          The King of the Bodybuilding World

Personal Information  Jay Cutler is the most recognized and personable athlete in IFBB professional   bodybuilding. He won Mr Olympia in 2006, 2007, 2009 and in 2010. He is regularly seen in all of the top industry events as well as Muscular Development Magazine.

VITAL STATS

Full Name

JAY ISAAC CUTLER

Nickname

CUTS 

Place of Birth

WORCESTER, MASS.

Date of Birth

AUGUST 3, 1973

Residence

LAS VEGAS, NEV.

Height

5'9"

Contest Weight

270 LBS.

Off-Season Weight

290 LBS.

Early Life

Jay Cutler was born Jason Issac Cutler on August 3rd, 1973 in Sterling, a small town in the suburb of the Worcester County. Jay grew up with his 3 older brothers and sisters on the family's farm, where he helped attend to the pigs, goats, chickens, and cows.

Jay started to work for his brother's family concrete business when he was just 11 years old and developed quite a physique for himself. Jay didn't start bodybuilding untill his 18th birthday after he completed an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Quinsigamond Community College.

Bodybuilding Career

Jay took to bodybuilding very quickly and took home his first overall win in 1993 at the Iron Bodies Invitational. His first contest was the 1992 Gold's Gym Worcester Bodybuilding Championships, at which he took second place. He won consecutive Arnold Classic titles in 2002 and 2003, and placed 2nd to Ronnie Coleman in the Mr. Olympia four times before claiming the title in 2006. Cutler won the Olympia for a second consecutive year in 2007, and was poised for a third before Dexter Jackson pulled the upset and took the title in 2008. Jay Cutler become the 3rd Mr. Olympia in history (other than Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu) to reclaim the title, and the only Mr. Olympia in history to reclaim the title after having it lost, by returning on stage and defeating the reigning champion Dexter Jackson in 2009.

Jay Cutler Contest History

1993 NPC Iron Bodies Invitational, Teenage               1st

1993 NPC Iron Bodies Invitational, Middleweight       1st

1993 NPC Teen Nationals, Middleweight                    1st

1995 NPC U.S. Tournament of Champions                 1st

1996 NPC Nationals, Light Heavyweight                     1st

2000 IFBB Night of Champions                                   1st

2002 Arnold Classic                                                    1st

2003 Arnold Classic                                                    1st

2003 Ironman Pro Invitational                                     1st

2003 San Francisco Pro Invitational                            1st

2003 Dutch Grand Prix                                               1st

2003 British Grand Prix                                               1st

2004 Arnold Classic                                                    1st

2006 Austrian Grand Prix                                            1st

2006 Romanian Grand Prix                                         1st

2006 Dutch Grand Prix                                                1st

2006 Mr. Olympia                                                       1st

2007 Mr. Olympia                                                       1st

2009 Mr. Olympia                                                       1st

2010 Mr. Olympia                                                       1st

Competitive Placings

1998 IFBB Night of Champions –                               11th

1999 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic –                         4th

1999 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational –                            3rd

1999 Mr. Olympia –                                                    14th

2000 English Grand Prix –                                           2nd

2000 Joe Weider's World Pro Cup –                            2nd

2000 Mr. Olympia –                                                    8th

2000 Mr. Olympia Rome –                                          2nd

2001 Mr. Olympia –                                                    2nd

2003 Mr. Olympia –                                                    2nd

2003 Russian Grand Prix –                                          2nd

2003 GNC Show of Strength –                                    2nd

2004 Mr. Olympia –                                                    2nd

2005 Mr. Olympia –                                                    2nd

2008 Mr. Olympia –                                                    2nd

Jay Cutler's Contest Diet

Wake Up

Cardio: One hour (stairmill)

Meal 1: 10 egg whites with 2 whole eggs, 1 cup oatmeal, and 1 serving of Nitro-Tech® protein powder

Meal 2: 8 oz. fish (sole), broccoli, asparagus, and ½ cup cooked brown rice

Train: Weight training

Supplementation: Two servings of Nitro-Tech protein powder

Meal 3: (One hour later) 10 oz. turkey breast, 1 cup cooked oats

Meal 4: 10 oz. fish (sole), broccoli, asparagus, and 1 serving of Nitro-Tech protein powder

Meal 5: 12 oz. fish (sole) and 1 cup cooked brown rice

Cardio: One hour

Meal 6: 12 oz. fish (sole) and a large salad with balsamic vinegar

Supplements

Pre-Workout

Aplodan
naNO^X9

Post-Workout

Cell-Tech Hardcore
Anator-p70

Daily

Nitro-Tech Hardcore
Aplodan
LEUKIC Hardcore

Pre-Contest

Pre-Workout

Intravol

Post-Workout

Nitro-Tech Hardcore
CREAKIC Hardcore

Daily

Nitro-Tech Hardcore
CREAKIC Hardcore
LEUKIC Hardcore

Jay Cutler will adjust his diet and supplement program throughout the year using additional MuscleTech^® supplements. Jay is an extraordinary athlete.

Source:  facebook.com/pages/Jay-Cutler

jay-cutler.net

about-muscle.com

muscletech.com

Mr. Olympia Champions

Larry Scott (1965 & 1966)	Sergio Oliva (1967 - 1969)	Arnold Schwarzenegger (1970 - 75 & 1980)
Franco Columbu (1976 & 1981)	Frank Zane (1977 - 1979)	Chris Dickerson (1982)
Samir Bannout (1983)	Lee Haney (1984 - 1991)	Dorian Yates (1992 - 1997)
Ronnie Coleman (1998 - 2005)	Dexter Jackson 2008	Jay Cutler 2006, 2007, 2009 & 2010

Mr. Olympia History

Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB).[1] Winning is considered to be the highest accolade in the sport of professional bodybuilding.

Joe Weider created the contest to enable the Mr. Universe winners to continue competing and to earn money. The first Mr. Olympia was held on September 18, 1965 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City, with Larry Scott winning his first of two straight titles.

The record number of wins is eight, held by Lee Haney (1984–1991) and Ronnie Coleman (1998–2005). Jay Cutler currently holds the title of Mr. Olympia.

The film Pumping Iron (1977), featured the build up to the 1975 Mr. Olympia, in Pretoria South Africa and helped launch the acting careers of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, both finalists in the contest.

There is also a female bodybuilder crowned, the Ms. Olympia, as are winners of Fitness Olympia and Figure Olympia for fitness and figure competitors. All four contests occur during the same weekend. During the 1990s and early 2000s, a Masters Olympia was also crowned.

1960s
The 1965 and 1966 Mr. Olympia were won by Larry Scott, a famous bodybuilder of the time. Scott displayed a physique with defined muscle shape in his biceps, triceps, shoulders and chest, which were all large, rounded and fully shaped. His upper arms measured over 20 inches and were, at the time, among the largest ever displayed at a professional bodybuilding competition. Scott subsequently retired after his 1966 victory.


Harold Poole continues to hold two Mr. Olympia distinctions. One is that in 1965 he competed in the first Mr. Olympia at the age of 21, he remains the youngest ever competitor to have participated in the Olympia to this day. The other distinction is that he was the only man to compete in all three of the initial Mr. Olympia contests. He was runner up in the 1965, 1966 and 1967 shows.


The 1967 Mr Olympia heralded a new era in bodybuilding competition. Sergio Oliva, nicknamed "The Myth", won the next 3 Mr Olympia competitions. At 5 ft 10ins and 240 lbs,[2] in bodyweight, Oliva displayed a level of muscle mass and definition - including a "V" shape of a large, well-formed upper-body that tapered down to a narrow waist - unlike anything seen in prior competitions. His upper arms measured nearly 23 inches, with his chest measured at 59 inches,[3] which tapered down to a 28 inch waist and two 31 inch legs. Oliva would go on to win the Mr. Olympia competition in 1967, 1968, and 1969 - where he would defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger 4 to 3, marking Schwarzenegger's first and only loss in a Mr. Olympia competition.


1970s
Schwarzenegger defeated Oliva at the 1970 Mr Olympia after finishing second the year before. At 6 ft 2" and 240 lbs, he was able to match Sergio Oliva for size in his upper arms, chest and back. However, contest judges deemed that Schwarzenegger's extra definition and muscularity over Sergio Oliva were substantial enough to award him the title. Schwarzenegger successfully defended his title against Oliva in 1972, after which Oliva retired from the IFBB.


Schwarzenegger went on to win the next three Mr. Olympia competitions, including the 1975 Mr. Olympia competition, which was highlighted in the 1977 docudrama Pumping Iron and featured other notable bodybuilders such as Lou Ferrigno, Serge Nubret, and Franco Columbu, who would go on to win the 1976 competition. Columbu's win proved that height did not matter. Up until that point the bigger man always won. But Columbu, who stands around 5'4" (≈1.63m), won by showcasing a combination of mass and hardness, that had never been seen before.


After winning the 1975 competition, Schwarzenegger announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding; this was also depicted inPumping Iron.


Frank Zane won the 1977, 1978, and 1979 competitions. While not as physically massive as previous competitors such as Schwarzenegger, Oliva, or Ferrigno, Zane developed his physique to highlight symmetry, aesthetics, and definition. As such, Zane was able to defeat opponents who exceeded his own muscle-mass but lacked his level of muscular definition.


1980s
In 1980, Schwarzenegger came out of retirement to win the Sandow trophy yet again. Schwarzenegger had been a late entry into the competition, and his competitors did not know of his intentions to compete. The following year, Franco Columbu was victorious. Chris Dickerson won the 1982 competition, Samir Bannout won the 1983 competition, and Lee Haney won a record-setting eight competitions, starting in 1984.


1990s
Haney retired from competitive bodybuilding after his last Mr. Olympia victory in 1991.
Having placed 2nd to Haney the previous year, Dorian Yates won the 1992 through 1997 competitions. During this time, judging in professional bodybuilding competitions started placing greater emphasis on muscle mass, with many bodybuilding traditionalists commenting that muscle mass had now become the most important factor to winning, even greater than that of symmetry, aesthetics and proportion.


Yates retired from competitive bodybuilding after his 1997 victory. Flex Wheeler seemed to be the heir apparent but Ronnie Coleman surprised everyone with a new improved physique in 1998, winning 8 consecutive titles.


In 1994 Joe Weider decided to add a separate Masters Olympia competition for professional bodybuilders to continue to compete at the highest levels in their later years.


2000s
Ronnie Coleman won the Mr. Olympia competition eight consecutive times, tying the record set by Lee Haney. Coleman returned in 2006 to defend his title but instead placed second to Jay Cutler, who won his first title after five consecutive years of finishing second in placing to Coleman. Cutler then successfully defended his title again in 2007. Coleman came in fourth place and announced his retirement from competition. In 2008, Dexter Jackson defeated Jay Cutler and became Mr. Olympia. In 2009, Jay Cutler became the 3rd Mr. Olympia in history (other than Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu) to reclaim the title, and the only Mr. Olympia in history to reclaim the title after having it lost, by returning on stage and defeating the reigning champion Dexter Jackson who placed 3rd in 2009.


2010s
In 2010, Jay Cutler returned to claim his 4th Mr. Olympia title, becoming just the fifth competitor in Olympia history to win the title more than 3 times.


Are you looking for a way to build muscle? Would you like the body of Arnold Schwarzenegger without buying all kinds of expensive equipment? If so, Click Here!

Source:  olympiawinners.com

wikipedia.org

Top 10 Bodybuilders With The Greatest Pectoral Development

In both the 1974 and 1975 Mr. Olympia contests, four immortal chest masters Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu, Serge Nubret and Lou Ferrigno–flexed on the same stage in what were arguably the most pectacular displays in bodybuilding history.

More than 30 years later, while assembling this list of the top 10 male chests of all time, it quickly became apparent that, more than any other bodypart, the standards for pectorals have changed the least over the past three decades.

 

Today’s typical Olympia competitors walk around on legs far superior to those of previous generations, but the top four finishers at the last Mr. O did not possess markedly better chests than the four legends listed above.

In fact, judging by pectoral size, proportion and details–with a few exceptions–today’s bodybuilding elite have lesser chests than the very best of the ’70s and ’80s. For that reason, only two current competitors made it to our top 10. Present professionals such as Johnnie Jackson and Branch Warren would have made a top 20, but so would lesser knowns from yesteryear such as Josef Grolmus and Tyrone Youngs.
So why were the top chests better in 1974 than in 2010?
In two words: free weights. Many current champs rely on machines for the bulk of their sets, but most of the pecs on our honor roll were built the old-fashioned way–with flat and incline barbell presses, dumbbell flyes and dips. Time has yet to improve on barbells, dumbbells and parallel bars for constructing a thick, powerful, finished chest.

10 Roy Callender

Underappreciated today, Callender won two IFBB pro contests in 1979 and placed fourth at the 1981 Mr. Olympia. His dense pectorals were slashed with fanlike clefts from his sternum to their rounded bottoms, and his keg-sized rib cage added to his nearly unbeatable side chest pose. Callender trained with very high volume, sometimes doing more than 50 sets per workout for chest.

9 Serge Nubret

From the front, Serge Nubret had one of the most aesthetically pleasing physiques ever, and his chest was a key factor in this assessment. The man who finished second in the 1973 Mr. Olympia lacked the pec thickness of others in our top 10, and yet his perfectly sculpted chest seemed to have been meticulously carved from marble.

Nubret mostly credits the bench press for his pec development.

8 Franco Columbo

Although Columbu stands only 5’5″, his pecs were not only stupendously thick, but, unlike others of his stature, they were also large from top to bottom and side to side, and they could have looked at home on 6’5″ Lou Ferrigno. Their most unique quality was the unparalleled cleft that segregated the upper region from the rest, as if the upper pecs were separate muscles (they’re not).

The two-time Mr. O (1976, ’81) attributes most of his size to barbell presses (flat and incline) and dips.

7 Gary Strydom

Strydom’s pecs were far from the thickest on our list, but their lower and outer perimeters were boldly delineated, and they were perpetually striated. At his best in the late ’80s, his flexed chest resembled two mounds of perfectly aligned spaghetti.

He utilized moderate volume and repetitions, as well as both compound and isolation exercises.

6 Ronnie Coleman

Two big reasons why Coleman will be trying for Sandow number nine on September 30 are his left and right pectorals. Throughout his reign atop the bodybuilding world, few challengers have been able to hang when he puffs up his pecs during side shots or when he induces a flurry of ridges by crunching out most-musculars.

Coleman goes as heavy as possible for 10-12 reps per set, and he built his chest primarily with barbell and dumbbell presses.

5 Markus Ruhl

The antithesis to Nubret is Germany’s Ruhl, for there’s nothing artful about Ruhl’s physique. It’s scary big and never more so than when he’s crushing most-musculars and his pecs are redolent of planets colliding.

Ruhl, who has won two IFBB pro shows, relies primarily on machine presses in his current chest training.

4 Bertil Fox

Currently serving a life sentence in prison for double murder, Fox was once one of the world’s best bodybuilders, finishing fifth in the 1983 Mr. Olympia. His pectorals–perhaps the thickest ever–made one wonder if three sets of pecs were grafted, one on top of the other, onto the originals. Fox built them via high volume, heavy weights and basic movements.

3 Lee Haney

Haney and Coleman share the record of eight Mr. Olympia titles. During his Olympia reign (1984-91), few came close to matching the size, shape and striations of Haney’s chest, and he used his pecs in poses such as the most-muscular, front lat spread and even the front double biceps to distinguish himself from his smaller challengers. Heavy pyramided pressing movements were primarily responsible for his pec size.

2 Lou Ferrigno

With size as the number-one criterion, it’s probable that no one before or since could match the chest of the Incredibly Hulking star at his best. His squarish thick-as-pie pecs and deep broad rib cage helped propel Ferrigno to two Mr. Universe titles (1973-74) while in his early 20s, and they were still tough to top when he returned to the Olympia stage in his early 40s.

Ferrigno pyramided his presses and stressed his chest from a variety of angles.

1 Arnold Schwarzenegger

There are a multitude of ways to assess Schwarzenegger California governor, superstar actor, business magnate and seven-time Mr. O but in evaluating his chest in the first half of the ’70s, his pecs were thick, broad and proportionately developed from top to bottom.

He favored relatively high volume, low to moderate reps and free-weight basics.

Author: Greg Merritt from Flex Magazine
References:

COPYRIGHT 2010 Weider Publications

COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

SOURCE: simplyshredded.com