Eight-Time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Once Explained the Importance of Having 24-Inch Arms and Muscle Thickness in Bodybuilding- “I Trained It Very Heavily”

Ronnie Coleman beat Arnold Schwarzenegger’s seven Mr. Olympia titles with eight consecutive victories. Many bodybuilding enthusiasts believe Coleman to be the best at the sport. For them, he is the undeniable GOAT. However, his professional and post-retirement life had its fair share of ups and downs.

The 58-year-old icon, has suffered from more than a dozen back and neck surgeries. Despite all these, he remains active as the contest promoter; he is also highly involved with his supplement line and podcast. Known for his honest self, the ace bodybuilder talked about muscles and thickness in a throwback interview.

Ronnie Coleman talks about the illusion on stage

Though Ronnie stepped into professional bodybuilding very late, he was passionate about getting his muscles bigger and stronger. When “Men’s Health,” asked about his “800-pound squat and deadlifts,” the legend was quick to reply, “Stronger bodybuilders have more thickness to their muscles.”

For the unversed, Ronnie remains active in the sport, even 15 years after his last competition. During his professional years, Ronnie trained hard; he even had the biggest biceps in bodybuilding at a show-winning 24 inches. Shedding light on the importance of bigger muscles, he added, “That thickness is one of the greatest illusions you can present onstage.”

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He elaborates further on how competitors with bigger muscle built will “appear to be much larger than they really are.” Talking about himself, he said, “I trained it very heavily.” For Ronnie, the lift did not matter; he just focused on getting stronger and, quoting his words, “It obviously paid off,” for him. However, apart from Ronnie, one more person deserves equal praise for Ronnie’s exceptional physique, and that’s his trainer.

Ronnie and Big J’s partnership that defined odds and curved history

Ronnie had no clue what professional bodybuilding required from him. Though he had big muscles, his body was not perfect for the competition. It was then Big J spotted him at the gym and offered to help out with his training. On seeing his big body and tiny legs, Big J said to Ronnie, “We’re going to change your training.”

The rest? Is history! The duo stood with each other for 20 long years. Big J helped Ronnie get into what in the bodybuilding stage is referred to as the “best body.” He devised a power-packed workout schedule for the King, which the latter followed religiously throughout his professional years.

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Thus, he played a very crucial part in Coleman’s professional life. And gradually, with time, Ronnie became one of the finest in the sport’s history.