My Top 5 Bodybuilders

Bodybuilding is one of the most appreciated sports. It's a sport of determination, consistency, and mental toughness. These competitors go through intense workouts in the hellhole they call gyms and then eat like a horse and never have a social life. With social media booming every corner of interests, fitness and bodybuilding have been one of the most booming industries from Instagram. There were many before and there are some great ones who are still on the stage today. Here are my Top 5 bodybuilders.

#5: Dana Linn Bailey

Dana had it all. Great symmetry, leanliess and a great posing routine. Dana helped redefine what it meant to be a women bodybuilder. Dana Linn Bailey is the 2013 Ms. Olympia in Women's Physique. How she became super popular was that she competed in an American Ninja Warrior. She develop a routine that showcased her whole body simultaneously compared to showcasing a single muscle group. Not only is she an avid weight lifter, she is an amazing person by focusing on improving yourself than becoming better than everyone else. Her social channels have great content on her animals, her life, her gym and creative promotions for her clothing line. What she is to me is inspiration to have a gym someday and treat everyone who is the gym like a person. She is just someone who likes to push herself even though people bash her on her looks. Over the years, she has been less lean and more on consistency. She may be bulky to some, but she is beautiful just like everyone else.

#4 Kai Greene

Someone who I think of more of an influencer, Kai Greene disrupted the Mr. Olympia and the fitness industry. Kai Greene was a bodybuilder who attempted to get the biggest title, Mr. Olympia. He decided to retire, but still does guest posing and fitness expos. He also is a philosopher, artist, actor, singer and dancer and influencer to many brands. Kai chose to leave the competition because he did not want to be in an environment where he did not feel himself. He almost beat the 4x Mr. Olympian at the time, Phil Heath. During this time-frame, Generation Iron Films made their first documentary on this and it was a massive success. Kai is now an international star with one of the most unique haircuts. He also seems as a genuine person and cares a lot about the person in the corner rather than the person on the stage. Reason why I appreciate him is that he is completely out of the norm in the fitness industry and goes on what he likes than what other people like. What I mean by that is that he does not let bodybuilding be work, but he uses his past to make him stride for what he enjoys.

#3 Regan Grimes

Canada has not produced many successful bodybuilders since Joe Weider until 3 years ago with Chris Bumstead and Regan Grimes getting their pro cards. Regan is only 26, but has major potential in becoming a Mr. Olympia Open competitor. He is massive on Instagram with almost a million followers and is just a big dude. He decided to compete in the Men's Classic, but is better suited for the Open. Regan is a major upcoming star and I appreciate how humble he is with the brands he promotes and also he does not let the mundane routine of what is a bodybuilder get to him. He travels consistently and is still able to look good. I enjoy watching Regan grow and also see a little bit of myself in him since he is very close to my age. He was recently featured in Generation Iron 3. Regan is expected to compete again in the Classic Physique and hope to get a better result than 8th.

#2 Flex Lewis

With the growth of the sport bodybuilding, there had to be some changes in the categories. Not every guy can get over 250 and still looked jacked. There is some limitation with height and genetics. That's why, the Joe Weider foundation decided to create the 212 weight class and Flex Lewis dominated it. Flex Lewis as known as the Welsh Dragon is a 7 time Mr. Olympia for the 212 weight class. He is one of the most decorated bodybuilder and also seems like the most genuine person. The Welsh Dragon started his bodybuilding journey since he was 16. He played rugby before that and did not need to grow his calves. Flex has one of the best bodies and also has the biggest forearms in the industry. Flex co-owns Sinister Labs, a supplement and promoted clean snack company. He owns the Dragon's Lair, one of the most decorated gyms in Boca Roton, FL. He the first Monster Energy bodybuilder and he is apart of one of the best coaching groups, Y3T. Neil Hill is his coach and is also coaching, William Bonac, Ryan Terry, and Big Ramy. The reason why I love watching Flex Lewis is that his content in the gym is absolutely amazing. He also seems to be the nicest and most humble person. Even though lifting is everything for him, he focuses more on his family than his job.

#1 Dorian Yates

Dorian is my all time favorite. This was really tough for me because Flex is still competing and is about to make a huge feat for next year, but Dorian is one of the all-time best. The Shadow is known for being absolute silent during the off-season and showcasing his physique during competition. His back workouts are legendary and are a staple in my routine. He was raw and worked out in the basement of the Temple Gym. Dorian won the Olympia 4 times before his tore bicep and tricep made him stop. The reason why I love Dorian is that his mentality for the gym was to break the limits of what his body could handle. His Blood and Guts documentary is known to be one of the most grueling workouts. Dorian was thick and lean simultaneously. Dorian is a legend.

What did you guys think about the list? Is there anyone you think is the best bodybuilder? Please put them in the comments on the Facebook post and thank you for reading! - Grant