Introduction

Eugen Sandow: Bodybuilding's Great Pioneerby David Chapman - Author of 'Sandow the Magnificent - Eugen Sandow and the Beginnings of Bodybuilding'Thanks to Sandow’s tremendous publicity in Chicago, he and Ziegfeld embarked on an extensive tour of North America. Sandow now had his own company, The Trocadero Vaudevilles, and together with them, he traveled all over the continent: San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Omaha, Philadelphia, Toronto, every city that had a variety theater worth its salt. Thanks to Ziegfeld, who was convinced that any publicity was good, Sandow managed to stay in the public eye almost constantly. In San Francisco Sandow fought a lion and performed in a ladies-only strip show (both of which were gleefully reported in the press). In other towns he would rip apart chairs, mangle spoons, or smash restaurant crockery in order to prove physical prowess. No one really seemed to mind, however, and it undeniably added to Sandow’s drawing power at the box office. Nevertheless, the constant performances and the daily shenanigans were beginning to take their inevitable toll.
Day in, day out, Sandow performed in his very trying routine. It was a dunning schedule that Sandow had kept up unfailingly for three long years. Despite the triumphs, Sandow’s health eventually gave out, and he suffered from a nervous collapse.
While he was on tour in America, Sandow had taken a brief time out of his busy schedule in order to return to England and to marry a pretty Manchester lass, Blanche Brookes. It was to his wife and home that Sandow returned in order to recuperate. Luckily, Sandow’s native constitution was such that he was back on his feet in a short time. He may have returned to England broken in health, but not broken in spirit.
Undaunted by his physical infirmities, Sandow was ready to start what he considered his “real” work: reforming the exercise and dietary habits of the world. It was a monumental scheme that would have caused others trepidation, but not the iron-willed German strongman. Sandow soon opened the first of his Institutes of Physical Culture, designed to teach his secrets of vigor and bodybuilding to those who wanted to learn. These gymnasiums were instantly successful, and they marked a turning point in the way the public viewed health and fitness. Here at last was a place where ordinary people could go to improve their bodies. Soon Sandow was opening schools in other cities all across the kingdom. He was, in fact, laying the foundations for the fitness empire that soon stretched around the world.
Before Sandow came along and made physical fitness popular, there were very few places where people could work out, but Sandow changed all that. He showed the community of health conscious people what could be accomplished with regular exercise. It soon became fashionable to visit the Sandow Institute in order to work up a healthy sweat. It seemed as if the world was finally awakening to the benefits of regular, scientific exercise. When others saw the results of these visits, even more people flocked to the schools. Other schools opened up, and other teachers began instructing students. Before long there was a fitness craze in full swing. Thankfully, that mania has never really diminished from that day to this.
In order to gain an even wider audience for his ideas, Sandow began a magazine in order to pass along his views and to share exercising tips. Sandow’s Magazine began in 1898 and was a huge success, and it soon encouraged others to start journals of their own. Sandow was also publishing books that exposed pupils to his brand of physical culture. In 1897 Strength and How to Obtain It appeared, and in 1904 came the work that was soon to give its name to an entire sport, Body Building, or Man in the Making. These books and magazines were read by a generation of athletes, and the information those volumes contained went far in spreading the gospel of muscles and good health.
Not content with just writing about the benefits of good health, Sandow also worked hard at improving the exercise equipment that was used at the time. He invented or perfected many devices for building muscles and endurance. Wall exercisers consisting of rubber strands with weighted metal handles were his first success. These brought fitness into the home, making daily workouts possible for everyone. Next came spring-grip dumbbells. These resembled regular bells that had been cut in two laterally. Between the halves a number of small steel springs were placed so that the athlete could build his grip strength while he exercised his biceps.
Exhibiting boundless energy, Sandow was not afraid to start other endeavors. As early as 1899 Sandow had announced that he was instituting mail order courses in physical development. These courses brought in even more adherents to the cause of health and fitness, gradually eclipsing even his physical culture studios and becoming the prototype of the many muscles-by-mail firms that have multiplied since then.
Perhaps the crowning glory of Sandow’s work in physical culture came in 1901 when he organized the world’s first major bodybuilding competition. This magnificent affair took place in London; royal Albert Hall. Such was the interest generated by the event that there was standing room only in the cavernous auditorium, and many people were turned away at the door. The judging was done by three eminent men: Sir Charles Lawes, a noted sculptor; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of Sherlock Holmes; and Sandow himself. After a rigorous series of contests, a winner was announced, and the audience and contestants both seemed pleased with the outcome.
Sandow continued to work for the betterment of the body. He traveled to exotic places all over the world, continually preaching the gospel of better health and bodybuilding. South Africa, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand all saw him at one time or another. In 1911 Sandow was made special instructor in physical culture to the King of England, indicating that his ideas were gaining even royal favor.
In time Sandow became more interested in the preventative side of physical culture. He seemed to have ideas on just about every aspect of health and exercise. He was one of the first advocates of compulsory physical education in public schools, for he felt that a weak or sickly child simply could not learn properly. He developed exercises for pregnant mothers to reduce the pain of childbirth. He felt that employers should offer their workers time off for daily exercises, and the employees should be entitled to sanitary and safe working places.
Although he was hailed as a benefactor of the human race by many of his apostles, Sandow was no plaster saint. His biggest character flaw was not a surprising one considering his handsome appearance: he was a notorious philanderer. It is not difficult to understand how a person of his vitality, attractiveness, and magnetism would draw the attention of just about every available female within range. When temptation is everywhere, even the strongest strongman would find it hard to resist. Naturally this eventually caused an irreconcilable rift to form between Sandow and his family. It was a fracture that was never really healed.
Eugen Sandow died in 1925, but because of the friction between the strongman and his family, he was buried in an unmarked grave in London’s Putney Vale Cemetery. Nothing was there save a shaggy grass plot until a few years ago when a marker was finally placed on the great man’s grave, but Sandow’s legacy was not hidden away so easily. The Anglo-German strongman opened a string of gyms, pioneered new equipment, and started virtually thousands of people on a regular system of exercise and fitness. Sandow acted as a sort of evangelist for the sport of bodybuilding, pointing the way that others would follow.
Today, Eugen Sandow is most recognizable to modern sports fans because his statue is handed out to the winners of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest. It is a fitting link between the present and the glorious past, and a wonderful monument to this great pioneer of bodybuilding.

Larry Scott - The 1st Mr Olympia

Name: Larry Scott Born: October 12, 1938, Blackfoot, Idaho Nickname: "The Legend" Current esidence: Salt Lake, Utah
Larry is a devoted Mormon, and currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Raised in Pocatello, Idaho. Enrolled in California Air College, and studied electronics. First magazine photo's were in a magazine called 'Tomorrow's Man'. Larry had a small part in the 1964 movie 'Muscle Beach Party'. On October 29, 1966, Larry married Rachel Ichikawa. Has five kids, four boys and 1 girl. (Derek, Michael, Nathan). Son Derek died in a motorcycle accident at age 23. Son Michael took his own life at age 19. Has published a book called 'Loaded Guns' in 1991. Larry Scott established and personified bodybuilding's beach Adonis image, and became the sport's Golden Boy after winning the IFBB Mr. America title in 1962. Larry won the first two Mr. Olympia contests, establishing his name in glory forever. Larry was inducted into the Joe Weider Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in January 1999.
1979 IFBB Diamond Cup - 9th 1966 Mr. Olympia - Winner ($1,000) 1965 Mr. Olympia - Winner (Crown) 1964 IFBB Mr. Universe Medium - Winner 1963 IFBB Mr. Universe Medium - 1st 1962 IFBB Mr. America - 1st 1961 Mr. Pacific Coast - 1st 1960 Mr. California - 1st 1960 Mr. Los Angeles - 3rd 1959 Mr. Idaho - 1st

Sergio Oliva

Name: Sergio Oliva Born: July 14, 1941, Havana, Cuba; Nickname: The Myth Current Residence: Chicago
One of 22 children born to Julia and Alfonso Oliva. Defected from Cuba in 1960, when he was at the Pan-American Games in Kingston, Jamaica. Initially lived in Florida, then moved to Chicago in 1961. Currently lives in Rogers Park (a suburb of Chicago). Sergio has a son named Sergio Jr, and a daughter named Julia. In 1986, in a domestic incident with his ex-wife Arlene, Sergio was shot in the abdomen and arm, and required surgery. Three weeks after the surgery, the doctors found a large cyst in his knee that required the removal and replacement of his kneecap. He was divorced in 1987, and got full custody of his kids. Sergio works for the Chicago Police Department since 1976. At one time, Sergio owned a Powerhouse Gym in Chicago. In January 1999, Sergio was inducted into the Joe Weider's Bodybuilding Hall of Fame.
1985 Mr. Olympia - 8th 1984 Mr. Olympia - 8th 1978 WBBG Mr. Olympus - 1st 1976 WBBG Mr. Olympus - 1st 1975 WBBG Mr. Olympia International - 1st 1974 WBBG Mr. Azteca International - 1st 1973 Mr. International - 1st 1973 WBBG Mr. Galaxy - 1st 1972 WBBG Mr. Galaxy - 1st 1972 Mr. Olympia - 2nd 1971 Pro Mr. Universe tall - 2nd 1969 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1968 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1967 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1967 Mr. Universe Tall - 1st & Overall 1966 Mr. Olympia - 2nd 1966 Mr. America - 2nd 1966 Jr. Mr. America - 1st 1966 Mr. World - 1st 1965 Mr. America - 4th 1965 Jr. Mr. America - 2nd 1964 AAU Mr. America - 7th 1984 Mr. Mid-States - 1st 1964 Mr. Illinois - 1st 1963 Mr. Young Chicagoland - 1st

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Name: Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger Born: July 30, 1947, Thal, Austria. Nicknames: The Oak, The Austrian Oak, The Olympian, The King, Champ, Arnie, Schwarzie, Arnold Strong Location: Los Angeles, California USA Off Season Weight: Around 260 lbs Competition Weight: Around 235 lbs Height: 6'2" Arms: 22" Chest: 57" Waist: 34" Thighs: 28.5" Calves: 20"
Arnold's father Gustav was a former military officer who later became a police officer. Arnold's mother Aurelia and his father raised him in a very strict catholic home. Arnold had a one year old other brother, Meinhard, who died in a car accident when he was in his twenties.
The name Schwarzenegger means black plowman/ploughman.
Arnold Schwarzenegger started his career in Graz, Austria, with only one thing in view: the Mr. Universe title. The costs to be a member of a sports school were too high, so he equipped his own sports room in the basement of his parent's home. But in 1961 he met Kurt Marnul, the former Mr. Austria. Marnul was impressed of Arnold's body and asked him to train in the Atletic Union in Graz. Arnold began his intense and extensive training.
In 1965 he enlisted in the Austrian army (he served one year as a tank driver), but to compete in Stuttgart, Arnold had to go A.W.O.L and because of that, he was jailed when he came back. He won the competition in Stuttgart and he was awarded the title Jr. Mr. Europe. By the age of twenty he was named Mr. Germany and Mr. Universe. Later he won many other titles and he decided to try his luck somewhere else. After following some English lessons and after a job as roadworker in Santa Monica, California, he got the offer to play the leading part in the documentary Stay Hungry. The role brought in a Golden Globe Award and meant the start of a spectacular, successful career.
He's married to the American TV-presenter Maria Owings Shriver (in 1986). They have four children: Katherine Eunice Schwarzenegger, Christina Aurelia Schwarzenegger, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Christopher Sergant Schwarzenegger (born: September 27th , 1997).
Arnold Schwarzenegger owns Oak Productions, Schatzi on Main, World Gym Enterprises, Planet Hollywood, Inc. (major co-owner), and All Star Fitness Products.
Jim Lorimer and Arnold are responsible for the Arnold Classic Pro Bodybuilding & Fitness shows, which has been held for the last 10 years in Columbus, Ohio, usually in March. At the Arnold Classic 1997, he received the IFBB Gold Order Award, proclaiming him the greatest bodybuilder of the 20th century.
Arnold is probably the most famous bodybuilder of all time, the man who brought bodybuilding into the national spotlight, and mass recognition. In January 1999, he was inducted into the Joe Weider's Bodybuilders Hall of Fame. Arnold also headed the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport. From 2003 - California Governor.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was called by the Guiness Book of World Records, "the most perfectly developed man in the history of the world."
Read more about Arnold Schwarzenegger in:
Arnold Schwarzenegger (A&E Biography) - New True Myths of Arnold Schwarzenegger : from Pumping Iron to Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger (Real-Life Reader Biography)
1980 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1975 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1974 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1973 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1972 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1971 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1970 Mr. Olympia - 1st 1970 AAU Mr. World Professional - 1st 1970 NABBA Mr. Universe Pro - 1st 1969 Mr. Europe Professional - 1st 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe Pro - 1st 1969 Mr. Olympia - 2nd 1969 IFBB Mr. Universe Pro - 1st 1968 IFBB Mr. International - 1st 1968 IFBB Mr. Universe tall - 1st 1968 IFBB Mr. Universe - 2nd Overall 1968 NABBA Mr. Universe Pro - 1st 1967 NABBA Mr. Universe Amateur - 1st 1966 Mr. Universe Amateur Tall - 2nd 1966 Best Built Man of Europe - 1st 1966 Mr. Europe Amateur - 1st 1965 Jr. Mr. Europe - 1st 1965 Mr. Styria - 1st 1964 Mr. Austria - 3rd 1964 Jr. Mr. Austria - 1st









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Pumping Iron - The 25thAnniversary Special EditionArnold Schwarzenegger (DVD)Buy it now
Arnold Schwarzenegger's official site
Books by Arnold Schwarzenegger: ARNOLD : The Education of a Bodybuilder The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding
Movies include
Terminator 3 (2003) Collateral Damage (2002) The 6th Day (2000) End of Days (1999) Batman & Robin (1997) Jingle All The Way (1996) Eraser (1996) True Lies (1994) Junior (1994) Last Action Hero (1993) Terminator II (1991) Kindergarten Cop (1990) Total Recall (1990) Twins (1988) Red Heat (1988)
The Running Man (1987) Predator (1987) Raw Deal (1986) Commando (1985) Red Sonja (1985) Terminator (1984) Conan the Destroyer (1984) Conan the Barbarian (1982) The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980) Scavenger Hunt (1979) The Villain (1979) Pumping Iron (1977) Stay Hungry (1976) The Long Goodbye (1973) Hercules in New York (1970)

Lee Haney - Mr. Olympia 1984-1991

Name: Lee Marvin Haney Born: November 11, 1959, Spartanburg, South Carolina Height: 5'11" Current Residence: Atlanta, Georgia
Lee Haney has one older brother, and two younger sisters. Father was a truck driver, mother was a housewife. Religion is Southern Baptist. Excelled in football when he was a teenager. Went to Broom High School; then to Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina where he accepted a scholarship to play football. Received a degree in Juvenile Corrections. Opened and owned two fitness centers by the time he was 21 years old. His gyms used to be called 'The Animal Kingdom', but now they are called Lee's World Class Fitness Centers. Met his wife Shirley at the age of six in second grade; and started his romantic relationship during the 9th grade. Has two children, Joshua and Olympia. Mr. Haney is an educator and trainer and works with many world-class athletes. He has served as a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports since December 1998. Mr. Haney owns two fitness centers in Atlanta and has been recognized by the President's Council on Physical Fitness, the United States Sports Academy and the International Federation of Bodybuilding. In 1994, Mr. Haney established Harvest House, a non-profit retreat facility for children on a forty-acre farm near Atlanta. Harvest House features nature tours, a petting zoo, and an eight-week summer camp for 12-15 year olds. Mr. Haney received a degree in youth counseling from Spartanburg Methodist College. In January 1999, Lee was inducted into the Joe Weider's Bodybuilding Hall of Fame.
1991 Mr. Olympia 1st 1990 Mr. Olympia 1st 1989 Mr. Olympia 1st 1988 Mr. Olympia 1st 1987 Grand Prix Essen 1st 1987 Mr. Olympia 1st 1986 Mr. Olympia 1st 1985 Mr. Olympia 1st 1984 Mr. Olympia 1st 1983 Grand Prix Caesars 1st 1983 Grand Prix World 2nd 1983 Grand Prix Sweden 2nd 1983 Grand Prix Switzerland 3rd 1983 Mr. Olympia 3rd 1983 Night of Champions 1st 1983 Pro World 3rd 1982 Mr. Universe 1st 1982 NPC Nationals 1st HW & Overall 1982 NPC Junior Nationals Overall 1982 Atlantic USA 1st 1980 Mr. USA 4th HW 1979 AAU Teenage America 1st

Dorian Yates Mr. Olympia 1992-1997

Name: Dorian Andrew Mientjez Yates Born: April 19, 1962 Current Residence: Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, England Nickname: The Shadow.
Height: 5'10" Favorite Exercise: Bent-Over Rows Off Season Weight: 290 lbs Competition Weight: 265 lbs.
Dorian was raised in Hurley, in rural Staffordshire, just outside of Birmingham, England. Dorian grew up on a farm, or 'small holdings', as they call it in England. His mother was a horse riding instructor. Dorian has a sister named Lisa (five years younger) who is a teacher, and buys and sells horses, and competes on horses (which she qualified once for the National Championships in England). At the age of 13, Dorian lost his father (from a heart attack, at 42 years old). Growing up, Dorian was not involved in any sports. He moved back to the city of Birmingham from the farm at age 14 with his mother and sister after his mother met another man (who also died before they married).
After this second tragedy, his mom went back to the country side, but Dorian stayed in the city (at 16 years old). He was in a gang in which he was considered a skin head, with a shaven head, steel toed boots; a cultural statement, not a racist statement. Dorian's music scene during the early years was the Clash, the Sex Pistols, PIL, etc. and on the weekends, he would go to the clubs to hang out. Dorian has lots of interesting job to pay the bills, including working in a slaughterhouse. Dorian was arrested at age 19, after a riot in which he was swept up by the police. Because of the arrest, and because England recognizes youth as being up to the age of 21, he was sentenced to six months at Whatton Youth Detention Center. It was in here that Dorian started powerlifting and was noticed by a guard that he was very strong, and where Dorian got his new direction in life.
He started training at a gym, a small dark gym in the cellar, and at age 21, competed in his first contest. In 1987, Dorian tore a muscle in his hip, had an operation and took a year off. In 1987, one year after he has won the British Championships Heavyweight Division, Dorian purchased Temple Gym, located in England.
He currently lives in Walmley. Sutton Coldfield, England with his wife Debbie and his son Lewis. Debbie and Dorian were married on November 2, 1991. Retired from bodybuilding in 1998. Dorian is considered the #1 bodybuilder of the 1990's winning six Mr. Olympias before retiring from bodybuilding in 1998.
Dorian has a few nicknames, including the famous 'Shadow'. He is also called the 'British Bulldog', and the 'Beast of Britain'. His nickname 'Shadow' comes because Dorian would come to the shows, win the shows, then disappear back into his own world, them come back, compete, win, and disappear again. The Shadow comes and goes. This nickname came from Peter McGough, currently the editor of Flex Magazine, but was working for a British publication in 1988.
Dorian likes wildlife and has been on several safaris. Dorian would like to work with kids, and combine that with work with wildlife once he is retired, perhaps a shelter with animals with a facility with kids. At home, the family has two boxer dogs names Conan and Samson. In 1998, Dorian joined a company called Chemical Warefare (now Chemical Nutrition), and in 1999, launched his own line of supplements called 'Dorian Yates Approved'.
1997 Mr. Olympia 1st 1996 Grand Prix England 1st 1996 Grand Prix Germany 1st 1996 Grand Prix Spain 1st 1996 Mr. Olympia 1st 1995 Mr. Olympia 1st 1994 Mr. Olympia 1st 1994 Grand Prix England 1st 1994 Grand Prix Spain 1st 1994 Grand Prix Germany 1st 1993 Mr. Olympia 1st 1992 Grand Prix England 1992 Mr. Olympia 1st 1991 English Grand Prix 1st 1991 Mr. Olympia 2nd 1991 Night of Championships 1st 1990 Night of Champions 2nd 1988 British Championships 1st 1986 EFBB British HW 1st (in London) 1985 World Games 7th (London) 1985 Novice West Coast (England) 1st 1984 Mr. Birmingham novice 1st

Ronnie Coleman

Name: Ronald Dean Coleman Born: May 13, 1964, Monroe, Louisiana Height: 5'11" Chest: 58" Arms: 24"
Contest Weight: 280 lbs Off Season Weight: 315 lbs
Ronnie was born Ronald Dean Coleman on May 13, 1964 in Monroe, Louisiana. His mother's name is Jessie Benton. He graduated from Grambling State College in Louisiana in 1986 with a degree in accounting. He lives in Arlington, Texas. He is reserve Police Officer for the Arlington Police Dept. Children - Jamilleah and Valencia Daniel.

He was introduced into competition bodybuilding by Brian Dobson, the owner of Arlington's Metro Flex Gym. His first bodybuilding contest was in April 1990, at the Mr. Texas. He won first heavyweight and overall. His contest weight was around 229 pounds, while his offseason weight hovered around 250.
2007 Mr. Olympia 4th 2006 Mr. Olympia 2nd 2005 Mr. Olympia 1st 2004 Mr. Olympia 1st 2003 Mr. Olympia 1st 2002 Mr. Olympia 1st 2001 Grand Prix New Zealand 1st 2001 Mr. Olympia 1st 2001 Arnold Classic 1st 2000 Mr. Olympia 1st 1999 Grand Prix England 1st 1999 Pro World 1st 1999 Mr. Olympia 1st 1998 Grand Prix FInland 1st 1998 Grand Prix Germany 1st 1998 Mr. Olympia 1st 1998 Night of Champions 1st 1998 Toronto Pro 1st 1998 San Francisco Pro 2nd 1997 Grand Prix Russia 1st 1997 Grand Prix Finland 3rd 1997 Grand Prix Czech 4th 1997 Grand Prix England 5th 1997 Grand Prix Germany 5th 1997 Grand Prix Spain 7th 1997 Grand Prix Hungary 6th 1997 Mr. Olympia 9th 1997 San Jose Pro 6th 1997 Arnold Classic 4th 1997 Ironman Pro 3rd 1996 Mr. Olympia 6th 1996 Florida Cup Pro 2nd 1996 Canada Pro 1st 1996 Night of Champions 2nd 1995 Grand Prix Ukraine 3rd 1995 Grand Prix France 4th 1995 Grand Prix Russia 6th 1995 Mr. Olympia 10th 1995 Canada Montreal Pro 1st 1995 Night of Champions 3rd 1995 Houston Pro 6th 1994 French Pro 3rd 1994 German Pro 3rd 1994 Mr. Olympia 15th 1993 German Pro 6th 1993 French Pro 4th 1993 Niagara Falls Pro 6th 1990 Mr. Texas 1st