Who is Ronnie Coleman? He is often referred to as the “King of Bodybuilding.” He is an eight-time Mr. Olympia winner and is considered by many to be one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. In this blog post, we will take a look at Ronnie Coleman’s life and his incredible achievements in the bodybuilding world!
Ronnie Coleman was born on May 13, 1964, in Bastrop, Louisiana. He was always a big and strong kid, and he loved playing sports. When Ronnie was in high school, he played football and even won a state championship! After high school, Ronnie Coleman joined the United States Army. It was during his time in the Army that Ronnie Coleman began lifting weights. He quickly realized that he was good at it and enjoyed it.
Ronnie Coleman competed in his first bodybuilding competition in 1990. He won the event and then went on to win many more competitions over the next few years. In 1998, Ronnie Coleman made history by becoming the first African American to win the Mr. Olympia title. He went on to win the Mr. Olympia title eight times in a row, setting a new record
“Everybody Wants to Be a Bodybuilder but Dont Nobody Want to Lift No Heavy Ass Weight!!”
The Younger Years
In 1984, after graduating from Grambling State University, Coleman went on to play middle linebacker for the GSY Tigers under coach Eddie Robinson.
Coleman was unable to find work in his field after he graduated and ended up working at Domino’s Pizza instead. He then became a police officer in Arlington, Texas and served from 1989-2000. Coleman continued serving as a reserve officer until 2003.
Career of Ronnie Coleman
After attending Metroflex gym owned by bodybuilder Brian Dobson, Coleman was offered a free lifetime membership if he took part in the upcoming Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition.
In 1994, he joined his first Mr. Olympia competition and placed 15th but 10th the following year. Then, in 1996 he places 6th but unfortunately 0th the next year.
In the following years, Coleman won the Mr. Olympia title for an astounding eight consecutive years before finally being defeated by Jay Cutler in 2006.
In his home video collection, Coleman can be seen hoisting heavy dumbbells and saying his now infamous catch frases “light weight baby” and “nothin but a peanut” while training at metroflex gym in Alrington TX.
Coleman was a master at building muscle and was renowned for his stage presence at every contest.
Coleman was also known for his giant legs and the eight time Mr. O kept his fellow competitors training hard lifting in the gym day in and day out.
Ronnie Coleman would eat the same foods every day to stay consistent with his training course.
Thanks to his success as a professional bodybuilder, he has been able to endorse products and take advantage of other career opportunities that have come his way.
Coleman has been an active supporter of the Inner-City Games. In 2001, he was presented with the Admiral in the Texas Navy Certificate Award. Ronnie Coleman Signature Series, a company that provides sports nutrition and wellness products for bodybuilders and athletes alike, launched in 2011 under his careful direction.
Colemans injuries
The heavy weights he lifted during his powerlifting and bodybuilding career, such as deadlifts with 800 lbs, led to serious injuries requiring numerous surgeries since 2007.
The eight-time Mr. O Ronnie Coleman admits his avoidance of light weights contributed to the damage done to his body, resulting in two hip replacements and several back surgeries stunting his gym training and at some points leaving him unable to stand or walk. Ronnie Coleman retired from the sport in 2007.
Coleman now travels with a wheelchair, but he does not regret his training decisions or tenacity to be the greatest bodybuilder on earth, which he successfully turned into reality.
Ronnie Coleman: The King
In 2018, Vlad Yudin directed the Netflix documentary Ronnie Coleman: The King, which chronicled Coleman’s life and career. For the film’s credits, Quan created a song called “Flexin’ on Them” (Ronnie Coleman) as a tribute to his bodybuilding profession.
Coleman is never afraid to speak openly to the media, take a photo with a fan, or promote the sport in any way he can.
He can be found on Youtube where he advises on how to train, use proper form, tips on how to perform onstage, and how to find your place in the IFBB organization.
Ronnie Colemans’ gym
Ronnie Colemans’ home gym is estimated to be worth over $200,000. His valued collection of gym equipment is testimony to his love of the sport, and he continues to work out his body and maintain muscle.
Ronnie Coleman’s Most Noted Competitions:
1990 Mr. Texas (Heavyweight & Overall)
1991 World Amateur Championships (Heavyweight)
1995 Canada Pro Cup
1996 Canada Pro Cup
1997 Grand Prix Russia
1998 Night of Champions
1998 Toronto Pro Invitational
1998 Mr. Olympia
1998 Grand Prix Finland
1998 Grand Prix Germany
1999 Mr. Olympia
1999 World Pro Championships
1999 Grand Prix England
2000 Mr. Brody Langley
2000 Grand Prix England
2000 World Pro Championships
2000 Mr. Olympia
2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic
2001 Mr. Olympia
2001 New Zealand Grand Prix
2002 Mr. Olympia
2002 Grand Prix Holland
2003 Mr. Olympia
2003 Grand Prix Russia
2004 Mr. Olympia
2004 Grand Prix England
2004 Grand Prix Holland
2004 Grand Prix Russia
2005 Mr. Olympia
2006 Grand Prix Austria–IFBB, 2nd
2006 Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 2nd
2006 Grand Prix Romania—IFBB, 2nd
2006 Mr. Olympia—IFBB, 2nd
2007 Mr. Olympia—IFBB, 4
Final Thoughts
Ronnie Coleman can be found online at RonnieColeman.net and on Instagram @ronniecoleman.
His supplement brand, Ronnie Coleman Signature Series, is available at his site RonnieColeman.net and select retailers nationwide.
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