Coleman said his 2001 Mr. Olympia physique was his best conditioning.
Ronnie Coleman, famously known as “The King,” reigned supreme in the bodybuilding world for an incredible eight consecutive years, from 1998 to 2005. During his dominance, he faced fierce competition, notably from bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler. It wasn’t until much later that Cutler managed to dethrone the reigning champion.
Surprisingly, Ronnie Coleman didn’t set out to become one of the greatest bodybuilders ever. He was just an ordinary police officer looking for a free gym membership. However, his extraordinary physique and incredible muscle mass soon earned him widespread recognition. Coleman won the Mr. Olympia title eight times and numerous other accolades, including victories at the Arnold Classic.
| Full Name: Ronnie Coleman | ||
| Weight | Height | Date of Birth |
| 297 lbs (135 kg) | 5’11″ (180 cm) | 5/13/1964 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Men’s Open | 1990s, 2000s | American |
The question of when Ronnie Coleman showcased his all-time best physique has sparked countless debates. Interestingly, in 2001, Coleman acknowledged that after securing victory at the Mr. Olympia competition, “I achieved my best condition ever,” expressed Ronnie Coleman.
What set Ronnie Coleman apart in 2001, making that year extraordinary in his career? How did he accomplish such a remarkable feat? This article delves into these questions, exploring Ronnie Coleman’s legendary workout and deadlift routines.
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Background
Ronnie Coleman is among the greatest, along with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dorian Yates, Phil Heath, Jay Cutler, and Lee Haney. He was born May 13, 1964, in Monroe, Louisiana, and graduated from Grambling State University in 1989 with a B.S. in accounting. While in school, he played football as a linebacker for the Tigers as a linebacker
After graduation, he couldn’t find work as an accountant and opted to work at Domino’s Pizza. He later joined the police force in 1989. In 1990, Coleman’s colleague suggested he try Metroflex Gym, owned by amateur bodybuilder Brian Dobson. Dobson offered him a lifetime free membership if he allowed him to train for the 1990 Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition.
At that competition, Ronnie Coleman placed first in the heavyweight category and overall. He even beat his trainer, Brian Dobson. Coleman then went to the 1990 NPC Nationals and won third place in the heavyweight division.
Coleman got his pro card the following year, contested the 1991 NPC Nationals heavyweight division, and placed fourth. In 1992, Ronnie Coleman made his first Mr. Olympia and placed 16th. He also placed 11th at the 1992 Chicago Pro Championships and 14th at the 1992 Night of Champions.
From 1992 to 1998, Coleman made significant changes to his physique and went on to the 1998 IFBB Finnish Grand Prix with one of his best physiques ever, beating Kevin Levrone to win the title. That was where he got recognition for his broad and thick back development. He also won the 1998 IFBB German Grand Prix, 1998 Toronto Pro, and 1998 Night of Champions. Kevin Levrone admitted, in his own words, “It was the beginning of the end for me and every other bodybuilder.”
Things took a turn in bodybuilding when Dorian Yates retired in 1998. After dominating for six years, it was time for a new king, and Flex Wheeler was the favorite to win. However, Ronnie Coleman brought massive improvements to the Olympia stage that year and took his first Olympia title home, beating Flex Wheeler.
Coleman defended his title at the Olympia the following year and won the grand prize. He did the same in 2000, winning the title for the third time. He joined the ranks of bodybuilding greats to become the sixth person to win the Mr. Olympia three times in a row.
2001 Ronnie Coleman’s Physique
Ronnie Coleman started 2001 by attending and winning the 2001 Arnold Classic. He then went on to win the 2001 IFBB New Zealand Grand Prix. Coleman was considered to have the most ripped and muscular physique.
At the 2001 Olympia, with favorable odds except for Jay Cutler, he successfully defended his title with a four-point lead to win his fourth consecutive Mr. Olympia title. He was simply untouchable. Coleman was also the first to win the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic in the same calendar year.
“I wanted to be the only person to win both the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia in the same year.”
Of course, Ronnie Coleman went on to win other titles for many years, but 2001 was a significant year for him. His massive frame brought him great success at Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic that year.
That year, Ronnie Coleman came with a complete 247-lb package that highlighted and combined his symmetry, size, separation, muscle density, and conditioning. His details were so great that a magazine had to edit his picture to make him appear smoother because they feared his photographs would be too much for people.
Workout & Deadlift Routine
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Ronnie Coleman prefers using heavy free weights with low reps to machines. He says it helps his flexibility and improves his range of motion. In addition to bodybuilding, he has competed in many powerlifting contests involving deadlifts, squats, and bench presses. Here are his exercises.
Day 1 — Biceps, Back, & Shoulders
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Deadlifts | 4 | 6-12 |
| Barbell Rows | 3 | 10-12 |
| T-Bar Rows | 3 | 10-12 |
| Dumbbell Rows | 3 | 10-12 |
| Bicep Curls | 4 | 12 |
| Alternating Dumbbell Curls | 3 | 12 |
| EZ-bar Bicep Curls | 3 | 12 |
| Cable Bicep Curls | 4 | 12 |
| Overhead Shoulder Presses | 4 | 10-12 |
| Dumbbell Shoulder Presses | 4 | 12 |
| Dumbbell Front Raises | 4 | 12 |
Day 2 — Legs
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Squats | 5 | 6-12 |
| Leg Presses | 4 | 12 |
| Lunges | 2 | 30 meters ea. |
| Deadlifts | 3 | 12 |
| Leg Curls | 3 | 12 |
Day 3 — Chest & Triceps
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Bench Presses | 5 | 12 |
| Incline Bench Presses | 3 | 12 |
| Dumbbell Presses | 3 | 12 |
| Lateral Raises | 4 | 12 |
| EZ-bar Tricep Extensions | 3 | 12 |
| Seated Dumbbell Tricep Extensions | 4 | 12 |
| Close Grip Bench Presses | 4 | 12 |
Day 4 — Chest & Triceps
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Barbell Rows | 5 | 10-12 |
| Low Pulley Rows | 4 | 10-12 |
| Close-Grip Lat Pulldowns | 3 | 10-12 |
| Wide-Grip Lat Pulldowns | 3 | 10-12 |
| Alternating Bicep Curls | 4 | 12 |
| Machine Bicep Curls | 3 | 12 |
| Barbell Bicep Curls | 3 | 12 |
| Low Cable Bar Curls | 4 | 12 |
| Overhead Shoulder Presses | 4 | 12 |
| Front Raises | 3 | 8-25 |
| Dumbbell Shoulder Presses | 3 | 8-25 |
Day 5 — Legs
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Leg Extensions | 4 | 30 |
| Front Squats | 4 | 12-15 |
| Hack Squats | 3 | 12 |
| Standing Leg Curls | 3 | 12-15 |
| Leg Curls | 4 | 12-15 |
Day 6 — Chest, Triceps, Abs, & Calves
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Dumbbell Incline Bench Presses | 4 | 12 |
| Decline Bench Presses | 3 | 12 |
| Incline Dumbbell Flys | 3 | 12 |
| Decline Dumbbell Flys | 3 | 12 |
| EZ-bar French Presses | 4 | 12 |
| Parallel Dip Bars | 4 | 12 |
| EZ-bar Tricep Extensions | 3 | 12 |
| Standing Calf Raises | 4 | 12 |
| Seated Calf Raises | 4 | 12 |
| Crunches | 3 | To Failure |
Day 7 — Rest & Recovery
Deadlift Routine
Ronnie Coleman is famous for his 800-lb (363 kg) deadlifts. They were his favorite lift, and they helped him make good gains. When using heavy weights, Coleman does high reps to work his lower back, getting it big and thick. He does this exercise using five drop sets of 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 while progressively adding weights. Coleman does the deadlift exercise using a mixed grip, a pair of deadlift straps, weightlifting chalk, and a lifting belt.
Wrap Up
There’s plenty of debate surrounding Ronnie Coleman’s best-ever physique. While some might argue that his 2003 form was his peak, 2001 often gets overlooked due to the controversies surrounding that year. Health complications and a contentious victory over rival Jay Cutler at the Olympia clouded his achievements in some eyes.
But take a closer look at 2001, and you’ll see why it deserves recognition. That year, his performance at the Arnold Classic showcased one of bodybuilding’s most flawless and awe-inspiring physiques. When paired with his Olympia win — controversial as it may have been — it’s clear that 2001 was no ordinary year for Coleman. In every sense, in 2001, Ronnie Coleman was a force to be reckoned with.
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