The GODS of SHRED
July 2019 musculardevelopment.com MD 89It should be said that not all the men in this discussion were consistent with showing spectacular condition. Case in point, Ronnie Coleman.
Toward the latt er end of his career when he was stepping onstage anywhere from 280 to 296 pounds, Ronnie’s wow factor lay more in his
overwhelming size and fullness, usually blurred by a slight fi lm of water. But when Ronnie was ripped, good lord it was a sight to see. He carried
even more muscle than Dorian at the same height, and it had more visual “pop” due to his smaller joints. The deep muscle separations were
what really blew your mind: bott omless chasms clearly delineating individual parts of muscles in his massive back, hanging hams, monster
guns, splintered pecs, and of course those glutes that looked like they belonged on a Clydesdale horse. We even thought those powerful
striated glutes were so impressive that we made them the showcase of Ronnie’s cover for the February 2005 issue of MD! As I said, Ronnie
didn’t always show up shredded, but there were two times his condition was about as perfect as a bodybuilder can hope for. The best was
probably his fi rst Mr. Olympia win in 1998. Dorian had retired, and Flex Wheeler was the heir apparent to the throne. Ronnie had been ninth
place in 1997, so nobody had him on their radar. He walked onstage in New York at 245 pounds, shredded head to toe, and it was too much for
even the great Flex to handle. Ronnie peaked perfectly again at the 2001 Arnold Classic, once again at about 245 pounds. The hardcore fans
always talk about the monstrous Ronnie that stomped onstage nearing 300 pounds, but those of us who appreciate freaky condition will always
give special credit to the Ronnie that was hard as nails and dry as a bone.
RONNIE COLEMAN
When Ronnie was
ripped, good lord it
was a sight to see.
He carried even more
muscle than Dorian
at the same height,
and it had more visual
“pop” due to his
smaller joints.