Best Bodybuilders of All Time

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger

   

   Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, former professional bodybuilder, and former politician.

   He is best known for his iconic roles as the T-800 and Terminator in the Terminator series, Douglas Quaid in Total... read more

   Ronnie Coleman needed 50 more pounds of body weight to match Arnie's size but could not match his muscle shape. Arnie had perfect arms, chest, back, huge calves, and great definition in his thighs. Arnold did win on stage under 240 lbs without looking like a freak!

   Arnold Schwarzenegger is the godfather of bodybuilding. We can't think about bodybuilding without him. He is a living legend and a god of bodybuilding. I love him from the depth of my heart.

   Father of Bodybuilding and the Fitness Industry. He has motivated everyone on the planet to be fit and healthy. He is the reason why this industry is still alive and booming. Thank you. Numero Uno.

2. Ronnie Coleman

   

   Ronald Dean Coleman (born May 13, 1964) is an American former professional bodybuilder who is widely regarded as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Known as "The King," Coleman shares the all-time record for most Mr. Olympia titles with Lee Haney, with eight wins each.... read more

   In terms of muscularity, density, overall shape, and just freakiness, he will never be matched. The 1999 Olympia stands a notch above anything I have ever seen on stage.

   The Greatest of All Time. Admit it! Arnold was the greatest until Ronnie Coleman destroyed everyone on stage! He is the god!

   Jeez, would you look at the size of those?

3. Frank Zane

   Frank Zane was not the biggest bodybuilder, but he undoubtedly had the best body in bodybuilding history. He's one of only three men to have beaten Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bodybuilding contest.

   He is everything that bodybuilding today should be!

   Most aesthetic physique ever.

4. Dorian Yates

   

   Dorian Andrew Mientjez Yates (born 19 April 1962) is an English retired professional bodybuilder. He won the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times from 1992 to 1997.

   Known for his high-intensity training, exceptional conditioning, and his wide, thick back, he is widely considered one of the... read more

   Dorian has the best size, proportion, and definition of all these bodybuilders and can't be compared!

   He has to be at least number one or two! I mean, look at his lats and his calves...

   Awesome. Yates was definitely number one.

5. Lee Haney

   

   Lee Haney (born November 11, 1959) is an American former professional bodybuilder. Haney shares the all-time record for the most Mr. Olympia titles with Ronnie Coleman, with eight wins each.

   He won the Mr. Olympia title for eight consecutive years, from 1984 to 1991, and is widely regarded as... read more

6. Flex Wheeler

   

   Kenneth "Flex" Wheeler is a retired American IFBB professional bodybuilder. He won the Arnold Classic a then-record four times and was once described by Arnold Schwarzenegger as one of the greatest bodybuilders he had ever seen. Wheeler is also known for overcoming significant health challenges, including... read more

   Flex definitely deserves a higher ranking in this group. By this group, I mean that Lee Priest, Mariusz, or Paul Demayo should not even be mentioned. Simply because best means best. In bodybuilding, you have to have the total package. I agree with Sergio, Lee, Markus, Flex, Dorian, Ronnie, and Arnold. But then again, it is about what we prefer. Mass? Definition? Symmetry? Smile? Posing?

   He's called the Sultan of Symmetry for a reason, guys. He should be top 3!

7. Franco Columbu

   

   Francesco Columbu was an Italian actor, author, former champion bodybuilder, and World's Strongest Man competitor. Despite standing only five feet and five inches tall, this Sardinian powerhouse conquered the bodybuilding world by capturing the Mr. Olympia title twice, in 1976 and 1981. Before passing... read more

   Tiny but effective. His upper chest is one of the greatest things in bodybuilding. He is probably the strongest Olympian.

8. Kevin Levrone

   

   Kevin Mark Levrone (born July 16, 1964) is an American IFBB professional bodybuilder. He is an IFBB Hall of Famer known for winning multiple professional bodybuilding titles throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Levrone made a notable return to competition in 2016 after a 13-year hiatus.

   Kevin Levrone is probably one of the most aesthetic mass monsters with amazing delts, arms, and traps. Too bad his back was never up to par.

   Best front upper body of all time. His legs were also very good early on. His back thickness always was an issue.

9. Markus Ruhl

   

   Markus Rühl is an IFBB professional bodybuilder. Rühl began training at the age of 18 following a doctor's recommendation after sustaining a knee injury while playing soccer. He is known for his massive size and has competed in numerous international bodybuilding competitions, including the Mr. Olympia... read more

10. Sergio Oliva

    

    Sergio Oliva was a Cuban bodybuilder known as "The Myth." This nickname is believed to have been coined by bodybuilder and writer Rick Wayne, though Oliva himself questioned its origin. He was a three-time Mr. Olympia winner from 1967 to 1969.

    Everything that Arnold has, Sergio has it better: waist, arms, chest, legs - you name it. Those who think that Arnold is better than Coleman or Yates are like those who think Manchester United is better than Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. They don't know anything about football or bodybuilding. They just support Arnold because he's the only bodybuilder they've heard of.

    He should be number one. He was so far ahead of his time. He should have beaten Arnold in 1972. Please, the guy had a 27-inch waist. He was better than Arnold.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Mike O'Hearn

12. ?

    Cedric McMillan

The Contenders

13. Jay Cutler

14. Serge Nubret

15. Phil Heath

    Phil Heath is one of the few guys to score a perfect score in Mr. Olympia. It's funny how he's rated so low because he won't be beaten until 2020. There are no current or up-and-coming bodybuilders built like him with his perfect aesthetics. Jeez, he's nearly perfect down to the smile and eye color.

    He is starting a new era in bodybuilding. He is clearly the best in the world, proven by the 2011 Olympia! He has so many years to go and is already a two-time Olympia champ!

16. Lou Ferrigno

    

    Louis Jude "Lou" Ferrigno is an American actor, fitness trainer, fitness consultant, and retired professional bodybuilder. He is partially deaf, having lost 75-80% of his hearing due to a series of ear infections during infancy. Despite this challenge, Ferrigno became an iconic figure in bodybuilding... read more

    Big Lufer! He was the nicest guy in bodybuilding. Successful off the stage as well.

17. Shawn Ray

    Probably my fourth favorite. #1 Arnold, #2 Flex Wheeler, #3 Levrone, #4 Ray. He deserves top 10-15 at least!

18. Steve Reeves

    If I could have the physique of any bodybuilder in the history of competition, it would be Steve Reeves - period. If Steve's body was not available, Frank Zane would be my second choice. Most of the rest look like freakish mutants (not trying to be cruel). I'm a fan of smooth strength. Steve Reeves had it all.

    He set the stage for all to follow and opened the doors for those to follow. Second only to Arnold, he should be #2 on this list.

    The perfect physique before steroids took over bodybuilding.

19. Chris Cormier

20. Samir Bannout

21. Bertil Fox

22. Lee Priest

    

    Lee Andrew Priest McCutcheon, born on July 6, 1972, is an Australian professional bodybuilder. He competed in the International Federation of BodyBuilders and later in the National Amateur Body-Builders' Association. Priest is known for his muscular physique and for placing in the top ranks at several... read more

    The guy got screwed by the IFBB. He's won more shows than anyone I know. He should be rated higher!

23. John Cena

    

    John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. (/ˈsiːnə/. Born April 23, 1977) is an American professional wrestler, rapper, actor, and reality television show host signed to WWE, where he is currently associated with the SmackDown brand.

    Cena began his professional wrestling career in 1999 with Ultimate Pro Wrestling... read more

    Love him or hate him, you cannot deny the intensity he has and his dedication.

24. Kai Greene

    #26? What's the predator doing here? Definitely deserves a much higher place.

    The current Mr. Olympia's biggest rival with greater size. The people's champ.

    He should be way higher on this list!

25. Zyzz

26. Paul Dillet

    

    Paul Dillett is a retired Canadian IFBB professional bodybuilder and the current owner and CEO of World Beauty Fitness and Fashion Inc. He was active in the professional bodybuilding scene during the 1990s and was known for his imposing stature and vascular physique. Dillett also competed in several... read more

    Big Paul Dillet (dill-lay) was a monster. He was the next big thing - and then we saw him pose.

27. Mariusz Pudzianowski