The Mr. Olympia competition has witnessed many iconic athletes grace its stage. Some took the title, while others left a lasting impression on connoisseurs of aesthetics and musculature. One such bodybuilder of the 1980s to cause ripples of approval and amazement was Tom Platz. The bodybuilding behemoth took to lifting weights at the age of nine after being enamored by Dave Draper’s ripped physique. Since then, there has been no looking back.

Moreover, his large quadriceps are legendary even today. Earlier, Fit Genious posted a throwback video that showed the Quad Father fondly reminiscing about his prime. He seemed to personify the adage no pain, no gain by training his legs beyond human capabilities.

Tom Platz trained his body to muscle failure

The Golden Eagle was once a lean kid with thin legs. However, the 68-year-old chiseled his body to perfection by spending hours in the gym. Moreover, he worked on one particular part of his body—his thighs—to mythical proportions (30 inches) that etched his name in the museum of perfect shapes. Although Platz never won the coveted Mr. Olympia competition, he was a formidable force on the stage.

The YouTube video titled “Train Until You Die” reflects why Platz is considered the best in the industry. In the snippet, the 68-year-old motivational speaker said, “Most guys don’t have the wind. 15-20 reps is like, Oh my God, to me, that’s like half a second. I’ve been doing 50s all the time. It was crazy like somebody was stabbing knives in my quads.” Such was the passion and drive Quadzilla had for bodybuilding that he threw caution to the wind. Even scathing pain could not stop the bodybuilder. 

Read More: “It’s Scary…and You Get Nervous”: Despite His 30 Inch Quads Earning Him the Name ‘Quadfather’, Bodybuilding Legend Once Confessed on Hating a Popular Leg Workout

Furthermore, Platz would get so tired that he had to take a break. I” used to lay there and put the towel over my face, and people thought I was dying, but no, he’s okay, don’t worry about it,” confessed Platz. However, one would think that the athlete would be done for the day, but that could not be further from the truth. Quad Father would push his body to its limits. “After about 10 minutes, one more set,” informed Platz. The formidable sports person was not only a force to reckon with who went beyond physical limitations, but Platz was also very vocal about the institutionalization of sports.

Platz made a shocking statement about golfers doing much better than bodybuilders

Earlier, in an eye-opening statement, the coach highlighted the efforts needed to improve the sport. He had compared golf and bodybuilding to draw comparisons. “The worst golfer on the pro tour makes about half a million dollars a year. Failure at golf makes half a million dollars a year,” opined Mr. Universe. Moreover, he felt that bodybuilding also has the potential to grow as a sport, drawing fans and attracting huge investments.

However, he also argued for better representation. “And I think we need to train our young men and women on how to be how to represent, and I was working with Sergio Oliva Jr. I said, Go and represent. Put the suit on and put the tie on. Represent your dad. Your dad was the myth,” added Tom Platz. Thus, Platz’s engagement with bodybuilding does not just end at the stage. Post-retirement, the 68-year-old has taken an active role in the advancement of the field. He is highlighting issues that are often glossed over. What do you think about the bodybuilder’s views? Let us know in the comments. 

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