Frank Zane’s bodybuilding philosophy was unique. Many fans still regard Zane as one of the most aesthetic bodybuilders ever. Instead of trying to gain as much muscle as possible, Zane focused on proportions and posing. One could say that Zane’s physique is what today’s Classic Physique competitors aim to achieve.

Unlike many modern bodybuilders, Zane didn’t have to undergo significant surgeries after retiring from the sport. Part of that could be because Frank understood pushing the body after a certain age may cause more harm than good. In a 2019 interview, the three-time Mr. Olympia explained why he left bodybuilding at 41.

Frank Zane conquered bodybuilding during his prime

On January 23, 2019, Bodybuilding.com published an interview with Frank Zane. Interviewer David Robson asked Frank Zane if he missed his “professional bodybuilding days.” However, Zane wasn’t nostalgic about his bodybuilding days. The three-time Mr. Olympia said, “No. It is a lot of work. I am glad I got it out of my system.”

“I see people now who come to see me who are 50 years old who want to do that because they never did it. It is a tremendous goal to have – to compete as a bodybuilder,” added Zane. The bodybuilding legend said the “strongest motivation,” for a bodybuilder is to look their best on stage. Zane also said competing was “one of the hardest things in the world.”

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The three-time Mr. Olympia finally said he competed for 23 years, and maybe even that was too long. “I stopped when I was 41 years old,” said Zane.

Frank Zane won the title from 1977 to 1979 and placed third in the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest.

Zane’s controversial loss to Arnold Schwarzenegger

In 1980, Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to compete in the Mr. Olympia contest. The bodybuilding icon announced that he’d participate a day before the show. On stage, Arnold didn’t look his best, and many fans didn’t think he would win. However, Arnold dethroned Frank to win the title a seventh time.

Zane boycotted the Olympia the following year and never recaptured the title again. In 1980, Chris Dickerson also placed higher than Zane, coming in second place.

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Zane won the most prestigious title in bodybuilding during his prime. While he wasn’t the biggest, Zane knew how to highlight his strengths on stage. The 80-year-old is still fit and has no regrets about leaving the sport early.