“He Was Shredded”: Bodybuilder Who Pioneered the Mass Monster Era, Credits Bruce Lee for His Inclination Towards Fitness

Dorian Yates is a name that needs no introduction in the world of bodybuilding. The six-time Mr. Olympia winner revolutionized the sport of bodybuilding with his intense training methods and gigantic physique development. However, few people know that his interest in physical fitness began during his karate practice, and his inspiration was none other than the little phoenix. Yates recently opened up about his journey into bodybuilding from karate and revealed his affection for Bruce Lee. 

Yates’s recent statement about Lee has garnered a lot of attention from the bodybuilding world. 

Dorian Yates revealed how a day in the weight room changed his perception

In a recent interview with Jay Vincent, Yates revealed how he used to practice karate and other physical activities during his childhood. The former Mr. Olympia also opened up about his fascination with the incredible physical prowess that the Little Phoenix displayed on the screen. Talking about the incredibly ripped physique of the legend, Yates said, ”I was a big fan of Bruce Lee… you know he had that physique, he was shredded and could do all these amazing physical things”.  He also gave insights into his transition from karate to weightlifting. 

Yates revealed that he started practicing karate at an early age, however, a random visit to the weight training completely changed his perception. One day during the light practice session, Yates went into the weight room and started lifting some weights. Yates found this training was a great way to complement his karate practice. He loved the feeling of lifting heavy weights and pushing his body to the limit.

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“It’s hard to describe, I just fell in love, and it felt like this is for me”, he told to Vincent. This sparked a fascination with weight training that would eventually lead him to become one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Today his influence on the sport is undeniable. But his journey to the top began with his admiration for Bruce Lee, and that’s something that he never forgets. However, Yates is not the only bodybuilding star who has drawn inspiration from the Little Phoenix.

Other Bodybuilding stars had drawn inspiration from Bruce Lee

The martial arts legend had a significant impact on the world of bodybuilding. Lee’s unique approach to physical fitness and his philosophy of training the mind and body as one had inspired many bodybuilding stars, including Milos Sarcev. Sarcev was heavily influenced by Bruce Lee’s philosophy of using unconventional training methods. While hosting a Q&A session, Sarcev said, “What Bruce Lee is known for, accepting no style as a style. Accepting no rules as a rule.”

The former IFBB champion acknowledged that he saw some really positive results. In addition, he advised his audience not to succumb to conventions and rules. Bruce Lee’s influence on the world of bodybuilding cannot be understated as it is a testament to his enduring legacy.

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