Physiques of Pre-Steroid Era Bodybuilders
We need to go back to before 1950 to see what bodybuilders’ physiques looked like without drugs as it is widely accepted that steroid use in bodybuilding began in the 1950s. So I bring you photos from that era.
Bert Goodrich 1939 Mr America
5ft 10in
195lbs
chest 47in
waist 33in
arms 17in
forearms 14in
thighs 24in
calves 17in
neck 17in
wrists 7.6in
ankles 9.2in
John Grimek 1940-41 Mr America
5ft 8 in
195lbs
chest 47in
waist 31in
arms 17.5in
forearms 14in
thighs 25in
calves 17in
neck 17in
wrists 8in
ankles 9.2in
Frank Leight 1942 Mr America
5ft 11 in
209lbs
chest 48.5in
waist 33in
arms 17.5in
forearms 14in
thighs 24in
calves 16in
neck 17.5in
wrists 8in
ankles 9.5in
Jules Bacon 1943 Mr America
5ft 7in
175lbs
chest 44in
waist 31in
arms 15.5in
forearms 12.5in
thighs 23in
calves 15in
neck 15.5in
wrists 7in
ankles 9in
Steve Stanko 1944 Mr America
5ft 11in
223lbs
chest 48.5in
waist 36in
arms 18in
forearms 14.3in
thighs not known
calves 17in
neck 18in
wrists 8in
ankles 10in
Clarence Ross 1945 Mr America
5ft 9in
185lbs
chest 47in
waist 32in
arms 17in
forearms 13.5in
thighs 24in
calves 16in
neck 16.5in
wrists 7.5in
ankles 9.2in
Alan Stephan 1946 Mr America
5ft 11in
205lbs
chest 48in
waist 32.5in
arms 17in
forearms 14.2in
thighs 24.8in
calves 16.1in
neck 17.1in
wrists 7.7in
ankles 9.7in
Steve Reeves 1947 Mr America
6ft 1in
213lbs
chest 48in
waist 31in
arms 17.5in
forearms 14in
thighs 25.2in
calves 17.5in
neck 17.6in
wrists 7.9in
ankles 9.8in
George Eiferman 1948 Mr America
5ft 7in
195lbs
chest 47.5in
waist 32in
arms 16.7in
forearms 13.4in
thighs 25in
calves 16in
neck 16.5in
wrists 7.3in
ankles 9.6in
Jack Delinger 1949 Mr America
5ft 6in
195lbs
chest 47.5in
waist 32in
arms 17.2in
forearms 13.8in
thighs 25in
calves 16.6in
neck 16.8in
wrists 7.7in
ankles 9.5in
March 1, 2008 at 8:18 am
Definitely an interesting contrast. A lot of bodybuilders today hardly even look human! I’m sure someof it is due to better nutrition, supplements, training techniques, etc. that can NOT account for all of their size. The ‘roids seem to be pretty prominent.
Do you plan to start posting more personal blog entries soon? I’d be interested to see what you’re doing.
December 28, 2008 at 7:01 am
thanks for the pics… even more encouraging for a guy who wants a classic physique… good job.