Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Nether Animal on July 15, 2015, 04:53:57 AM
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Thought I would share some rare snaps of Greg and his final two shows (2004 ASC & 2005 Toronto Pro).
First off, from what I understand these photos were leaked at some point leading to the 2004 Arnold to show that Greg's trainer had fixed his (even by then) legendary gut and structure problems.
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These are from the Arnold prejudging I believe. Greg doesn't look that terrible at some angles. He argued years later that he was very ill leading right up to the show, and was sitting on the toilet while trying to carb load. I think it is safe to say that he looked worse in the main show.
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A backstage photo showing how ill Greg looked in person at the Arnold.
Then a couple from the 2005 Toronto where he tried to come in bigger and spilled over bigtime and called it quits for good afterward. Which endtime Kovacs physique do you prefer? The 2004 Arnold or the 2005 Toronto Pro look?
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Smith Machine incline presses with 600LBS, and he still didn't have massive pecs. How is that possible?
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Smith Machine incline presses with 600LBS, and he still didn't have massive pecs. How is that possible?
Probably the same way that it's possible to have a 55" waist with "abs"
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Smith Machine incline presses with 600LBS, and he still didn't have massive pecs. How is that possible?
I bet that if you removed his pecs and weighed them, they'd weigh more than his competition's. He was an enormous guy, they just didn't look massive on that frame.
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I don't believe a 600lbs incline press for a second.
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I don't believe a 600lbs incline press for a second.
It's a claim that he made.
600lb incline press
500lb shoulder press
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Ruhl would use 400-500lb on the smith machine. And his pecs were massive; unlike Kovacs
Ruhl was at the 2004 ASC, as was Kovacs
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Ruhl would use 400-500lb on the smith machine. And his pecs were massive; unlike Kovacs
Ruhl was at the 2004 ASC, as was Kovacs
genetics is everything in bodybuilding, the choice of exercises is irrelevant.
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The guy just loved bodybuilding.... Too bad bodybuilding didn't love him back.
Bad structure, damn hard to overcome.
S
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did he have a high paying contract from muscle tech ?
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Kovacs' only downfall is dying prematurely in his 40s.
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yeah kovac was mucle tech ways back. I watched some old vhs tape years ago with him lifting some serious weight. For his size and structure he was much better back in the day. Hard to be competitive at that height, arm length, leg length and stomach seamed to grow from the drugs
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I don't believe a 600lbs incline press for a second.
His strength was exaggerated by Muscletech to help boost their products. Very strong guy for sure but not as strong as is often said.
He looked great in certain shots:
(http://www.24sata.hr/image/covjeka-tenka-izdalo-je-srce-preminuo-najjaci-covjek-svijeta-504x335-20131147-20131126114519-61d7e3960e5cdc3eac0482ff5d1fb53e.jpg)
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The excessive food & bodybuilding drugs aged Kovacs prematurely. And yes; the growth of his gut outpaced the growth of his muscles. Look at the progression....
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Incline press
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Inclines
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It's a claim that he made.
500lb shoulder press
Oh come on. ::)
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Ruhl would use 400-500lb on the smith machine. And his pecs were massive; unlike Kovacs
Ruhl was at the 2004 ASC, as was Kovacs
Brutal Synthol injection scars on Ruhl's shoulder
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Oh come on. ::)
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Ruhl would use 400-500lb on the smith machine. And his pecs were massive; unlike Kovacs
Ruhl was at the 2004 ASC, as was Kovacs
Speaking the name of the god Ruhl in the same breath as Kovacs is blasphemy.
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I do not understand what drives any man over the age of 33 or so to kill himself & leave his children orphans all to hope to win a $5 plastic trophy proving nothing of any real value. Life goes by so fast bb'ing is simply not worth it. Chicks don't give a shit.
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hulk you should explain that to ronnie colemans fans but they wont take it so well
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genetics is everything in bodybuilding, the choice of exercises is irrelevant.
this. more or less
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He would have made one hell of a garbage man I bet.
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I think Flex Wheeler is probably THE best bb'er who ever lived. He had it all. Men like Kovacs seem to suffer from the same psychiatric issue tryin' constantly to prove to themselves their the best at something macho even when faced w/ someone much better like Wheeler. Reason why I don't give a sh$% about competing. Look at who sees the comps & buys the mags/vids - homos, hopeful kids but no women? All I want is to be as naturally as large/strong as possible.
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I think Flex Wheeler is probably THE best bb'er who ever lived. He had it all. Men like Kovacs seem to suffer from the same psychiatric issue tryin' constantly to prove to themselves their the best at something macho even when faced w/ someone much better like Wheeler. Reason why I don't give a sh$% abour competing. Look at who sees the comps & buys the mags/vids - homos, hopeful kids but no women? All I want is to be as naturally as large/strong as possible.
Utterly destroyed & annihilated by Ronnie Coleman in 1998, 1999, 2000 and beyond
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Sign of the "mass monsters" times. Politics/supp/mag sales wins contests at that level - not aesthetics.
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Kovacs was a very tall man with a large bone structure.
Not conducive to pro level bodybuilding shows.
Sure he was big, only compare the amount of muscle on his frame
To Bob chicherillo (sp) & he was lacking in tissue, let alone compared
To mustafa Mohamed.!! He looks very lightly muscled in comparison.
What the Fark is it with some 'Oh He was huge' yes in height & structure.
Not in Relative muscle tissue.
Maybe he should of tried strongman or powerlifting.
Me thinks his strength claims were overly exaggerated.
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I keep forgetting that he is dead. :(
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He would have made one hell of a garbage man I bet.
I can imagine Kovacs having the run put on pause every 15 min to either take a shit, eat or take a nap.
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(http://sport-ru.com/image/person/121.gif)
(http://www.ambal.ru/72242171612.jpg)
(http://ironflex.com.ua/i/Builders/Photos/greg-kovacs-257-22570.gif)
Only on Getbig would someone who's 6'4" and 330 lbs in shape and looks like this be told they look like shit.
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He was mentally ill. A sane person wouldn't inject himself with dozens of different harsh chemicals in order to have a chance of "winning" a 4 dollar plastic trophy and earning 150 US dollars "salary" after taxes and all costs
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(http://sport-ru.com/image/person/121.gif)
(http://www.ambal.ru/72242171612.jpg)
(http://ironflex.com.ua/i/Builders/Photos/greg-kovacs-257-22570.gif)
Only on Getbig would someone who's 6'4" and 330 lbs in shape and looks like this be told they look like shit.
Those pics were from 1995/1996
By 2004, he had destroyed himself
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lifes to short just to be another joe smoe
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Only on Getbig would someone who's 6'4" and 330 lbs in shape and looks like this be told they look like shit.
Even in his prime the structural flaws were more than evident. Barrel waist even at his best.
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In retrospect it seemed like he had a short ride. Was he happy in life? Love? Fulfilled? Don't think he had any kids. Aside from his parents did anyone care about him? What did he leave behind? Some muscletech ads? Can't recall him ever coming in second or third place . . . never mind winning even one big show. Dead at 44... and for what? ???
Bah!
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I do not understand what drives any man over the age of 33 or so to kill himself & leave his children orphans all to hope to win a $5 plastic trophy proving nothing of any real value. Life goes by so fast bb'ing is simply not worth it. Chicks don't give a shit.
Yes, but guys in a message board do. Think about it.
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In retrospect it seemed like he had a short ride. Was he happy in life? Love? Fulfilled? Don't think he had any kids. Aside from his parents did anyone care about him? What did he leave behind? Some muscletech ads? Can't recall him ever coming in second or third place . . . never mind winning even one big show. Dead at 44... and for what? ???
Bah!
Yea he had one hot chicita in a vid he sold his g/f I assume.
http://forum.dutchbodybuilding.com/f42/greg-kovacs-my-misadventures-with-craig-titus-280816/
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Oh come on. ::)
On a smith machine, with a spotter, for one sloppy half-rep... sure, it's possible.
AKA "Kamali Style" training.
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Yes, but guys in a message board do. Think about it.
There's always something worthwhile to be learned from someone who kills himself for something very, very few put any value in at all. Especially when he's one of thousands.
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He was already looking funky in 1997. Those shoulders are about to pop!
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=290565.0;attach=330296;image)
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A backstage photo showing how ill Greg looked in person at the Arnold.
Then a couple from the 2005 Toronto where he tried to come in bigger and spilled over bigtime and called it quits for good afterward. Which endtime Kovacs physique do you prefer? The 2004 Arnold or the 2005 Toronto Pro look?
That waist is just a mess....So back in the back lat spread...If he was in better condition it at least could have shed 2-3 inches off of the waist....Either way still would have looked bad..But not AS bad...
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He was a very big Canadian farm boy. Had he moved to powerlifting or strongman he would have set world records.
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Remember the old MT ads. One of my friends actually made up a birthday card from one, with Kovacs on the front saying:
"See you in a case", which was northern slang for viewing someone in an open casket, i.e. you are living a dangerous life, and likely to die young.
Bearing in mind we were in our late teens, even then, before knowing about the extent of pro BB's drug usage, we instinctively knew that Kovacs was going to die young.
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Most of the time they use fake weights in photo shoots. (Not Fux though) :o
Not sure in this guys case, but the weights seem exaggerated... (No way Kovacs can press more than white widow).
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I echo other posters' thoughts in wondering what level of self-hatred would be required for someone to kill themselves for no material gain...
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Mustafa looked great at that show, great response to hormones.
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=576364.0;attach=629902;image)
Who's the schmoe in the background taking pictures of Ruhls ass?
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=576364.0;attach=629902;image)
Who's the schmoe in the background taking pictures of Ruhls ass?
busted
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busted
Great find ;D
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Smith Machine incline presses with 600LBS, and he still didn't have massive pecs. How is that possible?
Cause inclines work the anterior deltoids.
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Kovacs should have stuck with big weights/powerlifting stuff and marketing his size. Competing in bodybuilding is very bad for your health: it chemically requires things that are useless everywhere else: extreme vascularity, dryness and hardness
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Kovacs should have stuck with big weights/powerlifting stuff and marketing his size. Competing in bodybuilding is very bad for your health: it chemically requires things that are useless everywhere else: extreme vascularity, dryness and hardness
Not if you do it the right way...Powerlifting wouldn't be a walk in the park either...He had trouble wiping his ass on his own at his contest weight...Imagine him at 20+% bf about 50+ lbs heavier than that...How much he would have to eat....His body would not be able to handle that too long...
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Gregg was a huge guy...his arms were bigger than my head. I think it was 1995 I came to Toronto for some business and met up with an old girlfriend. Her friends were having a BBQ, I believe it was in Thorold Ontario but not sure. I only knew a couple of her friends and asked her about the huge guy sitting with the woman by themselves. She said she went to school with him and he's a huge steroid user...her words. I have never seen someone that big and he barely fit into the white plastic lawn chairs. But anyways, he went up and got a piece of BBQ chicken and walked back over to his girl. Now we were all standing up talking in groups and all of a sudden Gregg was hunched over, looking like he was clearing his throat. The woman was just standing up next to him looking at him and asking what was wrong. He then stood up straight, huffing and puffing and then smacked the plastic cup of diet soda he had on the table. It went across the yard about 20 feet hitting another guy who was standing talking with his back turned to friends in the legs. He then walked out of the party looking pretty pissed with the woman trying to keep up. Our only guess is that he was choking from the dry chicken breast but no one was paying attention to him and we had no clue why the girl he was with never helped him.
That was my first contact with Gregg. I met him several other times where he really didn't say much...as usual. People would come up and want photos with Gregg but he sometimes denied them and when he did, they had to be on his left side to the camera he refused to pose showing his right bicep or chest shot.
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In retrospect it seemed like he had a short ride. Was he happy in life? Love? Fulfilled? Don't think he had any kids. Aside from his parents did anyone care about him? What did he leave behind? Some muscletech ads? Can't recall him ever coming in second or third place . . . never mind winning even one big show. Dead at 44... and for what? ???
Bah!
Reports were that he couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without being completely out of breath...There's no one on Earth who is happy living like that...
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Word on the streets of Caracas is that Gregg's visit there in 2003 was the cause the nations toilet paper shortage that continues to this day. RIP Charmin.
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Word on the streets of Caracas is that Gregg's visit there in 2003 was the cause the nations toilet paper shortage that continues to this day. RIP Charmin.
;D Good one
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Rare photos of Greg
There is a picture of him at 19 bench pressing 585. His early pictures also show a very respectable bodybuilding physique.
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Not if you do it the right way...Powerlifting wouldn't be a walk in the park either...He had trouble wiping his ass on his own at his contest weight...Imagine him at 20+% bf about 50+ lbs heavier than that...How much he would have to eat....His body would not be able to handle that too long...
True. Powerlifting probably is very risky for joints/lower back etc. Why did he have to eat that much? Not because he was so active that he burned though that many cals per day? So a chemical reason?
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I do not understand what drives any man over the age of 33 or so to kill himself & leave his children orphans all to hope to win a $5 plastic trophy proving nothing of any real value. Life goes by so fast bb'ing is simply not worth it. Chicks don't give a shit.
You really think that all a pro bodybuilder wins is a $5 plastic trophy?
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I love lifting, I love gear, but I don't care about competing and it just blows my mind trying to imagine the amounts guys like Greg were pumping into the body. My 500mg test "blasts" suddently seem like a childs play.. Lookig at these pics brings some kind of strange oldshool feeling, it must've been very different during that time, very small circle activity with some very extreme minded guys. It is extreme today, no doubt, but I'd like to believe that today guys have more knowledge and conscience while usign massive amounts of drugs. Greg doesn;t look healthy in any of his later pics, he probably was already insecure about the flaws that became more apparent and tried to overcome that by upping the doses even more. Your typical oldschool antisocial big insecure fella, counting his meals, living and breathing an activity that probably was a personal "escape" from reality that he did not like, it was the substitution for it, an accomplishment, something that made him "respected".
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I always used to feel sorry for him. He seemed like a really nice guy but you could tell that he always felt inadequate no matter how big he got.
I remember OTH saying how he saw Greg rep out 400lbs on the bench like it was nothing. A legit behemoth for sure.
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I always use to feel sorry for him. He seemed like a really nice guy but you could tell that he always felt inadequate to matter how big he got.
I remember OTH saying how he saw Greg rep out 400lbs on the bench like it was nothing. A legit behemoth for sure.
A common story about Greg is the one about a powerlifting contest he went to when he was young. He was just in the crowd, not competing. The winner benched 500lbs then Greg came out from backstage sat on the bench and pressed the bar 19 times.
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A common story about Greg is the one about a powerlifting contest he went to when he was young. He was just in the crowd, not competing. The winner benched 500lbs then Greg came out from backstage sat on the bench and pressed the bar 19 times.
After that he demonstrated a legit levitation, just hovered above the ground for good 20 seconds. crazy shit.
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A common story about Greg is the one about a powerlifting contest he went to when he was young. He was just in the crowd, not competing. The winner benched 500lbs then Greg came out from backstage sat on the bench and pressed the bar 19 times.
I think some of the stories surrounding Greg were made up by MuscleTech in order to boost his image and thus, their products. He would have been ridiculously strong though - the sheer size of the guy combined with the amount of drugs he was using would have made sure of that. I remember reading somewhere that he never use to squat or deadlift, which makes it hard to gauge how successful he would have been at powerlifting or strongman.
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A common story about Greg is the one about a powerlifting contest he went to when he was young. He was just in the crowd, not competing. The winner benched 500lbs then Greg came out from backstage sat on the bench and pressed the bar 19 times.
So the exaggerations begin.
I believe it was 420 or something; not 500.
I knew Greg. Ate with him. Even hit a workout with the guy. Him, Nasser and me.
Paul Gardiner of MuscleTech stretched the truth about Kovacs' strength capabilities. The man was STRONG, but nowhere what was stated in all those MMI articles.
At an Arnold, Kazmaier and Coan told Greg he should enter a powerlifting meet if he's as strong as is claimed. That his feats would instantly place him amongst the elite of the sport.
Of course, this was never gonna happen.
His thing was the Smith machine, leg press, etc. Like I say, a colossally strong man, but far from an ability to run with guys like Bill and Ed. Perhaps if he had trained towards that end. Who knows.
He was a true giant. Always appeared uncomfortable, though. At around 400 pounds, this would seem about right. The dude was simply staggering in sheer body mass and muscular bulk.
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A common story about Greg is the one about a powerlifting contest he went to when he was young. He was just in the crowd, not competing. The winner benched 500lbs then Greg came out from backstage sat on the bench and pressed the bar 19 times.
This might yield an estimate of a mid-700s raw bench press, which at the time of this supposed powerlifting contest was not done yet. Actually, if memory serves me correctly, the current raw record is 722 pounds.