Arnold in 1971. Most massive he's ever been.

[Danimal77]

Never really took a good look at these pics. I always thought 1974 was Arnold at his largest (he weighed 237 in 1974), but he was even larger in 1971 (246 pounds according to him). 

[Irongrip400]

Was that the year he chickened out to Bill Pearl at the Universe?

[funk51]

Was that the year he chickened out to Bill Pearl at the Universe?

     1971

[drmarkp]

     1971

.. Arnold would have slaughtered Pearl.. Arnold's absence had to do totally with Joe Weider's greed for political reasons by denying him the opportunity 

[funk51]

mr u 1961 he slimmed way down for 1971

[BSN]

The Weider brothers were chickens, not Arnold. I honestly think Arnold wanted to compete against Bill and Sergio.

[hench]

Pearl was never near peak Arnold

[oldschoolfan]

Arnold would have squashed bill pearl without a doubt

[BSN]

But Bill was there accepting Arnold's challenge launched through Weider's magazines ... Respect.

[bigbychoices]

bill pearl was a decent bodybuilder but a big liar. he claims natural. lmao. oh wait he said he tried nilever for a few weeks ONCE.  LMAO gee his doctor told him his cholesterol was so high he was gonna die  ( gee steroids are made from cholesterol and increases your cholesterol) so thats when pearl went vegetarian.   why dont people on here attack pearl about being a fake natty ? he used as much as anyone else in his day.  oh and for the record pearl couldnt carry arnolds gym bag. wouldnt have been close. and no arnold wasnt 'scared".  jow organised all that to create controversy and try to sell tickets ( like boxing was doing with ali)  didnt work though

[NotMrAverage]

It really sucked the weiders banned the rest of the competition in 71 for competing in rival federations! Arnold looked great that year and deserved competition.

[IRON CROSS]

But Bill was there accepting Arnold's challenge launched through Weider's magazines ... Respect.

He did not show up in Paris 1971 on Serge Nubrets Mr.Olympia ??, Oliva was guest posing.

[BSN]

Pearl never competed for the IFBB, despite Weider brothers' invitations. And maybe that upset them. Arnold also challenged all american champions in the Weider's magazines. Bill  accept the challenge in 1971, but outside the IFBB's rules and judges. 1971 NABBA being fair for both, as champions of this contest. And yes,looking back, in 1971 Arnold was better than Bill. But about one month before the contest, in the photos published by Leo Stern, Bill was huge and cut. Sergio also looked bigger than ever in Arthur Jones's late photos.. And that probably scared Joe.

Bill was guest poser at the 1978 IFBB MO, if I remember well.

[be back]

I think Arnold was looking for an out of bodybuilding from 73, his 75 Pumping Iron was his springboard to movies and other things, he was already looking to spread his wings


And as for the greatest of all time tag, he didn't really have much competition, most of his shows only had 3 competitors.

[_bruce_]

Arnold looked absolutely crazy in "Hercules In New York".
Buddy of mine bought me this shmo gem years ago and, even afters aeons of seeing freaks in various magazines and Mits videos, I was quite astounded how massive he looked as Hercules... one sometimes tends forget that there really was something special about Arnold.

[johnny1]

With Due Respect in regards too Bill Pearl vs Arnold in 1971....that’s like comparing Arnold in 1971 too Dorian Yates in 1993....or Ronnie Coleman in 1999, Bill was from another era the 1950s...60s,

of course Bill in a legit competition (with no shady judges) would of lost too Arnold just like Arnold would of lost too a Prime Lee Haney in 1991, Dorian Yates in 1993 and Coleman in 1999.

But Make no mistake in his prime Bill Pearl (along with reg Park) they were both awesome... the standard bearers of their day and age.

but time passes and the levels keep moving from one era too the next although in saying that...speaking of “levels”...Peal had his...Arnold...Lee Haney...Dorian Yates...Ronnie Coleman...and that’s where IMO the bench mark ended with Coleman the last of the legit standard of a obvious visual standards that still is too be matched.  

As good as Heath is for this era he hasn’t imo pushed the boundaries any further than Ron Coleman did between 1998-2005.

[MAXX]

he was huge there. probably 23" arms

he was better in 74 though, more cut and about same size.

[Danimal77]

he was huge there. probably 23" arms

he was better in 74 though, more cut and about same size.

73 and 74 were his 2 best years.

[hipolito mejia]

he was huge there. probably 23" arms

he was better in 74 though, more cut and about same size.

His legs were bigger in 71'. Arnold himself says he was just as cut but there's not enough quality pics/videos to back his claims.( from that particular year). 

[Natural_O]

Arnold was planning on retiring after he won the Olympia in 1974. That would have given him 5 Mr. Universe wins and 5 Mr. Olympia wins. He really wanted to compete in the NABBA Mr. Universe in 1971 against Bill Pearl and Sergio. Arnold won the NABBA Mr. Universe from 1967-1970 so I think he would have been a favorite to win in '71 too although Pearl was loved by the NABBA judges as well. it would have been a great showdown and the fans were robbed of what could have been an historic contest. The fans were also cheated of another Sergio-Arnold posedown in '71 when Sergio was not allowed to compete in the 1971 Mr. Olympia in Paris although I think Arnold would have won that battle pretty easily too because he looked so incredible in '71.

[Fortress]

With Due Respect in regards too Bill Pearl vs Arnold in 1971....that’s like comparing Arnold in 1971 too Dorian Yates in 1993....or Ronnie Coleman in 1999, Bill was from another era the 1950s...60s,

of course Bill in a legit competition (with no shady judges) would of lost too Arnold just like Arnold would of lost too a Prime Lee Haney in 1991, Dorian Yates in 1993 and Coleman in 1999.

But Make no mistake in his prime Bill Pearl (along with reg Park) they were both awesome... the standard bearers of their day and age.

but time passes and the levels keep moving from one era too the next although in saying that...speaking of “levels”...Peal had his...Arnold...Lee Haney...Dorian Yates...Ronnie Coleman...and that’s where IMO the bench mark ended with Coleman the last of the legit standard of a obvious visual standards that still is too be matched.  

As good as Heath is for this era he hasn’t imo pushed the boundaries any further than Ron Coleman did between 1998-2005.

Would have (“would’ve”)

Too, to and two

Look into these.

HTH

[funk51]

67 versions...

[funk51]

67 versions...

pearl gave draper that pair of trunks for a  contest

[johnny1]

67 versions...

thats a awesome shot of Bill Pearl on that cover  !!!!

[Sokolsky]

67 versions...

Haha, love the dig at the swimmers physique. Classic cover.