Bodybuilding Legend Frank Zane, Who Competed Alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, Once Called the Bodybuilding Scenes of the Late 60s and 70s ‘Serious Business’

Frank Zane is considered one of the most aesthetically gratifying bodybuilders in the world. However, unlike other bodybuilding legends, the three-time Mr. Olympia winner didn’t dominate for a decade. Yet he remains one of the most consistent bodybuilders in the history of the sport. Zane has won all the major titles in America over the span of his career.

He won Mr. Universe, three consecutive Mr. Olympia, Mr. World, and Mr. America titles over his illustrious career. His acute acumen in the field of bodybuilding led to his success as a fitness coach. Moreover, Zane once shed some light on the intensity with which bodybuilders used to compete in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Frank Zane explains the degree of competition in the late 60s and 70s:

Frank Zane wasn’t the biggest name in the late 60s and 70s, but he certainly was in the top five throughout the time he competed. While talking to a reporter, Frank Zane spoke about what it felt like competing in the late 60s and 70s. Additionally explaining, how much intensity he felt while competing in those times?  

The reporter asked, “How competitive was the bodybuilding scene of the late 1960s and 1970s?” Zane answered, “People could be looser in the gym, but it was still serious business, particularly as fall and the accompanying competition season approached. When I taught school, I worked from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., which wasn’t a physically taxing schedule.”

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He continued, “After I finished for the day, I still had time to go to the gym. I wasn’t too burned out. After I moved to Venice, California, I trained at the original Gold’s Gym. I tried to go at whatever times I could complete my work without much distraction.”

Frank Zane’s theory of persistence

Frank had to battle time to win his first Mr. Olympia title. He made his pro debut with Mr. Pennsylvania in 1961 but it took further 16 years for him to acquire his first Mr. Olympia in 1977. However, he won his first major title, Mr. America, in 1968 and Mr. World in 1969. And also, secured his first Mr. Universe title in 1970. 

While talking about the key to success, Zane gave his advice to the current competitors. He said, “the key to success was outlasting them. If you stick around long enough, and remain persistent enough, the people ahead of you will move on”. He followed the same principle in his days of competition and advocates it to the current generation.

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Frank Zane has been the benchmark of a perfectly shaped body for several bodybuilders. His knowledge of bodybuilding and fitness makes him one of the wisest minds in the business. The intensity in the sport of bodybuilding is never low, whether it is in the 60s or 2022. The competitiveness rises as the competition draws closer, which makes focus critical.