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Muscle Madness: The 16 Best Physiques of 2016

We're pitting actors against fitness pros. Who's physique will dominate 2016?

by M&F Editors
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Muscle Madness: The 16 Best Physiques of 2016

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1 OF 17

1 of 17

tarzan-alexander-skarsgard

#MuscleMadness

You know what? It’s time someone said it, we’ve been talking about Arnold, Columbu and Ferrigno a bit too much. Don’t get us wrong, it’s important to pay homage to the greatest physiques of all time. That era gave us some of the most aesthetically pleasing bodies ever, but let’s show some newer guys love. Every year we’re lucky to have a crop of ripped, talented and ACTIVE stars lighting up competition stages and television screens across the globe.The cold months are melting away, so you know what that means. Our annual “Muscle Madness” campaign is back! Here’s our new “Sweet 16” of some of the best bodies we’ll see in action; this year we’re pitting actors agains fitness pros. Vote for your favorites using our hashtag (#musclemadness) and we’ll reveal the readers’ choice for this year’s top physique!

Vote for the Best With #MuscleMadness

Tweets about #MuscleMadness since:2016-02-29
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+”://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

2 of 17

greg-plitt-main

Greg Plitt (actor)

We’ll start our list by grandfathering in last year’s fan choice for the greatest physique ever. Greg Plitt had it all; looks, talent and genetics. That said he kept bettering himself and although it’s been a year since the fitness model and actor passed away, his impact on the industry is still fresh in people’s minds.

3 of 17

jason-poston

Jason Poston (fitness pro)

There’s strong, and then there’s Poston strong. The Men’s Physique competitor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011, at age 28, and ever since then he’s been testing his blood sugar 15-to 20 times a day. Poston placed 2nd at the 2015 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and third at the 2015 Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique.

4 of 17

john-cena-feature

John Cena (actor)

John Cena has yet to reach his peak. He’s been giving The Rock a run for his money as the hardest working man in WWE. After his slew of movie appearances last year, Cena shined as the January 2016 Muscle & Fitness cover and will likely do the same in American Grit, his new reality television show premiering this year.

5 of 17

Cody Montgeomery

Cody Montgomery (fitness pro)

When it comes to young hot shots in the bodybuilding world, Cody Montgomery has set himself apart. The 21-year-old will be the youngest IFBB pro to compete at the Arnold Classic this year. Montgomery scored victories at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Teen NPC Teen Nationals in addition to the winning the overall at the 2015 NPC USAs. Montgomery, a former FLEX cover athlete, may just be the first millennial bodybuilder to compete in the Mr. Olympia contest.

6 of 17

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Shoulder Workout

Per Bernal

The Rock (actor)

Baywatch, Ballers, Wrestlemania, and most recently, a partnership with American Media Inc., Dwayne Johnson carried over momentum from an insane 2015 and doesn’t look to slow down any time soon. 

7 of 17

kai-greene-pose-arnold

Kai Greene (fitness pro)

There’s no sense beating around the bush, Kai Greene is the favorite to win this year’s Arnold Festival. He’s already a two-time Arnold champ and, if reports are accurate, he’s in razor-sharp shape.

8 of 17

tarzan-alexander-skarsgard

Alexander Skarsgård (actor)

Yes, you read it right, Alexander Skarsgård.We’d be remiss if we didn’t give mention what will likely be one of the top physical transformations of the year. The True Blood star has been killing it in the gym, prepping for his featured role in The Legend of Tarzan. Sure, he’s no size monster, but give a bodybuilding ectomorph some credit, tall guys generally have problems gaining and retaining mass, but the 6’4″ Skarsgård is making strides. Maybe he’s been training with fellow True Blood star Joe Manganiello?

9 of 17

Hafthór Bjornsson - Game of Thrones Mountain

Thor Bjornsson (fitness pro)

Sorry, Game of Thrones fans The Mountain belongs in the “fitness” pool. The man’s a world record-breaking machine, snapping everything to 1000-year-old strength marks to refrigerator carries. He also has one insanely heavy dumbbell. 

10 of 17

joe-manganiello

Joe Manganiello (actor)

The athletic actor quit boozing, hit the gym hard to craft the kind of physique most of us wouldn’t mind having. He trains four times a week, focusing on conditioning circuits to keep his body fat percentage in line. We’re not sure what role that will play in his upcoming move Pee Wee’s Big Holiday, but we can’t wait to find out. 

11 of 17

Watch Oksana Grishina's Olympia Prep Workouts

Oksana Grishina (fitness pro)

One handed pushups? No problem. Full splits with carefully choreographed spins? Easy. M&F Hers cover star Oksana Grishina didn’t become the reigning (and two-time) Fitness Olympia champ just because she owns one of the all-time best women’s physiques. She brings home the gold because she does it with style.

12 of 17

sadik-zane-content

Sadik Hadzovic (fitness pro)

IFBB Men’s Physique Pro Sadik Hadzovic is the 2015 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique champion and 2015 Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique runner up. Former Mr. Olympia Frank Zane (pictured on left) once said that Sadik could have the greatest physique of all time. Who are we to question one of the greats?

13 of 17

cedric-mcmillan-physique-pose

Cedric McMillian (fitness pro)

IFBB Pro Cedric McMillian competed in four pro shows in 2015, all of which he placed in the top three. Known for his impressive combination of proportion, mass and conditioning, McMillian will compete in the 2016 Arnold Classic.

14 of 17

hugh-jackman-beach

Hugh Jackman (actor)

It pains us to say it, but Hugh Jackman’s time in the ripped superhero spotlight is coming to an end. If the terrible rumors are true, Wolverine 3 will be his final appearance as the no-nonsense, claw flailing mutant we’ve come to love. We don’t know if it will mean a slow gym regimen, but if Jackman’s workout videos are any indicator, he’ll go out in peak shape.

15 of 17

george-brown-physique

George Brown (fitness pro)

George Brown is the winner of the 2015 New York Pro Men’s Physique and seventh place finisher at the 2015 Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique. Brown will be competing at the 2016 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique in what could be his breakout pro performance. 

16 of 17

henry-cavill-sm-physiquej

Henry Cavill (actor)

Before you yell “padded suit,” know this: Henry Cavill worked his ass off to get in shape for Superman v Batman. He gained over 10 pounds of muscle to help him clock in at 220 pounds for the role. In our March 2016 issue, he spoke about the physical and mental struggle the superhero training took.

17 of 17

bourne-5-plot-details-imdb

http://www.jasonbournemovie.com/

Matt Damon (actor)

When the Jason Bourne trailer started popping up in our news feeds, the M&F news staff instantly took notice. It’s not the first time Damon has altered his physique in time for a role. His thin looks in The Talented Mr. Ripley and Courage Under Fire contrasted greatly with the ripped body he showed in Invictus. We have no doubt that when the newest Bourne film hits the silver screen there will be a fair share of questionably necessary shirtless scenes — respect.Image courtesy of http://www.jasonbournemovie.com/

Back to intro

#MuscleMadness

You know what? It’s time someone said it, we’ve been talking about Arnold, Columbu and Ferrigno a bit too much. Don’t get us wrong, it’s important to pay homage to the greatest physiques of all time. That era gave us some of the most aesthetically pleasing bodies ever, but let’s show some newer guys love. Every year we’re lucky to have a crop of ripped, talented and ACTIVE stars lighting up competition stages and television screens across the globe.

The cold months are melting away, so you know what that means. Our annual “Muscle Madness” campaign is back! Here’s our new “Sweet 16” of some of the best bodies we’ll see in action; this year we’re pitting actors agains fitness pros. Vote for your favorites using our hashtag (#musclemadness) and we’ll reveal the readers’ choice for this year’s top physique!

Vote for the Best With #MuscleMadness

Tweets about #MuscleMadness since:2016-02-29
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");

Greg Plitt (actor)

We’ll start our list by grandfathering in last year’s fan choice for the greatest physique ever. Greg Plitt had it all; looks, talent and genetics. That said he kept bettering himself and although it’s been a year since the fitness model and actor passed away, his impact on the industry is still fresh in people’s minds.

Jason Poston (fitness pro)

There’s strong, and then there’s Poston strong. The Men’s Physique competitor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011, at age 28, and ever since then he’s been testing his blood sugar 15-to 20 times a day. Poston placed 2nd at the 2015 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and third at the 2015 Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique.

John Cena (actor)

John Cena has yet to reach his peak. He’s been giving The Rock a run for his money as the hardest working man in WWE. After his slew of movie appearances last year, Cena shined as the January 2016 Muscle & Fitness cover and will likely do the same in American Grit, his new reality television show premiering this year.

Cody Montgomery (fitness pro)

When it comes to young hot shots in the bodybuilding world, Cody Montgomery has set himself apart. The 21-year-old will be the youngest IFBB pro to compete at the Arnold Classic this year. Montgomery scored victories at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Teen NPC Teen Nationals in addition to the winning the overall at the 2015 NPC USAs. Montgomery, a former FLEX cover athlete, may just be the first millennial bodybuilder to compete in the Mr. Olympia contest.

The Rock (actor)

Baywatch, Ballers, Wrestlemania, and most recently, a partnership with American Media Inc., Dwayne Johnson carried over momentum from an insane 2015 and doesn’t look to slow down any time soon. 

Kai Greene (fitness pro)

There’s no sense beating around the bush, Kai Greene is the favorite to win this year’s Arnold Festival. He’s already a two-time Arnold champ and, if reports are accurate, he’s in razor-sharp shape.

Alexander Skarsgård (actor)

Yes, you read it right, Alexander Skarsgård.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t give mention what will likely be one of the top physical transformations of the year. The True Blood star has been killing it in the gym, prepping for his featured role in The Legend of Tarzan. Sure, he’s no size monster, but give a bodybuilding ectomorph some credit, tall guys generally have problems gaining and retaining mass, but the 6’4″ Skarsgård is making strides. Maybe he’s been training with fellow True Blood star Joe Manganiello?

Thor Bjornsson (fitness pro)

Sorry, Game of Thrones fans The Mountain belongs in the “fitness” pool. The man’s a world record-breaking machine, snapping everything to 1000-year-old strength marks to refrigerator carries. He also has one insanely heavy dumbbell. 

Joe Manganiello (actor)

The athletic actor quit boozing, hit the gym hard to craft the kind of physique most of us wouldn’t mind having. He trains four times a week, focusing on conditioning circuits to keep his body fat percentage in line. We’re not sure what role that will play in his upcoming move Pee Wee’s Big Holiday, but we can’t wait to find out. 

Oksana Grishina (fitness pro)

One handed pushups? No problem. Full splits with carefully choreographed spins? Easy. M&F Hers cover star Oksana Grishina didn’t become the reigning (and two-time) Fitness Olympia champ just because she owns one of the all-time best women’s physiques. She brings home the gold because she does it with style.

Sadik Hadzovic (fitness pro)

IFBB Men’s Physique Pro Sadik Hadzovic is the 2015 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique champion and 2015 Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique runner up. Former Mr. Olympia Frank Zane (pictured on left) once said that Sadik could have the greatest physique of all time. Who are we to question one of the greats?

Cedric McMillian (fitness pro)

IFBB Pro Cedric McMillian competed in four pro shows in 2015, all of which he placed in the top three. Known for his impressive combination of proportion, mass and conditioning, McMillian will compete in the 2016 Arnold Classic.

Hugh Jackman (actor)

It pains us to say it, but Hugh Jackman’s time in the ripped superhero spotlight is coming to an end. If the terrible rumors are true, Wolverine 3 will be his final appearance as the no-nonsense, claw flailing mutant we’ve come to love. We don’t know if it will mean a slow gym regimen, but if Jackman’s workout videos are any indicator, he’ll go out in peak shape.

George Brown (fitness pro)

George Brown is the winner of the 2015 New York Pro Men’s Physique and seventh place finisher at the 2015 Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique. Brown will be competing at the 2016 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique in what could be his breakout pro performance. 

Henry Cavill (actor)

Before you yell “padded suit,” know this: Henry Cavill worked his ass off to get in shape for Superman v Batman. He gained over 10 pounds of muscle to help him clock in at 220 pounds for the role. In our March 2016 issue, he spoke about the physical and mental struggle the superhero training took.

Matt Damon (actor)

When the Jason Bourne trailer started popping up in our news feeds, the M&F news staff instantly took notice. It’s not the first time Damon has altered his physique in time for a role. His thin looks in The Talented Mr. Ripley and Courage Under Fire contrasted greatly with the ripped body he showed in Invictus. We have no doubt that when the newest Bourne film hits the silver screen there will be a fair share of questionably necessary shirtless scenes — respect.

Image courtesy of http://www.jasonbournemovie.com/

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