This is a great thread & this is an old article but apply
Sergio & his greatest attributes instead of Arnold.
This applies to if Arnold (or Sergio) were competing today
with today's standards and protocols. Not the 70's versions.
By Geoff Roberts
The best comparison to Arnold in the sport today in terms of a single physique in my mind would be Cedric McMillan. Assuming Cedric did or does the 2013 Olympia and he is in any kind of shape, it’s safe to say that your attention would be pulled towards his physique due to his height, width, lack of distention, and roundness. These are all attributes Arnold also possessed in strides in his prime. As imposing a figure as Cedric may be on stage, thoughts of a modern day Arnold gives imposing a whole new meaning with his Looney Tunes arms, pecs that each resemble 72-ounce steaks, and cannonball delts that would make me want to visit Gettysburg.
The classic vacuum pose is disappearing as fast as our rainforests today and nobody hit a vacuum like Arnold did, even when he weighed over 240 pounds, from the side his waist appeared to be only a few inches thick. This said, I fully believe with the right precautions Arnold would still have his nutty vacuum pose at over 280 pounds which would be astounding. In comparing a modern Arnold to Cedric it’s safe to say that Arnold would outdo Cedric in all of these shared attributes and take every pose outside of the rear lat spread.
In the Olympia first call out, assuming the top guys were all on their game, Arnold may not only be the tallest and heaviest competitor, but also the only one with the ability to hit a legitimate vacuum pose. It’s hard to say whether or not Arnold's weaknesses would still be weaknesses with modern knowledge and technology, however it’s only fair to assume they would be for the sake of this argument. With this in mind, Arnold would be vulnerable from the back, especially the back lat spread which is why finding a picture of Arnold hitting a back lat spread is similar to winning the lottery.
This is only one pose, however, and I personally feel his monster arms and delts would keep him above water in the back double bi. As far as the front shots it’s hard for me to imagine the show being anything but “lights out” for any competitor onstage not named Arnold. In Arnold's most muscular at a grainy 282 pounds his delts, arms, and chest would look like two shaved Belgian blue bulls all wrapped up in numerous pythons attempting to constrict them to death.
Who would win this epic battle – Phil looking like something even a cartoonist would say is unrealistic, Branch looking like he carbed-up on QUIKRETE (Aceto line), Jay looking as though he must have custom-made wide doors in order to fit through them, Big Ramy making the scale moan under 285 pounds at only 5'10” with a small waist, or Kai looking as dense as a scalding meteor pummeling towards earth?
Rather than beat a dead horse and attempt to mathematically compare waist sizes, arm sizes (if Arnold's arms were 22-plus inches at 240 pounds, what would they measure at 290 pounds?) etc., why don’t you go ahead and find a photo of Arnold's 1974 front double biceps and attempt to imagine him with modern day grainy conditioning. Oh, yeah, and 40-plus pounds of extra muscle evenly distributed over his physique. If the image this creates in your head does not evoke considerable chills down your spine you're either clinically blind or just simply not a true fan of bodybuilding!
