The Most Successful Bodybuilder of All Time, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the bodybuilder you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 2, 2024 06:56

In the world of bodybuilding, recognizing the greats not only honors their achievements but also inspires upcoming athletes. Fans and newcomers alike often debate who stands out in this competitive and physically demanding field. Ranking the most successful bodybuilders offers a structured way to acknowledge the dedication and hard work that these athletes have poured into sculpting their physiques to perfection. This dynamic list, shaped by your votes, reflects current opinions and trends in bodybuilding. It provides a snapshot of who is considered the pinnacle of physical achievement at any given time. By participating, you contribute to a larger conversation about excellence in bodybuilding and help ensure that the legends of this sport receive recognition for their extraordinary efforts.

What Is the Most Successful Bodybuilder of All Time?

1

96
votes
John E. Biever · Public domain

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger himself

Considered by many to be the greatest bodybuilder of all time, Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Olympia title seven times and helped popularize the sport with his iconic physique and numerous film roles.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a former professional bodybuilder, actor, and politician. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time.

Height: 6'2" (1.88m)

Weight: 240-250 lbs (108-113 kg)

Chest size: 57 inches (145 cm)

Bicep size: 22 inches (56 cm)

Waist size: 34 inches (86 cm)
Arnold Schwarzenegger in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous action star
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Austrian person
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous cigar smoker
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Leo
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous immigrant in the US
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous INTJ
2

42
votes
www.localfitness.com.au · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ronnie Coleman

Ronnie Coleman himself

With eight Mr. Olympia titles to his name, Coleman is widely regarded as one of the most dominant bodybuilders of all time. He was known for his incredible size and strength, and his work ethic and dedication to the sport are legendary.
Ronnie Coleman is a renowned retired professional bodybuilder who is widely considered one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time. He dominated the sport in the late 1990s and early 2000s, winning the Mr. Olympia title a record-breaking eight times.

Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)

Weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)

Competition weight: 290 lbs (132 kg)

Chest size: 58 inches (148 cm)

Arm size: 24 inches (61 cm)
3

21
votes
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports · Public domain

Lee Haney

Lee Haney

Haney won the Mr. Olympia title eight times in a row, from 1984 to 1991, and is known for his balanced and symmetrical physique. He also helped usher in a new era of professionalism and training science in the sport.
Lee Haney is considered one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time. He dominated the sport during the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning a record-setting eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1984 to 1991. Haney's physique was characterized by a combination of incredible size, symmetry, and conditioning.

Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)

Weight: over 250 lbs (113 kg) in competition

Chest Size: 58 in (147 cm)

Waist Size: 34 in (86 cm)

Arm Size: 22 in (56 cm)
4

25
votes
Beaverino · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dorian Yates

Dorian Yates

Yates won the Mr. Olympia title six times, from 1992 to 1997, and is considered one of the most intense and disciplined bodybuilders in history. He revolutionized the sport with his high-intensity training style and emphasis on recovery and nutrition.
Dorian Yates is a legendary professional bodybuilder known for his incredible muscular development and competitive dominance in the sport. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, winning the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times from 1992 to 1997.

Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)

Weight: 275-300 lbs (124-136 kg) on-stage, off-season weight higher

Body Fat Percentage: Below 8% during competitions

Training Style: High-intensity training (HIT)

Training Frequency: 4-5 days per week
5

18
votes
Jay_Cutler_bodybuilder_2008.jpg: robbden derivative work: Nesnad (talk) · CC BY 3.0

Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler

Cutler won the Mr. Olympia title four times, from 2006 to 2010, and is known for his massive size and impressive conditioning. He is also a successful entrepreneur and has helped bring the sport of bodybuilding into the mainstream.
Jay Cutler is a retired American professional bodybuilder who is widely regarded as one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time. He dominated the bodybuilding scene in the mid-2000s and won the prestigious Mr. Olympia title four times.

Nickname: Jay

Born: August 3, 1973

Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)

Weight: Contest: around 275 lb (125 kg), Off-season: 310 lb (141 kg)

Chest: 58 in (147 cm)
Jay Cutler in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Chicago Bears quarterback
6

13
votes
Entilzha · CC0

Phil Heath

Phil Heath

Heath has won the Mr. Olympia title seven times, from 2011 to 2017, and is known for his incredible shape and symmetry. He is also a talented artist and has used his platform to promote bodybuilding and fitness around the world.
Phil Heath, also known as 'The Gift', is a renowned American bodybuilder who is widely considered one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time. He dominated the bodybuilding industry by achieving numerous victories and breaking records.

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Weight: 275 lbs (125 kg)

Competition Record: Won 7 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles

Training Style: Heavy weightlifting combined with volume training

Muscle Mass: Exceptionally developed muscles with emphasis on symmetry
7

7
votes
David Shankbone · CC BY 3.0

Frank Zane

Frank Zane

Zane won the Mr. Olympia title three times, from 1977 to 1979, and is known for his aesthetic and graceful physique. He also developed a unique training style that emphasized mind-muscle connection and visualization.
Frank Zane is a renowned bodybuilder who is considered one of the most successful and iconic figures in the history of the sport. Known for his incredible physique, Zane's approach to training and his aesthetic bodybuilding style set him apart from other athletes of his time.

Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)

Competition Weight: 185-195 lbs (84-88 kg)

Mr. Olympia Wins: 3 times (1977, 1978, 1979)

Total Professional Bodybuilding Wins: 10

Training Philosophy: Focus on symmetry, proportion, and aesthetics
8

7
votes
Sergio Oliva

Sergio Oliva

Oliva won the Mr. Olympia title three times, from 1967 to 1969, and is known for his incredible size and muscularity. He was also a successful powerlifter and helped bring attention to the sport of bodybuilding in the 1960s.
Sergio Oliva is widely considered as one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time. He dominated the bodybuilding scene in the 1960s and is known for his impressive physique and incredible strength.

Birthdate: July 4, 1941

Nationality: Cuban

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

Competition Weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)

Chest Size: 57 inches (145 cm)
9

5
votes
Ciuffo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Samir Bannout

Samir Bannout

Bannout won the Mr. Olympia title in 1983 and is known for his impressive shape and symmetry. He also helped popularize the sport in the Middle East and has been a mentor to many aspiring bodybuilders.
Samir Bannout, also known as the Lion of Lebanon, is a legendary bodybuilder who is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and successful athletes in the history of the sport. He was born on November 7, 1955, in Beirut, Lebanon, and rose to prominence in the 1980s.

Birthdate: November 7, 1955

Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

Nickname: Lion of Lebanon

Era: 1980s

Competition Wins: Mr. Olympia 1983
10

3
votes
Gene Mozee · Public domain

Larry Scott

Larry Scott

Scott won the first two Mr. Olympia titles, in 1965 and 1966, and is known for his impressive size and definition. He was also a pioneer of the sport, helping to establish it as a legitimate athletic endeavor.
The Larry Scott is a landmark bodybuilding exercise, named after American bodybuilder Larry Scott, who is widely regarded as one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time. This exercise primarily targets the biceps and is known for its effectiveness in developing arm mass and size.

Targeted Area: Arms

Primary Muscle Group: Biceps

Exercise Type: Isolation

Equipment: Barbell, EZ-bar, or dumbbells

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to advanced

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Ranking factors for successful bodybuilder

Number of major titles won

This includes prestigious contests like Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, and other international bodybuilding championships.
Record-breaking achievements

This includes setting world records in strength, endurance, or any other aspect of bodybuilding.
Consistency

This refers to sustained excellence in performance over a period of time, rather than just one-time achievements.
Influence on the sport

This includes the bodybuilder's contribution to the growth and evolution of the sport through innovations in training techniques, posing routines, and nutrition.
Marketability and popularity

This includes the bodybuilder's ability to generate media attention and promote the sport to a wider audience.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful bodybuilder of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Bodybuilder is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3392 views
209 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Bodybuilder once every 24 hours. The rank of each Bodybuilder is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful bodybuilder of all time

Bodybuilding is a sport that has grown in popularity over the years, with many athletes striving to achieve the perfect physique. From Arnold Schwarzenegger to Ronnie Coleman, there have been many successful bodybuilders who have made a name for themselves in the industry. However, when it comes to determining the most successful bodybuilder of all time, there are a few factors to consider. Some may argue that it's all about the number of titles won, while others may focus on the impact the athlete had on the industry as a whole. Regardless of the criteria, there are a few bodybuilders who are consistently ranked among the greatest of all time. This includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won seven Mr. Olympia titles, and Ronnie Coleman, who won eight. Other notable names include Lee Haney, who won eight Mr. Olympia titles, and Dorian Yates, who won six. With so many talented athletes in the industry, it's difficult to determine who truly deserves the title of the most successful bodybuilder of all time.