Nick Scott’s Best Bodybuilders Of All Time: “Arnold Schwarzenegger Is Always Number One”

Nick Scott argues why Arnold Schwarzenegger will always be the number one best bodybuilder of all time.

Choosing the best bodybuilders of all time can be a difficult task. This is especially true when deciding the top of that list. Do you go for pure physique and aesthetics? Or do you put context into account? Do you also consider the bodybuilder’s personality and impact on the history of the sport? The options are endless. A top bodybuilders of all time list can be a window into personality behind the person who made the list. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Nick Scott picks his top five bodybuilders of all time and explains why Arnold Schwarzenegger will always be on the top of that list.

Looking at the big picture, Arnold Schwarzenegger is without a doubt the biggest name to ever come from bodybuilding. He was a 7x Mr. Olympia champion, a mega movie star, and a politician. He exemplifies success in nearly every corner of his achievements.

But when it comes to him as purely a bodybuilder, some would consider him not eligible for their top five bodybuilders of all time list. The reason for his is that his physique is so old school that it can barely compete with the ranks of other legends that came far after him. Legends such as Ronnie Coleman, Dorian Yates, and Phil Heath to name a few.

Nick Scott doesn’t agree with this mindset. To him, Arnold Schwarzenegger will always be the best bodybuilder of all time. That’s not only because of his physique but what he did for the sport as a whole. Nick Scott cannot divorce the impact Arnold had from his overall presence as a bodybuilder.

It may be fair to say that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s physique can’t match up to modern legends that came later. But it’s also true that no other bodybuilder had the same impact that Arnold had to the sport. The only person who comes close is Ronnie Coleman. His physique transformed the future of what athletes and judges expected from bodybuilding.

But Arnold Schwarzenegger came first. He made bodybuilding bigger and almost took it mainstream. After becoming a successful movie star, he continues to promote bodybuilding and his passion for it. He didn’t leave it behind. To this day he is still devoted to his Arnold Classic events each year.

It’s that context that places Arnold Schwarzenegger at the top of Nick Scott’s list. He doesn’t see any way around it. Of course, that doesn’t negate other athletes he places on his top list. Nick Scott also mentions Ronnie Coleman, Phil heath, Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Flex Lewis, Flex Wheeler, and Shawn Ray on his list.

You can watch Nick Scott go into detail about his top five bodybuilders of all time in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!