“That Was Contest Shape”: Eight-Time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Recalled His Extraordinarily Low Body Fat Percentage

Sep 5, 2022 | 2:45 PM EDT

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Ronnie Coleman is not the bodybuilding industry’s ‘King’ for nothing. One of the most insanely muscular people to ever set foot on the Olympia stage, Ronnie was awarded the Mr. Olympia title 8 times. He is one of the two individuals in this world to get it. Ronnie in his prime had what can best be called a “superhuman physique.” This legend has done everything from Chest pressing 200lbs to squat 800lbs and even leg pressing a whopping 2300lbs.

In the late 90s and early 2000s, Ronnie was in his prime, performance-wise. He was getting invited into a lot of late-night talk shows and interviews. He’d pose, flex and talk about his future plans to conquer the bodybuilding world. In one of these shows, he first revealed what depths it took to be stage ready. The moment was broadcasted on air and managed to create a benchmark for all aspiring physique athletes.

Ronnie Coleman shared tidbits about his “stage-ready” physique

In a circa 2000 episode on the show “Late Night With Jay Leno”, this 8x Mr. Olympia winner had his presence. The segment was absolutely diverse with Jay and Ronnie sharing wonderful chemistry. The topics ambled from Ronnie’s flexibility, which he was greatly proud of, to his personal life.

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Tagging on this came the question of Coleman’s body fat percentage. What Ronnie said spooked everyone out. His “off-season” body fat stood at a mere 5%. But, if that wasn’t a shock enough, his “in-season” fat percentage made several jaws drop on the floor.

“The lowest…the lowest was .33 %. That was contest shape.” was Coleman’s verdict. His body fat was even less than a single-digit number. No wonder it was him who had been able to dethrone some greats like Schwarzenegger.

And not only was Ronnie painting that 5% body fat consistently, but he revealed that he was also eating junk like pizzas and hamburgers during that time. That is straight-up kingly behavior.

Coleman’s eye-catching lifestyle and dedication

Behind this hulking monster with perfect muscles was Ronnie’s epic dedication to keeping up his image. Ronnie once revealed how his diet was 5000+ calories, divided into six small meals across the day. He had to eat 450gms of chicken a day, even waking in the middle of the night to keep his gears grinding.

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We all know Ronnie Coleman's body is a wreck, but he never lets it dampen his spirit! #YeahBuddy pic.twitter.com/pROsms8Fpv
— Keith Ó Gealbháin (@KeithGalvin) August 19, 2021

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But, not just food. Ronnie was also one of the few who absolutely came clean about steroid usage for his stage shows. He was famous for taking it and then quitting it cold turkey. Coleman had also worked out for around a decade with a life-altering injury. No matter what the obstacle, it was never greater than his love for lifting.

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WATCH THIS STORY: Mr. Olympia Legends Arnold Schwarzenegger Vs Ronnie Coleman Body Comparision

And, even today, when he has nothing to prove to anyone anymore; when he is barely mobile and mostly wheelchair-bound, he works out. He works out because it brings him joy and fulfills him. And, this, is precisely why he is “The King.”