These are the 10 most massive bodybuilders to walk the stage.
Bodybuilding is a sport that rewards posing ability, symmetry, definition, proportion, and size. However, most people watch bodybuilding for contenders’ sheer size, especially in the Men’s Open category. Seeing how much muscle mass can encapsulate the human body – like Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman’s physiques – frame is awe-inspiring.
While some have succeeded in this sport, a select few transcend greatness, making their mark even beyond winning prestigious titles like Mr. Olympia. This post delves into bodybuilding to explore the remarkable individuals who have left an indelible impression on the sport, specifically the biggest mass monsters to walk the stage.
Biggest Bodybuilder
Below is a breakdown of 10 of the most massive bodybuilders in bodybuilding history (in no particular order):
- Dorian Yates
- Ronnie Coleman
- Olivier Richters
- Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
- Kai Greene
- Lou Ferrigno
- Paul Dillett
- Jay Cutler
- Rich Piana
- Markus Rühl
Dorian Yates
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People will never forget Dorian Yates as one of the best in bodybuilding history. He set a fresh path for things in the industry and dominated it for seven years, winning Mr. Olympia six times. Yates also has a nonsense approach that fans love.
With Dorian Yates, however, it was about much more than size. His definition and conditioning set a standard many bodybuilders still aspire to today. Part of his peak stats include weighing as much as 256 lbs while being 5’10”.
Ronnie Coleman
Ronnie Coleman succeeded Dorian Yates as Mr. Olympia after he announced his retirement due to a tricep injury. To do that, he needed to be nothing less than phenomenal, and after his eight-year domination, he proved that he was up to the task. For many, Coleman ties with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the greatest bodybuilder ever.
Ronnie Coleman has one of the best physiques ever gracing the bodybuilding stage, and it combines his size and conditioning. “The King” is also famous for having the strength to match his big muscles – squatting 800lbs. Coleman’s stats include weighing as much as 330 lbs in the off-season, which is massive for his height of 5’11”. Watch our film Ronnie Coleman: The King to learn more about him.
Olivier Richters
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Is our list complete without including the tallest bodybuilder in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records? While Ritchers doesn’t do bodybuilding for the stage but more for acting, he weighs 330 lbs. Add that to his height of 7’2”, and you get why his nickname is “The Dutch Giant.”
Olivier Richter is also an actor and has starred in movies like Marvel’s The Black Widow and Kingsman. He eats 5000 calories daily, split into six to seven meals throughout 24 hrs. Due to his height, hitting the proper range of motion was a problem he had to overcome as a bodybuilder.
Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
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As many fondly call him, “Big Ramy” made such an impression at his pro debut in 2013 that other athletes didn’t want to stand next to him. They felt that his physique would dwarf theirs, reducing their chances to win. Of course, Elssbiay went on to win that competition.
It wasn’t until 2020 that he won his first Mr. Olympia, weighing 290 lbs. He defended his title successfully again the following year, weighing an additional five pounds than the previous year. Mamdouh Elssbiay hails from Egypt and stands at 5’10” with off-season weight stats reaching 310lbs.
Kai Greene
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While Kai Greene never won the Mr. Olympia title, his physique was enough to get him into second place from 2012 to 2014. His only barrier to the top prize was Phil Heath. Greene exited the competition, choosing to transition to acting, and has been featured in martial arts films, such as Crazy Fist, appeared in the Netflix TV show Stranger Things, and our movies Kai, Kai Greene: The Return, and Kai Greene: Believe.
Kai Greene’s size is insane as he carries up to 310 lbs in the off-season while standing at a mere 5’8”. He also has excellent condition, with many comparing his back to Ronnie Coleman’s during his years of dominance.
Lou Ferrigno
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When Lou Ferrigno competed in the Mr. Olympia of 1975, he was one of the biggest bodybuilders of his time. It’s why Arnold Schwarzenegger was wary of him — Ferrigno had a 40-plus-pound advantage on him! The 1971 bodybuilding film Pumping Iron documented this.
While Schwarzenegger won that title, Lou Ferrigno still had a great career. He also pivoted into acting, getting to play the role of Marvel’s Incredible Hulk, which many know him as. At 6’5”, Ferrigno was the tallest bodybuilder to win the IFBB Mr. Universe title twice and has been known to weigh more than 290 lbs.
Paul Dillett
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Paul Dillet had a football career before bodybuilding and was taller and more extensive than Big Ramy. His size earned him the nickname “Freak-einstein.” While he never won, Dillet competed in the Mr. Olympia, coming as high as 4th in 1994.
During the 1994 Arnold Classic, Paul Dillet froze on stage due to dehydration and water retention. He had to be carried off stage by four officials and take a year off. Dillet stands at 6’2” and hits an off-season weight of 320 lbs.
Jay Cutler
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Jay Cutler says his dream was to be the biggest bodybuilder in the world. Of course, that panned out as Cutler was the athlete who dethroned Ronnie Coleman and won the Mr. Olympia title four times. He’s also the only Mr. Olympia title holder to regain the title after losing to Dexter Jackson in 2018.
Jay Cutler is massive, hitting as high as 290 lbs on a 5’9” frame. But what is most impressive about this big athlete is his longevity. Cutler is still going at it, remaining in shape and posing at age 50, thanks to his unique approach to training.
Rich Piana
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Rich Piana competed in the bodybuilding industry for about 25 years, and many considered him a freak of nature. His arms, back, and shoulders were massive and drew the attention of bodybuilding fans worldwide. Piana was also famous for his openness about using steroids while competing.
At 6’2”, Rich Piana could hit as high as 315 lbs during the off-season and was one of the focuses of the documentary Generation Iron 2. Rich Piana also had a thriving nutrition brand called Rich Piana: 5% Nutrition, but sadly, he passed away in 2017.
Markus Rühl
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Last but not least on our list of the biggest bodybuilders is Markus Rühl. It’s a fitting ending, as many consider Rühl one of the biggest mass monsters in bodybuilding. His disadvantage seems to be competing during the times of Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler, who judges felt deserved the title more.
While Markus Rühl never did win the Mr. Olympia, he has one of the most impressive shoulders in the sport’s history. Rühl owns a supplement brand and has come a long way since starting his professional career in 1996. He stands at 5’10” and weighs as much as 285 lbs.
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