Best Chest in Bodybuilding
A shredded chest is what separates the men from the boys. Superman – with his shirt ripping antics – can arguably be credited for making a broad chest the symbol of machoism.
Why do you need muscular pecs, you ask? A wide chest is the foundation of the ever-so-desired V-taper. There would be no “golden era aesthetics” without symmetrical pectorals. Building a solid chest can take years of hard work and perseverance and this article is our way of honoring people who have achieved the feat.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The GOAT had one of the best pectoral muscles of his time. The size, fullness, and striations of Arnie’s pecs were unparalleled. His trademark side chest pose is nothing less than a work of art.
Jay Cutler
This article will have a combination of old-school and modern bodybuilders. Cutler’s pecs were a sight to be seen when he dethroned Ronnie Coleman to win his first Mr. Olympia title in 2006.
Serge Nubret
Serge Nubret aka “Black Panther” was a star bodybuilder in the ’60s and ’70s. He took everyone by surprise (including Arnold and Franco) with his incredible symmetry and conditioning in the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest.
Samir Bannout
Samir Bannout is the only bodybuilder from the Middle East to have won a Mr. Olympia title. The size and separation of his pecs made him one of the best bodybuilders of his time. Samir can be credited for popularizing the sport in the Middle East.
Lou Ferrigno
The fact that Lou Ferrigno was cast as The Incredible Hulk should be enough to show that he had one of the most muscular pectorals in the world. Before there were VFX, his size added the ‘incredible’ to the Hulk.
Flex Lewis
Flex Lewis is a freak of nature. He probably has the most symmetrical, proportionate and conditioned physique in the history of bodybuilding. After winning the 212 Mr. Olympia title for seven years in a row, Lewis has been invited to compete in the 2020 Mr. Olympia open division.
Lee Haney
Haney holds the record for winning the most number of Mr. Olympia titles – a tie with Ronnie Coleman. He couldn’t have possibly achieved the feat without having the best pecs in the world.
Franco Columbo
Franco Columbo (RIP) was both swole and strong. The footage of him deadlifting a car out of his way is still a fan favorite. Columbo followed the Governator into bodybuilding and Hollywood and left a mark wherever he went.
Markus Ruhl
It’s a shame that Markus Ruhl’s bodybuilding career ended abruptly due to a squatting accident. He showed a lot of promise, and many top-level bodybuilders considered Ruhl serious competition.
Chris Bumstead
Chris Bumstead reminds many of the ‘Golden Era of bodybuilding’. When bodybuilding fans were worried about the mass monsters taking over the sport, Bumstead came as a ray of hope.
Who do you think has the best chest in the bodybuilding world? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Instagram