Ronnie Coleman won his first Mr. Olympia title in 1998 with an upset win over Flex Wheeler. The ‘King’ kept winning the coveted title until 2005. While Ronnie never broke Lee Haney’s record, he matched it with eight wins, and many consider him the greatest bodybuilder ever. So why did Ronnie become so successful even though his competition was fierce? What did Coleman have that even the great Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t?

‘King’ Coleman’s coach Brian Dobson may have the answers.

Ronnie Coleman won the genetic lottery

When Ronnie met Dobson, he had already been working out for over a decade. However, Dobson saw what Coleman hadn’t and pushed him to begin bodybuilding. Under Biran’s tutelage, Coleman began his incredible journey. In a 2021 interview, Brian said, “Ronnie was special, man,”. Brian continued, “He was supernaturally strong. Even now, his body does not carry body fat. He literally has no body fat. None, with paper thin skin.”

Dobson also said, “That’s something that you either have or you don’t. It’s rare to see a man that large that maintains that low a level of body fat.” Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, the biggest bodybuilder in the late 60s and seven-time Mr. Olympia, didn’t have Ronnie’s paper-thin skin.

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“He also had the ability to put on huge amounts of muscle. That made him even greater.”, Coleman’s friend and trainer revealed. Ronnie brought a complete package on stage. Even at 300 lbs contest weight, the ‘King’ was more shredded than many who were lighter than him. Coleman, in his prime, had an unbeatable combination of massive muscularity and conditioning.

However, King Coleman didn’t just rely on his genetic gift. Ronnie’s workouts were also one of a kind. From 800 lbs deadlifts to a 500 lbs bench press, no bodybuilder lifted more than Ronnie, and it made him unbeatable in the early 2000s.

Dobson coaxed him into bodybuilding

Ronnie Coleman always loved working out. Even after joining the police, Ronnie worked out rigorously in the police gym with a limited setup. However, a fellow police officer introduced Ronnie to Brian Dobson. Dobson, who was an amateur bodybuilder, owned Metroflex Gym. Dob saw Ronnie’s potential and offered him a free lifetime membership, but there was a catch.

Ronnie had to compete. The ‘King’ agreed and began taking bodybuilding seriously. There was no stopping Ronnie once he won his first show.

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There is a good reason that Ronnie is called the ‘King’. Coleman earned the nickname because he took the human body and the sport to the next level. Coleman’s genetics and dedication made him one of the greatest ever.