Bodybuilding, being the costliest sport globally, demands tremendous patience and financial investment to maintain a proper physique. The sport encompasses various sub-sports, including weightlifting and powerlifting, which constantly capture the attention of enthusiasts. People often wonder who the top bodybuilders in the world are. To address this question, we have compiled a list of the top 10 bodybuilders in the world, ranked from the first to the tenth position.
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger
He is the former governor of California. He was born on 30 July 1947.He is the jack of all trades. He is a producer, businessman, and one of the best and sharp bodybuilders in the world.Arnold handled weights at the age of 15. After doing many professional things at the gym and training hard, at the age of 20, he won Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia titles 7 times.He is also a good writer and has written many books on bodybuilding. He has also issued numerous articles on bodybuilding.
Arnold is considered to have the best chest in the bodybuilding criteria.He gained more popularity as an actor through the Terminator series movies.Talking about his bodybuilding journey,
he began lifting weights practices in 1960 when the coach of a football team took him to the local gym.Arnold’s goal is to become the greatest bodybuilder in the world, which means becoming Mr. Olympia.On the first attempt, he lost to champion Sergio three times. He tried more and came back to win the competition.He is the youngest to hold the title Mr. Olympia and still holds the title as a record.After the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest, Arnold announced his retirement from professional bodybuilding.In his career of bodybuilding period, he admitted that he consumes performance-strengthening anabolic steroids, which are all legal.acknowledged that the steroids are very helpful to him in maintaining muscle size.Arnold wishes to win the Mr. Olympia contest in 1980. He is training for this role in Conan.He does horse riding and professional running. He also does sword training secretly.After training and practicing, he was declared Mr. Olympia for the seventh time, and then Arnold officially announced his retirement.As this vibes back, many documentaries are named “The Highly Controversial Comeback.”So he does many inspiring things in his bodybuilding career and becomes one of the greatest bodybuilders in the world.
2. Ronnie Coleman
Coleman was born in 1964. He gained the nickname Big Ron during his bodybuilding career. Ronnie is widely regarded as the greatest bodybuilder in the professional bodybuilding community. Known for his kind-hearted and jolly nature, he often quoted famous lines related to professional bodybuilding, such as “YEAH BUDDY” and “LIGHT WEIGHT BABY.”
In 1984, he completed his B.Sc. in accounting with exceptional grades from Grambling State University. Following his graduation, he pursued a career as a police officer in 1989. At the suggestion of his friend Gustav, he joined the Metro Flux Gym, where he met the moody bodybuilder Mad Doxon. Doxon offered Coleman premium lifetime access to the gym.
With daily relentless practice and unwavering dedication, Coleman ventured into professional bodybuilding, eventually surpassing Doxon in his remarkable career. Ronnie achieved tremendous success, winning 8 Mr. Olympia titles, 7 Arnold Classic medals, and 36 other prestigious bodybuilding awards.
In 1995, Coleman claimed victory at the Canada Pro Cup and continued his winning streak by triumphing at the Russian Grand Prix in 1997. His success in professional bodybuilding opened up various opportunities and endorsements.
Ronnie frequently made guest appearances at both private and professional gyms, inspiring others with his journey. Despite his impressive powerlifting feats, including squatting and deadlifting with 800lbs, he experienced several surgeries, including a hip replacement, since 2007.
The toll on his body from intense training and injuries left him relying on a wheelchair for long travels. In 2018, his life and career were documented in the Netflix Documentary “Ronnie Coleman: The King,” directed by Vlad Yudin, inspiring many with his resilience and dedication.
3. Lee Haney
Lee Haney won 8 Mr. Olympia Titles, a record he still holds. He is friends with Ronnie Coleman, who also won multiple Olympia Titles. Haney dominated the bodybuilding sport for eight consecutive years after winning his first Olympia Title a year earlier.
During the off-season, Haney’s weight reached around 260 plus LBS, but he reduced it to approximately 230-240 LBS for future competitions. As an American Former IFBB professional bodybuilder, Lee made his debut in 1983 at the World Pro Championships in Atlantic City.
President Bill Clinton recognized Haney’s achievements and appointed him as the chairman of the Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In 1977, Haney excelled in Football and built an impressive figure. Eventually, he decided to leave college and focus solely on bodybuilding.
After his initial victory, Lee dedicated three years to rigorous training and dieting, returning with an incredible package. In 1983, he participated in seven contests but didn’t win all of them. Nevertheless, by the end of that year, he had attained the best and most fantastic physique in the world.
Lee Haney retired from bodybuilding at the age of 32. Now, at age 55, he still possesses one of the best physiques.
4. Dorian Yates
Dorian Yates, a former English professional bodybuilder, is renowned for his monster-like presence in the bodybuilding profession. He is known for high-intensity training, massive size, shredded glutes, and hamstrings.
In 1991, Dorian Yates made his professional debut at the New Castle Pro. From there, he embarked on a journey to win the prestigious Mr. Olympia title, which he achieved six times consecutively from 1992 to 1997, placing him fifth in the history of Mr. Olympia.
Weighing around 280 LBS, Dorian Yates is completely lean. However, during the Off Season, he had an impressive bulk of about 320 LBS. His remarkable back in bodybuilding history solidified his status as a sports monster during that era.
Dorian’s bodybuilding career began in 1983 at the Martian Gym on Temple Row. Throughout his career, he participated in 15 major contests until his retirement in 1997. Unfortunately, chronic injuries, including the biceps and triceps, forced him to end his career.
Considered the first mass monster in bodybuilding, Dorian Yates attributes his injuries to maintaining an extreme level of training while adhering to a severely low diet and weaknesses in his overall body.
In 1987, Yates purchased Temple Gym, located on Temple Street in Birmingham. He continued his bodybuilding journey and extreme training at this gym.
5. Phil Heath
Heath, known as one of the most famous bodybuilders of all time, is considered a fantastic gift from the gods due to his premium genetics.
Phil possesses some of the best body parts in bodybuilding, naturally.
Making his professional debut in 2006 at the Colorado Pro Championships, Heath earned his first Mr. Olympia Title in 2011, which was truly fantastic.
Over the course of nine years, Phil achieved an impressive seven Olympia Titles, winning consecutively from 2011 to 2017.
He is currently tied with Arnold for the joint second-highest number of Mr. Olympia wins of all time.
Phil’s success in bodybuilding extends beyond Mr. Olympia, as he also secured top positions in the Arnold Classic Europe and IFBB Iron Man competitions, earning numerous championships early in his career.
In 2005, he won the overall title for the NPC USA Championship.
In 2008, Heath won the Iron Man Show and took the second position to Dexter Jackson at the 2008 Arnold Classic.
Heath secured the fifth position in the Mr. Olympia title competition.
If he were to win Mr. Olympia in November 2023, he would become the oldest winner of the bodybuilding title.
Undoubtedly, he is considered the greatest and finest bodybuilder of all time
6. Frank Zane
Zane, the renowned bodybuilder, is a 3-time Mr. Olympia Champion and holds the distinction of being the lightest bodybuilder on the list, weighing only 185 LBS on stage.
An American former bodybuilder, Zane is widely regarded as the best professional bodybuilder due to his intense focus on symmetry.
In 1961, Zane made his professional debut at the Mr. Pennsylvania competitions, and in 1977, he achieved his first Olympia Title, winning it consecutively for two years.
Among his numerous famous titles are IFBB Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Mr. Keystone, and the NABBA Mr. Universe.
During off-seasons, Frank’s weight would reach approximately 200LB, but he would cut down to compete on stage.
Zane’s Physique showcased the second thinnest waistline of all Mr. Olympias, while his broad shoulders contributed to a distinctive V taper.
Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, Zane maintains a competition weight of 190 pounds.
In his bodybuilding career, he earned the nickname “Chemist” due to his bachelor’s science degrees.
Not only is he considered one of the most handsome bodybuilders in his professional career, but his overall presence has also captivated many admirers.
7. Jay Cutler
Jay is an American IFBB Professional Bodybuilder and a four-time Mr. Olympia Winner. He has won numerous titles in his professional bodybuilding career, including the Arnold Classic, Australian, British, Dutch, and Romanian Grand Prix, as well as the Ironman and San Francisco Pro Invitationals.
In the years 2002, 2003, and 2004, Jay secured many classic titles. His dream of becoming Mr. Olympia came true in 2006, establishing his name in the bodybuilding industry. In 2001, he finished third in the Olympia, becoming the third-time Mr. Olympia in history.
He achieved the feat of winning the title in non-consecutive years after defeating the champion Dexter Jackson in 2009. The following year, in 2010, he secured his fourth Mr. Olympia title by defeating Phil Heath. However, in 2011, he was the runner-up to Heath at Mr. Olympia.
In 2012, Jay faced a setback as he could not compete at Mr. Olympia due to a severe biceps injury. In the 2013 Olympia, he managed to secure the sixth position. Throughout his career, Jay Cutler has been featured in various magazines and fitness covers, becoming a prominent figure in the bodybuilding world.
Since 2013, Jay Cutler has shifted his focus away from bodybuilding and concentrated on his nutrition and supplement business. Despite stepping away from the competitive stage, he remains one of the most celebrated bodybuilders in the professional bodybuilding world.
8. Franco Columbu
Franco, renowned as one of the most famous bodybuilders of all time, was also known as the Sardinian Strongman.
Being a two-time winner of Mr. Olympia, Franco shared a lifelong friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger and served as his training partner and business associate.
In addition to his achievements in bodybuilding, he displayed his competitive spirit by securing the fifth place at the 1977 World’s Strongest Man competition.
Franco’s incredible strength extended beyond bodybuilding, evident from his powerlifting records, including a 525 LBS bench press and a 750 LBS Deadlift.
Standing at approximately 5 feet tall and weighing around 185 LBS, he was an impressive force in the world of bodybuilding.
Recognizing his contributions, Franco was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the Arnold Classic Award for lifetime achievement in 2009.
Participating in the inaugural edition of the World’s Strongest Man in 1977, Franco suffered a major injury—a dislocated knee—which kept him out of competitions for several years.
A testament to his extraordinary strength, his name appeared in the Guinness Book of Records in 1978 for bursting a Hot Water Bottle by blowing into it, a feat he accomplished in approximately 55 seconds.
9. Dexter Jackson
Dexter, also known as “The Blade,” emerged as an American professional bodybuilder during his debut at the Arnold Classic in 1999. His remarkable journey led him to become the 2008 Mr. Olympia champion, showcasing his impressively low body weight and fat percentage along with his paper-thin skin and timeless physique.
As a former Mr. Olympia champion, Dexter holds an outstanding record, triumphing in numerous professional bodybuilding titles throughout history. Among these accomplishments, he boasts 5 Arnold Classic victories and multiple Grand Prix triumphs.
In 2012, Dexter secured the 4th position in Mr. Olympia, surprising everyone by winning the Masters Olympia at the age of 43. He continued to shine, earning his 4th Arnold Classic title in 2013.
Dexter’s determination remained evident in 2015 when, at 45, he proved he was still a dominant force by achieving 2nd place in Mr. Olympia. This was his highest achievement since his 2008 Mr. Olympia win.
By the year 2020, Dexter announced that he would participate in his final show, Mr. Olympia, concluding his professional career that began in 1999. In this last endeavor, he secured the 9th position, mirroring his achievement during his Olympia debut in 1999.
10. Flex Wheeler
The Sultan of symmetry, Flex Wheeler, is an American IFBB Professional bodybuilder who has retired from the sport. He made his debut at the IFBB World Amateur Championship in 1990. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman both consider him one of the greatest bodybuilders in history. Surprisingly, he never managed to win the coveted Mr. Olympia title. However, he achieved considerable success in competitions like the Arnold Classic, which he won an impressive 4 times. His nickname, Flex, was aptly given due to his extraordinary flexibility, which he frequently showcased on stage and during various competitions. Even today, he remains a remarkable figure in the professional bodybuilding community.
