HARDCORE HONORABLE MENTIONS
These 10 (in alphabetical order) were edged out of our ultimate honor roll, but few could match their workouts at their peaks.
■ JOHN BROWN (Pro: 1984-91) J.B. was noted for his strength, as well as his relentless giant set barrages.
■ FRANCO COLUMBU (Pro: 1972-81) Competing at under 200 pounds, this two-time Mr. O benched 500-plus, squatted 600-plus and deadlifted 700-plus, training twice daily and hitting bodyparts thrice weekly.
■ JAY CUTLER (Pro: 1998-present) This Mr. O three- timer moves, plowing through maximum sets in minimal time.
■ MAT DUVALL (Pro: 2004-present) Early in his career, this “Beyond Failure” proponent used forced reps and drops to get many more reps after failure than before.
■ DERIK FARNSWORTH (Pro: 2005-present) Noted for leg- day feats such as squatting 405 pounds for 30, the smallest man on our list turned pro as a lightweight who dominates super-heavy weights.
■ MIKE FRANCOIS (Pro: 1994-97) The ’95 Arnold champ deadlifted 800 pounds, and always sought both power and mass.
■ JOHNNY FULLER (Pro: 1981-87) Sixty sets for quads, 70 sets for chest — it seemed no workout was too long for this enigmatic Englishman.
■ IAN HARRISON (Pro: 1993-98) He upped the intensity of his Herculean sets by pre-exhausting bodyparts.
■ JOHNNIE JACKSON (Pro: 2002-present) With lifts including 800-pound deadlifts and 100-pound side laterals, Branch Warren’s old training partner is even mightier than he looks.
■ CHUCK SIPES (Pro: 1966-67) A proponent of power bodybuilding via low-rep sets, he was probably the all-time strongest Mr. Universe