Couple thoughts on these photos. Casey Viator is just a freak of muscle. Short guy short limbs, tons of thick massive muscle. The guy was one of the first freaks for sure, looked and was very powerful. The Mike Mentzer shot is awesome, at 19? Crazy shit right there, drugs or no drugs to get that look at 19 is unreal.
Now back to Arnold. There is a bullshit thread here from a few weeks ago stating that he was overrated as a bodybuilder. To date he still holds the record of the youngest Mr.Olympia ever!! He was a mere 23 years old when he won his first "O". By the time he retired he was only 28 years old, the age when most pros today are just getting recognized as a possibility. He was helping to judge and promote pro shows in his early 30's, while already a self made (yes with the guidance of Joe Weider) millionaire, author, TV and "B" movie actor. We all know where this story goes with his success, despite having a recent setback with his unfortunate behavior. I would say that there is not one bodybuilder who can lay claim to 1/2 the amount of influence and promotion Arnold has given to the sport. Before him it was vastly unheard of for people as a whole to go to the gym and get into shape. Sure you had the great Jack Lalaine with his tireless efforts. Yet it was Arnold on the silver screen mowing down the bad guys and flashing his massive muscle that made young guys say...................holly fuck!. Soon every young guy was either buying weights or going to the YMCA. Then the gyms really started to take off in America, women where going as well.
I don't know about you guys. Arnold is quoted as saying that one of his goals was this.....he wanted guys to go to the gym wrap their paws around a barbell and think one thing..............ARNOLD!. I'll be damned if that is not just what i was thinking as a teenager before I even knew he was quoted as saying this.
While Arnold is not the "end all answer to all" with the sport, there are many other greats to look up too, to state he was or is overrated? Please.
