Mike Matarazzo

Mike Matarazzo tore up stages in the 90's until his retirement in 2001 due to health issues. His energetic, crowd-charging performances made him a crowd favorite and his huge arms made him a stand-out in any posedown, earning him the nickname "big guns".

Though mike hit the Olympia stage 7 times his best placing was 9th in 1998.

Mike makes my list of bodybuilders that have inspired me because he never gave up. He gave his all everytime he stepped on stage and always seemed more concerned with pleasing the crowds and fans than his show placement. He was a natural showman and one of the original "freaks".

Open heart surgery in 2004 as a result of clogged arteries due to the tremendous amount of red meat Mike was eating and admitted steriod use brought Mikes career to an end taking away one of bodybuildings most dynamic and exciting personalities.

Mentzer...

Mike Mentzer is one of those examples of unearthly potential never truly realized. As a competitive bodybuilder Mentzer won numerous amateur contests but struggled somewhat as a professional. In 1979 Mike Mentzer claimed first place in the heavyweight division of the Mr. Olympia (with a perfect score of 300) but lost the overall to Frank Zane.

Though his life in the 80's became enveloped with amphetamine use, legal troubles and stints in psychiatric institutions he pulled things together and by the 90's had reclaimed his reputation as an icon in the bodybuilding community by giving lectures and making training videos. His H.I.T. principles are still in use today creating impressive physiques around the globe.

Ruhl...

Markus Ruhl has one of those physiques you either love or you hate. He's the king of the mass monsters and proud of it. At 5'10" Markus has been known to tip the scales at a whopping 340+ pounds in the off season. That in and of itself is impressive to me. How does the guy get off the couch?

Markus boasts some impressive stats:

Arms: 24" (in contest shape)

Legs: 34" (in contest shape)

Chest: 60 inches

Max Bench: 600 lbs (in a smith rack)

For those reasons alone Markus deserves respect.

Gunther Schlierkamp...

Though never placing higher than 4th at the Olympia (2005), Gunther Schlierkamp has long been a favorite of mine. Standing 6'1" and weighing as much as 330+ pounds in the off season Gunther has still managed to maintain an athletic looking physique in a sea of mass monsters.

Frank Zane...

Frank Zane epitomized the classic Greek Physique. The veritable poster child for symmetry and proportion over size there are few today that can look at Zane's physique and scoff. Zane, a three-time Mr. Olympia winner, is one of only three people to have beaten Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bodybuilding contest and one of the very few Mr. Olympias under 200 pounds.

Arnold...

The seven-time Mr. Olympia (bodybuilding's highest award) is still synonymous with fitness, muscularity and a Hurculean physique. It has been and probably always will be argued that Arnold Schwarzenegger was bodybuilding's greatest positive influence. Regardless of whether or not thats true he's one of the few bodybuilders I find inspirational.