Bodybuilders Through the Ages
Over the past 150 years, bodybuilders have gone from circus sideshows to celebrities, imparting fitness lessons along the way
- By Jesse Rhodes
- Smithsonian.com, July 20, 2009
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(Library of Congress)
Eugen Sandow (1867-1925)
Unlike other strongmen of the late 1800s, the Prussian-born Sandow was not just adept at exhibiting feats of strength—he was a sex symbol and among the first to capitalize on displaying his developed, muscular physique. While touring in Florenz Ziegfeld’s Trocadero Vaudevilles, the 5-foot-8, 220-pound Sandow attained stardom in America and immortalized his flexing routine in front of Thomas Edison’s movie camera. In 1901, this “Father of Modern Bodybuilding” organized the first major bodybuilding contest, which was held in England’s Royal Albert Hall.
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Comments (18)
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Jay Cutler should be on this list no one works as hard as The Cut. He has changed the look like of bodybuilders like all of this people. Good list and I you should make more about bodybuilding.
Regards
Posted by Brian B on February 10,2011 | 07:53 PM
Interesting that you choose to end with Arnold, a very respectable face of the sport who has not competed since the 1980's. I am disappointed that the Smithsonian falls short of recognizing any of us male and female Pro physique competitors who compete today or any one of the many amazing athletes over the past 30 years. The sport lives on, yet you are cutting our proud history short.
Posted by Kayde on January 26,2011 | 08:35 AM
It can be very confusing, who played what. George Reeves played Superman on TV. Steve Reeves played Hercules in the movies. Christopher Reeve (no 's') played Superman in the movies.
Posted by Lorraine on January 24,2011 | 10:38 AM
If Jack LaLanne's exercise show on KGO-TV in San Francisco in the '50s wasn't the first fitness program on television, it was certain one of the first. R.I.P. Jack LaLanne, Broadcast Legend and Pioneer.
Posted by Robert Matheson on January 23,2011 | 11:29 PM
I wish I knew how much weight that Stocton gal is one arm shoulder pressing. I can't even do that! I'll bet it is a York barbell made in America, not China> Hosew were vey well constructed barbells. I've seen how they were made. I used to lift at a gym in Dayton, OH and one fell out of a third story window and split apart. Other than that, you could not break them.
Posted by Michael Ponzani on December 1,2010 | 06:29 PM
There were so many good bodybuilders from that era, how can you fit them all in? Inxcidently, go to YouTube and search for that 74 year old Japanese body builder who won the overall Masters contest last year. He doesn't look a day over 40, except for his white hair, which he sitll has a good deal of on his head; Where else?
Posted by Michael Ponzani on December 1,2010 | 06:17 PM
Jack Lalanne cartainly was right about the diet: no refined flour or sugar. He was sickly as a kid until someone told him abou that in a lecture on nutrition. His juicer looks good, too!
Posted by Michael Ponzani on December 1,2010 | 06:13 PM
I can't believe Reg Park and Serge Nubret were left out
Posted by Carl on November 22,2010 | 09:01 PM
very good
Posted by loni on November 12,2010 | 09:30 PM
I have many of Bernarr Macfadden's books and Physical Culture magazines in my collection. Most of what he preached about health, fitness and diet are practiced by people today.
Posted by William Moore on June 20,2010 | 01:12 AM
This comment is for Sand and Leon. Steve Reeves never played the role of Superman. Steve Reeves played Hercules!
Posted by Jeff on March 27,2010 | 05:37 PM
arnold was a good athlete and one of best actor in history CINEMA
Posted by mohamad on January 12,2010 | 11:45 PM
Both Reeves did that part.
Posted by Sand. on August 8,2009 | 11:37 PM
in reference to the comment left by mr. leon stroffolino, the television role of superman wasn't played by steve reeves. rather, the man of steel was played by GEORGE reeves, who comitted suicide in the late fifties.
Posted by milt marhoffer on August 8,2009 | 01:41 PM
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