Bodybuilders

Former professional bodybuilder, actor, and politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger, needs no introduction! One of the most popular figures in the entertainment industry in the 20th century, he is a much-admired Hollywood star. Rising to international fame despite hailing from a humble background, he is an epitome the quintessential American dream that many youngsters hold close to their hearts.

Lou Ferrigno is an American actor and retired professional bodybuilder. Also known as the original hulk, Ferrigno is best known for playing the title role on CBS's television series The Incredible Hulk. After having won Mr. America and Mr. Universe titles, Ferrigno's attempt to beat Schwarzenegger at the Mr. Olympia competition formed the subject of a documentary titled Pumping Iron.

Aziz Shavershian was a Russian-born Australian personal trainer, bodybuilder, and model. He started posting videos on YouTube in 2007, establishing a cult following. Aziz was the poster boy of aesthetics, a subculture of amateur bodybuilding. Before his death, due to a heart attack, Aziz Shavershian had established a clothing line and his own protein label called Protein of the Gods.

Gifted with a chiseled body, Ashley Mae Sebera, better known as Dana Brooke, was initially a diver and a gymnast but switched to bodybuilding and fitness championships after repeated injuries. She later gained fame as a WWE wrestler. Equipped with a fashion degree, she also launched a boutique.

Bolo Yeung is a Hong Kong retired competitive bodybuilder and martial arts film actor. He is best known for his performance in popular films like Enter the Dragon and Bloodsport. He has also played lead roles in films like Ironheart, which is regarded as a cult classic. As a bodybuilder, Yeung held the Mr. Hong Kong title for ten years.  

Three-time Mr. Olympia winner Frank Zane had begun gaining attention with the Mr. Pennsylvania title in 1961.Though inspired to take up bodybuilding after reading Muscle magazine in his teens, he initially taught math and chemistry and also earned advanced degrees in psychology, thus earning the nickname The Chemist.

Known as the Little Hercules and the Mini-Schwarzenegger, Ukraine-born Richard Sandrak became a sensation with his unusually muscular body as a child. It is believed he hailed from an abusive family. He later quit bodybuilding to become a Hollywood stuntman. He inspired the documentary The World's Strongest Boy.

Italian-American bodybuilder Charles Atlas was known for co-creating a popular mail-order bodybuilding course. Beaten up and bullied as a skinny kid, he later used the Dynamic-Tension method to build his muscles. He then participated in vaudeville and later won titles such as the World’s Most Handsome Man.

Russian powerlifter Nataliya Kuznetsova was introduced to bodybuilding at 14, when she had started visiting the gym on the persistence of her father, who wished to boost her self-confidence. The world bench press, armlifting, and deadlift title holder is openly bisexual but also flaunts her love for her husband

Known as the world’s strongest vegan, Iranian-born German-Armenian strongman Patrik Baboumian has won many bodybuilding titles, such as that of the Strongest Man of Germany. He is also known for his appearance in the Netflix documentary The Game Changers, which promotes plant-based diets, and has campaigned for PETA.