Tag: Ronnie Coleman
Shaquille O’Neal Flaunts Hulking Physique in Bodybuilding Update: “In My Former Life I Was Phil Heath”
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.
@shaq/Instagram
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.
RELATED: NBA Player Tries To Savage Conor McGregor After McGregor Trolls Mayweather With Warriors Jersey
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.
Published: 4 August, 2023 | 11:17 AM EDT
Ronnie Coleman and Arnold Schwarzenegger Join Hands for Legendary Training Session
Legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman is widely regarded as one of the greatest competitors of all time. His unmatched dedication to lifting heavy weights made him stand out from the crowd. In a recent post made on Instagram, Coleman pushed bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger to his limits in an intense outdoor workout.
Ronnie Coleman first rose to prominence for his mass, size, and granite conditioning as a Men’s Open competitor in the late 90s. After the departure of six-time champion Dorian Yates, the mass monster found glory at the 1998 Mr. Olympia by defeating the likes of Kenneth ‘Flex’ Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, and Shawn Ray. Coleman proved to be a commanding champion as he warded off future titleholders Jay Cutler and Dexter Jackson to win Mr. Olympia shows eight years in a row.
Besides his insane physique, Coleman was known for his incredible feats of strength, earning him the title of the strongest bodybuilder of all time. He recorded a huge 800-lb deadlift and squat for two reps each and pushed a 2,300 pounds leg press for reps. However, the heavy lifts came with a cost. Coleman picked up several injuries which required multiple surgeries. Despite the troubles, he continued to train regularly and made it clear he has no regrets.
Coleman attributes his injuries to his days of playing football instead of bodybuilding. He admits he dealt with back problems and partially herniated a disc in college before competing on stage. Lately, Coleman got stem cell therapy and reported positive updates to his health.
His pain has almost subsided completely and while he may not be at his best, he never lets it hold him back from training. The 59-year-old revealed he cut down on painkillers by 50 percent after staying consistent with the stem cell treatments. As for his nerve damage, improvements are expected to happen over the next two years.
‘The King’ lauded former 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford for his immense potential in the game after he shocked the world with a runner-up placing in the Open class at 2022 Mr. Olympia. Then, he ranked Lunsford as his favorite bodybuilder of this generation.
Ronnie Coleman’s impact on the sport can be felt to this day. Fellow bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler and renowned coach Milos Sarcev praised Coleman and argued he could hold his own in any generation with his prime physique. Cutler went as far as to say no other competitor came close to Coleman’s level.
Arnold Schwarzenegger remains fit after stepping away from professional competition. He likes incorporating both cardio and weight training to improve skin health. He also offered a fan-favorite circuit workout using a weighted bag that could fit in with any schedule.
Ronnie Coleman Pushes Arnold Schwarzenegger to His Limits in Intense Outdoor Workout
In a recent Instagram post, Ronnie Coleman helped motivate Arnold Schwarzenegger to push beyond his limits in an intense outdoor workout session.
“We all need training partners to help us reach our potential,” wrote Schwarzenegger. “I know Franco was looking down on @ronniecoleman8 pushing me today and smiling.”
“Franco is smiling down from heaven,” said Schwarzenegger. “He’s saying, ‘Finally, Arnold found a good replacement for me.’ That’s what Franco’s saying right now, ‘finally, a good replacement, a good training partner.’”
“Yep, c’mon. Light weight baby!” Coleman said.
Ronnie Coleman struggled with walking unassisted due to some surgery complications. While he does feel less pain since getting on stem cell therapy, he hasn’t experienced a significant improvement in his mobility and expressed concerns about atrophy in his lower body recently.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Teams Up w/ Panatta Equipment to Build The ‘World’s Greatest Gym’
Coleman’s undying passion for weight training and perseverance through health challenges is an inspiration. Given their respective careers, fans were thrilled to see Coleman and Schwarzenegger link up for a workout.
Published: 4 August, 2023 | 1:04 AM EDT
Ronnie Coleman Puts YouTuber Jesse James West Through His Most Intense Chest Workout Yet
Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman left an indelible mark on the sport with his reign of dominance in the Men’s Open division. Besides his monstrous physique, he was renowned for his insane feats of strength in the training room. In a recent video uploaded on YouTube, Coleman teamed up with fitness influencer Jesse James West to put him through his most intense chest workout yet.
Ronnie Coleman first gained attention for his freaky muscle mass, size, and conditioning as a Men’s Open competitor in the late 90s. He secured his maiden Sandow trophy by beating the likes of Flex Wheeler, Chris Cormier, and Lee Priest at the 1998 Mr. Olympia. He proved to be a dominant champion who defended the title successfully and retired with eight Mr. Olympia titles under his belt.
Coleman separated himself from the pack with his insanely heavy lifts in training. He pulled off massive feats, such as the 800-lb squat for two reps and the 2,300-lb leg press. ‘The King’ carried his passion for bodybuilding after stepping away from professional competition.
He recently backed former 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford to dethrone 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan at the upcoming edition of the event later this year. He also ranked reigning four-time Classic Physique Olympia winner Chris Bumstead’s physique as the best he’s ever seen three months ago.
Ronnie Coleman praised Lunsford as his favorite bodybuilder of the modern era last month. Along with Lunsford, he extended his support for the 2023 Arnold Classic winner Samson Dauda as one of his two top two contenders.
Coleman picked up several injuries over the years due to his intense training methods. He’s gotten stem cell therapy and reported positive results in terms of pain management. He shared that the numbness in his arms and legs went away and expected his nerve damage to heal in about two years. Coleman revealed his mobility hadn’t improved much from the stem cell treatment over three weeks ago. He reported some of his muscles were not being stimulated and expressed concerns about atrophy in his lower body.
Legendary bodybuilder Jay Cutler, who developed a fierce onstage rivalry with Coleman, praised his former foe for his contributions to the Open class. The four-time Mr. Olympia believes no competitor has been able to reach the gold standard Coleman set for the division since his departure.
Fitness sensation Jesse James West joined forces with Coleman for a training session earlier this year. Coleman was under the impression he’d motivate West to record some new PRs but West pranked him by using fake weights to score 700-lb squats and more massive lifts. West pulled the same trick on iconic Strongman Eddie Hall when he crushed a 675-lb deadlift using fake weights two months ago.
Ronnie Coleman Puts Jesse James West Through His Most Intense Chest Workout
In a recent YouTube video, Ronnie Coleman mentored Jesse James West through his most intense chest workout five days out of West’s bodybuilding contest.
“Today, we’re going to see if I could survive his most intense chest workout,” said West. “What’s the secret to a big chest?”
“Heavy lifting,” said Coleman.
The chest workout included:
Flat Bench Press
Incline Bench Press/Barbell
Dumbbell Chest Press
Dumbbell Chest Fly
Seated dumbbell curls
They trained at Coleman’s famous gym where he’s trained for over 33 years. Coleman recalled the 800-lb deadlift he recorded as the most memorable lift from his days of competition.
Coleman revealed he’d train lighter one week out from a contest. He’d use both barbells and dumbbells, reserving a day for each. He listed the flat bench as his favorite chest exercise. He trains for 45 minutes every day. Also, Coleman carb-depleted and carb-ed up for Mr. Olympia contests and ate 600 grams of protein a day.
West is gearing up for a bodybuilding contest. He partnered with four-time Men’s Physique Olympia champion Jeremy Buendia for a brutal shoulders workout to get ready for the show last week. Meanwhile, Ronnie Coleman announced his partnership with Panatta Gym Equipment to build a unique gym earlier this week.
Being under a week away from his bodybuilding show, West couldn’t have asked for a better mentor than Coleman to get him ready for contest day.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Criticizes His ‘Horrible’ Olympia-Winning Physique in Throwback Photo with Jay Cutler
You can watch the full video below:
Published: 18 July, 2023 | 6:37 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman Teams Up w/ Panatta Equipment to Build The ‘World’s Greatest Gym’
Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman is determined to create his own personal mecca of weightlifting. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman revealed that he teamed up with Panatta Gym Equipment to create a one-of-a-kind gym.
“We have finally arrived at the world’s famous Panatta city. I’m here to introduce Panatta sports to the United States, yeah buddy. Let’s go do this y’all,” Ronnie Coleman shared.
For nearly a decade, Ronnie Coleman sat atop the Mr. Olympia throne as the undisputed king of the sport. He amazed fans and intimidated rivals with his unparalleled size, strength, and willpower. Coleman suffered in the training room day after day to earn a total of eight Mr. Olympia titles. In 2006, he was dethroned by his long-time rival Jay Cutler.
But Coleman was far more than a bodybuilder. His strength was on another level, and that’s something he showcased often at the gym. He lifted weights that would make most people faint. Coleman is famous for his astonishing 800-pound squat for two reps as well as his iconic 2,300-pound leg press. That strength inside the gym gave him a near-invincible aura during his reign.
Even today, Jay Cutler, the man who succeeded Coleman, admits no one has ever come close to Ronnie’s prime physique. He believes bodybuilders today lack the size and conditioning that made Coleman such a nightmare to deal with on stage. While he struggles to walk without assistance, Coleman’s love for working out still consumes his life. And now, having opened a new gym, perhaps fans will see more clips of Big Ron pumping iron.
Ronnie Coleman Creating ‘The World’s Greatest Gym’ With Panatta Equipment: “It’s a Natural Fit”
The CEO of Ronnie Coleman’s Signature Series opened up about the big move as well as the founder of Panatta Equipment.
“We have the potential to become the Rolls Royce of bodybuilding,” said Rudy, the founder of the Panatta company.
“The equipment is just remarkable, there’s really nothing out there. There’s an attention to detail and passion to really pushing the pace of innovation is just unmatched. Everything that he does, that Rudy has created, it’s like he’s thought of everything. I don’t know if I’ve seen a jump in innovation and quality in equipment in a very long time and he’s doing that right now,” said Brandon Hearn CEO of Ronnie Coleman’s Signature Series.
“It’s a natural fit that we want to team up with the best, we’re the best, they’re the best. There’s a natural synergy together to go out and kind of conquer the fitness world,” added Hearn.
Aside from gym openings, Coleman has remained hopeful about his health in retirement. It’s no mystery that ‘The King’ has suffered from some health obstacles since last appearing on stage. In fact, Coleman mentioned that he’s undergone more than ten back surgeries. As a result of the toll they’ve taken on his mobility, the bodybuilding legend struggles to feel his extremities when he’s pushing through training sessions.
With health a top priority, Coleman has been receiving regular stem cell therapy treatments. He said they are helping a lot, especially with his overall pain levels. While he doesn’t think he’ll be walking unassisted any time soon, Coleman is hopeful and positive about the future.
With Coleman’s latest MetroFlex Gym opening, fans are excited to see what’s next. In the past, The Metroflex Gym housed several elite athletes during their careers, such as Coleman, Branch Warren, Johnnie Jackson, and Steve Kuclo.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Reacts to Reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan’s Craziest Lifts
You can watch the video from Ronnie Coleman’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 17 July, 2023 | 8:14 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman’s Training Partner on Working Out w/ ‘The King’: ‘His Lifts Were Amazing’
Ronnie Coleman is easily one of the most recognizable faces of the bodybuilding industry. ‘Big J,’ who helped train Coleman, took to a recent Straight Outta the Lair Podcast with Flex Lewis, to discuss his experiences at the Metroflex Gym with ‘The King.’
During his respective tenure, bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman separated himself from his peers with exceptional muscle mass, conditioning, and size. In 1998, he defeated Flex Wheeler to win his first Mr. Olympia title. Having taken a moment to look back on his career, Coleman believes Wheeler is the reason he became so successful because he connected him with his long-time coach Chad Nicholls.
From 1998-2005, Coleman dominated the Men’s Open class, and in the process, defeated popular mainstays such as Jay Cutler, Kevin Levrone, and Dennis Wolf. In 2006, Cutler dethroned Coleman to end his illustrious eight-year reign. A year later, Coleman opted to retire after his final Mr. Olympia show where he finished fourth.
During Coleman’s career, he often trained at the Metroflex Gym in Texas. This gym served as the home to many prolific bodybuilders such as Men’s Open threats Johnnie O. Jackson and Branch Warren, an athlete known for impressive quad development. And while fans haven’t heard much from Coleman’s training partner, Big J, he’s now offering some details about working out with ‘The King’ during the mid-90s and 2000s.
‘Big J’ Talks Meeting and Training with Ronnie Coleman
Big Jay said he still keeps in touch with Ronnie and saw him at the gym two days ago.
“I just talked to him two days ago at the gym and he’s got a bigger smile. That says something, you can’t have much of a bigger smile than that, eight-time Mr. Olympia – it doesn’t get bigger, might as well have another son.”
“We trained [together] at five or six in the morning, somewhere around there,” said Big J. “I think once he started winning the Olympias is when the different times came about. You know, when you train that there are so many interruptions. Hey, can I get a picture… it’s hard to explain to super fans, and there are super fans out there that this is actually not just a hobby, this is his job. He’s at work.”
“It’s disappointing to fans for sure, but once they finally realize that he’s pushing 200-pound dumbbells and he’s getting psyched up, yes I’ll wait. It’s the same with other workout partners. A lot of times I was training with Ronnie and I was having to direct traffic a lot of the times. So we decided to start training at later hours that way nobody is there.”
While fans often wanted Ronnie’s attention, Big J said Ron treated bodybuilding training like a job.
“There’s no cameras, there’s no hype squad, there’s always some good gangster rap going [in Metroflex] it’s funny because there’s so much more work that goes on behind the scenes. Even the kids nowadays don’t realize that we didn’t do this for notoriety and we didn’t do this for pictures on Instagram, we didn’t do this to get popular, we did it because we loved the shit out of it.”
Big J met Coleman while squatting weight back in the 90s.
“As far as training – it’s different. You can talk to a concrete worker, a brick layer, or a ditch worker, and you bring him to the gym and smoke him, but he’ll smoke you in the ditch. So, you have to change gears to a different type of intensity.
“Squatting and deadlifting was my specialty I loved doing it. I was squatting in the back and there was this rap music going on and there was this big monster — I mean this was before he was Mr. Olympia, but he was still a big monster. He kept looking at me with this stinky face like I smell shit. The big nostrils. He’s just looking at me really weird. I’m like who’s this guy, why is he looking at me like this. I didn’t know him. He comes over and he’s like ‘Hey man, how are you squatting so much weight with those itty bitty ass legs?’ I start laughing and I’m like, ‘How are you so freakin big?’ And it was game on from there.”
Looking back on some notable lifts, Big J highlighted Ronnie pressing 200-pound dumbbells with ease. He also witnessed Coleman’s most legendary lifts, such as the 2,300-pound leg press and the 800-pound squats and deadlifts.
“It kind of started with Branch. That fucker always tried to kill me when we first met training. I trained with him from the mid-90s to the early 2000s. He would help me along with some other people with my nutrition and whatnot, I would just do what they did. It was a lot different from the training I did in the military.”
“Well Ronnie with those 200s like they were 100s just blew me away,” said J. “Ronnie’s lifts were amazing. I saw him pull the 800 for a couple, squat the 800 for a couple, leg press the 2,300 for eight. I’ve been to all those lift and they always made me oh my God that’s amazing, I can do that.”
After pulling 1,000 pounds, Big J called Ronnie Coleman who congratulated him on the impressive feat of strength.
“I pulled it and I recorded it and said here’s your video. He goes, I knew you could do it good job. That’s all you’re going to get from the greatest bodybuilder in the world. You’re not going to get, ‘Oh my god that’s great,’ because he’s great.”
As of late, Ronnie Coleman sold his Texas home to move into a larger house. In addition, the 59-year-old opened a Metroflex Gym recently. He’s been busy in retirement but fortunately keeps fans updated on his health. According to Coleman, his inability to walk without assistance hasn’t gotten any worse or better. He continues to receive stem cell therapy treatments every few months, which he said has helped his overall pain levels.
Ronnie Coleman is a living legend and one of the strongest bodybuilders to ever compete. Judging by stories told by his training partner, Coleman’s work ethic guided him to great heights as an IFBB Pro with the help of his brotherhood at the Metroflex Gym.
You can watch the full video from the Straight Outta the Lair YouTube channel below:
Published: 27 June, 2023 | 8:40 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman Reacts to Reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan’s Craziest Lifts
Ronnie Coleman was revered for his monstrous physique and strength during his bodybuilding career. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman reacted to some of reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan’s most impressive gym lifts.
“What’s going on guys? Big Ron here. I’ve seen my boy Hadi Choopan been doing a lot of work over the years and finally got himself a title. I thought it would only be appropriate if I did some reaction videos to some of his training, so let’s get into this, yeah buddy,” said Coleman.
During his tenure, Coleman dominated the Men’s Open division for nearly a decade. Nicknamed ‘The King,’ Coleman brought unparalleled size, conditioning, and firepower to the world’s brightest stages. He routinely pushed and defeated heavy hitters in the category such as Jay Cutler, Flex Wheeler, and Kevin Levrone.
Coleman wasn’t just known for his skills on a bodybuilding stage. Throughout his career, he made headlines for recording stunning feats of strength. He’s deadlifted 800 pounds for reps and has leg pressed over 2,300 pounds.
A pioneer of freaky mass, Coleman collected eight Mr. Olympia titles from 1998-2005. He was well respected for his intense training style which often incorporated heavy weight for a high number of reps. Despite retiring in 2007, Coleman’s impact on the sport is undeniable. Given his experience and expertise, his opinions regarding the Men’s Open division are often sought out.
In the wake of the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest, Hadi Choopan claimed gold while Derek Lunsford, a former 212 Olympia champ, finished runner-up. The contest was close and in Coleman’s opinion, Derek Lunsford now has the potential to take out Choopan this November. In his latest endeavor, however, Coleman isn’t looking at the Olympia contest. Instead, he examined some of Choopan’s greatest lifts inside the gym.
Bodybuilding Legend Ronnie Coleman Blown Away by Hadi Choopan’s Greatest Lifts
The video starts with Choopan performing a series of cable exercises.
“Show me how you got that title, show me all the thickness you got there, let’s go, let’s do this, light weight.”
Then, Coleman reacted to Choopan firing off reps of heavy barbell curls.
“Get them arms as big as possible. That’s a big-armed dude. Let’s go Hadi. Let’s do this. What you got going on? Just playing around in the gym right now,” said Coleman. “Let’s show them how it’s supposed to be done. Yeah, buddy! Big thick chest, big thick arms, lifting that light weight baby, like it ain’t nothing. Ain’t nothing to it but to do it Hadi, you got this.”
Coleman watched Choopan hit huge barbell squats and reps on the leg press machine, an exercise Ronnie was famous for in his prime.
“Let’s go, you got this,” said Coleman. “Hard work always pays off. Now you got the title buddy.”
“Who is going to be the Mr. O in 2023. Those were some impressive lifts. Congratulations on the title Hadi, I’m looking forward to seeing you on the stage later this year. Yeah buddy.”
In retirement, Coleman is a busy man but makes time for fun reaction videos, usually in response to impressive lifts or gym fails. In addition to looking at the Open Mr. Olympia’s latest lifts, Coleman recently assessed four-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead’s best feats of power. Coleman was most impressed after Cbum managed to deadlift 600 pounds with relative ease.
Though, it’s not just top-tier bodybuilders that Coleman keeps an eye on. He’s also given his reaction after watching four-time World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw demonstrate some of his craziest exercises performed on camera. Overall, Coleman was stunned at the strongman’s abilities on the car deadlifts and truck pull.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest approaching in November, fans expect that it will be another unpredictable contest. Choopan will again aim to fend off his teammate Lunsford, third-place 2022 O finisher Nick Walker, and frontrunner Samson Dauda, who recently claimed gold over ‘The Mutant’ at the recent 2023 Arnold Classic show.
RELATED: 8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Gives Health & Mobility Update: “My Walking Is About the Same”
You can watch the full video from Ronnie Coleman’s YouTube channel:
Published: 26 June, 2023 | 4:33 PM EDT
8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Gives Health & Mobility Update: “My Walking Is About the Same”
Ronnie Coleman, a bodybuilding legend known for his strength and muscle mass, has prioritized his health and well-being in retirement. In a recent Muscular Development interview, Coleman discussed his mobility, his stem cell treatments, leg training, and selling his house in Texas.
During his reign of eight years, Coleman was the undisputed king of the Men’s Open division. He won the Mr. Olympia contest from 1998-2005 and at that time, established himself as an all-time great. His massive physique and near-flawless definition saw him defeat formidable mainstays of the IFBB Pro League such as Flex Wheeler, Jay Cutler, and Kevin Levrone.
After stepping away from the sport, Coleman has remained an ambassador for bodybuilding. In addition to receiving prestigious honors like the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award, Coleman is held in high esteem for his contributions to the sport both on stage and off.
Whether he’s taking part in a training session with influencers or reacting to epic gym stunts, Coleman is a beloved figure in the fitness community. He’s been subjected to over 10 back surgeries which have left him unable to walk without assistance. Nevertheless, Coleman doesn’t use the setback as an excuse as he still trains regularly.
Ronnie Coleman Says ‘Something Is Off’ with His Quad/Hamstring Atrophy: ‘I Can’t Put My Finger On It’
Coleman feels less pain after the stem cell treatments, but they have not improved his mobility.
“That’s why I was going there [stem cell therapy] because my pain was really high, it was keeping me up at night. I go there every four months and it pretty much alleviates all my pain,” Ronnie Coleman said. “No [it hasn’t helped me walk] I didn’t notice anything, I’m still on the crutches pretty good… my walking is about the same. He was saying maybe it might help regenerate some nerves but nothing yet… you know.”
‘The King’ specified that some of his muscles are not ‘activating’ due to fused discs and hopes a chiropractor will help him fix this problem. Coleman trains his legs twice a week but shared that he loses his pump 15 minutes post-workout.
“I was talking to a chiropractor about a couple weeks ago, he was saying something that I have some muscles that are not activating and he knows a way to help me activate those – but he’s not coming down here until August to help me with that. He was saying that would help my mobility a lot if I can get some of these muscles activated that are de-activated right now, he said that’s probably why I’m having the mobility problems. After all these surgeries and stuff you go through, they fuse your discs, it kind of de-activates some of the muscles.”
According to Coleman, his walking hasn’t gotten any better and he’s concerned with atrophy in his quads and hamstrings.
“I kind of got an idea of what he’s talking about because I have a lot of atrophy in my quads and hamstrings. Something is not right. Something is off. But I just can’t put my finger on it because I train legs twice a week. It ain’t doing hardly nothing. It’s stayed the same. So something is not activating that I need to turn on.”
“Stem cells take a while to activate some of the nerves too. He said maybe a couple of years. But I should be coming up on a couple of years in about another six months or so. I think I’ve been there for about a year and a half now. He said I’ve been down there three times and like I said, I go every four months.”
Even though he deals with numbness in his extremities from time to time, Coleman said his max leg press at 59 is 360 pounds for 15-20 reps.
“I’m not that strong, for sure. The most I can leg press is like 3-4 plates for like 15-20 reps. That’s nothing compared to what I used to do. I can feel – every now and then I feel a little tightness [a pump] but it doesn’t last hardly no time. It goes away really quick. Well, when I say tightness I’m trying to say a pump. I can get a pump in my quads for about maybe 15 minutes or so, 20 minutes maybe. But it goes away really quick. Like I said, something is not activating there.”
Coleman Reflects on Selling Texas House and Upgrading to Bigger Home
Recently, Ronnie Coleman sold his Texas home of 26 years, which was listed at $495,000. He also sold all of the gym equipment and plans to move into a bigger and more kid-friendly house.
“Yeah, it’s [gym equipment from his home] all gone now,” said Coleman. “This house was pretty good for me when I was by myself. It’s five bedrooms, 3,000 square feet, it’s got the gym – another 1,000 square feet. The reason why I’m selling the house is because the kids are getting older. They’re getting where they need their own bedrooms, their own space, their own bathrooms, that’s why I’m moving to a bigger house.”
“The house we found is about 6,000 square feet. It’s got an acre of land. It’s got a pool and everything. Stuff kids really like. This house doesn’t have hardly no land, no pool or nothing. Like I said, it’s 3,000 square – it’s kind of small for a family of what six, seven of us living here now. So that’s kind of small for family of seven people.”
He said there was no point in keeping his old weights as he recently opened a MetroFlex Gym in Tampa, Florida.
“There wasn’t no need to hold on to all this [gym] equipment when I have brand new stuff coming in. I bought that gym back in 2001 and that’s back when I got all that equipment. So it’s pretty old but it’s still in good condition though.”
This isn’t Coleman’s first health update of 2023. In Feb., former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay’s stem cell doctor, Dr. Khan, began treating Coleman. He was quite optimistic about Coleman’s chances of walking again soon. At the time, he said he was confident he could ‘fix’ Coleman’s issues. However, judging by Ron’s recent update, it doesn’t appear the icon is close to walking without assistance or help.
As one of the strongest bodybuilders to ever compete, many have taken inspiration from Coleman’s career. Even though he faces challenges in retirement, he still shows the same passion for the sport that he had when he was champion.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Reacts to Chris Bumstead’s Biggest Feats of Strength
You can watch the full video on the Muscular Development YouTube channel:
Published: 22 June, 2023 | 6:49 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman Reacts to Chris Bumstead’s Biggest Feats of Strength
As one of the strongest bodybuilders to ever compete, getting the nod of approval from Ronnie Coleman is a big deal. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman reacted to some of Chris Bumstead’s craziest lifts inside the gym.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of hype about my boy Cbum. I thought it’d be only fair if I did a reaction video to some of his lifts and some of his posters out there, so let’s get into this y’all, yeah buddy.”
En route to earning eight Mr. Olympia titles, Ronnie Coleman proved himself against the best of his era, where he pushed names like Jay Cutler, Kevin Levrone, and Flex Wheeler. His mass, conditioning, and balance were unparalleled, which helped him demand the spotlight whenever he graced a stage.
In 2007, Coleman decided to call it a career. In retirement, he’s faced a number of health issues and setbacks. Following more than 10 back surgeries, the bodybuilding legend struggles to walk without assistance. Nevertheless, his impact on the sport is evident today as he remains tied with Lee Haney for the all-time Mr. Olympia record.
With spare time on his hands, Coleman created a successful YouTube channel with over 1.72 million subscribers. He documents his health and other facets of his life regularly. This time, he reacted to Chris Bumstead’s craziest lifts.
Chris Bumstead is a four-time Classic Physique Olympia winner. He first took the honor in 2019 and has seemingly improved each year since. He faced adversity before winning his fourth title, however. Weeks after last December’s show, Bumstead revealed that he got the job done with a torn bicep. Like Coleman, Bumstead’s popularity has become undeniable.
Ronnie Coleman Shocked By Chris Bumstead’s Strength in Reaction Video
After watching Bumstead on stage, Coleman reacted to a collection of training clips.
“Cbum got some strength there,” said Coleman. “He’s playing with that weight like it ain’t nothin.”
“Cbum curling like it ain’t nothing. Light weight, light weight, ain’t nothing to it but to do it baby. Light weight, he’s playing with it making it look real easy. Show them why you got all that thickness.”
“Nice and Classical, yeah buddy,” added Coleman.
Coleman was most impressed with Bumstead’s deadlifting strength. Given his ability to lift 600 with ease, ‘The King’ wouldn’t be surprised if the 29-year-old could deadlift 900 pounds.
“Deadlifts, one of my favorite, playing with that weight, he’s making 600 look like it’s 200.”
“Get that back real big and thick, yeah buddy. Cbum in the house.
“Cbum you were lifting that weight like ain’t nothing. I think you had it in you to do 8 maybe 900. Let’s hook up with your boy and show them how it’s done.”
This isn’t the first time Ronnie gave his raw take on a bodybuilder’s best lifts. In April, he took a closer look at some of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most impressive feats of strength. During the video, Coleman acknowledged that the ‘Austrian Oak’ was easily one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, regardless of era.
In addition to bodybuilding, Ronnie examined some of the strongman Brian Shaw’s legendary lifts. Coleman was blown away after Shaw deadlifted a car and pulled a truck. He also praised Shaw’s performance on the tire carry.
Whether it’s a viral Liver King clip or Jujimufu testing the limits of his strength, Coleman has seen it all. Before ending his latest video, Coleman encouraged Bumstead to visit him for a training session.
RELATED: “He’s Having a Seizure!” — Ronnie Coleman’s Hilarious Reactions To Kyriakos Grizzly’s Crazy Lifts
Watch the full video below from Ronnie Coleman’s YouTube channel:
Published: 12 June, 2023 | 4:35 PM EDT
Jay Cutler, Milos Sarcev Talk Fantasy Battles: Jay vs Dorian Yates, Phil Heath vs. Ronnie Coleman
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler left a storied career behind but still serves as a visible ambassador for the sport. In a recent Cutler Cast Podcast, Cutler and Milos Sarcev discussed past Mr. Olympias and how they’d fare against each other in hypothetical match-ups.
The Men’s Open division has undergone immense changes since the 1990s, which saw six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates‘ successful reign. He ushered in an era of mass monsters, a valuable blueprint that athletes have followed decades after his exit from the sport.
In 1998, Ronnie Coleman shocked the bodybuilding world. He brought an unparalleled level of size, conditioning, and vascularity. Not to mention, he’s considered one of the strongest bodybuilders to ever compete, having been made famous for his epic 2,300-pound leg press and 800-pound squat for two reps.
In 2006, Jay Cutler was the chosen one, after almost a decade-long reign, the Massachusetts native did the impossible: he took out his rival Coleman. Cutler held on to the title in 2007 in a controversial contest. Eventually, Cutler would lose his championship honors in 2008 to Dexter Jackson, only to become the first Open athlete to ever win back the Mr. Olympia title a year later.
In the mid-2000s, Phil Heath established himself as a champion under the guidance of Hany Rambod. With cartoonish muscle density and three-dimensional fullness, Heath tied Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s record of seven Mr. Olympia titles.
All of these Mr. Olympias took drastically different paths to establish their dynasties. In their latest offering to fans, Cutler and Sarcev looked closely at how these champions would have fared against each other had they shared the stage.
Jay Cutler & Milos Sarcev Talk Dorian Yates vs. Cutler/ Ronnie Coleman vs. Phil Heath
According to Milos Sarcev, he underestimated the hardness and completeness of Yates’ rugged physique. However, he believes “any version” of Cutler could stand against Yates had they competed.
“Dorian never had good arms but has lines… you know. I don’t think Dorian had the greatest arms, greatest shoulders, greatest chest, greatest abs, greatest legs but put it all together it’s like holy moly. Lat spread, he was killing everybody. Side chest and side triceps, I really didn’t think he’d look as good when I watched the thing, but then I was like what am I talking about he’s good.”
“They say it’s not even fair to compare [past champions from different eras]. Jay said you have to really see it to believe it and appreciate the kind of hardness and dryness, the fibrotic tissue, would 2009 Jay be overwhelmed by any version of Dorian? No. Dorian would not overwhelm you, right, for sure, right.”
“I didn’t have the crazy back and the hardness,” added Cutler.
“Your shoulders are wider, your arms are better,” replied Sarcev.
Even though Heath possessed a freakish and one-of-a-kind physique, Cutler believes Coleman would have defeated ‘The Gift.’
“It’s like arguing Phil Heath versus Ronnie Coleman. Phil had a lot of things going on, but I think if you put him next to Ronnie in his prime he would get overwhelmed a little bit, you know. I’m asking you for the greatest physique ever,” Jay Cutler said.
Before ending the discussion, Sarcev and Cutler agree the greatest physique of all time belongs to Ronnie Coleman.
“’98 Ronnie for me, yeah,” stated Sarcev.
“I think a lot of people would say that same thing,” Cutler said. “I’m a little disappointed people forget about those guys [Lee Haney] and we never talk about Arnold how he was great or how Sergio was great. Even Frank Zane and all these guys, the early guys, you have to take into account the era, the equipment they use. Think about how advanced everything is now.”
This isn’t the first time that Jay Cutler praised Coleman’s prime physique. He joined the Don’t Be Sour podcast recently, where he laid out why Ronnie’s physique has yet to be matched by a contemporary competitor. He specified that Coleman’s combination of crazy muscle density and conditioning made him an extraordinary talent in the sport.
Coleman’s body stands out as the best ever for Sarcev and Cutler. Though, the debate as to who possesses the greatest physique is never truly over.
RELATED: Dana Linn Bailey Joins Jay Cutler, Defends Natural Status, Talks Health Scares & Thyroid Issues
You can watch the full video from the Cutler Cast YouTube channel below:
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 7:21 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman Names Derek Lunsford As His ‘Favorite’ Bodybuilder of This Generation
Ronnie Coleman, a living legend with eight Mr. Olympia titles, has seen talent come and go since stepping away from the stage. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman named Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda as his favorite two bodybuilders.
While making history as one of the winningest Mr. Olympia athletes to ever take part in the sport, Coleman built a massive physique that has stood the test of time. En route to defending his title for almost a decade, he battled on stage with fellow icons such as Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, and Flex Wheeler.
Since retirement in 2007, Coleman has been open about his career. He credits Flex Wheeler for helping him win his first Mr. Olympia after connecting with coach Chad Nicholls. The sport has certainly undergone changes since Ronnie’s time on top, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped sizing up the Men’s Open.
Weeks before last December’s 2022 Olympia event, Coleman predicted Derek Lunsford would serve as Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay’s greatest threat. However, the contest’s outcome saw Hadi Choopan reign supreme against a stellar lineup. Coleman was blown away by Lunsford’s runner-up appearance though, so much so, he is now predicting the former 212 champ will win 2023 Olympia this November.
Ronnie Coleman Discusses New Era: Names Derek Lunsford & Samson Dauda As His Favorite Athletes
Coleman named Derek Lunsford and 2023 Arnold Classic winner Samson Dauda as his favorite bodybuilders of this generation.
“My favorite bodybuilder at the moment, let’s see… hmm, Derek Lunsford, probably the number one favorite. Probably my number two favorite… I kind of like that guy that won the last Arnold Classic, name is Samson Dauda. If I had to pick a favorite, it’d be those two.”
After taking a closer look at today’s Open class, Coleman praised athletes for hard training and strict dieting.
“I see every generation has its own era. Mostly all of us have to work extremely hard and diet extremely hard and make the biggest sacrifices ever. So, I think that the next generation of bodybuilders is a pretty good class of guys. They work extremely hard. They train hard. They diet hard. So, I think the new generation is a pretty good generation,” said Ronnie Coleman.
Lastly, an optimistic Ronnie Coleman gave fans an update on his health.
“Well, I’m doing pretty good. I’m in great health and my last check-up was back in March. I had a really good clean bill of health as far as my last check-up goes. Now, I have another one probably in a couple of months. So, we’ll see how that goes. But for now, I’m doing pretty good.”
In addition to backing him as a title threat, Coleman recently collaborated with Derek Lunsford. They took part in a grueling back and biceps-focused training session. During the workout, Coleman introduced Derek as the next Mr. Olympia champion.
Whether Hadi Choopan defends successfully has become a topic of debate. William Bonac who decided to take the year off for improvements, believes Choopan will handily retain gold in a few months. However, 2022 third-place Olympia finisher Nick Walker doesn’t see ‘The Persian Wolf’ repeating as champion. Therefore, he predicted the outcome will be determined following a showdown between himself and Lunsford.
Meanwhile, former champ Big Ramy has set his sights on redemption. He finished fifth at the last Olympia and fourth at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Having received a stem cell treatment, fans are hopeful that Ramy will win back his title in Nov. but questions about his commitment to the sport continue to swirl as of late.
There’s no denying that the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest is shaping up to be even more unpredictable than the previous year’s edition. Fans look forward to seeing their favorite athletes back on stage, including Ronnie Coleman.
RELATED: Chris Cormier Reflects on Gunter Schlierkamp Almost Defeating Ronnie Coleman at 2002 Mr. Olympia
You can watch the full video from Ronnie Coleman’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 6 June, 2023 | 1:06 PM EDT