FitMag

When Jay Cutler met The Dutch Giant. They even had a training session together.

Clarence Ross: The “Unknown” Who Shocked Bodybuilding

Before social media, before hype, before exposure, there was Clarence Ross.

In 1945, he stepped on stage at the AAU Mr. America contest… and almost nobody knew who he was. No reputation. No headlines. No expectations. And yet, he didn’t just win, he dominated.

Judges had no doubts. Not a single dissenting voice. In a lineup filled with established names, Ross stood out with a perfectly balanced, powerful physique built through hard, consistent barbell training.

At just 21 years old, while serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, he had already built a championship body, training whenever and wherever he could, often between military duties. No shortcuts. No spotlight. Just work.

What makes his story even more impressive?

He started out as an undersized teenager, weighing around 135–140 lbs, struggling in sports against bigger opponents. Instead of accepting it, he picked up a barbell and changed everything.

Within a few years, he transformed himself into one of the most complete physiques of his era:
– 1945 AAU Mr. America winner
– 1948 Mr. USA winner
– One of the very few men to defeat Steve Reeves on stage, not once, but twice

Ross proved something timeless:

You don’t need recognition to become great. You earn it.

From foster homes to the top of American bodybuilding, his journey wasn’t just about muscle; it was about resilience, discipline, and belief. A true old-school legend.

Before the Olympia became a legend, there was one man who defined it: Larry Scott.

Starting out in 1956, Scott didn’t have the ideal frame; his narrow shoulders were seen as a limitation. But under the guidance of Vince Gironda, he transformed his physique and built one of the most iconic arm developments in bodybuilding history.

His biceps became legendary, thanks in part to the preacher curl, later known worldwide as the “Scott Curl.”

By the mid-1960s, Scott was the face of bodybuilding. With his clean-cut image and massive popularity, often called “Larry Fever,” he dominated magazines and captivated fans everywhere.

In 1965, he made history by winning the very first Mr. Olympia, defeating Harold Poole. He defended the title in 1966, then shocked the world by retiring at just 28, on top.

After the competition, he focused on family, business, and helping others through fitness, leaving behind a legacy that still inspires generations.

The first Mr. Olympia. The original arm icon. The beginning of it all.

Rough times for the legend 😞

Bodybuilding legend is currently in need of a living kidney donor. If you are able to help, or know someone who can, please consider sharing or visiting the link in this post for more information.

Let’s come together as a community to support one of the legends of our sport. Please keep Lee and his family in your prayers, and help spread the word. 🙏

Lou Ferrigno:
"I loved Chuck. I had the privilege to train him over the years. He was a champion, and I had great respect for him and his accomplishments. Rest in peace, my good friend."

Leo Robert is one of those names that doesn’t get mentioned enough when talking about the golden era of bodybuilding.

Born in Montreal in 1921, Leo Robert didn’t start out chasing muscle - he was originally passionate about hockey. But that athletic foundation built the discipline and work ethic that would later define his physique.

His path changed when he was introduced to bodybuilding by Ben Weider. From that point on, there was no looking back.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Leo Robert built a reputation for both size and aesthetics, earning the title of “America’s most muscular man” at one point - a serious statement in an era full of legends.

His biggest achievement came in 1955, when he won the Mr. Universe title, cementing his place among the elite of his time.

He didn’t come from luxury -his father was a mechanic, his mother raised on a farm - but that background only added to the grit behind his success.

Leo Robert passed away in 2016 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy from a time when bodybuilding was built on passion, not hype.

George Eiferman was one of the standout physiques of bodybuilding’s early golden era

Born in Philadelphia in 1925, he joined the U.S. Navy at 17 during World War II. It was there that he began lifting seriously and added about 40 pounds of muscle before leaving the service in 1946.

His competitive rise came quickly. In 1947, he won Mr. Philadelphia, and in 1948, he captured both Mr. California and the prestigious AAU Mr. America title. Known for his powerful shoulders, chest, and arms, Eiferman became one of the most impressive physiques of the late 1940s.

He later moved to California and trained at the famous Muscle Beach alongside many of the sport’s pioneers. Years later, he proved his longevity by winning the Mr. Universe title in 1962.

Beyond competition, Eiferman spent decades promoting strength training and healthy living, giving talks at schools across the United States and helping bring weightlifting into the mainstream long before it became popular.

He also trained and worked with notable names such as Steve Reeves, Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Rock Hudson, and Elvis Presley.

Eiferman remained active in fitness throughout his life, opening gyms in Hawaii, California, and Las Vegas, and even hosting a television fitness show in the 1980s.

In 2000, he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.

Height: 5’7”
Weight: 195 lbs
Chest: 47.5”
Arms: 16.7”

A classic physique and one of the great ambassadors of early bodybuilding.

"Old, not obsolete." - Arnold Schwarzenegger.

That peak! 💪🏼

In his prime, IFBB Pro Lee Priest was renowned for having some of the largest, most defined arms in bodybuilding history, measuring roughly 20.75 inches (52.7 cm) in contest shape to over 21.75 inches (55.2 cm) during the off-season. Standing just 5'4", his arms often looked closer to 22–24 inches due to extreme density and vascularity, making him a "Giant Killer".

In his prime, IFBB Pro bodybuilder Kevin Levrone was renowned for his massive arms, which measured approximately 24 inches (roughly 60-61 cm) in circumference. These exceptional, well-defined arms were a cornerstone of his physique during the 1990s and early 2000s, contributing to his status as one of the top competitors of his era.