The Giants of Bodybuilding: 15 Bodybuilders Who Pushed the Limits of Size and Strength

Bodybuilding is a sport that rewards size, mass, and muscularity. While there are different categories and criteria for judging bodybuilders, one factor that often stands out is how big they are. Some bodybuilders have achieved such an impressive level of the size that they are considered “mass monsters” or “freaks of nature”. In this article, we will rank the 15 biggest bodybuilders of all time, based on their height, weight, measurements, and overall muscle development. We will also look at their achievements, challenges, and legacy in the sport of bodybuilding.

15. Lou Ferrigno

Lou Ferrigno is best known for his role as the Incredible Hulk in the TV series and movies. He was also a formidable bodybuilder who competed against Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1970s. At 6’5" and 275 pounds, Ferrigno was one of the tallest and heaviest bodybuilders of his era. He won two Mr. Universe titles and placed third in the 1974 Mr. Olympia. He made a comeback in the 1990s, weighing over 290 pounds, but did not place higher than 10th in the Mr. Olympia1.

14. Roelly Winklaar

Roelly Winklaar is a Dutch bodybuilder who has been competing since 2009. He is known for his massive arms, chest, and shoulders, as well as his freaky conditioning and vascularity. He stands at 5’8" and weighs around 285 pounds on stage2. He has won several pro shows, including the Arnold Classic Australia and Brazil, and placed third in the 2018 Mr. Olympia. He also won the People’s Choice Award at the 2018 and 2019 Mr. Olympia.

13. Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler is one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, having won four Mr. Olympia titles and three Arnold Classic titles. He is also one of the biggest, weighing as much as 300 pounds in the off-season and 275 pounds on stage2. He has a balanced physique with no weak points and is especially known for his wide back, thick chest, and round delts. He retired from competitive bodybuilding in 2013 but remains active in the fitness industry as a businessman and mentor.

12. Phil Heath

Phil Heath is another four-time Mr. Olympia winner who has dominated the sport for a decade. He has a genetic gift of muscle shape, fullness, and density that makes him stand out from the rest. He is also very big, weighing around 250 pounds on stage at 5’9"2. He has a flawless upper body with huge arms, chest, back, and shoulders, as well as a tight waist and abs. His only weakness is his lower body, which sometimes lacks separation and detail.

11. Dorian Yates

Dorian Yates is widely regarded as the pioneer of the mass era in bodybuilding. He revolutionized the sport with his intense training style, low-volume high-intensity workouts, and extreme dieting. He was also very big for his time, weighing around 270 pounds on stage at 5’10"3. He had a grainy and hard look that made him look even bigger than he was. He won six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1992 to 1997, before retiring due to injuries.

10. Markus Rühl

Markus Rühl is a German bodybuilder who is known for his freakish size and mass. He has some of the biggest shoulders, arms, and traps in bodybuilding history, as well as a thick and wide back. He stands at 5’10" and weighs around 280 pounds on stage. He has won several pro shows, including the Night of Champions and the Toronto Pro, and placed fourth in the 2004 Mr. Olympia.

9. Paul Dillet

Paul Dillet is a Canadian bodybuilder who has a unique combination of size and aesthetics. He has a classic V-taper with a small waist, broad shoulders, and flaring lats. He also has huge arms, legs, and chest, making him one of the most symmetrical bodybuilders ever. He stands at 6’1" and weighs around 285 pounds on stage. He has won two pro shows, the Night of Champions and the Ironman Pro, and placed sixth in the 1997 Mr. Olympia.

8. Dennis Wolf

Dennis Wolf is a German bodybuilder who has a stunning physique with great proportions and lines. He has a narrow waist, wide back, full chest, round delts, and long legs. He also has impressive muscle separation and detail, especially in his quads and hamstrings. He stands at 5’11" and weighs around 270 pounds on stage. He has won four pro shows, including the Arnold Classic and the Europa Super Show, and placed third in the 2013 Mr. Olympia.

7. Kai Greene

Kai Greene is an American bodybuilder who is known for his artistic posing, charismatic personality, and incredible muscle development. He has a dense and thick physique with huge arms, chest, back, and legs. He also has a lot of muscle maturity and striations, giving him a grainy look. He stands at 5’8" and weighs around 275 pounds on stage. He has won nine pro shows, including the Arnold Classic three times, and placed second in the Mr. Olympia three times.

6. Gunter Schlierkamp

Gunter Schlierkamp is a German bodybuilder who has a massive and aesthetic physique. He has a wide frame with huge arms, chest, back, and legs. He also has a pleasing shape and proportion, as well as a friendly smile. He stands at 6’1" and weighs around 300 pounds on stage. He has won one pro show, the GNC Show of Strength, and placed fifth in the 2002 Mr. Olympia, where he defeated Ronnie Coleman in the prejudging.

5. Big Ramy

Big Ramy is an Egyptian bodybuilder who is the current Mr. Olympia champion. He is the biggest bodybuilder to ever win the title, weighing around 290 pounds on stage at 5’10". He has a phenomenal physique with enormous arms, chest, back, and legs. He also has great conditioning and detail, especially in his lower body. He has won four pro shows, including the Arnold Classic Brazil and the New York Pro, and placed second in the 2017 Mr. Olympia.

4. Lee Haney

Lee Haney is an American bodybuilder who is considered one of the greatest of all time. He is the first bodybuilder to win eight Mr. Olympia titles, a record he shares with Ronnie Coleman. He has a classic physique with a tiny waist, broad shoulders, and flaring lats. He also has impressive muscle development and definition, especially in his back and arms. He stands at 5’11" and weighs around 250 pounds on stage.

3. Ronnie Coleman

Ronnie Coleman is regarded as either the greatest bodybuilder of all time or one of the two greatest along with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is also the biggest bodybuilder of all time, weighing as much as 330 pounds in the off-season and 295 pounds on stage at 5’11". He has an unbelievable physique with massive arms, chest, back, and legs. He also has incredible strength and endurance, lifting heavy weights for high reps. He has won eight Mr. Olympia titles, a record he shares with Lee Haney, and 26 pro shows, the most in history.

2. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger is arguably the most famous bodybuilder of all time, as well as a successful actor, politician, and businessman. He is also one of the greatest bodybuilders ever having won seven Mr. Olympia titles and five Mr. Universe titles. He has a legendary physique with a perfect V-taper, huge chest, arms, and shoulders, and a charismatic presence. He stands at 6’2" and weighs around 240 pounds on stage.

1. Sergio Oliva

Sergio Oliva is a Cuban bodybuilder who is considered by many to be the most genetically gifted ever. He has a unique physique with a tiny waist, wide back, huge chest, arms, and legs, and a muscular neck. He also has amazing muscle density and fullness that makes him look even bigger than he is. He stands at 5’10" and weighs around 240 pounds on stage. He has won three Mr. Olympia titles and four Mr. Universe titles.

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