What’s going through your mind when you’re hitting the weights?Staying focused on your fitness regimen can be tough. There are all kinds of gym excuses and distractions that can keep us out of the action. Maybe that’s why fitness icons are so damned impressive. Sure, they have money, but they sure as hell weren’t able to buy their physiques. The guys on this list worked hard, ate well, and stayed mentally sharp. Here’s what they had to say along the way.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the hardest working men in showbiz. Short of Terry Crews, there aren’t many actors with gas to go full throttle in the gym and on set. The Rock does serious work in the kitchen too. Honorable quote mention, “Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?”
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Lou Ferrigno
The Pumping Iron star never could top Arnold Schwarzenegger at Mr. Olympia, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a champion. When Hollywood needed a mean, green, larger-than-life weightlifting machine to play the Hulk, Arnold didn’t get the call.
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Bruce Lee
Come on, you know we wouldn’t leave off on of the most quotable men in fitness history! The movie star, martial arts innovator, philosopher had some serious knowledge (and power) packed into his 5’7″ 130-pound frame.SEE ALSO: Remembering the Life of Bruce Lee
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Frank Zane
When you own the greatest physique of all time, you’re bound to inspire others. The Chemist reached the epitome of physical aesthetics, but as his nickname suggests, you can’t overlook mentality.
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Kai Greene
We’ll follow up Phil Heath with his long-storied nemisis — The Predator. Any avid Kai Greene fan knows his mantra, “thoughts become things.” Greene must do a lot of thinking about his hyper-muscular back.
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Greg Plitt
The late fitness model and television personality had a huge impact on the fitness community. It was due, in part, to quotes like this.SEE ALSO: Remembering Greg Plitt 1977-2015
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Ronnie Coleman
Lifting “heavy-ass” weight cost the Ronnie Coleman his body. That said, the eight-time Mr. Olympia says it was all worth it. “I would have done it differently if I could go back,” says Coleman. “I would have trained HARDER!” If that’s not passion, we’re not sure what is.
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Jay Cutler
Who needs flavor when you can be a four-time Mr. Olympia? Jay Cutler knows what it takes to crank out serious volume in the gym, and for that we salute him.
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Arnold
No last name needed. Arnold is on Cher and Prince’s level in terms of larger-than-life-figures-who-only-need-one-name. The Oak has evolved into one of the most famous and inspirational people in the bodybuilding world. Messages like this are why.
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Phil Heath
This one isn’t about inspiration, this is just about a badass bodybuilder being who he is. Phil Heath has gotten a bad wrap for being cocky, but that’s one of the things we love about him. Haters should be reprimanded.
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Franco Columbu
We’ll, at least he’s honest. We’re not knocking Franco Columbu one bit. Sure, it would be easy for him to pat himself on the back, what with his Mr. Olympia title and all. Still, it must be hard to stay pumped up when you’ve got the Oak yelling at you for skipping reps.
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The Rock
Of course, Dwayne Johnson is going to appear a few times on this list. The man is full of inspirational quotes. Need some more? Check out our feature on his seven life lessions for success.
What’s going through your mind when you’re hitting the weights?
Staying focused on your fitness regimen can be tough. There are all kinds of gym excuses and distractions that can keep us out of the action. Maybe that’s why fitness icons are so damned impressive. Sure, they have money, but they sure as hell weren’t able to buy their physiques. The guys on this list worked hard, ate well, and stayed mentally sharp. Here’s what they had to say along the way.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the hardest working men in showbiz. Short of Terry Crews, there aren’t many actors with gas to go full throttle in the gym and on set. The Rock does serious work in the kitchen too. Honorable quote mention, “Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?”
Lou Ferrigno
The Pumping Iron star never could top Arnold Schwarzenegger at Mr. Olympia, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a champion. When Hollywood needed a mean, green, larger-than-life weightlifting machine to play the Hulk, Arnold didn’t get the call.
Bruce Lee
Come on, you know we wouldn’t leave off on of the most quotable men in fitness history! The movie star, martial arts innovator, philosopher had some serious knowledge (and power) packed into his 5’7″ 130-pound frame.
When you own the greatest physique of all time, you’re bound to inspire others. The Chemist reached the epitome of physical aesthetics, but as his nickname suggests, you can’t overlook mentality.
Kai Greene
We’ll follow up Phil Heath with his long-storied nemisis — The Predator. Any avid Kai Greene fan knows his mantra, “thoughts become things.” Greene must do a lot of thinking about his hyper-muscular back.
Greg Plitt
The late fitness model and television personality had a huge impact on the fitness community. It was due, in part, to quotes like this.
Lifting “heavy-ass” weight cost the Ronnie Coleman his body. That said, the eight-time Mr. Olympia says it was all worth it. “I would have done it differently if I could go back,” says Coleman. “I would have trained HARDER!” If that’s not passion, we’re not sure what is.
Jay Cutler
Who needs flavor when you can be a four-time Mr. Olympia? Jay Cutler knows what it takes to crank out serious volume in the gym, and for that we salute him.
Arnold
No last name needed. Arnold is on Cher and Prince’s level in terms of larger-than-life-figures-who-only-need-one-name. The Oak has evolved into one of the most famous and inspirational people in the bodybuilding world. Messages like this are why.
Phil Heath
This one isn’t about inspiration, this is just about a badass bodybuilder being who he is. Phil Heath has gotten a bad wrap for being cocky, but that’s one of the things we love about him. Haters should be reprimanded.
Franco Columbu
We’ll, at least he’s honest. We’re not knocking Franco Columbu one bit. Sure, it would be easy for him to pat himself on the back, what with his Mr. Olympia title and all. Still, it must be hard to stay pumped up when you’ve got the Oak yelling at you for skipping reps.
The Rock
Of course, Dwayne Johnson is going to appear a few times on this list. The man is full of inspirational quotes. Need some more? Check out our feature on his seven life lessions for success.
