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Best bodybuilder ever??

M

maxwell0612

Banned
Ok, let's take a poll. I'm not talking about the most influential because Arnold is defiantly is that. I'm talking standing side by side in their best condition. And not whose physique you prefer, please no frank zane or Bob paris, I'm talking about THE best bb ever if they could compete against each other. Personally, my choice is Flex because I tout he was better than Ronnie when at his best. Then Ronnie. I don't like Cutler at all and don't get him ever winning. He's blocky. My personal favorite of all time is Lee Labrada but I think the best small guy ever was Shawn ray. As for today's guys, I'm not impressed. If Levrone can come back as himself I think he beats Phil Heath. What do you all think?
Top 5: Flex, Ronnie, Dorian, Levrone, Haney
 
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Are you talking abut Flex Wheeler? You didn't specify. I ask because I think the best is Flex Lewis. In my opinion his physique is unmatched in every way. If he decides to go into the open and move up from the 212, Phil Heaths reign is over in my opinion.
 
RickRock said:
Are you talking abut Flex Wheeler? You didn't specify. I ask because I think the best is Flex Lewis. In my opinion his physique is unmatched in every way. If he decides to go into the open and move up from the 212, Phil Heaths reign is over in my opinion.
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Are you serious, or smoking something strong. Flex Lewis looks great but give me a break he would never even have beaten Shawn Ray. He couldn't even stand next to Ronnie or Flex at their best. Do you honestly think Flex Lewis can even be in the top 5 in the regular class?
 
the_waco_kid said:
So much for friendly debate and stating ones opinion lol
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It is a friendly debate, I not mad just saying that putting Flex Lewis in that class is rediculous. But everyone is entitled to their opinion. But, saying Flex lewis can even beat Phil Heath is like saying Matt Castle is a better qb then Payton Manning. I was looking for people's honest opinions on a top 5 and flex lewis in there caught me off gaurd.
 
Max some friendly advice...if u disagree with someone don't accuse them of possible drug use or degrade their character. Plus Rick has been to and in many contests...I trust his eye when comes to BB.
 
EER said:
Max some friendly advice...if u disagree with someone don't accuse them of possible drug use or degrade their character. Plus Rick has been to and in many contests...I trust his eye when comes to BB.
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Ok, it may have come out wrong I meant it playfully not maliciouly. But I was an npc judge in the 90's so I do know what I'm talking about. And comparing Flex Lewis to Flex Wheeler is rediculous. I have nothing against the guys character just a debate. Come on guys grow some skin for Christ sakes.
 
maxwell0612 said:
Ok, it may have come out wrong I meant it playfully not maliciouly. But I was an npc judge in the 90's so I do know what I'm talking about. And comparing Flex Lewis to Flex Wheeler is rediculous. I have nothing against the guys character just a debate. Come on guys grow some skin for Christ sakes. I thought he would come back and defend his position. A little touchy you think????
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It's all good bro. I still see it as a friendly debate, and I respect everyone's opinion. If you look at what Dexter Jackson did moving into the open, he obviously has done very well, but Flex Lewis is miles ahead of him in my opinion. In the 212 class nobody can even come close in points to Flex. His lines, symmetry, muscle bellies, conditioning, and aesthetics are like nothing I have ever seen. He also carries more mass now at 5'4" than many do in the open class, but the Olympia is not about being the biggest. Flex states himself that he wanted 3 212 Olympia titles and then he would move into the open. I just personally think if he did that he would do VERY VERY well against the others. Without a weight limit in the open, I could see him adding more size in the offseason, and going in easily at a 225lb stage weight which would look sick on his frame.

And for the record, guys like Shawn Ray and Levrone looked incredible for their day, but couldn't hold a candle with 90% of them on stage today. No comparison
 
Yes, without the weight class he could get bigger but at 5'4'' he's limited. I still think Shawn Ray beats Flex Lewis any day. Dexter was great. I actually trained with Dexter in 1997 in Jacksonville when I was in college. We both were state competitors and he was a middleweight at the time getting ready for the southern states I think. He looked incredible then, as a middleweight. But his win was a lot luck, kind of being in the right place at the right time, that's why he couldn't hold on to it. But I can't see Lewis beating Dexter either. But this is off the topic. Who would you put as your top 5?
 
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At 5'4" he will be limited for sure, but he still has room to grow, and like I said, the Olympia isn't about being the biggest anyways. Dexter and Branch are both short in the open class and carry enough mass without a doubt. Branch carries a lot more mass, but his overall physique isn't shit in comparison to guys like Dexter, which is why he will never win the Olympia and be lucky to get top 5 in my opinion. Hell the biggest guy at the Olympia (big Ramy) couldn't even place. He is a monster, but his physique has a lot of flaws and his conditioning is just never there for the O
 
maxwell0612 said:
Ok, it may have come out wrong I meant it playfully not maliciouly. But I was an npc judge in the 90's so I do know what I'm talking about. And comparing Flex Lewis to Flex Wheeler is rediculous. I have nothing against the guys character just a debate. Come on guys grow some skin for Christ sakes.
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Grow some skin!?!?! Brother I just worked 2 codes, one a 7 yr old drown victim. ...with mom in room...I don't think my skin can get much thicker....but thanks for the recommendation.
 
I always thought Dennis Newman would have been the best ever if he didn't end up getting leukemia... Just for the sake of the thread, I will go with Wheeler, he was something else!
 
maxwell0612 said:
Branch is finished, he's in the first stages of becoming Palumboized.
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Nah. I just saw a recent video about him changing up his technique and doing lighter weight higher reps and has made some surprising progress he says. Not a direct quote. I have faith ;)

Ftr I'm just rooting for the under dog I know he's not gonna be mr. O
 
My answer: long term potential Evan centopani .... But right at this moment I'll bet on Dennis wolf.
 
JackSteel said:
My answer: long term potential Evan centopani .... But right at this moment I'll bet on Dennis wolf.
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Wolf looks incredible, and looked better than ever with his win at the Arnold Classic. However, I think he is looking at 3rd for the Olympia. I still see Phil winning unfortunately followed by Kai as runner up, then Wolf, Rhodden, and Dexter running the top 5
 
ledhead said:
I always thought Dennis Newman would have been the best ever if he didn't end up getting leukemia... Just for the sake of the thread, I will go with Wheeler, he was something else!
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I agree. Newman would have been a household name had he not gotten sick. Very exceptional genetics.
 
RickRock said:
Wolf looks incredible, and looked better than ever with his win at the Arnold Classic. However, I think he is looking at 3rd for the Olympia. I still see Phil winning unfortunately followed by Kai as runner up, then Wolf, Rhodden, and Dexter running the top 5
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Could be. I mean I like wolf but obviously it's politics as well. Phil will likely get it
 
Wolf does look great. I think Branch is done too. I just don't see him ever getting any further than he already has. Kai is still my favorite and am I the ONLY one that thinks Phil is overrated??? I mean Phil looks amazing(no homo) but I just feel he is too overrated.
 
Still, I'm talking the best EVER and the guys everyone are talking about are those competing now. None of who were better than Ronnie or Flex. I know at 42 I'm an old man on here so maybe that's why.
 
Call me old school, but I prefer the aesthetics of the classical Bodybuilders. Frank Zane would be my choice...
 
maxwell0612 said:
Still, I'm talking the best EVER and the guys everyone are talking about are those competing now. None of who were better than Ronnie or Flex. I know at 42 I'm an old man on here so maybe that's why.
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ronnie is the greatest of all time there is no discussion
 
maxwell0612 said:
Still, I'm talking the best EVER and the guys everyone are talking about are those competing now. None of who were better than Ronnie or Flex. I know at 42 I'm an old man on here so maybe that's why.
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Well, I'm 40 bro, so I'm no spring chicken. Best ever to me is and always will be Arnold. I'm not a fan of the mass monster look that came in with the Dorian and Ronnie era at all, so it's hard for me to pick a horse in that race.
 
maxwell0612 said:
Exactly, you can't even put Zane in the conversation. I think it's between Ronnie and Flex. It's very close.
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That's the thing is not everyone likes size over quality. I like a combo of both but it's impossible to agree on one person in a forum like this lol
 
Everyone loves Arnold but he wasn't the best bodybuilder ever. In his best ever shape he would probably not place top 5 in the nationals. If he did the same drugs the guys do now, that's a different story but even then he didn't have flexs perfect lines and symmetry. Personally, I like Flex over Ronnie because Flex never got the Plulumbo gut.
 
Flex Wheeler had great genetics, but poor work ethics.

My favorites are: Frank Zane, Arnold and Mike Mentzer.
 
He wasn't the best, but Lee Priest was bad ass. It was also fun to watch that dude get butter ball fat.
 
Ronnie hands down, no questions asked.
 
Sergio had wayy better genetics than arnie his shape was just amazing especially on that kinda lee priest pose where u put ur arms straight up in the air


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Big Ramy is a f@#king mutant...I think he can actually turn people off and away from bodybuilding as he is so aesthetically ridiculous.....Franco Columbu wins for me. Classic physique.


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I grew up studying the greats (Arnold, Sergio, Franco), but Ronnie was the biggest and strongest BB I've ever seen. Even so Arnold will always be tops in my book.
 
well if we are going to play the 'what if' game then my vote is for Eugene Sandow.. consider he had inferior food, water, no access to drugs or hormones.. and yet look at what he accomplished. we talk about what Arnold would of done today but how bout this guy? hell he didn't even have gyms in those days, he would use household items to train with and lift cars and shit.
 
stevesmi said:
well if we are going to play the 'what if' game then my vote is for Eugene Sandow.. consider he had inferior food, water, no access to drugs or hormones.. and yet look at what he accomplished. we talk about what Arnold would of done today but how bout this guy? hell he didn't even have gyms in those days, he would use household items to train with and lift cars and shit.
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He was the first body builder
 
stevesmi said:
well if we are going to play the 'what if' game then my vote is for Eugene Sandow.. consider he had inferior food, water, no access to drugs or hormones.. and yet look at what he accomplished. we talk about what Arnold would of done today but how bout this guy? hell he didn't even have gyms in those days, he would use household items to train with and lift cars and shit.
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Agreed. He basically was the founder of "I want to be jacked"
 
I always thought that Jim Helwig aka the Ultimate Warrior had the best physique. Watching wrastlin when I was a kid, you was either a hulkamaniac or a warrior. I was a warrior hands down. He made me want to lift. Sucks that he died 3 days after his induction into hall of fame. RIP Warrior.
 
I respect Arnold but there's no way he was even close to the best his arms made him famous all by themselves in my opinion. But I like him. Not as a person but a bodybuilder yeah lol
 
JackSteel said:
I respect Arnold but there's no way he was even close to the best his arms made him famous all by themselves in my opinion. But I like him. Not as a person but a bodybuilder yeah lol
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and chest...massive upper chest.


I'm not an arnold fan...zero wheels.
 
levrone,Lee labrada, flex,Wheeler I saw flex Wheeler and levrone at seminar the morning before muscle mania prejudging as guest stars,flex answer questions nice Guy, levrone was there to gibe posing show he was in pre comp.condition. Labrada.is my build but levrone is or was king, most of 90s bodybuilding looks was better my opinion, Shawn ray,gaspari, remember Victor richards

caveman72 using not abusing
 
I don't get the jay cutler hate. If Ronnie wasn't around jay would have the most Olympia titles.

I would have to say Ronnie 1st and jay second
 
I think Arnold in his prime really had it all - excellent symmetry, complete chest and back, massive arms (maybe not the biggest) and impressive quads and calves. I am more oldskool though I guess.
 
I think a lot of people look back to the classic bodybuilding era because those physiques almost felt achievable, obviously with years of hard work and some AAS support...but the guys today are walking chemical toilets with 'a look' a lot of people just do not find aesthetically pleasing

Like Stretch512, the old skool shape I still find inspiring.


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I think the best bodybuilder ever is me, sorry but that's the way its got to be. if you think you are what you think, what you eat, what you dream,and second Arnold, for his time and era he is the king

caveman72 using not abusing
 
I like Zanes physique too, who doesnt. But Bob Paris and Lee Labrada were better versions. None of who were close to being the best ever however.
 
maxwell0612 said:
I like Zanes physique too, who doesnt. But Bob Paris and Lee Labrada were better versions. None of who were close to being the best ever however.
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Dude, on what criteria are you trying to judge best ever? Differen't era's had different physiques, and you are simply assuming that Arnold wouldn't have been the best if he lived in our era, he had amazing genetics. similar to saying Ali vs Tyson. Pure speculation. And why are you excluding frank zane? What is this men's physiques crap you talk of, just because he was lighter doesn't mean he didn't look exceedingly well. So your criteria seems to be size. in that case, how could a flex wheeler beat a phil heath? I think you need to have different sets of criterion for different era's mate. My personal all time favourites are: Steeve Reeves, Arnold, Zane, Columbo, Haney, Yates, Coleman, Cutler and phil.
 
maxwell0612 said:
Are you serious, or smoking something strong. Flex Lewis looks great but give me a break he would never even have beaten Shawn Ray. He couldn't even stand next to Ronnie or Flex at their best. Do you honestly think Flex Lewis can even be in the top 5 in the regular class?
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Have u seen flex in person lately?
 
You mean flex Lewis in person? No but no way he makes top 5 in the open class. I don't like him because he's unoriginal, who steals someone's nickname. Lol
 
personally ive been influenced most by zane and shawn ray, i want to bring that look back to the stage.

also jerry ward of Bios3TV and Bios3Training has been a huge influence and big role model to me since I've began watching him on YouTube. he had/has a great physique

jerry ward.webp
 
kyk288 said:
Arnold in my eyes will be the best ever
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I agree with you. The guy had charisma, class, personality, and wit during his time and he still has some residual fuel left in him. The other Mr. O's are OK , but not in the same hierarchy as Arnold Schwarzenegger. I believe one day before he dies, the bodybuilding world will crown him the "King of Bodybuilding". OK haters you can come out now. LOL
 
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Anofuctus said:
I agree with you. The guy had charisma, class, personality, and wit during his time and he still has some residual fuel left in him. The other Mr. O's are OK , but not in the same hierarchy as Arnold Schwarzenegger. I believe one day before he dies, the bodybuilding world will crown him the "King of Bodybuilding". OK haters you can come out now. LOL
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He is a icon all that he has achieved in his lifetime from broke immigrant to governator quite a accomplishment



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Kevin Levrone was the best in my opinion... The dude grew into his shows and would take months off of training. God-like genetics
 
RickRock said:
Are you talking abut Flex Wheeler? You didn't specify. I ask because I think the best is Flex Lewis. In my opinion his physique is unmatched in every way. If he decides to go into the open and move up from the 212, Phil Heaths reign is over in my opinion.
Click to expand...


We agree on this....
 
Serge is one of my favorites. If I could pick anyone to be tho I think I would want to look like Marius pudzianowski even though he isn't a bodybuilder per se
 
Lee labradas cool...only because im short...flex wheeler was underestimated...TODAY I'ma roll wit FRANK ZANE...Some how Ive ended up looking for more aesthetic/classic than massive bulk...
 
The question of who is the best is really a challenge, because we have to define what that means, are we talking, aesthetics, shape, symmetry, sheer mass? Overall, my choice would be Arnold, not because he necessarily had the best shape and size combination, but because he is modern bodybuilding. Without Arnold, the sport would not have gained the popularity and spawned the great bodybuilders who followed - Haney, Wheeler, Yates, Levrone, Ray, etc. nor would have I (and countless others) taken an interest in the sport. He paved the way for the others who came, much like Bill Pearl did for him. Sure, Arnold was manufactured to an extent by Weider, but he had the charisma, the look and the determination to pull it off. Was anyone here not influenced in some way by Pumping Iron?

My aesthetic choice would be Zane, Ray, or Serge - these guys maintained the classic V-taper with a small waist, rather than the blocky, square GH gut of the modern guys - who are great bodybuilders, but just a departure from the classic lines. Just my thoughts.
 
Arnold is number 1 IMO. However I think frank Zane deserves to be a close second.


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Frank Zane is my favorite, however Arnold has to be number 1 from a mental/cerebral standpoint. His grasp of science, biomechanics and neuromuscular connectivity was years ahead of its time.
 
Shawn Ray was a beast too, but it seems as if he and Levrone are more cult favorites. They never get their proper due, since they were in the era of the true titans.
 
Ronnie is the best bodybuilder ever, tied for most Olympia wins, most pro wins, changed the sport forever...
All tr other names are good, no doubt, wheeler, levrone, Labrada, all icons,

But if we're all being honest Ronnie pushed the sport to the extreme and brought insane size AND conditioning, to a level never before seen

King Coleman is the best ever
 
It's always going to be Arnold for me, but that's not to say I don't think there were others just as good.
 
You set me up where I couldn't post with your qualifiers so I am gonna overlook that and give you mine:

1. Arnold
2. Lee Haney (I trained with him at his Animal Kingdom in Atlanta)
3. Frank Zane (my hero for symmetry and intellect in the gym).
4. Lee Labrada (know him from back in the day)
5. Can't argue with you about Shawn Ray. He was awesome!
 
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