Frank Zane is often cited as having one of the very best physique in the history of human kind. It’s hard to argue with that. He’s never been the biggest guy in the world, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking home 3 Mr. Olympia victories.
Frank was born in 1942 in Pennsylvania. He spent over a decade teaching math and chemistry in Cali and Florida.
His reign as Mr. Olympia showed a turning of the tides, where less emphasis was put on mass than on aesthetics. These days, if you look at the top 10 in any big competition, especially the Olympia, it’s all about mass. Who can get the hugest? But often times that leaves actually having a good physique as an after thought.
These days it’s like an arms race, who can have their mad scientists cook up the craziest batch of magic juice to put them over the edge? That’s not to say it doesn’t take a ton of work, and that’s definitely not to say that guys back in the day weren’t taking incredible amounts of roids, too… but it all comes back to the overall goal, mass vs aesthetics.
Since the ’70s, Zane has written 9 books about bodybuilding that should be in your personal library. He’s also put out a newsletter a few times a year with all of the latest. Remember, this guy has an education and he’s a teacher – he’s not just another broscientist, he’s a real scientist. That’s worth something.
And then you’ve got Sadik, who is the young gun aiming for the throne.
Sadik was born in ’87, and competes in the physique division. He’s earned runner-up status at the past two Mr. Olympia physique showdowns.
Sadik has trained with former UFC champion Jon Jones, and helped Jon get way bigger than he had been for his previous fights. No word on whether or not Jones taught Sadik how to do a brutal oblique kick or a spinning back elbow, though.
Sadik has been competing since 2011, earning his pro card in 2012. He took #1 spot at the 2015 IFBB Arnold Sports Festival, and there’s no doubt that he’s just getting started.
