It can sometimes feel like some bodybuilders landed on this earth as ready made Goliaths, and there’s no chance they could have been a skinny kid struggling to lift their first dumbbell at one point. Well, amazingly, we have evidence that some of the biggest names in bodybuilding were in fact mortals…even if it was a long time ago!
In this article we’ll be taking a look at 19 amazing before and after transformations in bodybuilding.
Arnold Schwarzenegger – Before & After
The most famous bodybuilder of all time, Arnold “The Oak” Schwarzenegger, created one of the most incredible and iconic physiques in history. It is even more impressive when you see the physique he had as a teenager. Sure, it’s still a decent frame. But look at the improvements he made in just a few years!
Phil Heath – Before & After
Phil Heath started life as a college basketball player, and had the athletic physique to match. You can see that he had the building blocks for a killer frame, but his transformation to elite bodybuilder has been remarkable.
Lee Priest – Before & After
Bodybuilding’s most outspoken star, Lee Priest, started bodybuilding at a very young age, which explains the before picture. Perhaps one of the most impressive transformations in bodybuilding.
Jay Cutler – Before & After
Sometimes it really is all about genetics. Jay Cutler’s transformation is impressive, but you can see that bodybuilding must have come naturally to Jay, as JC was already a beast at 18.
Ronnie Coleman – Before & After
A great transformation, but Ronnie looks like he could walk into most bodybuilding competitions in his “before” photo!
Dorian Yates – Before & After
Move aside Lee Priest, we’ve found an even more insane transformation! Dorian Yates, Britain’s best bodybuilder, was clearly not genetically designed for bodybuilding. It took a lot of spite, hard work, and training to become one of the most successful Mr Olympia’s of all time.
Dennis Wolf – Before & After
Look at the change in traps! Absolutely massive.
Lou Ferrigno – Before & After
One of the most aesthetically pleasing bodybuilders of all time started life as just a regular kid. Who’d have suspected? A contention for the best transformation on this list.
Kai Greene – Before & After
An interesting before and after because different people will prefer each physique!
Branch Warren – Before & After
The best part of this transformation is the addition of shorts. Great call Branch.
He was clearly already gifted genetically, especially in the lats region.
Tom Platz – Before & After
Look at the legs! What a change. This before and after picture gives some evidence that Tom Platz’s mammoth-sized legs were the result of incredibly hard training – rather than being genetically gifted.
Franco Columbu – Before & After
Just two photos of the coolest bodybuilder of the 70s (with Arnold of course).
Shawn Rhoden – Before & After
He always had massive legs, the biggest change appears to be the pecs (and the hair)
Flex Wheeler – Before & After
Flex is probably thankful that the first photo is so blurry!
Steve Reeves – Before & After
Before and after Steve learned how to pose and the importance of tanning!
Dexter Jackson – Before & After
Two incredible physiques, one truly incredible haircut. What a legend.
Kevin Levrone – Before & After
Kevin Levrone probably has more mass in his bicep in the “after” photo than he does in his whole body in the “before”.
Jeff Seid – Before & After
This could also be a before and after photo of Jeff learning about hair gel
Evan Centopani – Before & After
Before and after Evan’s shirts started to fall apart! Just kidding, what a fantastic transformation.
