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TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#4)

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GI Team
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bigger stronger faster 3#4. BIGGER STRONGER FASTER* (CHRIS BELL, 2008)

There’s a discussion that often comes up when the topic of growing mass is mentioned: Steroids. It affects all manner of sports in regards to fairness, health, and legality. Bigger Stronger Faster* is an honest look into the world of steroids as it relates to bodybuilding and strength conditioning.

Chris Bell examines steroid use through his two brothers, Smelly and Mad Dog. These are two kids who grew up idolizing Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hulk Hogan. So much so that they actively use steroids to try and match their physique. The film also features professional athletes and medical experts to get a well rounded, fact-driven understanding of anabolic steroids.

What stands out about this film is that it looks at the topic of muscle mass and bodybuilding through a different perspective. Many films on this list either explore the personal side of the individual – or idolize them through epic action scenarios. Bigger Stronger Faster* explores the drug aspect behind muscle gain without attacking it or defending it. How inadvertently, athletes almost need to use steroids in order to not fall behind. It’s a slippery slope and an aspect of strength conditioning that can easily be forgotten behind all of the muscles and stereotypes.

Of course, a film discussing steroids wouldn’t be complete without mass amounts of muscles. And we get them in spades here. The effects of steroids are shown right up on the screen within the body of every subject they highlight. If you are a muscle fan, and we know you are, then you might find this film an interesting change of pace for our list.

 

Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think about our Top 30 Muscle Movies of All Time. And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter here: @GI_Athletics

 

Photo courtesy of: Dogo Movies

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#5)

By
GI Team
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Stay Hungry 3#5. STAY HUNGRY (BOB RAFELSON, 1976)

Here comes Arnold Schwarzenegger again. But can you really blame us? There’s a reason why his name is universally known. He’s huge, he’s ripped, he’s perfectly sculpted. And in Stay Hungry, he’s in his prime – starting his acting career while he was still competing on the stage.

What’s even better, Stay Hungry is an early film that sheds some light into the world of bodybuilding. This is before Pumping Iron exploded onto the scene; before Arnold was a household name. The movie sympathizes with the misconceptions that bodybuilders have to deal with outside the sport. This is perfectly encapsulated in the scene where Arnold plays violin for a country club. Despite his musical talent, completely unrelated to bodybuilding, he is seen as nothing but a freak, a joke to be gawked at.

And Arnold showed that he had other talents beyond bodybuilding as well. He won a Golden Globe for “Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture,” even though he had acted in two films previous. That’s just how good he was in the film. Stay Hungry was the first indicator of the international hero Arnold would soon become. So not only was Arnold absolutely ripped – he kick started the future of an entire career filled with muscles and one-liners that we all know and love.

 

Have you seen Arnold in Stay Hungry? Sound off in the comments section and Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter here: @GI_Athletics.

 

Photo courtesy of: Super Seventies

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#6)

By
GI Team
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Brad Pitt 1#6. FIGHT CLUB (DAVID FINCHER, 1999)

The first rule about Fight Club is… well it’s been 15 years. You probably already get it. Old news, right? Well there’s on thing about this film that never gets old. And that’s Brad Pitt’s shredded physique. He might not be large, but he perfectly portrays the other side of a muscular body – lean and toned.

Fight Club is about an insomniac office drone that is looking for a way to change his boring life. He finds that change in an anarchistic Jack of all trades, played by Brad Pitt, who helps form an underground fight club.

And this is where the muscles come in. Brad Pitt plays a completely driven, albeit insane, fighter and leader of the club. While there are few, the scenes in which Pitt fights in the make-shift ring are full of intensity and vigor. Pitt purportedly used a training routine targeting only one muscle group per day. And he would often lift to failure without losing his form. This ended up with him weighing 155 lbs at 6 ft tall with only 5% body fat.

In Fight Club, Brad Pitt played a character who was a master of controlling chaos. And in a way, that is what strength training and bodybuilding is all about. Finding the will and dedication to completely control the boundless energy pushed out of the body during a workout. Pitt’s body is a testament to that mentality. And Fight Club gets placed #6 on our list.

 

What do you think will be in the top five? Let us know in the comments section below; like us on Facebook; and follow us on Twitter here: @GI_Athletics

 

Photo courtesy of: Brad Warthen

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#7)

By
GI Team
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Expendables 1#7. THE EXPENDABLES (SYLVESTER STALLONE, 2010)

For many, The Expendables is a dream come true. A fusing of every single classic action star put together into one movie. Shaken around with some explosions, guns, knives, fist fights – resulting with one hell of a film.

This is the class reunion of muscle men. Everyone who has shown up on our list so far teams up into one super group. You have Stallone, Lundgren, Statham, and Rourke. Heck you even have a cameo of Arnold thrown in there. Sure these guys are all older now, but that doesn’t change the fact that this film is the greatest hits of powerhouse muscles.

There’s also some great “newcomers” to our list as well. Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Jet Li, and Steve Austin all provide some extra strength to pad out the ultimate ensemble of a muscle movie.

They even tried to get Van Damme and Seagal into this film, which would ultimately complete the 80s/90s action reunion. But sadly it didn’t work out. (Van Damme would eventually sign on for Expendables 2).

The Expendables is basically the Top Muscle Movies list put together into one non stop action packed film. So we can’t deny placing this in the top ten of our list. These guys are all icons – and with this movie they prove that they’re time isn’t up just yet.

 

What do you guys think about The Expendables? Let us know in the comments section below. You can always like us on Facebook too. Follow us on Twitter here: @GI_Athletics

 

Photo courtesy of: Gamemoir

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#8)

By
GI Team
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Gerard Butler 1#8. 300 (ZACK SNYDER, 2006)

300 men. 300 swords. 300 shields. As Gerard Butler would scream: “This. Is. Sparta!” The ultimate story about perseverance, strength, and the pure power of will. 300 Spartans stand off against the entire Persian army. No one backs down. No one runs.

Gerard Butler plays King Leonidas as he leads his small army of soldiers to protect Sparta from the invading forces of the Persian army. Every single Spartan in this movie is shirtless, ripped, and fueled with vigor. It is the ultimate display of what raw strength and willpower can achieve. It’s about rising above. About being fearless of defeat.

Butler spent an average of four hours every day training in a gym for four months before shooting. Since the script demanded all of the soldiers’ screen time to be shirtless, the entire cast underwent intense training for 8 weeks right before the shoot. World record holding mountain climber Marc Twight set the regime so that the same exercise was never repeated twice, preventing the body from becoming too content with any one routine. Butler admitted that it was the hardest thing he had ever had to do in his life.

Just watching 5 minutes of the film is proof enough that this is one of the greatest muscle movies of all time. Jump into any scene and you’ll find action, strength, and an amazing display of will. Ranking it #8 on the list.

 

Having secret desires of kicking someone down an infinite hole? Want to talk about it? We’re ready to listen in the comments section below. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter: @GI_Athletics

 

Photo courtesy of: Hotflick

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#9)

By
GI Team
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Conan Schwarzenegger 4#9. CONAN THE BARBARIAN (JOHN MILIUS, 1982)

Okay, let’s just get this out of the way first: Arnold punches a camel in the head. It’s inhumane, but come on, it’s also pretty hilarious. Conan the Barbarian was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first staring role and immediately skyrocketed him into a Hollywood celebrity. We can see why. He’s completely jacked; wields gigantic swords; and obliterates every enemy in his path.

Here’s the best part, Arnold was actually too big for the role of Conan. His muscles were so huge that he couldn’t wield a sword properly – so he had to tone down his workout in order to perform in the film.

And to top it all off, Arnold received weapons training, martial arts training, and horse riding lessons in order to do all his own stunts. He trained with an 11 pound broadsword for two hours a day. He learned climbing techniques and how to take a fall. He worked out so hard that it actually inspired him to return to bodybuilding after retirement. This eventually led him to win the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest. (Ironically, the film wouldn’t actually release until 1982).

For all intensive purposes, Arnold literally became a barbarian. In size, in strength, and in lifestyle. He was an unstoppable force and remained one for the rest of his action career. Putting Conan in the top 10 of our list.

 

We’re getting down to the wire now. Which movies do you think will get in the top ten? Let us know in the comments section below. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @GI_Athletics

 

Photo courtesy of: ABC News

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#10)

By
GI Team
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Predator#10. PREDATOR (JOHN MCTIERNAN, 1987)

Arnold Schwarzenegger has proven time and time again that he can out muscle and defeat any human opponent in his path. So Predator takes things to the next logical level. Pit Arnold against a ruthless alien hunter.

The original script put Arnold alone against the alien for the entire story. But Arnold had bigger plans. He pulled together an entire team of massive actors to play commandos. Between Arnold, Carl Weathers, and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura – this movie has muscles on top of muscles.

An interesting piece of trivia: Van Damme was originally cast to play the alien predator. The director hoped that his martial arts skills would make the alien an agile ninja-like hunter. But compared to the commando team and their massive bodybuilding physiques, Van Damme didn’t look physically threatening enough. That’s how much muscle gets piled into this film. A master of muscle in his own right, Van Damme, looks like a tiny spring chicken.

In the end, Arnold proved to the world that he can not only defeat every man in his path – he could defeat every alien as well. Further cementing him into the annals of action history. And placing Predator #10 on our list.

 

Tell us what you think about Predator in the comments section or on Facebook. And feel free to follow us on Twitter at @GI_Athletics. Stop by tomorrow for the next film in our Top 30 Muscle Movies of All Time.

 

Photo courtesy of: RYMDfilm and Action Movie Freak

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#11)

By
GI Team
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Bev Francis 1#11. PUMPING IRON II: THE WOMEN (GEORGE BUTLER, 1985)

Pumping Iron was a film that turned an obscure sport into an overnight phenomenon, made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, and changed the face of bodybuilding forever. So of course, Pumping Iron II attempts to provide the same insight to an even more obscure aspect of bodybuilding – the women.

The film follows four women who have devoted their entire lives towards their idea of the perfect female form. But for them, the hurdles towards success are two fold. Not only must they dedicate themselves to a misunderstood sport, but they must also stand up against preconceived notions of what the female body should look like.

The real star here is Bev Francis. She is a complete beast with a body that is transformed almost to a “manly” physique (Thus, challenging the way we use such a word). She was the first woman to bench press over 300 pounds, plastering her over dozens of bodybuilding magazines and turning her into a celebrity.

Pumping Iron II, at the time, forced the world to look at the ongoing debate over femininity and female muscularity. Bev Francis challenged preconceived notions about the limits of female bodybuilding. This sport is all about pushing limits. The desire for more, to crash through plateaus we set for ourselves and society sets for us. Pumping Iron II is a prime example of crashing through that barrier. Putting it at #12 on our list.

 

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. And check us out on Facebook or Twitter: @GI_Athletics. Tomorrow we crack into the elite ten of the Top 30 Muscle Movies of All Time.

 

Photo courtesy of: Girls With Muscle

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#12)

By
GI Team
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Mickey Rourke 2#12. THE WRESTLER (DARREN ARONOFSKY, 2008)

Redemption. The attempt, the drive, the passion – that’s what The Wrestler is all about. And that is what Mickey Rourke found in his role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson.

Many already know the story of Mickey Rourke. A notable actor in the 80’s who also had a passion for boxing. After going pro, he eventually faded into Hollywood obscurity, an untouchable actor that no one wanted in their films. Until The Wrestler. Much like his character, this was his last shot at redemption. Despite his many mistakes and unforgivable failures – if he could just redeem himself with this one match (or one role), he can achieve success and happiness.

And that’s exactly what he did. Using his boxing background as reference, Mickey Rourke absolutely kills it as a washed up wrestler. For one, he’s jacked, but he also maintained the endurance to perform many of his own stunts. He even cut his own forehead with razor blades (a technique many real wrestlers use to draw blood) in order to add realism to the physicality of the role. Rourke pushed his body and his soul to the limits, earning him redemption – as well as a place on our list. (And a future gig narrating for a certain bodybuilding documentary).

 

Do you love The Wrestler? Or do you find it as washed up as Randy’s career? Let us know in the comments section below and be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages. @GI_Athletics

 

Photo courtesy of: Celebrity Fitness Training

TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES (#13)

By
GI Team
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Teddy Bear 1#13. TEDDY BEAR (MADS MATTHIESEN, 2012)

Kim Kold is enormous. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 308 pounds, he is a true real life hulk. But in Teddy Bear, Kim hides a very quiet and insecure heart. He’s terrible with women and just wants to find true love.

Kold stars as Dennis, a 38 year old body builder who has never had a girlfriend and lives at home with his mother. After his uncle marries a girl in Thailand, Dennis decides to travel over there – believing that love is easier to find in a new country. After the huge culture shock and many awkward encounters, he unexpectedly meets a Thai woman named Toi and starts to find a cure to his loneliness.

Kold is a former football goalkeeper who had to leave the sport because of a serious injury. While working in the gym doing rehabilitation training, he discovered a new found passion for bodybuilding and eventually built himself up to become the Danish National Bodybuilding Champ in 2006.

Kold is not a trained actor, but he is able to open up and paint a very human portrait of the man that exists behind the muscles. It’s a unique take that honestly captures not only the world of bodybuilding, but also the individual that lies behind the stereotypes.

 

Sound off in the comments section below. And be sure to check out our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter: @GI_Athletics.

 

Photo courtesy of: NY Times

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