CORMIER - Boring physique or near-flawless?

[Nether Animal]

Cormier is one that seems to draw many divided opinions. One camp considers him a near-perfect genetic specimen, only let down by his supposed lackadaisical work ethic. Others simply consider his physique boring, with nothing that truly stands out or "pops." I will give him this: up until he tore his tricep he managed to rarely look off or come in out of shape.

What do you think?

[Hypertrophy]

I never found his physique to be anything special. Maybe that's the definition of being totally balanced.

[Tha Grim Lifter]

He was in the era of the freaks. He was good enough to come second at the 1999 Mr.O. After that bodybuilding hasn't had the same depth. 90's was the best and he was amongst it.

[Never1AShow]

I used to always see him and Flex training together and hanging out in Golds and the surrounding area back in the late 80s/early 90s.  I always wondered did he and Flex have the same supplier or something?

It must have killed him seeing Flex's shape and mass all the time.  Then I think about Rico McClinton, who was the 3rd musketeer, and I don't feel bad for Chris.

[El Diablo Blanco]

Zzzzzzzzzz

[gcb]

overall balance was better than flex - but like everyone seems to say - no pop

[240 is Back]

near flawless.

probably his only flaw is that he was SO in proportion that nothing stood out as outrageously freaky.   Got robbed a lot.

[Parker]

Cormier vs The Crips
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=133234183

[Bevo]

He's balanced and rare to be able to pack on a lot of mass and not lose his lines unlike flex, no known weaknesses also, with calves, and good height and width

Imo better than Shawn ray

[FitnessFrenzy]

Cormier vs The Crips
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=133234183

one of the comments: "someone has been reading too much Getbig" 

[Hypo]

Near flawless. Excellent structure and balance. At least 2 Heath's wide.

[youandme]

He was in the era of the freaks. He was good enough to come second at the 1999 Mr.O. After that bodybuilding hasn't had the same depth. 90's was the best and he was amongst it.

Watched the 1998 NOC yesterday and I'm blown away by how crappy the physiques of today have become.  No one today comes in dry and super conditioned as the guys in the 90s.

[Fortress]

Amazing physique. Proportioned. Wide. Huge. Not a fucking midget.

But he was too much the party guy. Not fully disciplined.

As said, competed against the best, ever.

Now he's a twink with no balls.

[OneMoreRep]

Cormier is one that seems to draw many divided opinions. One camp considers him a near-perfect genetic specimen, only let down by his supposed lackadaisical work ethic. Others simply consider his physique boring, with nothing that truly stands out or "pops." I will give him this: up until he tore his tricep he managed to rarely look off or come in out of shape.

What do you think?

The following comments have nothing to do with Nether Animal's stance, but more so on the overall view that the industry had regarding Cormier (particularly magazines and a few IFBB pros, like that of Crag Titus).

I remember that during the late 90's and early 2000's, the entire industry used to say that Cormier had a great body, but his overall lack of dedication to the "iron game" caused him to fall short of true glory. The rumors were that if he spent less time partying, using drugs and having sex with both women and men, that he could have easily won the Mr. Olympia.

What were people thinking? This notion is completely wrong. It's not about how much time you spend at a gym destroying your body in the hopes of adding size or more definition. We've seen time and time again that it's about how well a person responds to the drugs that they take and also their physical structure as determined by their genes.

Phil Heath has been called lazy as well, but he keeps beating everyone. He has a good base for bodybuilding and responds incredibly well to drugs. Compared to some of these guys that have been bodybuilding for over 15-20 years, as soon as Phil started, it wasn't very long before he was winning professional competitions.

For instance, Phil competed in the:
2003   NPC Northern Colorado   Men's Novice & Open Overall, 1st (an amateur competition)

Then, by 2005, he became a pro:
2005   NPC NPC USA   Heavyweight & Overall, 1st

Then, a year later, he was winning top IFBB events:
2006   IFBB New York Pro: 1st

You mean to tell me it's because Phil spent every single day working out, eating just right and staying away from enjoying life? Bullshit. He lived and enjoyed his life just like everyone else. What changed was that he got his hands on better drugs and he already had the frame that judges wanted to see with the "WOW" factor.

Branch Warren seems like an incredibly dedicated bodybuilder, but with his frame, he won't ever make it to Ronnie Coleman status.

Ronnie Coleman was pretty damn strong and won so many Mr. Olympia contests, but now he gets transported from place to place in a wheelchair and spends more time signing autograph postoperatively in orthopedic recovery rooms than he does at actual expos. Couple that with the 36 children that he has and I'd say it's not worth it. The guy used to be able to lift close to 1,000 lbs on deadlifts, now, he would be lucky to simply be capable of picking up his children above his waist. Fuck that, I'll pass.

I think it all boils down to four things:

(1) Use as much quality steroids, insulin and esiclene as possible
(2) Be a phenomenal responder to these drugs
(3) Have the right physical structure as determined by your genes
(4) Work out in a smart fashion as to look like you can lift 1,000 lbs, while keeping your joints, tendons, ligaments and spine in check

If you're missing #2 or #3, don't quit your day job for a bunch of plastic trophies and offers from old/dirty men that want you to dance and blow them within the comfort of their homes for $1-5K.

Cormier had a solid frame that looked fantastic for bodybuilding purposes and responded incredibly well to drugs. Unfortunately, he also used recreational drugs and took part in overt sexual practices that were frowned upon by the IFBB. Fuck a grapefruit and/or dress up as a leather slave at parties for the wrong group of older men and you end up getting shafted.

"1"

[Fortress]

The following comments have nothing to do with Nether Animal's stance, but more so on the overall view that the industry had regarding Cormier (particularly magazines and a few IFBB pros, like that of Crag Titus).

I remember that during the late 90's and early 2000's, the entire industry used to say that Cormier had a great body, but his overall lack of dedication to the "iron game" caused him to fall short of true glory. The rumors were that if he spent less time partying, using drugs and having sex with both women and men, that he could have easily won the Mr. Olympia.

What were people thinking? This notion is completely wrong. It's not about how much time you spend at a gym destroying your body in the hopes of adding size or more definition. We've seen time and time again that it's about how well a person responds to the drugs that they take and also their physical structure as determined by their genes.

Phil Heath has been called lazy as well, but he keeps beating everyone. He has a good base for bodybuilding and responds incredibly well to drugs. Compared to some of these guys that have been bodybuilding for over 15-20 years, as soon as Phil started, it wasn't very long before he was winning professional competitions.

For instance, Phil competed in the:
2003   NPC Northern Colorado   Men's Novice & Open Overall, 1st (an amateur competition)

Then, by 2005, he became a pro:
2005   NPC NPC USA   Heavyweight & Overall, 1st

Then, a year later, he was winning top IFBB events:
2006   IFBB New York Pro: 1st

You mean to tell me it's because Phil spent every single day working out, eating just right and staying away from enjoying life? Bullshit. He lived and enjoyed his life just like everyone else. What changed was that he got his hands on better drugs and he already had the frame that judges wanted to see with the "WOW" factor.

Branch Warren seems like an incredibly dedicated bodybuilder, but with his frame, he won't ever make it to Ronnie Coleman status.

Ronnie Coleman was pretty damn strong and won so many Mr. Olympia contests, but now he gets transported from place to place in a wheelchair and spends more time signing autograph postoperatively in orthopedic recovery rooms than he does at actual expos. Couple that with the 36 children that he has and I'd say it's not worth it. The guy used to be able to lift close to 1,000 lbs on deadlifts, now, he would be lucky to simply be capable of picking up his children above his waist. Fuck that, I'll pass.

I think it all boils down to four things:

(1) Use as much quality steroids, insulin and esiclene as possible
(2) Be a phenomenal responder to these drugs
(3) Have the right physical structure as determined by your genes
(4) Work out in a smart fashion as to look like you can lift 1,000 lbs, while keeping your joints, tendons, ligaments and spine in check

If you're missing #2 or #3, don't quit your day job for a bunch of plastic trophies and offers from old/dirty men that want you to dance and blow them within the comfort of their homes for $1-5K.

Cormier had a solid frame that looked fantastic for bodybuilding purposes and responded incredibly well to drugs. Unfortunately, he also used recreational drugs and took part in overt sexual practices that were frowned upon by the IFBB. Fuck a grapefruit and/or dress up as a leather slave at parties for the wrong group of older men and you end up getting shafted.

"1"

Excellent post, OMR. Tells it exactly how it is.

[OneMoreRep]

Excellent post, OMR. Tells it exactly how it is.

I get private messages all the time from young amateur bodybuilders asking what the best route is for them to make it to be a professional bodybuilder.

I tell them to get an education and only bodybuild as a hobby, unless they don't value their organs, life and sanity. Moreover, I also tend to tell these people to instead consider selling supplements within the industry.

A fool is born every day into the magical world of bodybuilding. So as long as you have beautiful marketing by way of a great website, youtube videos, possibly a forum and a number of PAID professional bodybuilders that are willing to take stupid "before & after" pics that suggest that your product got them to their "after" version (as opposed to the gallons of steroids they pump into their system over the course of a year), then you could very well make a solid living.

Heck, not to mention that a good number of these supplement gurus only serve but to pimp out snakeoil products that only produce bad flatulence and stomach cramps, but on the side are big time drug dealers selling everything from steroids, HGH, insulin and esiclene, to even that of hardcore recreational party drugs (think ecstasy, LSD, Cocaine, Heroin, meth etc.).

The stories I could tell would blow your mind so hard that your best friend down the street would ejaculate spontaneously while eating out of his tupperware.

"1"

[Yamcha]

The stories I could tell would blow your mind so hard that your best friend down the street would ejaculate spontaneously while eating out of his tupperware.

"1"

 

OMR is the uncle we all never had!

[Taffin]

1)   Branch Warren seems like an incredibly dedicated bodybuilder, but with his frame, he won't ever make it to Ronnie Coleman status.

2)   Ronnie Coleman was pretty damn strong and won so many Mr. Olympia contests, but now he gets transported from place to place in a wheelchair and spends more time signing autograph postoperatively in orthopedic recovery rooms than he does at actual expos . Couple that with the 36 children that he has and I'd say it's not worth it. The guy used to be able to lift close to 1,000 lbs on deadlifts, now, he would be lucky to simply be capable of picking up his children above his waist . Fuck that, I'll pass.

"1"

1)  The attached pic reinforces what you say here - that base frame is always there

2) "First OMR goes in with the left... then a big right....another big right... ...and Knockout!!!!" 

[Disco187]

The following comments have nothing to do with Nether Animal's stance, but more so on the overall view that the industry had regarding Cormier (particularly magazines and a few IFBB pros, like that of Crag Titus).

I remember that during the late 90's and early 2000's, the entire industry used to say that Cormier had a great body, but his overall lack of dedication to the "iron game" caused him to fall short of true glory. The rumors were that if he spent less time partying, using drugs and having sex with both women and men, that he could have easily won the Mr. Olympia.

What were people thinking? This notion is completely wrong. It's not about how much time you spend at a gym destroying your body in the hopes of adding size or more definition. We've seen time and time again that it's about how well a person responds to the drugs that they take and also their physical structure as determined by their genes.

Phil Heath has been called lazy as well, but he keeps beating everyone. He has a good base for bodybuilding and responds incredibly well to drugs. Compared to some of these guys that have been bodybuilding for over 15-20 years, as soon as Phil started, it wasn't very long before he was winning professional competitions.

For instance, Phil competed in the:
2003   NPC Northern Colorado   Men's Novice & Open Overall, 1st (an amateur competition)

Then, by 2005, he became a pro:
2005   NPC NPC USA   Heavyweight & Overall, 1st

Then, a year later, he was winning top IFBB events:
2006   IFBB New York Pro: 1st

You mean to tell me it's because Phil spent every single day working out, eating just right and staying away from enjoying life? Bullshit. He lived and enjoyed his life just like everyone else. What changed was that he got his hands on better drugs and he already had the frame that judges wanted to see with the "WOW" factor.

Branch Warren seems like an incredibly dedicated bodybuilder, but with his frame, he won't ever make it to Ronnie Coleman status.

Ronnie Coleman was pretty damn strong and won so many Mr. Olympia contests, but now he gets transported from place to place in a wheelchair and spends more time signing autograph postoperatively in orthopedic recovery rooms than he does at actual expos. Couple that with the 36 children that he has and I'd say it's not worth it. The guy used to be able to lift close to 1,000 lbs on deadlifts, now, he would be lucky to simply be capable of picking up his children above his waist. Fuck that, I'll pass.

I think it all boils down to four things:

(1) Use as much quality steroids, insulin and esiclene as possible
(2) Be a phenomenal responder to these drugs
(3) Have the right physical structure as determined by your genes
(4) Work out in a smart fashion as to look like you can lift 1,000 lbs, while keeping your joints, tendons, ligaments and spine in check

If you're missing #2 or #3, don't quit your day job for a bunch of plastic trophies and offers from old/dirty men that want you to dance and blow them within the comfort of their homes for $1-5K.

Cormier had a solid frame that looked fantastic for bodybuilding purposes and responded incredibly well to drugs. Unfortunately, he also used recreational drugs and took part in overt sexual practices that were frowned upon by the IFBB. Fuck a grapefruit and/or dress up as a leather slave at parties for the wrong group of older men and you end up getting shafted.

"1"

Great post! couldnt agree with you more

[Grape Ape]

I get private messages all the time from young amateur bodybuilders asking what the best route is for them to make it to be a professional bodybuilder.

I tell them to get an education and only bodybuild as a hobby, unless they don't value their organs, life and sanity. Moreover, I also tend to tell these people to instead consider selling supplements within the industry.

I get those all the time too, but I just tell them bodybuilding is for gaybos and if they want to be bodybuilders, then they're a bunch of gaybos too.  If they admit that they actually ARE gaybos, I forward them to you.

[Simple Simon]

The following comments have nothing to do with Nether Animal's stance, but more so on the overall view that the industry had regarding Cormier (particularly magazines and a few IFBB pros, like that of Crag Titus).

I remember that during the late 90's and early 2000's, the entire industry used to say that Cormier had a great body, but his overall lack of dedication to the "iron game" caused him to fall short of true glory. The rumors were that if he spent less time partying, using drugs and having sex with both women and men, that he could have easily won the Mr. Olympia.

What were people thinking? This notion is completely wrong. It's not about how much time you spend at a gym destroying your body in the hopes of adding size or more definition. We've seen time and time again that it's about how well a person responds to the drugs that they take and also their physical structure as determined by their genes.

Phil Heath has been called lazy as well, but he keeps beating everyone. He has a good base for bodybuilding and responds incredibly well to drugs. Compared to some of these guys that have been bodybuilding for over 15-20 years, as soon as Phil started, it wasn't very long before he was winning professional competitions.

For instance, Phil competed in the:
2003   NPC Northern Colorado   Men's Novice & Open Overall, 1st (an amateur competition)

Then, by 2005, he became a pro:
2005   NPC NPC USA   Heavyweight & Overall, 1st

Then, a year later, he was winning top IFBB events:
2006   IFBB New York Pro: 1st

You mean to tell me it's because Phil spent every single day working out, eating just right and staying away from enjoying life? Bullshit. He lived and enjoyed his life just like everyone else. What changed was that he got his hands on better drugs and he already had the frame that judges wanted to see with the "WOW" factor.

Branch Warren seems like an incredibly dedicated bodybuilder, but with his frame, he won't ever make it to Ronnie Coleman status.

Ronnie Coleman was pretty damn strong and won so many Mr. Olympia contests, but now he gets transported from place to place in a wheelchair and spends more time signing autograph postoperatively in orthopedic recovery rooms than he does at actual expos. Couple that with the 36 children that he has and I'd say it's not worth it. The guy used to be able to lift close to 1,000 lbs on deadlifts, now, he would be lucky to simply be capable of picking up his children above his waist. Fuck that, I'll pass.

I think it all boils down to four things:

(1) Use as much quality steroids, insulin and esiclene as possible
(2) Be a phenomenal responder to these drugs
(3) Have the right physical structure as determined by your genes
(4) Work out in a smart fashion as to look like you can lift 1,000 lbs, while keeping your joints, tendons, ligaments and spine in check

If you're missing #2 or #3, don't quit your day job for a bunch of plastic trophies and offers from old/dirty men that want you to dance and blow them within the comfort of their homes for $1-5K.

Cormier had a solid frame that looked fantastic for bodybuilding purposes and responded incredibly well to drugs. Unfortunately, he also used recreational drugs and took part in overt sexual practices that were frowned upon by the IFBB. Fuck a grapefruit and/or dress up as a leather slave at parties for the wrong group of older men and you end up getting shafted.

"1"

Yes, Chris Cormier wasted his life having sex and doing rec drugs as opposed to staying in every night and winning the Olympia which to anyone ouside bodybuilding means exactly fuck all.

Mr Universe is the only show that the public talk about in chit chat.

[Bevo]

People say Cormier is lazy but I didn't see that, in the gym the dude was very strong, always worked hard, his contest placings aren't bad at all, just competed in the era with a lot of talent

If u want to say lazy, most were all lazy with the exception of Dorian and Shawn possibly

[Nether Animal]

Looks beyond sick here. check out the BDB 

Cormier also won the '04 Arnold, but was robbed by a way off Gutler

[HTexan]

TOP 5% BBERS of ALL TIME!!!

[Man of Steel]

Kai's back is thick but uneven and narrow and his traps are a weakness.

Phil was a little off but not terribly so.  Still winner.  The pic everyone points to was just a bad shot.

Wolf looked good but better last year. He coulda been second though.

Rhoden good but physique bores me like Cormier's always did.  I had Dexter before Rhoden.

I would have had Ramy in 4th.

Roelly LOL.