• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
Bodybuilding

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

by Derek Dufour Published on Jan 18, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

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!

About Derek Dufour

Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years. He currently manages a team of editors, writers, and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility