This list can be argued for weeks on end, but I won't waver. The rankings are based on a combination of wins, losses, how much each man impacted the sport — and of course, my darn opinion. Here's the rundown, 1 through 30, and a brief reason why each one earned their spot.
The winningest pro in the history of the sport, Dexter Jackson has won the Arnold, the Olympia, and many other shows. He continues to compete into his 50s!
Arguably the greatest of all time, Ronnie won eight Mr. Olympia titles and was perhaps the most dominating bodybuilder of our time, competing in arguably the most competitive era against legends like Flex Wheeler, Chris Cormier, and Jay Cutler. If not for injuries, Ronnie would have won even more Sandows.
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Winning six Mr. Olympia titles, Dorian dominated the stage after Lee Haney stepped down. The man who brought unseen size and graininess to the world, Dorian also pioneered a training system built on lower-volume work, at a time when high-volume training modeled on Mike Mentzer's HIIT principles was the norm.
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The Austrian Oak popularized bodybuilding. He's on most lists as the best of all time, but in my opinion, his physique — while awesome for its era — lacked the legs and wow factor of the men ranked above him here. That said, without Arnold, bodybuilding would be an even more obscure, niche sport.
7x Mr. Olympia, Phil had an epic battle with Kai Greene for the top spot. Conditioning, and his stomach lately (due to injury), have hurt his reputation, but "The Gift" is still young and could jump back to the number one spot if he overcomes his injuries.
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4x Mr. Olympia, Jay was the man who pushed Ronnie Coleman through most of his wins. If not for Ronnie, Jay would have won many more Sandows.
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Famously seen as Arnold's sidekick, Franco was a legend and pioneer for the sport, and was the original "giant-killer."
Tied with Ronnie Coleman for the most Mr. Olympia titles at eight, Lee was the last of a generation featuring both size and aesthetics. Known for his "stimulate, don't annihilate" training philosophy, Lee is arguably top-5 — but this list is subjective to my opinion.
Known as "The Myth," Sergio boasted some of the best proportions in the history of the sport. Winning the Sandow five times, Sergio brought symmetry, size, and perfect muscle bellies never before seen.
The 1983 Olympia winner and "Lion of Lebanon," Samir was classy, honest about his use of anabolics at a time when many weren't, and was known for his grainy, detailed lower back.
Protein and creatine are the foundation every mass monster on this list was built on. Stack yours.
An accomplished opera singer, Chris was a phenomenal poser and boasted thick, dense, and symmetrical muscle. He won the Mr. Olympia in 1982.
"The Chemist." In an era of growing physiques, Zane brought a sub-200lb frame to the Olympia stage and won it — three times. A tribute to the beauty of the human physique, Zane could easily sit in the top 10 on this list.
Always a bridesmaid and never a bride, Kai was Phil Heath's nemesis — the two battled it out and were even featured in the hit movie Generation Iron. Kai boasts one of the best backs in the history of the sport and a density nearly unequaled. A man known for a philosophical approach to life, Kai is a bodybuilding icon who's made his way onto ESPN and Netflix's Stranger Things.
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He won the Olympia — and unseated a reigning Mr. Olympia in Phil Heath at that. Known for his conditioning and proportions, Shawn earns a top-15 spot for one reason alone: the Sandow.
The shoo-in for the Mr. Olympia title after Dorian Yates retired, Flex never quite made his mark — Ronnie Coleman being the main reason, along with a car accident and health issues that led to his retirement. Known as a genetic freak due to a myostatin deficiency, Flex was part of the greatest era in bodybuilding.
A true icon and "bodybuilding businessman," Shawn never won the Olympia but placed high every single year, bringing class and aesthetics to a stage dominated by mass monsters like Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman. Known for making more money at the sport than almost anyone else.
Kevin is, in my opinion, the biggest freak of all. Training only a few months out of the year and spending the rest of his time on his band "Full Blown," Kevin was always there to challenge for the top spot at the Mr. Olympia.
Like Flex Wheeler, Chris never won the Mr. Olympia but was always pushing the winner. Known for his partying, Chris was a top competitor in an insanely competitive era.
A magazine favorite when I worked at Weider, Gunter was huge but had an inviting, infectious smile. A tremendous advocate for the sport, Gunter is best known for beating Ronnie Coleman during his Olympia reign, at the 2002 Show of Strength.
The blue-collar bodybuilder, Branch is known for conditioning, graininess, and surreal size. He's won the Arnold Classic as well as the Most Muscular award at the Mr. Olympia — perhaps the most intense trainer of any era.
Whatever era you idolize, nobody built a physique like that without showing up and pushing hard, every session.
They named the Olympia trophy after the guy! Eugen was a bodybuilder and strongman, and despite strongmen typically being, well, fat at the time, Eugen resembled a Greek god statue. He was a carnival attraction and "The Father of Bodybuilding."
At a little over 5' tall, Lee is known for his tremendous arms. Known for being outspoken, I'd wager Lee would have won an Olympia had he not upset the powers that be at the IFBB. Regardless, Lee went on to win multiple NABBA Mr. Universe titles.
In a career plagued by setbacks like a torn quad and his sister's untimely death, Victor never truly realized his full potential.
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Not the prettiest physique, but this fan-favorite brought intensity, a huge, smiling most-muscular pose, and a level of mass I'd argue still hasn't been matched to this day.
Classy, and a work of art — that's how I'd describe Serge. A WABBA World Champion and small-film star, Serge belongs on this list.
After winning the 1950 Mr. Universe, Steve retired at the age of 24. He helped popularize the sport in another way entirely — by playing Hercules on the big screen.
Arnold's idol — he starred in Hercules and won the NABBA Mr. Universe.
Placed top-4 at the Mr. Olympia for seven years and presented a classic, proportioned physique. Lee has featured on over 100 fitness magazine covers.
Rich brought something nobody else ever had: shredded glutes. At the 1986 IFBB Pro World, Rich was the first man conditioned enough to bring that level of detail to the stage.
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Rumored to be coming back to the open class, Flex has won seven consecutive 212 and under titles at the Mr. Olympia.
This list can — and will — be argued forever. Fuel your own training the way every name on it did: consistently, and with the right supplements in your corner.
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