Bodybuilding's Golden Age

Bodybuilding has come under intense scrutiny over the many years it has been famous as a sport. This mainly revolves around the constant comments and claims of steroid abuse and unhealthy size of many of the athletes involved. But there was a time when bodybuilders looked aesthetic, rather than huge and bloated. There was a time when it was accepted by millions of people as a great sport and outstanding physical achievement. This was bodybuilding’s golden age.

In 1970 Arnold Schwarzenegger won his first Mr Olympia and went on to defend his title as the worlds top bodybuilder for the next 5 years. Arnold not only led the way for bodybuilding’s huge growth in support with his movie/documentary ‘Pumping Iron’ but also encouraged people to get fit and this was evident with the explosion of fitness and gym style training in the late 70’s across America and Europe.

But Arnold was only one of the many aesthetic and wonderfully carved bodybuilders of this era. In 1975 he fended of one of the greatest bodies of all time, Serge Nubret, and in his return in 1980 he also defeated another legend Frank Zane. 

But this era also had a weight division for less than 200 pounds, which was graced by the likes of Franco Columbu and the legendary poser Ed Corney. If you have never watched him pose then I strongly suggest you check him out. 

Unlike today’s larger than life bodybuilders, the athletes of Arnold’s era where aesthetic, trim and ripped. There was not a single bloated stomach to be seen onstage and no calls for bodybuilders to shrink their wastes by the head of the Olympia board, JoeWeider.  

However it seems the tides may be turning, With Weider’s declaration a few years ago that waist sizes needed to be addressed and shrunk the latest champion and Mr Olympia number 13 Phil Heath seems to be on the right lines once again. His streamlined physique and only 29-inch waist seem to signal a return of aesthetic quality to the Olympia stage. May it long continue.