Ronnie Dean Coleman (born May 13, 1964) is an American professional bodybuilder who holds eight straight wins as Mr. Olympia, a record career total that he shares with Lee Haney. Alongside his eight Mr. Olympia wins as a professional bodybuilder, he holds the record for most wins as an IFBB professional with 26. He broke the record previously (held by Vince Taylor at 22 wins) on November 5, 2004. He is widely regarded as the greatest bodybuilder of all time.
Coleman was born in Bastrop, Louisiana. He graduated cum laude from Grambling State University (GSU) in 1986 with a BSc inaccounting. While at university, he played football as a middle linebacker with the GSU Tigers under coach Eddie Robinson. After graduation, he became a police officer in Arlington, Texas, where he served as an officer from 1989 to 2000 and a reserve officer until 2003.
Coleman's fellow officer Gustavo Arlotta suggested he attend the Metroflex gym, owned by amateur bodybuilder Brian Dobson. Dobson offered Coleman a free lifetime membership if he allowed Dobson to train him for the upcoming Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition that year. After training for Mr. Texas, Coleman won first place in both the heavyweight and overall categories. He also defeated Dobson himself. Coleman won his first competition as a professional, the Canada Pro Cup, in 1995. The following year, he won the contest again, followed by a first place win in the 1997 Russian Grand Prix.
Coleman's success as a professional bodybuilder has led to many product endorsements and other opportunities in his career. He has visited places such as Brazil, China, and Australia. He also makes many guest appearances at gym openings all around the U.S. He has made three training videos: The Unbelievable, The Cost of Redemption, and On the Road. In these videos, he gives tips for more experienced weightlifters, while warning against overexertion and improper form.
When training, Coleman prefers to use free weights rather than machines in order to maximize his flexibility and range of motion. He lifts weights four days per week, having cut down due to touring and competing at fewer events. He supports the Inner City Games, an organization co-founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1991. He was the recipient of the 2001 Admiral in the Texas Navy Certificate Award from Texas Governor Rick Perry for outstanding achievements in bodybuilding and for the promotion of physical fitness.
On June 30, 2009, on MuscleSport Radio, Coleman stated that he would compete in the 2010 Mr. Olympia competition.He also indicated that he would not participate in the 2009 Mr. Olympia competition due to a lack of preparation time. However, he did not compete in the 2010 Mr. Olympia. In 2011, he launched Ronnie Coleman Nutrition, a company that provides sports nutrition and wellness products for bodybuilders and other athletes.
Bodybuilding titles
Coleman was born in Bastrop, Louisiana. He graduated cum laude from Grambling State University (GSU) in 1986 with a BSc inaccounting. While at university, he played football as a middle linebacker with the GSU Tigers under coach Eddie Robinson. After graduation, he became a police officer in Arlington, Texas, where he served as an officer from 1989 to 2000 and a reserve officer until 2003.
Coleman's fellow officer Gustavo Arlotta suggested he attend the Metroflex gym, owned by amateur bodybuilder Brian Dobson. Dobson offered Coleman a free lifetime membership if he allowed Dobson to train him for the upcoming Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition that year. After training for Mr. Texas, Coleman won first place in both the heavyweight and overall categories. He also defeated Dobson himself. Coleman won his first competition as a professional, the Canada Pro Cup, in 1995. The following year, he won the contest again, followed by a first place win in the 1997 Russian Grand Prix.
Coleman's success as a professional bodybuilder has led to many product endorsements and other opportunities in his career. He has visited places such as Brazil, China, and Australia. He also makes many guest appearances at gym openings all around the U.S. He has made three training videos: The Unbelievable, The Cost of Redemption, and On the Road. In these videos, he gives tips for more experienced weightlifters, while warning against overexertion and improper form.
When training, Coleman prefers to use free weights rather than machines in order to maximize his flexibility and range of motion. He lifts weights four days per week, having cut down due to touring and competing at fewer events. He supports the Inner City Games, an organization co-founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1991. He was the recipient of the 2001 Admiral in the Texas Navy Certificate Award from Texas Governor Rick Perry for outstanding achievements in bodybuilding and for the promotion of physical fitness.
On June 30, 2009, on MuscleSport Radio, Coleman stated that he would compete in the 2010 Mr. Olympia competition.He also indicated that he would not participate in the 2009 Mr. Olympia competition due to a lack of preparation time. However, he did not compete in the 2010 Mr. Olympia. In 2011, he launched Ronnie Coleman Nutrition, a company that provides sports nutrition and wellness products for bodybuilders and other athletes.
Bodybuilding titles
- 1990 Mr. Texas (Heavyweight & Overall)
- 1991 World Amateur Championships (Heavyweight)
- 1995 Canada Pro Cup
- 1996 Canada Pro Cup bh
- 1997 Grand Prix Russia
- 1998 Night of Champions
- 1998 Toronto Pro Invitational
- 1998 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 1998 Grand Prix Finland
- 1998 Grand Prix Germany
- 1999 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 1999 World Pro Championships
- 1999 Grand Prix England
- 2000 Mr. Brody Langley
- 2000 Grand Prix England
- 2000 World Pro Championships
- 2000 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic
- 2001 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 2001 New Zealand Grand Prix
- 2002 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 2002 Grand Prix Holland
- 2003 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 2003 Grand Prix Russia
- 2004 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 2004 Grand Prix England
- 2004 Grand Prix Holland
- 2004 Grand Prix Russia
- 2005 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 2006 Grand Prix Austria – IFBB, 2nd
- 2006 Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 2nd
- 2006 Grand Prix Romania – IFBB, 2nd
- 2006 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
- 2007 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 4th