NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal’s passion for bodybuilding was on full display recently, which caught the attention of Phil Heath and Ronnie Coleman. In an Instagram post, Shaq showed off his bulked-up physique by hitting a couple of mandatory poses.
Shaq is a legend in basketball history, whose achievements on the court will never be forgotten. He enjoyed a long and successful career of 19 years and won four NBA titles along the way. He played for six different teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), and was considered one of the greatest centers of all time.
When the world faced the COVID-19 crisis, O’Neal struggled with weight gain and reached 401 pounds. He decided to shed the weight by following a four-day weekly training split. Abs aren’t made in the gym, they’re made in the kitchen, so Shaq also admitted that avoiding junk food has been integral to his weight loss journey.
Shaq’s workout regimen consisted of 20 minutes of cardio and 40 minutes of strength training. Aiming to build muscle and burn fat at the same time, O’Neal accomplished his goal and reached 365 pounds. He’s a bodybuilding fanatic, who continues to draw attention on social media with a massive build at the age of 51.
Bodybuilding Legends React to Shaquille O’Neal’s Latest Physique Update
Check out Shaq’s posing session below:
“in my former life i was @philheath we almost there @rocshabazz that @novexbiotech #gf9 baby” Shaquille O’Neal wrote.
Shortly after Shaq’s physique did the rounds on social media, eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman and seven-time winner Phil Heath gave him props.
As a diehard bodybuilding fan, O’Neal watches the sport closely. He attended the 2020 Mr. Olympia as a special guest and helped promote the event. O’Neal also attended the 2021 Arnold Classic live and had the pleasure of meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger face-to-face.
This wasn’t Shaq’s first tease at a possible bodybuilding venture. Last October, he impressed fans with another posing update. Having dropped nearly 40 pounds, O’Neal didn’t anticipate his physique going viral but said his ultimate goal was to become a sex symbol with ‘muscles everywhere.’ He added that he’d also liked to pose next to his sons in underwear ads and wants his physique to stand the test of time.
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Shaq, who maintains an incredibly busy schedule, continues to build his legacy brick by brick with ambitious fitness goals in retirement. He credits his willingness to stick with strict dieting and exercise as key factors to his overall transformation.