In the world of bodybuilding, few names command the same respect and admiration as Ronnie Coleman. His achievements both on and off the stage are the stuff of legends.
A true icon in the sport, Ronnie Coleman’s career continues to inspire countless bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts worldwide.
Even years after his retirement, his feats of strength and his dominance on stage still captivate audiences.
Recently, Ronnie Coleman sat down with former NFL legend Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay Podcast for a wide-ranging discussion that covered everything from his all-time personal records, his belief that he has the greatest back in bodybuilding history, his unrelenting fearlessness towards injuries, and his take on the upcoming 2024 Mr. Olympia.
In what can only be described as an event for the ages, Ronnie Coleman and Sharpe didn’t just talk – they hit the gym together for a grueling chest workout before diving deep into Ronnie Coleman’s incredible career and thoughts on the sport’s current state.
This article explores everything they discussed, taking a detailed look into the mind of an eight-time Mr. Olympia champion and one of the strongest bodybuilders in history.
Ronnie Coleman: The Legend of Bodybuilding
Ronnie Coleman’s career is marked by sheer dominance. He holds an astonishing eight Mr. Olympia titles, tying him with fellow legend Lee Haney for the most ever.
What set Ronnie Coleman apart wasn’t just his incredible stage presence and his titanic muscle mass, but his almost inhuman strength that left fans in awe.
Whether it was his infamous 800-pound squats, deadlifts, or 500-pound bench presses, Ronnie Coleman was a force of nature inside the gym and on the stage.
Born in Bastrop, Louisiana, on May 13, 1964, Ronnie Coleman wasn’t initially set on becoming a bodybuilder.
He earned a degree in accounting from Grambling State University before taking up a job as a police officer in Arlington, Texas.
It wasn’t until the late 1980s that he discovered his passion for bodybuilding. The rest, as they say, is history.
Through relentless training, unparalleled work ethic, and an obsession with heavy lifting, Ronnie built a career that would cement him as one of the greatest to ever compete in the sport.
However, his journey was not without its hardships. Ronnie Coleman’s aggressive training style and dedication to heavy lifts eventually took a toll on his body, resulting in multiple surgeries and lasting injuries.
Yet, despite his current physical limitations, his indomitable spirit continues to shine.
Ronnie Coleman and Shannon Sharpe: A Dynamic Duo in the Gym
Before getting into the thick of their conversation, Ronnie Coleman and Shannon Sharpe took part in a challenging chest workout, proving that even in their sixties, Ronnie Coleman is still committed to maintaining a level of fitness that most can only dream of.
The Chest Workout Breakdown:
The duo hit the weights hard, with the following exercises making up their session:
- Bench Press
- Incline Dumbbell Press
- Decline Bench Press
It was a workout focused on building strength and upper body mass, a fitting start to the conversation as Ronnie Coleman shared some of his all-time personal records (PRs).
Ronnie’s All-Time Personal Records (PRs): A Testament to His Strength
Ronnie Coleman is not just known for his massive size but also for his astounding strength.
His personal records in various lifts are numbers that even the strongest athletes would find difficult to match.
During the podcast with Shannon Sharpe, Ronnie Coleman revealed some of his most jaw-dropping PRs, including:
- Bench Press: 500 pounds for five or six reps.
- Deadlift: 800 pounds for two reps.
- Squat: 800 pounds for two reps (he humorously added that he could have gone for six reps, but held back).
- Leg Press: 2,300 pounds for nine reps.
- Curl: 225 pounds for seven to eight reps.
These numbers are not only impressive but also legendary. Ronnie Coleman’s monstrous lifts weren’t just about moving heavy weights; they were part of his strategy to build an unprecedented level of muscle mass that helped him dominate the Mr. Olympia stage for years.
The Best Back in the History of Bodybuilding? Ronnie Coleman Thinks So
One of the highlights of the conversation came when Shannon Sharpe asked Ronnie Coleman a pointed question:
Who has the best back in bodybuilding history?
The answer, in Ronnie’s eyes, was simple – himself.
Sharpe posed the question, framing it as a showdown between the greatest bodybuilders of all time: “If I were to say everybody at their absolute best, and I put y’all up on the stage, who’s winning back? Who’s winning back double bi, rear lat spread?”
Without hesitation, Ronnie Coleman responded, “All of those belong to me. Lights out rear lat spread. Yup and double bi every single time. I’m going to win every single time. Those are my shots.”
Ronnie’s confidence in his physique, particularly his back, is well-founded.
His rear lat spread and back double biceps pose were among the most feared in bodybuilding, with fans and judges alike marveling at the sheer width, thickness, and detail in his back musculature.
Even years after his prime, photos of Ronnie Coleman’s back continue to circulate in bodybuilding circles as the gold standard for what an elite physique should look like.
2024 Mr. Olympia: Ronnie Coleman Weighs in on the Contenders
Bodybuilding has changed significantly since Ronnie Coleman’s era, and the competition for the 2024 Mr. Olympia promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Shannon Sharpe took the opportunity to get Ronnie Coleman’s thoughts on some of the top contenders and the current state of bodybuilding’s premier competition.
The Contenders: Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, and Andrew Jacked
According to Ronnie Coleman, this year’s Mr. Olympia could be anyone’s game, as there isn’t a single dominant force like there was in his era.
He named Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, and Andrew Jacked as some of the top contenders but stopped short of predicting a long-term champion.
“I think it’s going to change hands every other year,” Ronnie Coleman said. “Ain’t nobody dominant like that no more. You look at it now… Hadi could win another Olympia. You got Nick Walker. You got Samson. Don’t forget about Andrew, he could win Olympia. You ain’t got no dominant physiques out there right now. They are all pretty much on the same level.”
This insight is significant because it highlights the evolving nature of bodybuilding.
During Ronnie Coleman’s reign, he was the undisputed champion for eight consecutive years, but today’s crop of athletes seems to be more evenly matched, leading to more dynamic and unpredictable competitions.
The Missing Ingredient: Why Bodybuilders Today Avoid Squats and Deadlifts
Ronnie Coleman is a staunch believer in the power of heavy compound lifts.
He attributes much of his success to movements like squats and deadlifts, which he performed religiously throughout his career.
However, he laments that today’s bodybuilders tend to shy away from these exercises, which he believes is the reason why they don’t achieve the same level of development.
“The guys today, they won’t do squats or deadlifts,” Ronnie Coleman said. “That’s why they look like they are. They won’t do these heavy movements, these free weights like that. It’s the only way you can get it.”
For Ronnie, squats and deadlifts weren’t just exercises – they were the foundation of his training.
He recalled squatting twice a week and deadlifting every other week, regularly lifting between 600 and 700 pounds in his prime.
Ronnie Coleman’s insistence on these movements contributed to his massive size and unique look, and he believes that many of today’s bodybuilders could benefit from incorporating them back into their routines.
Fearlessness and Injury: Ronnie’s Secret to Success
One of the most striking aspects of Ronnie Coleman’s career was his willingness to push his body to the absolute limit, regardless of the risks.
He was unafraid of getting injured, and he believes this mindset gave him a significant edge over his competitors.
“I wasn’t afraid of no injuries,” Ronnie Coleman said. “A lot of guys were afraid of doing certain exercises because of injuries. That gave me a huge advantage. That’s why I look different from most of the guys out there. I was doing different exercises, doing different movements – doing stuff that they wouldn’t do.”
Ronnie Coleman’s approach was one of no-holds-barred. He trained with heavier weights than most bodybuilders would ever consider, often working through pain and discomfort.
He revealed that his typical rest periods were short – usually 60 to 90 seconds – except on leg day, where he would rest for up to two minutes due to the sheer intensity of the workout.
“I’m squatting heavy. I’m doing 600 every workout, every workout.”
Even now, after 13 back surgeries and difficulty walking, Ronnie shows no signs of regret.
He acknowledges the price he paid but emphasizes that his mindset and training philosophy are what made him a champion.
The Price of Greatness: Ronnie Coleman’s Battle with Injuries
While Ronnie Coleman is undoubtedly one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, his success came with a steep price.
Over the years, he has undergone more than 13 back surgeries and faces ongoing challenges in retirement, including difficulty walking without assistance.
Despite these hardships, Ronnie Coleman remains positive and has taken steps to improve