It would be great to see this story continued, showing some of the enormous bodybuilders of today. Ronnie Coleman etc

Charles Atlas and Joe Weider should be on the list for their impact on millions of young men wanting great bodies. And when I was growing up, Dave Draper was the bodybuilding idol for many guys.

Charles Atlas, Dave Draper, Joe Weider, etc. should also be on the list, IMHO.

I note that other than Jack, most of these athletes didn't live a very long life. Hmmmm. Maybe all that exercise isn't the path to longevity. Don't get me wrong I'm an exercise nut but lately it feels like I'm just wearing my body out.

No doubt Jack LaLanne was a great bodybuilder and he played football with my dad at Berkeley High School in the 1930s. My dad was 6' 2"+ but surprise Jack was 5'6". I only saw them together a few times, but Jack looked small! They were great friends. Great choice for this list.

Charles Atlas? He was such a big part of my childhood reading comic books.

Vince Gironda had a far greater impact on body building than most of the people in this story and a better body as well.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

I can't believe Reg Park and Serge Nubret were left out

very good

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.

This comment is for Sand and Leon. Steve Reeves never played the role of Superman. Steve Reeves played Hercules!

arnold was a good athlete and one of best actor in history CINEMA

Both Reeves did that part.

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.

Jack LaLanne is still going strong and working out at 94. There was an article in the Modesto Bee about him recently. Weight training may not necessarily make you live longer but it will make your life better as you get older.

That was George Reeves, not Steve.

Steve Reeves most notable credit was leftout,he was Superman and really fit the part.

Bernarr was right on target with his comments on the American diet.