Arguably the most iconic bodybuilding contest of all time, Mr Olympia is one of the most prestigious accolades a bodybuilder can be awarded. Since 1965, the competition has been a mecca for all competitive bodybuilders and the place they go to become an icon of the sport.
But what is Mr Olympia, and how do the top bodybuilders compete and qualify for this iconic competition?
In this blog, we’re offering insight into how the competition started and where it is today whilst highlighting some of its most prolific winners. Then, we’ll outline our top tips on the best supplements to fuel your bodybuilding journey.
Table of contents:
The history of Mr Olympia
Becoming Mr Olympia: Training and qualification
Iconic Mr Olympia champions
The best supplements for bodybuilders
The history of Mr Olympia
In 1946, brothers Joe and Ben Weider created the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding) to help promote and support bodybuilding as a sport.
Although the NABBA Mr Universe competition existed for elite bodybuilders, the brothers wanted to create their own bodybuilding show to allow amateur Mr Universe winners to continue to compete and earn money. With this in mind, Olympia was born.
On September 18th, 1965, the first Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend occurred in New York City at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The prestigious title of Mr Olympia was awarded to the winner of the professional men’s bodybuilding contest in the Open Division, the pinnacle event of the weekend.
The first Mr Olympia winner was Larry Scott, who won his first of two straight titles before retiring. To this day, Scott is still the only winner to be undefeated, as he retired before he could lose to a competitor, a unique situation which earned him the nickname, ‘The Golden Boy’.
Since the inaugural event, Mr Olympia has been held annually, visited 10 different countries and has seen hundreds of athletes train and compete at the wider event. However, only 18 men have been awarded the Mr Olympia title.
Becoming Mr Olympia: Training and qualification
Qualification
For a bodybuilder to get the opportunity to compete in Mr Olympia, they must follow the competition’s rigorous qualification process:
Pro Card
To be considered for Mr Olympia, a bodybuilder’s first step is to achieve an IFBB Pro Card. To get this, the bodybuilder must first participate in regional or national amateur bodybuilding competitions sanctioned by the National Physique Committee or any other recognised amateur bodybuilding organisation. Competitors must win or place highly in their weight or height class to earn the card at national competitions such as the NPC National Championships.
IFBB Pro Shows
Once the Pro Card is achieved, the athlete must compete globally in IFBB Pro League competitions to qualify for the Mr Olympia Open Division.
There are two ways to qualify to compete in the main event:
- Winning an IFBB Pro League Mr Olympia qualifier competition allows the bodybuilder to compete.
- If the bodybuilder fails to win the competition, they can still earn a place by accumulating points from placing highly in various IFBB pro shows. The top points earners are invited to compete.
By special invitation
Occasionally, Mr Olympia organisers will grant special invitations to competitors who have significantly contributed to the sport of bodybuilding or are deemed exceptional but could not qualify through the usual channels.
It is worth noting that although Mr Olympia is the pinnacle of the Olympia weekend, the competition does feature many other categories and divisions, each with their unique qualification criteria.
Mr Olympia preparation
The qualification process for Mr Olympia may be rigorous, but the dedication to the preparation requires an intense focus. Mr Olympia athletes must have peak physical conditioning, exceptional posing skills and an enigmatic stage presence.
Training for the competition is incredibly intense, with competitors following a rigorous training program tailored to building muscle mass, symmetry and definition. Diet plays a significant role, too, and is crucial in ensuring the low body fat levels and muscle definition required for the competition.
Finally, mandatory poses must be mastered before the competition, with a posing routine defined as essential for making an impression on the judges.
Iconic Mr Olympia champions
Only 18 men have been awarded the prestigious Mr Olympia title, with many of those holding onto the accolade for many consecutive years. Although arguably all Mr Olympia winners are iconic, some are memorable standouts.
Here’s our list of the most notable Mr Olympia winners:
Arnold Schwarzenegger - “The Austrian Oak"
Titles won: 7 (1970-1975 & 1980)
With arguably one of the most complete physiques ever, Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most famous bodybuilders in history.
Known now more for his acting and his work as a politician, notably as Governor of California from 2003-2011, Schwarzenegger helped to propel the sport of bodybuilding into the limelight.
He began weightlifting at 15 and fell in love with the sport, determined to become the most famous bodybuilder in the world. At 21, Schwarzenegger moved to the USA (in 1968) with help from competition organiser Joe Weider to further pursue this dream.
His size, incredible muscle mass and exceptional symmetry helped him to put bodybuilding on the map and his physique set a new standard for excellence in the sport. His charm and charisma helped to ignite his career and brought bodybuilding to the masses.
Ronnie Coleman - “Big Ron”, “The King”
Titles won: 8 (1998-2005)
One of the most prolific Mr Olympia winners of all time, Ronnie Coleman, is tied with Lee Haney for the most Mr Olympia wins. In 2001, he also became the first bodybuilder to win Mr Olympia and the Arnold Classic (established by Arnold Schwarzenegger) in the same year!
Coleman started his career as a police officer but quickly became recognised as a legendary bodybuilder. Known for his incredible mass and strength, he is one of the biggest bodybuilders to ever compete at Mr Olympia, at a height of 5’ 11” and weighing in at 300 pounds - pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible in the sport.
An active celebrity who takes pride in spending time with his fans, despite his size, Ronnie Coleman is known for being one of the most easy going athletes in the sport.
Lee Haney - “Total-Lee Awesome”
Titles Won: 8 (1984-1991)
Lee Haney dominated Mr Olympia during the ‘80s. Known to have an aesthetically pleasing physique, his wide shoulders and narrow waist helped him to promote a proportionate, balanced look in bodybuilding.
Near-perfect mass, definition and symmetry were Haney’s calling cards, and the reason why his lifting legacy lives on today!
One of the biggest bodybuilders of all time, he tied with Ronnie Coleman for the most ever Mr Olympia titles, winning eight times in a row. At the age of 31, however, Haney retired from the sport in favour of helping to use his knowledge to help train other athletes and bodybuilders, including prolific names like Evander Holyfield.
Dorian Yates - “The Shadow”
Titles Won: 6 (1992-1997)
Nicknamed 'The Shadow' for the time he spent hidden away in training, Dorian Yates was a force to be reckoned with in the world of Mr Olympia.
The first of the 'Mass Monsters', Yates prioritised bulk size over aesthetics and revolutionised training methods, opting for HIIT (High-Intensity Training) reps instead of traditional lifting methods. The Dorian Yates years marked a new era of bodybuilding.
Dorian Yates weighed 265 pounds at just 5' 10", whereas, for comparison, Arnold Schwarzenegger was much taller, standing at 6' 2", but was nowhere near as heavy, weighing in at 235 pounds. Notable for his considerable back definition and grainy look, Yates set a new standard for size and definition in the sport.
Phil Heath - “The Gift”
Titles Won: 7 (2011-2017)
A modern-day Mr Olympia, Phil "The Gift” Heath is most celebrated for his detailed physique. His physique was highly applauded for its combination of mass and symmetry, dominating the competition throughout the '10s.
His definition rivalled some of the best bodybuilding physiques in history, whilst his mastery of posing allowed him to outshine the competition and make his muscles pop.
The best supplements for bodybuilders
If you’re new to the sport of bodybuilding, or you simply want to improve your physique by adding in weightlifting and strength training, you may be wondering which are the best supplements to support your training and enhance your results.
Here are our top supplements for getting the job done:
Protein is a nutritional necessity, and protein powder can be a great way to replenish protein lost during a workout. Protein supports muscle build and repairs tissue, so your muscles will benefit from a protein-fuelled shake after a heavy session lifting weights!
There are many different protein powders, so whether you prefer whey protein (derived from milk) or vegan protein powder, your body will still benefit from its muscle-repairing properties.
If you're a fan of delicious flavours, XL Nutrition Protein Powders provide the great-tasting nutrition you need!
You should consider adding creatine to your daily diet as a bodybuilder, because it helps you to maintain a continuous energy supply to your muscles when lifting or during any other intense exercise. Alongside this, creatine can help to speed up muscle recovery and repair micro-tears post-workout.
Created naturally in the body in small amounts, athletes opt for creatine supplements as a performance booster, and the best part is that it's one of the industry's safest and most researched sports supplements.
Unsure where to start with creatine? The Health Project Creatine is a high-quality supplement that can be added to your protein shake!
BCAA (or branched-chain amino acids) are essential building blocks for protein and muscle tissue. BCAA helps to prevent muscle breakdown during exercise and, again, helps to aid muscle recovery; particularly helpful if you've had a heavy day in the gym. BCAAs are also said to help the body retain mass when in a calorie deficit, a real game changer for bodybuilders.
XL Nutrition BCAA can be easily mixed into a shake during your workout to support muscle protein synthesis.
Pre-workout is a great supplement to draw focus ready for your workout. Whether you choose a caffeine-based pre-workout, such as XL Nutrition The Purge, for a rush of extreme energy and focus, or a stimulant-free version, such as Efectiv Nutrition's Project PUMP, you'll benefit from increased blood flow to the muscles for a more effective workout.
Omega-3 and fish oil have multiple health benefits, including promoting a healthy heart and aiding mental health. For bodybuilding, omega-3 can help reduce muscle fatigue and aches post-workout, which is particularly useful if you're looking for a quick recovery to get back into the gym!
Taking omega-3 supplements helps to promote overall health and well-being and is particularly good if you don't have a lot of oily fish or walnuts in your diet. Take 1-3 of The Health Project's Omega-3 Softgels daily to reduce inflammation post-lift.
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