Ronnie Coleman

Ronald Dean Coleman was born on May 13th 1964 in Monroe, Louisiana, USA. He is an American bodybuilder and an eight-time Mr. Olympia title winner. He is known mainly as ‘Ronnie Coleman’ and has won the Mr. Olympia contest consecutively from 1998 to 2005. Alongside his eight Mr. Olympia wins as a professional bodybuilder, Coleman holds the record for most 26 wins as an IFBB professional. Ultimately, he broke the previous record (held by Vince Taylor at 22 wins) in Moscow on November 5, 2004.

Coleman graduated from Grambling State University (GSU) in 1986 with a B.S degree in accounting. While attending Grambling State University, Coleman also played football as a middle linebacker with the GSU Tigers under famous coach Eddie Robinson.

After graduation, Coleman became a police officer and this allowed him the free time he needed to work out. Coleman's fellow officer suggested he attend a gym known as Metroflex. The owner of the gym was Brian Dobson, who happened to also be an amateur bodybuilder and offered Coleman a free lifetime membership to Metroflex if he allowed him to train Coleman for the upcoming Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition that year.

After the training for the upcoming event of Mr. Texas, Coleman won first place in both the heavy weight and overall categories. He also defeated the man that trained him, Dobson. Also in 1990, not only did Coleman take the title of Mr. Texas but he also took titles in that year’s National Physique Committee (NPC) Texas Championships. In 1991 Coleman also won what is probably considered one of the most prestigious competitions in amateur bodybuilding, Mr. Universe. This victory qualified him to enter the professional contest sponsored by the IFBB, the sport's largest sanctioning body.

Coleman won his first competition as a professional - The Canada Pro Cup in 1995. The following year he won the contest again, followed by a first place win in 1997 - The Russian Grand Prix.

Coleman's success as a professional bodybuilder has led to many product endorsements and other opportunities in his career. Due to his bodybuilding profession, Coleman travels vastly to places such as China, Brazil and Australia. Subsequently, he also makes many guest appearances at gym openings all around the U.S. At a height of 5’11” it is of no wonder that Ronnie Coleman is the King of Bodybuilding. With an off season weight of 330 lbs and competition weight of 296 lbs, arms at an impressive 24”, thighs at 34” and a chest at a whopping 58”. Ronnie Coleman is the King of Bodybuilding.

Inspiringly, Coleman enacted in his training videos with his first being – ‘The Unbelievable’ which was a huge success both in the United States and the United Kingdom. It features Coleman's day-to-day activities in preparation for the 2000 Mr. Olympia competition. Some of the feats in this video include: 2x800lb deadlift, 12x200lb dumbbell flat bench press, 5x585lb front squat (free). Next on his starring agenda were – ‘The Cost of Redemption’ features Coleman’s 800 lb (363 kg) squats, 2250 lb (1021 kg) leg press, 495 lb (225 kg) bench press and 75 lb (34 kg) arm curls in preparation for the 2003 Mr. Olympia. Finally, ‘On the Road’ features 101 minutes of workout action and 14 minutes of special features filmed in Australia less than a week after the 2005 Mr. Olympia. In all these videos, Coleman offers his experienced expertise for more experienced weightlifters, while warning against over exertion and improper form. When working out, Coleman prefers to use free weights rather than machines in order to maximize his flexibility and range of motion. He lifts weights four days per week, having cut down due to touring the world and cutting down on competitive events.

Bodybuilding titles

• 1990 Mr. Texas (Heavyweight & Overall)
• 1991 World Amateur Championships (Heavyweight)
• 1991 Mr. Universe
• 1995 Canada Pro Cup
• 1996 Canada Pro Cup
• 1997 Grand Prix Russia
• 1998 Night of Champions
• 1998 Toronto Pro Invitational
• 1998 Mr. Olympia
• 1998 Grand Prix Finland
• 1998 Grand Prix Germany
• 1999 Mr. Olympia
• 1999 World Pro Championships
• 1999 Grand Prix England
• 2000 Mr. Brody Langley
• 2000 Grand Prix England
• 2000 World Pro Championships
• 2000 Mr. Olympia
• 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic
• 2001 Mr. Olympia
• 2001 New Zealand Grand Prix
• 2002 Mr. Olympia
• 2002 Grand Prix Holland
• 2003 Mr. Olympia
• 2003 Grand Prix Russia
• 2004 Mr. Olympia
• 2004 Grand Prix England
• 2004 Grand Prix Holland
• 2004 Grand Prix Russia
• 2005 Mr. Olympia