Despite the last episode of Friends airing two decades ago, the sitcom remains one of the most popular soaps in the history of television. Running for ten seasons, the show became a cultural phenomenon that has survived and thrived even during the internet age. Recently, the Instagram handle of Anabolic Apparel used the Friends theme song to create a montage featuring bodybuilding greats Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, Mike Mentzer, Kevin Levrone, and others.

The iconic Friends intro has become familiar to those who watched the original show and those who continue to watch it on streaming services like Netflix. However, the montage replaced the beloved cast of the show with footage of legendary bodybuilders. The montage used on and off-stage footage to make a convincing intro to the bodybuilding version of the show, impressing fans.

The intro titled, “G.Y.M.B.R.O.S.“ started with seven-time Olympia winner Arnold Schwarzenegger, followed by eight-time champion Ronnie Coleman. 90s mass monsters like Markus Ruhl, four-time Mr. Olympia runner-up Kevin Levrone, and Gunter Schlierkamp. Finally, 70s bodybuilding icon Mike Mentzer also made an appearance.

Friends had six members as part of the main cast, and the video maintained that. It also maintained the overall comedic theme of the soap, showing hilarious footage of the bodybuilders who appeared in the intro. The clips showed Ronnie Coleman and Markus Ruhl dancing on the stage, Kevin Levrone doing a front flip, and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mike Mentzer goofing around.

They even used footage from Pumping Iron, the cult classic docu-drama starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Fans were beyond impressed with the intro and how well the footage used suited the Friends theme song. 

Bodybuilding fans had one demand

Fans of legendary bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, and Mike Mentzer wished that such a show actually existed. “If this was an actual series I’d be nonstop watching it until I finish it,” wrote one excited fan. “ICL (I can’t lie) if this was an actual series, I’d watch it in about 2 days flat,” another fan commented.

One fan was prepared to go to another dimension to get their hands on the bodybuilding version of Friends. “In which parallel universe does this show exist? I need to watch it!” commented the Instagram user. “It’s the best gym humor video I’ve ever seen,” praised one fan. Meanwhile, one fan was happy that Mike Mentzer appeared in the montage despite his tumultuous history with Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Glad that Mike Mentzer appeared,” wrote the fan.

The montage was another example of how Friends continues to stay relevant in different communities. However, what did you think of the video? Write your thoughts in the comments.