Larry Scott

The winner of the first two Mr. Olympia's (1965 & 1966), Larry Scott is best known for those arms! He probably has the best bicep structure ever.

Unfortunately, he's also known for wide hips and narrow shoulders. I'm not so sure I agree with Mr. Gironda about this, but that's the story.

He also starred in movies, including Muscle Beach Party featuring  Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

The partnership of Larry and Vince was quite innovative. Together, they “invented” at least two exercises named after Larry:

1. The Scott Curl, performed on a “preacher” bench, to which they both attributed his famously long-bellied biceps.
2. The Scott Press, a dumbbell exercise where you started in the finished position of a curl, and press upwards as you rotate your hands from supination to pronation. This exercise really hits the front and side deltoid a lot harder than a standard dumbbell press.

Return to Bodybuilding Hall of Fame from Larry Scott

Harold Poole — Best Teenage Bodybuilder of All-Time

Harold Poole was undoubtedly the best teenage bodybuilder of all-time. He was also a phenomenal all-around athlete, winning his share of track and wrestling competitions.

Harold had the classic lines that we all miss. He was like a '69 Camaro Z28 — brutal power and elegant all at the same time.

Here's Poole's workout routine back in 1962:

• 3 Sets Barbell Press Behind Neck
• 6 Sets of Barbell Bench Press, Wide Grip
• 3 Sets of Barbell Rowing
• 3 Sets of Chins Behind Neck
• 3 Sets of Cheating Barbell Curl
• 5 Sets of Triceps Kickbacks
• 3 Sets of Front Squats
• 6 Sets of Donkey Calf Raises
• 1 Set of Sit-ups

As you can see, he was a natural athlete! He focused on chest and back and did very little leg and ab work. Because he was a track athlete, I guess he didn't need to!

Here's to the best teenage bodybuilder of all-time!

Frank Zane

Frank Zane is my all-time favorite bodybuilder.

Know why?

Every man can aspire to be like him.

Now, I'm not saying his achievements were easy. Or that building a body as complete as his was a walk in the park.

No, not at all.

It's just that he epitomized perfection.

And he wasn't a steroid freak.

His size is something that most men — and women — could look at with admiration.

Zane was super proportional, had perfect balance, and was lean.

He won the Mr. Olympia 3 times in a row, in 1977, 1978, and 1979.

Zane is author of many books, too, including this classic: The Zane Body Training Manual.

Frank Zane even beat the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger once.

Franco Columbu

I've admired Franco Columbu since I first saw him in the 1977 World's Strongest Man competition.

At 5'5″, he is quite possibly the strongest bodybuilder ever. He most certainly is the strongest guy ever under five and a half feet.

Franco started his athletic career as a skinny boxer; he routinely knocked out his opponents. After losing the boxing bug, he moved on to weightlifting and powerlifting, where he set some pretty high standards. In fact, he held world records for considerable lengths of time.

One of the most fascinating exhibits of raw power is seeing Franco do his strongman stunts. He routinely deadlifts 700 pounds for reps, blow up a rubber hot water bottle, and lifts a car while somebody changes a tire.

In that 1977 WSM, Franco was nearly crippled when he was competing in an event where the competitors had to run a distance with a refrigerator on their backs! Franco stepped on a pebble (I think) and his leg bent in a way it never should have.

After extensive surgery and physical therapy, he went on to win the 1981 Mr Olympia (he had already won once in 1976, serving, at that time, as only the 4th bodybuilder to ever hold the title).

Prior to 1981, Franco studied to become a Doctor of Chiropractic and succeeded just before his Mr O victory.

It is reported that Franco ultimately bench pressed over 500 pounds.

He has starred in many movies and he's written several books. I just finished reading Coming On Strong, kind of like Franco's version of the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic, Education of a Bodybuilder.

Franco Columbu was truly a unique character back in the early days of what I consider to be the beginning of the modern era of bodybuilding.

Read more about Franco Columbu here.

Dorian Yates

Dorian Yates, in my humble opinion, ushered in the mass monster era of bodybuilding (the picture to the left is of an earlier version of Yates). He was a great champion, having earned the top spot in the Mr. Olympia six times in a row, from 1992 to 1997.

Known as “The Shadow,” Yates was a beast in the gym.

His last win, and last competition, was the 1997 Mr. O, in which he competed with a torn tricep.

Dorian retired in large part, it's said, due to many acute injuries.

He's been outspoken on steroid use.

Yates now runs a nutritional supplement company.