Introduction
Raw, brute strength is just as important to bodybuilding as stage presence and well-defined muscles. In the gym, many of the sport’s greatest legends developed their bodies with superhuman strength, but appearance is now given more weight in competitions. Because of their ability to squat over 800 pounds and bench-press massive loads, these bodybuilders became known as some of the strongest men to ever step under a barbell.
This article will analyze the top ten strongest bodybuilders in history—athletes who combined incredible strength with beautiful physiques. Others were Olympia stage champions, and others were famous for their amazing gym lifts that astounded onlookers.
1. Ronnie Coleman, “The King”
Ronnie Coleman is bigger and stronger than anyone else. The eight-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) was famous for his amazing training lifts in addition to his massive physique.
- 800 pounds for two squat repetitions.
- 800 lbs. for two deadlift repetitions
- More than 500 pounds per repetition for the bench press
Ronnie’s videos, especially the one in which he exclaims, “Yeah Buddy! They are famous for shouting, “Lightweight Baby!” while squatting with absurd weights. His strength training approach set a new standard, and few bodybuilders today dare attempt the numbers he hit with apparent ease.
2. Tom Platz, “The Quadfather”
Apart from his well-known leg development, Tom Platz was considered one of the strongest squatters in bodybuilding history. His amazing strength and endurance astounded both powerlifters and fans.
- Strength for squats: 350 lbs for 52 repetitions; 500 lbs for 23 repetitions
Platz was not an Olympian, but his lifting demonstrations made a difference. His strength and hypertrophy proved that he had to squat a lot to develop enormous legs.
3. Franco Columbu, the Sardinian Strongman
Franco Columbu was a close friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger, a two-time Mr. Olympia (1976, 1981), and one of the most formidable bodybuilders of his era. Viewers were amazed by Franco’s amazing strength-to-weight ratio, even though he was only 5’5″ and weighed about 185 pounds.
- Bench press of 525 pounds
- A 750-pound deadlift
- 655 pounds in a squat.
Franco not only did powerlifting but also competed in the first World’s Strongest Man competition in 1977. His achievements proved that size and strength aren’t always related.
4. Stan Efferding, “The White Rhino”
Stan Efferding is widely regarded as the world’s strongest bodybuilder due to his accomplishments in both bodybuilding and powerlifting. Unlike many who focused on just one discipline, Stan was able to successfully balance both.
- 854 pounds squat
- 837 pounds is the deadlift.
- 606 pounds is the bench press.
Stan is one of the most versatile strength athletes in history. He has competed in IFBB Pro bodybuilding events and set all-time powerlifting records.
5. Johnnie Jackson, Powerlifter and Bodybuilder
Johnnie Jackson was one of the strongest professionals of his era and was well-known for his amazing deadlift strength. Powerlifting was a common part of his bodybuilding training.
- The weight of the deadlift is 825 pounds.
- Squatting 823 pounds
- Bench press of 523 pounds
Johnnie participated in Mr. Olympia competitions and won multiple powerlifting titles. Because of his combination of dense muscle mass and raw power, he was unlike any other bodybuilder in history.
6. Eddie Robinson, the Bench Press Beast
Although he is not as well-known today, Eddie Robinson was one of the most powerful bodybuilders of the 1980s and 1990s. His prowess in the bench press was well known.
- Bench press repetitions of 575 pounds
- Over 750 pounds deadlifting
As a professional bodybuilder, Robinson set incredible strength records. His pressing power gave him one of the thickest upper bodies in bodybuilding at the time.
7. Reg Park, Arnold’s Hero
Before becoming famous, Arnold Schwarzenegger was influenced by Reg Park, a British bodybuilder known for his size and Herculean strength. Reg Park was among the first to show that vigorous training increases mass.
- Raw, 1950s, 500-pound bench press
- Over 600 pounds when squatting
- Deadlifting more than 700 pounds
Reg’s pure strength and beauty made future champions possible. Arnold’s philosophy of heavylifting had a direct impact on his own training methods.
8. Kevin Levrone, The Maryland Muscle Machine
Kevin Levrone was not only one of the 1990s’ most genetically gifted bodybuilders, but he was also really strong in the gym. After retiring, Levrone surprised fans by coming back in his 50s with lifts that were comparable to his best.
- The weight of the bench press exceeds five hundred pounds.
- 405 repetitions for the shoulder press
Because of his strength, which translated into a full, dense physique, Levrone was one of the best bodybuilders who never won an Olympia title.
9. Larry Wheels, A Modern Hybrid
Although Larry Wheels is not a traditional Mr. Olympia competitor, he is one of the most well-known bodybuilders and social media stars of our time. He combines the strength of a professional powerlifter with the grace of bodybuilding.
- 675 pounds is the weight for the bench press.
- 855 pounds squatted
- A 900-pound deadlift
Larry is known for popularizing hybrid training, which simultaneously develops strength and beauty. His videos have inspired millions of people and made him a contemporary bodybuilding strength icon.
10. Paul Dillett, The Mass Monster
Paul Dillet, a large, powerful man, was one of the first “mass monsters” of the 1990s. With his height of 6’1″ and weight of over 280 pounds, he was a powerful presence on stage.
- Over 500 pounds for each repetition of a bench press
- In a squat, more than 700 pounds
Although Paul never won an Olympia title, his raw strength and monstrous physique made him one of the most formidable competitors of his time.
Notable Mentions
- Dorian Yates, a six-time Mr. Olympia, was well-known for his rigorous training routine, which included 400-pound or more bent-over rows and 600-pound squats.
- Lou Ferrigno, the first Hulk, was huge, extremely strong, and had lifts that could rival those of his contemporaries.
- Branch Warren is famous for using rigorous, intense training to push his strength to incredible limits.
Why Is a Bodybuilder Considered “Strong”?
While identifying the greatest bodybuilders of all time, it’s important to keep in mind that strength can be measured in a number of ways:
- Powerlifting Numbers: The deadlift, bench press, and squat are the best exercises for building raw strength.
- Strength training for endurance includes high-rep exercises such as the famous squat sets of Tom Platz.
- Functional strength is the ability to move, press, or lift heavy weights outside of competition.
- Comparative strength, or strength in relation to body weight, was displayed by Franco Columbu.
These athletes combined strength and size in ways that have inspired generations, and they were outstanding in one or more of these categories.
Conclusion
Bodybuilding has always aimed to push the limits of human strength and beauty. The relationship between strength and power was exemplified by Ronnie Coleman’s famous 800-pound squats, Franco Columbu’s pound-for-pound dominance, and Stan Efferding’s world records.
As these ten greatest bodybuilders of all time remind us, every incredible physique is the product of years of dedication, tenacity, and willpower. Whether they set world records for squatting mountains of weight or bench pressing, their achievements are still acknowledged in the annals of bodybuilding.
The famous quote from Ronnie Coleman reads, “Everyone wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weight.” Remember that the next time you’re at the gym, loading up the barbell.
