Dennis Wolf lists his top 5 bodybuilders of all time… and adds a few more.
Dennis Wolf’s pro bodybuilding career was unfortunately cut slightly short after a serious neck injury and subsequent surgery forced him into retirement. Regardless, he was part of an elite era of bodybuilders and considered a top level competitor that consistently placed well at the Mr. Olympia. Now with his pro competitive career behind him and a little bit of hindsight, we wanted to know who he considers to be the best bodybuilders in the history of the sport. In our latest GI Exclusive, Dennis Wolf selects his top 5 bodybuilders of all time.
While everyone has their own lists of favorite bodybuilders, it’s always exciting to know who the top tier pros think are the best of all time. This is largely due to the fact that they have a deeper insight into the hard work, struggle and, yes, genetic potential that goes into being an all star bodybuilder. While fans are certainly passionate about the sport, elite pro bodybuilders have dedicated their entire lives into it.
That’s why when we had an opportunity to reconnect with Dennis Wolf, we were excited to get his insight into the best bodybuilders of all time. Dennis Wolf was one of the featured bodybuilders in our original Generation Iron film. It had been a while since Vlad Yudin and the team have been able to reconnect.
With Dennis Wolf officially retired from competing, it’s also easier to get an honest answer from him regarding the top bodybuilders in the history of the sport. He’s no longer focused on becoming a name on that list. Instead, he can look back at his era and past eras with a more critical lens.
While a few names on his list seem obvious (he includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, Kevin Levrone and Flex Wheeler), there are also a few unexpected highlights. Matthias Herzog, a German bodybuilder whose name isn’t often weaved into the main bullet points of bodybuilding history, was an athlete that truly impressed Wolf. He describes the moment he saw him back stage and how, in that moment, he felt Herzog has the perfect physique.
Dennis Wolf also includes Dennis James on his list. A truly great bodybuilder that is often referenced now more as a coach, guru, and commentator. While fans know of the excellence that is Dennis James – Wolf considers him to be one of the best of all time. Wolf admits he is somewhat biased due to their long running friendship. Regardless, there’s no denying the incredible aesthetic that James brought to the stage.
Ultimately, Dennis Wolf had such reverence for the sport that he couldn’t keep his list down to only five names. He lists seven total. It’s a great list and perhaps one that will lead to fun discussions among fans who have their own personal picks.
You can check out Dennis Wolf’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
