How The Hell Did Steve Reeves Win The 1950 Mr. Universe?

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
  • A deep dive into the 1950 Mr. Universe and the events leading up to Steve Reeves' final victory before retirement.
    Old School Bodybuilding playlist: • Old School Bodybuilding
    When Did Bodybuilders Start Using Steroids? - • When Did Bodybuilders ...
    Eugen Sandow - • Eugen Sandow - The Fat...
    Steve Reeves - • Steve Reeves - The Gre...

Komentáře • 507

  • @NattyLifeYT
    @NattyLifeYT  Před 9 měsíci +59

    CORRECTION: The York Barbell Club where Steve trained for his comeback is in York, Pennsylvania. I said Philadelphia by accident in the video.
    Who do you think should have won? Vote on my community poll: czcams.com/users/postUgkxj6YPawXzlx53pSdQBOhvOVLhqW00mt0M

    • @daviddupre5591
      @daviddupre5591 Před 9 měsíci +5

      Steve Reeves also had the flu while training for this contest in York, Pennsylvania with George Eiferman. They drove from Los Angeles to York, Pennsylvania in a beat up old car.

    • @electronicpizzaparlor
      @electronicpizzaparlor Před 9 měsíci +6

      Can not understand why the directors would want him so small.....

    • @ericjohnson9477
      @ericjohnson9477 Před 9 měsíci +4

      Oops, another great statement.

    • @thispersonrighthere9024
      @thispersonrighthere9024 Před 9 měsíci +4

      steve wins!
      his genetics are just better.

    • @deductivereasoning4257
      @deductivereasoning4257 Před 9 měsíci +2

      All sports are rigged...

  • @malachidewitt5856
    @malachidewitt5856 Před 9 měsíci +357

    This era needs a comeback

    • @Odinson224
      @Odinson224 Před 9 měsíci +23

      Honestly prefer the bronze era myself especially the wider waist is more practical for manual labor and strength which is something I also desire. That being said the Silver era was an absolutely great era in terms of allowing bodybuilding to become popular while still being healthy focused.

    • @Odinson224
      @Odinson224 Před 9 měsíci +2

      @@Joseph_dubs_wilson I really don't see how they could just be noticing, the downsides have been apparent for years. I am glad that the competitions might be going back to their roots and embracing a more healthy focused competition.

    • @nicolamarco7110
      @nicolamarco7110 Před 9 měsíci +5

      Working on it my amigo ❤

    • @MadGunny
      @MadGunny Před 9 měsíci +12

      No tattoos, natural but impressive physiques. A comeback would be sweet

    • @user-he4ef9br7z
      @user-he4ef9br7z Před 9 měsíci +4

      ​@@Odinson224I've always been disgusted by my relatively wide waist but it does make me stronger structurally.

  • @41BOT
    @41BOT Před 9 měsíci +65

    I just can't get over hypocritic Hollywood. Inviting a man for his great natural physique, and then asking to grade it down.

    • @SB-mg1wy
      @SB-mg1wy Před 9 měsíci +7

      It happened with Arnold too

    • @willyf6172
      @willyf6172 Před 9 měsíci +6

      @@SB-mg1wy Arnold got smaller , but I don’t think it had to with being asked to drop size . More to do with naturally losing size after getting out of competition and not doing the same thing anymore to get his maximum size . Happens to guys all the time after retiring . Steve’s was far more natural than Arnold , perhaps entirely natural .

    • @emmanuelmondesir
      @emmanuelmondesir Před 9 měsíci +6

      Arnold said that they asked him to lose weight for the Terminator.

    • @willyf6172
      @willyf6172 Před 9 měsíci +3

      @@emmanuelmondesir Perhaps they did ask him to drop weight but he wasn’t going to keep the muscle mass anyway , if he didn’t stay on the same program with all the medication.
      He still did look pretty big in the Terminator even so , bigger than Steve Reeves was at his biggest .

    • @fernandomaron87
      @fernandomaron87 Před 7 měsíci +2

      ​@@willyf6172Even before Terminator when he did Conan they've asked him to lose a few kilos in order to hold a sword correctly with more fluid moves. You can’t compare his body even after leaving competition to Steve's, he was still working out and on gear, heck even in T3 when he was 55 he had almost the same size, while Steve had already shrunk dramatically when he gave his run in acting.

  • @DragonGP
    @DragonGP Před 9 měsíci +52

    I'm a fan of both Park and Reeves, but Steve's proportions were on a whole different plane. He looked like he stepped off Mt. Olympus. To me, the contest looked like it was between Reeve's better physique and lines, vs Park's superior conditioning, which makes it the close contest that it was.

    • @oscarrodriguez8998
      @oscarrodriguez8998 Před 9 měsíci +2

      thats true. but it sucks back then i guess they judged more on genetics (steve's general proportion's in this case) rather than the conditioning and overall fit look.

    • @DragonGP
      @DragonGP Před 9 měsíci +2

      @@oscarrodriguez8998 Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it. Is it harder to get lean, or to have 1 in 100,000,000 genetics? Reeves body was better than Parks at almost every point, but Reg was leaner.

    • @oscarrodriguez8998
      @oscarrodriguez8998 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@DragonGP i doubt Reg’s bodybuilding work for this one could’ve be summed up as simply lean as he looked muscular too. I think Reg was the clear
      winner but that’s my opinion based on the pics. Might’ve looked different in person -

    • @jmgonzales7701
      @jmgonzales7701 Před 9 měsíci

      tbh i dont think reg looker more muscular, he was definitely leaner and i agree that he should have won but from what I'm seeing in the photos reeves looked a bit bigger idk if its due to the frame @@oscarrodriguez8998

    • @jmgonzales7701
      @jmgonzales7701 Před 2 měsíci

      @@oscarrodriguez8998 tbh even if it was graded down i would like that physique, partly because no mere mortal can look the same as peak steve reeves. I am personally Fond of his toned down physiques such as kimbar (seen in the video) and when he fought primo but even that is kinda big.

  • @DMAN99
    @DMAN99 Před 9 měsíci +13

    Reg Park's symmetry in that picture of him and Steve was crazy, his abdominals are lined up perfectly.

  • @biohazard9503
    @biohazard9503 Před 9 měsíci +64

    Those shots at 14:14 with him doing that overhead pose looks absolutely incredible, if his posing looked like that throughout maybe then it's understandable why he beat Reg. It's hard to judge a physique with still shots where he's relaxed, he looks more massive while posing in those 2 shots... And his legs do look better in most shots

    • @walden6272
      @walden6272 Před 8 měsíci +5

      I like the poses Steve did in 1:34 and 3:14 . His body is a work of art.

  • @bombfog1
    @bombfog1 Před 9 měsíci +92

    I recently saw a short you did discussing Milo of Croton who used a growing calf to progressively overload everyday as he prepared for the Ancient Olympics. You doubted the story but I’d like to point out that cows were much smaller then than they are now, so it’s entirely possible that this story is no exaggeration. Love your channel.

    • @lsegher
      @lsegher Před 9 měsíci +62

      Back then we had natty men and natty cows

    • @bombfog1
      @bombfog1 Před 9 měsíci +11

      @@lsegher Ha Ha Ha! That’s an obvious joke that I wish I had thought of.

    • @pablowentscobar
      @pablowentscobar Před 9 měsíci +8

      I use to really be into martial arts and on a mission to watch every old Kung Fu movie I could get my hands on. There's a bunch of old Kung Fu movies that had the "Wrestling a Bull to get strong" trope. Even in the early days of movies coming out of China the bulls were much smaller. I have no doubt that was an actual training technique. One or two of Jackie Chan's early films have him wrestling a bull. I think it my have been "Snake in the Eagles Shadow" Which is an amazing film, but I'd have to go back and watch it. Those old Jackie movies have some crazy strength training techniques if interested.

    • @ofauvi2089
      @ofauvi2089 Před 9 měsíci +3

      I mean Alexander Zass could carry a full grown horse across a river during the 20’s-40’s. There’s photos of it. You could definitely carry a calf, and might be able to carry a full grown bull (ancient world size)

    • @kryptonianstrength8461
      @kryptonianstrength8461 Před 9 měsíci +4

      Bulls back then were 500 lbs not 2000 like today

  • @bau7216
    @bau7216 Před 4 měsíci +4

    Steve Reeves has the most insane chest insertions i have ever seen. Literally just a straight line across, no gap. Truly remarkable

    • @alysefu7
      @alysefu7 Před měsícem

      He was born with a condition pectus excavatum

    • @bau7216
      @bau7216 Před měsícem

      @@alysefu7 does this affect the muscle insertions tho? I have seen many people with the same condition with normally inserted pecs

  • @jonathancontreras633
    @jonathancontreras633 Před 9 měsíci +53

    My bet was that Steve had more flow and grace during his posing routine. Vince Gironda said it’s more important how you transition to different poses than the poses itself. Steve had more experience with posing and I would say he was a better poser.

    • @1981menso
      @1981menso Před 9 měsíci +7

      Makes sense.

    • @user-he4ef9br7z
      @user-he4ef9br7z Před 9 měsíci +2

      This wasn't exclusive to Steeve Reeves. Even bodybuilders as late as the 80s focused on transitions between poses. It is only in modern bodybuilding we look at static distinct poses rather than an entire fluid continuous posing routine.
      Look at Bob Paris for example.

    • @jonathancontreras633
      @jonathancontreras633 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@user-he4ef9br7z I never said it was only exclusive to reeves

    • @thispersonrighthere9024
      @thispersonrighthere9024 Před 9 měsíci

      steve had better genetics. steve had lower lats origins. steve didn't have that space between his pecs like reg did.
      even with a wider waist, steve's shoulder-to-waist ratio still matched reg's.
      steve wins!

    • @johnrodriguez6676
      @johnrodriguez6676 Před 8 měsíci

      Hey guys, Reeves legs were beyond his time!

  • @franciswashack89
    @franciswashack89 Před 9 měsíci +15

    I belive if Steve had not lost weight and continued to train from 1949 up until the universe contest in 1950, he would have won that contest by many more points than he had. And as mentioned by this fine video Steve was well liked and was a very nice guy. That being said, Reg Park became legendary in his own right. He was the the bodybuilder who inspired Arnold Swarzenegger. And to this day, whenever I show a picture of Steve Reves to a woman young or old, they all say that he is simply beautiful.

    • @jmgonzales7701
      @jmgonzales7701 Před 2 měsíci

      where was steve really bigger? 40s or during his acting career? tbh even if it was graded down i would like that physique, partly because no mere mortal can look the same as peak steve reeves. I am personally Fond of his toned down physiques such as kimbar (seen in the video) and when he fought primo but even that is kinda big.

  • @theo1965stang
    @theo1965stang Před 9 měsíci +30

    Politics. Steve was the 50s Arnold. Steve went on to Hollywood and that’s why he won.

    • @BeefWifGrief
      @BeefWifGrief Před 9 měsíci +4

      Agreed. Politics per usual

    • @yippee-ki-yay9925
      @yippee-ki-yay9925 Před 9 měsíci +4

      In 1950, Steve only had minor acting roles. He wasn't on Arnold's level in the 1980s.

    • @glennbishopbishthemagish
      @glennbishopbishthemagish Před 9 měsíci +4

      At that time Steve Reeves was just starting his show biz life, and he is several years away from getting his break out roll as Hercules.

    • @bigmacdaddy1234
      @bigmacdaddy1234 Před 8 měsíci

      If it were politics, why did Sergio win in 67,68,69?

    • @fernandomaron87
      @fernandomaron87 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Steve didn't go to Hollywood my friend, he made cameos there, but all his movies as protagonist were in the italian movie industry, and the first one was Hercules in 1958 way after this contest happened.

  • @josephrock8739
    @josephrock8739 Před 9 měsíci +2

    In 87 I met a man who trained track and field athletes weight training, he loved Bodybuilding more though, he was also a retired school head master, he told me he was at that show and I asked him about SR ? He told me he was amazing with great classic lines, symmetry that flowed from every muscle to the next and balanced.
    I asked him about him looking smooth ? he replied when he contracted the muscle, it and he stood out, he was just the more polished with a great tan as well as being so handsome.
    In his eyes Steve was the winner 💪🏻

  • @andrewwelch1040
    @andrewwelch1040 Před 9 měsíci +8

    In 1947 Reeves was spectacular, almost mythical.

  • @anthonybutt2453
    @anthonybutt2453 Před 9 měsíci

    Fascinating & informative.
    Both looked great.

  • @trislifting47
    @trislifting47 Před 9 měsíci +3

    Great video, looked forward to this one. Funny how this is one of your favorite pictures of all time, mine is the "perfection in the clouds". Amazing how both of these men were active so long ago, yet to date have some of the greatest physiques of all time

  • @emZee1994
    @emZee1994 Před 9 měsíci +123

    I think Reeves won fairly. You have to remember, back then they didn't only judge your physique based on muscularity and conditioning. They judged based on aesthetics
    Reeves had better aesthetics, especially for the standards of the time. Park was too lean in the chest and mid section for their liking. And Reeves was wider and had better flow

    • @aussiecath
      @aussiecath Před 9 měsíci +4

      I agree.

    • @Rudra-991
      @Rudra-991 Před 9 měsíci +3

      I agree too

    • @therustedshank9995
      @therustedshank9995 Před 9 měsíci +3

      I also agree

    • @Tijiel
      @Tijiel Před 9 měsíci +10

      also had a 10/10 face, dude got the whole package!

    • @strategery101
      @strategery101 Před 9 měsíci +12

      And lets be honest, he looked like a movie star. That didnt hurt him

  • @willele
    @willele Před 9 měsíci +3

    Reeves always in relaxing! Park always in posing!! When Reeves is in posing it's impossible to beat it!

  • @donsantiago1
    @donsantiago1 Před 9 měsíci +9

    There is no match to Steve. He is archetypical bodybuilder. His proportions are amazing, even if he is not shredded to the bone. His arms have the right lenght, Park looked shorter, so fuller, wide shoulder, slim waist and articulations. He was elegant and aesthetically privileged.

  • @51909relapseminem
    @51909relapseminem Před 9 měsíci

    This was really interesting! I love this channel!

  • @sirreynolds1681
    @sirreynolds1681 Před 9 měsíci

    Another great video. Great photos and research

  • @Magneticlaw
    @Magneticlaw Před 9 měsíci +10

    Steve knew through experience what studies have shown about muscle memory. And as with others here in the comments, I'll venture a guess that Steve's posing was the difference maker - Arnold even says that a worse physique with better posing can win a contest.

  • @Gabingus69
    @Gabingus69 Před 9 měsíci

    Great video idea, thanks man

  • @LeviticusCorwall1899
    @LeviticusCorwall1899 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Thank you so much for this video dude, even though reeves has always been my favourite i was confused as how he got the win, great video!

  • @pomicultorul
    @pomicultorul Před 9 měsíci

    thank you for your efforts!

  • @pablowentscobar
    @pablowentscobar Před 9 měsíci +1

    Good stuff. Love the ol' timey body building vids.

  • @rickhoag7491
    @rickhoag7491 Před 9 měsíci

    Great video!!

  • @christopherseat9871
    @christopherseat9871 Před 9 měsíci

    Thankyou for sharing this. ❤🙏💪🏋️‍♂️♥️

  • @MrSilvervw
    @MrSilvervw Před 9 měsíci

    Fantastic content 👌 👏 👍

  • @bradreid6057
    @bradreid6057 Před 9 měsíci +8

    Some good comments below. Note that the NABBA Mr. Universe was a bit more like a beauty pageant in many ways, at least it was later years later. There is a famous story about Sergio Oliva losing there in '71 to Bill Pearl because the judges had competitors stand around so long on stage that Oliva's great pump wore off like a balloon with a small hole in it. In Reeves' case, I recall Reg once opined that he thought one contributor to Reeves' narrow victory was his facial lineaments, how handsome he was. And, Reeves even mentioned it once in a rare taped interview that some liked his "noble" face and that included those wanting to make a film star out of him. I do agree: Reg was in better condition that day in terms of muscular definition. I don't know who I'd have voted for. One last thing: I think Reeves actually weighed 215 to 217 lbs. never 225 lbs. in a contest. Steve held onto his looks and his physique until the very end. He attended an old-timer event, I think he was well into his 60s, and looked like a movie star.

  • @terry_willis
    @terry_willis Před 9 měsíci +9

    Steve should have won, at least, for having the "best comeback". Anybody who could make such improvements in just 7 weeks deserves it. That's phenomenal. Maybe Grimek was just setting him up to lose to make himself look better.

  • @mattydukes007
    @mattydukes007 Před 9 měsíci

    you make great videos

  • @richardrobles6241
    @richardrobles6241 Před 7 dny

    As a Grunt from '66 to '70 (USMC), we used to go down to LA to work out at a high-end Gym. One day, this skinny guy came in (6'0, 175 lbs), and everyone in the gym just stopped their workout and got very quiet. He began a ninety-day workout routine. At the end of ninety days, he had gained 35 lbs and had a Mr. Universe body. Steve Reeves was getting ready to shoot another of his 18 Hercules movies. He had a perfect body; he could squeeze his hand a dozen times and develop forearm muscle.

  • @scottweaverphotovideo
    @scottweaverphotovideo Před 9 měsíci +1

    Great vid. Thanks! I'm trying to remember if it was that competition or another where the guy who lost to Steve said he had won from the neck up.

  • @poksnee
    @poksnee Před 9 měsíci +19

    Steve Reeves was more handsome.

    • @tigerteff015
      @tigerteff015 Před 2 měsíci +1

      Probably made the difference.

    • @stevemann1299
      @stevemann1299 Před 26 dny

      Of course it did. How do you Think Elvis became so popular. And V shread can sell crap to people. Beauty sells and influences.

    • @INFJason
      @INFJason Před 21 dnem +1

      Yup. 100%

  • @voiceinthedesert153
    @voiceinthedesert153 Před 9 měsíci +2

    True, whether we agree or not, it was a different metric system and standard back then. We have to consider the context of the era ALWAYS. Much thanks to these amazing figures that pioneered the bodybuilding sport that we enjoy today. Great content btw. Thank you

  • @glennbishopbishthemagish
    @glennbishopbishthemagish Před 9 měsíci +13

    Photographs are not what they used to judge a contest. It is a live show. A lot can happen in a live show to sway the judges in a bodybuilding contest. Personality, experience, all play a part in the show that leads to confidence. In my opinion I would say Steve Reeves won simply because he was more experienced. Besides looking the part.

  • @bulvie603
    @bulvie603 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Back then the goal was symmetry. To sculpture the body in perfect proportion, closely resembling that of a statue of a Greek god. Steve Reeve's was the perfect example. Today the goal is looking like the Hulk.

    • @peternagy-im4be
      @peternagy-im4be Před 8 měsíci

      Today's clowns are just walking chemical heads dead by 45. Fcking idiots.

  • @Kermit_T_Frog
    @Kermit_T_Frog Před 9 měsíci +2

    Reeves is MUCH broader in the shoulders, slimmer in the waist, and narrower in the hips. It's no contest, really.

  • @sergiodario58able
    @sergiodario58able Před 8 měsíci +2

    Steve Reeves had a more pleasing to the eye physique compared to Reg Park, even if he was a littler softer and smoother than Reg.

  • @alwallace4538
    @alwallace4538 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Thirty years later there was a similar controversy at the Olympia, when another bodybuilder turned actor made a comeback and won

  • @clintemshoff6663
    @clintemshoff6663 Před 2 dny

    What most people fail to realize about Reeves is he had a unique posing style. Unlike today, where bodybuilders remain in a flexed state even when not posing, Reeves would completely relax between poses. His belief was that his poses looked more incredible going from relaxed to fully flexed, and if you look at the pictures I believe he’s right. Of course, pictures of him relaxed next to Reg flexing could beg the question how did he win, but when you see the pictures of him posing it was no contest. The judges saw it the same way, as I believe the judges voted 4-2 or 5-2 in Reeves’ favor.

  • @billschmidt4192
    @billschmidt4192 Před 9 měsíci +4

    Steve deserved that 1950 Mr. Universe Win.

  • @daxmoney5011
    @daxmoney5011 Před 9 měsíci +6

    Hey with a chest like Steve Reeves I can see why the judges chose him.
    Edit: Reg won in 51 a year after Steve retired

  • @paullossois3989
    @paullossois3989 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Reg is more jacked but I believe Stave's physique is more balanced

  • @GVS
    @GVS Před 9 měsíci +7

    Greatest natty recomp of all time

    • @_Sam62
      @_Sam62 Před 9 měsíci

      I don't think so, if something is too good to be true it usually isn't true! “Anabolic steroids were first discovered to promote muscle growth and enhance athletic performance in the 1930s. Since the 1950s, these substances have been used by body builders, athletes, and others to improve performance and enhance cosmetic appearance”.

    • @squirrellsquats8428
      @squirrellsquats8428 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@_Sam62 You are confusing testosterone and anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids were first available in 1954 ( Dianabol and Nilavar), four years after Reeves retired from bodybuilding. Testosterone was first used medicinally in the 30’s. Typically it was used to treat older men with depression ( no it wasn’t given to the Nazi’s during the war to turn them into raging killing machines, which was a story made up by a journalist in the 70’s).

    • @ryanmccomas8573
      @ryanmccomas8573 Před 9 měsíci

      Test helps 😂

    • @stevemann1299
      @stevemann1299 Před 26 dny

      ​​@@_Sam62
      This is 1950. Steroids hadnt become available in the mainstream yet.

  • @Basedeyecel
    @Basedeyecel Před 9 měsíci +18

    *A day Natty is a day wasted*
    A day on cycle is a month of your life wasted

    • @jackvannote
      @jackvannote Před 9 měsíci +1

      Except when its necessary to save your life. Do you train? Do you "supplement" but NOT cycle? You will need a size XXXL SHROUD long before you should if that's your regimen. We all cycle; from Arnold to even Nattys that know the body must rest and recover from the extremes of the sport during off seasons. Train smart not stupid, and don't joke around about it as your going to tell me you were. Stay healthy, Jurassic Jack

    • @DCJayhawk57
      @DCJayhawk57 Před 9 měsíci +4

      ​@jackvannote
      What does this comment even mean? Total nonsense.
      Natties don't need offseasons, because they're always on.

    • @jackvannote
      @jackvannote Před 9 měsíci

      @@DCJayhawk57 You are harboring under an incorrect assumption. A natty more than the enhanced athlete needs off-seasons if he's in the bodybuilding game to really develop maximum muscle size, strength and longevity. Being "on" all the time inferrs we're contest ready all the time. Nothing could be further from the truth; or more damaging. It would lead variously to potential overtraining, catabolic states, and general burn out. Like the enhanced the Natty needs two distinctly different off seasons during each contest cycle.
      Off season A: It's preparatory to the coming contest season. You leave your Competitive Comfort Zone and push toward the Natural Freakasaur Zone. Gorge on rich nutritious, HIGH CALORIC FOODS. Bodyfat levels be damned: Bulk up as BIG as you can get and take THE weights ever heavier in your lifts. As I pack on the pounds, and rack up greater PRs than the last year I sometimes engaged in powerlifting competitions. It's a glorious time don't deny yourself a few months indulgence of growing ever huger, heavier, FATTER even. As Bodybuilding Contest time approaches about 12 weeks out, start aggressively dialing in. You should find yourself cutting up diamond hard and more shredded but stay huger than the previous year putting more distance between you and the also rans.
      So during season you compete, pose for photo shoots, make exercise videos, hopefully win the top teir of your Natural Division. And when it's done you enter
      Off Season B: A short time where you put your workouts in down load mode and even downsize. It's a necessary break your body needs if you want to be more than one time wonder. If you want longevity you'll do this before starting the next cycle which repeats Off season A: Bulking up and adding more powerful muscle to display the next contest season. As a natty I did it that way and was untouchable on stage for 8 years and racked up a few powerlifting trophies along the way in my "off season" . Best Jurassic Jack 👌

  • @avoosl
    @avoosl Před 8 měsíci +1

    As a great admirer of both Steve and "The Great Jawn" Grimek since ~1960, I long studied the differences from the view of "complete perception." After some time I came up with the notion that, if you saw any of the hundreds of (static) Grimek photographic poses they would be comfortably rated over most all of Reeves's. Nevertheless, after seeing all of Reeves's films (many times) I realized that his kind of physique was best realized IN MOTION. Not in posing transitions, no, but in merely walking or striding or even perfectly ordinary conversational scenes. Most of us grew up with and know Reeves through the movies. Think back to anything in them. When Reeves is in focus nothing else matters, even though his physique would be easily beaten by many at the time of any of those movies from 1960 through the 1970s. So - ultimately, best physique is, and always will be a loose term, and it will be the one who inspired the most fans with the fondest and admired memories from many sources. For me, with, perhaps, greater respect for Grimek in several ways, I nevertheless give the award to Reeves. -- And, thanks for the thought-provoking video.

  • @wynlewis5357
    @wynlewis5357 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Don't think any other bodybuilder looked quite like Steve Reeves .. there was just that something about his physique that took him to another level. Maybe that's what the judges saw as well in spite of Reg Park being more muscular.

  • @yezzzsir
    @yezzzsir Před 9 měsíci

    Nice coverage of the event. Personally I think Reg had a better Physique, but agree a lot gets put in the posing. Here Steve was definitely in a great class of his own for the period.

  • @firebird7479
    @firebird7479 Před 9 měsíci +4

    The best Reeves ever looked IMO was in the first Hercules movie.

  • @robertmin7233
    @robertmin7233 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Steve Reeves still had better proportions and symmetry even if he was a little off that year, his physique was more pleasing to the eye than Reg Park. Steve said in another interview the max weight he got was 217 not 225.

  • @kennethbrettel8762
    @kennethbrettel8762 Před 5 měsíci

    Steve was a phenomenon plus the Grimek training plus the Dianabol which works FAST😊

  • @personalideas-pauldrriffan2345

    Hey there yes I think it will be great for you to do a follow up of the controversy you’re talking about so please do another video follow up!!

  • @rodolfoschneider7417
    @rodolfoschneider7417 Před 4 měsíci

    Congratulations ! excelent article.
    I have been following the career of all four outstanding athletes since 1956, Steve Reeves,Reg Park,Clarence Ross,John Crimeck(this last one I had the honor to knew personally).
    Very interesting the story and your point of view.
    Its very dificult to judge and write about bodybuilders of that high standart.
    Rudy Schneider
    Old bodybuilder from Brazil
    15:09

  • @strangeuniverse1199
    @strangeuniverse1199 Před měsícem +2

    Nobody beats Hercules, by the Gods!

  • @westoncroye643
    @westoncroye643 Před 9 měsíci +2

    To be honest, I think Steve’s physique on this competition was still better than parks. Half the time you can tell reg was flexing his lats to appear wider than reeves. If reeves didn’t take as many breaks, he could have EASILY wipe the floor against Reg. Of course that would also probably mean reeves would continue BBing and would get outclassed by Reg once he got into steroids in the early-mid 50’s. But we only got to see a few pictures and videos in ok lighting and quality from the show. And we didn’t really get to see them do any mandatory poses either so it is only a little bit difficult to tell.
    Edit: I also will agree that Reg did have better conditioning than reeves as well; however, reeves conditioning still wasn’t terrible either as you can see in some of his posing.

  • @bobjenkins4925
    @bobjenkins4925 Před 9 měsíci +8

    Despite looking a little soft, it's a damn miracle he looked as lean as he did having gained 35 pounds in just over 7 weeks, either naturally or with minimal pharmaceutical assistance by modern standards

    • @Basedeyecel
      @Basedeyecel Před 9 měsíci +4

      It's muscle memory. He already built his muscle but he cut hence the Fiber were catabalise

    • @pauldavies7251
      @pauldavies7251 Před 9 měsíci +2

      ​@@Basedeyecel😂😂😂😂Ye ok, even with ped's gaining that much "lean" weight is nigh on impossible stop being so naive

    • @Basedeyecel
      @Basedeyecel Před 9 měsíci

      @@pauldavies7251 are you stupid? When you Stop training for a certain amount of time or cut drastically you lose muscle mass. But it'd still there in a cellular level all you need to do is train to regain it .
      Unlike a newbie who has to build muscle it'd far more quicker to utilize what is already available?
      Steroids haven't been used since 1954 Russian federation Olympics. Anything before 1954 they were Natural lol are you telling me that Steve has more influence then the USSR and he got the compounds faster?
      You don't even train probably maybe if you stop coping you would get somewhere

    • @Magnus_Loov
      @Magnus_Loov Před 9 měsíci +2

      @@pauldavies7251 It wasn't lean weight though. Lets's say you weight 200 pounds at 20% (to make it easy to calculate) which is 40 pounds of fat and you then gain 40 pounds.
      8 pounds of these can be fat and you still sit at the same 20% bodyfat that you began at.
      If he gained a little fat, even less would be lean weight.
      So maybe only 25 pounds of lean tissue , which is still alot, but not impossible when he had been downtrained and muscle memory kicked in again when he got back.

    • @ryanmccomas8573
      @ryanmccomas8573 Před 9 měsíci

      Test helps 😂

  • @robertathey8504
    @robertathey8504 Před 9 měsíci

    I competed many, many years ago. The judges back then looked at the competitors stage presence as well

  • @rumatadestora
    @rumatadestora Před 9 měsíci

    Both look amazing!

  • @LeslieMilligan
    @LeslieMilligan Před 9 měsíci

    In the fifties and sixties bodybuilding was not only judged on muscle mass, but also on symmetry, something Steve had in abundance. Some athletic feat was also required, Seen through today's bodybuilding where muscle mass is god and who cares about symmetry or even life expectancy he was nothing! Reg Park is impressive and went on to become even more so, an incredible bodybuilder with a form that makes his 1950 frame seem chunky, disjointed and very youthful. Reg Park at his best played Hercules, but he didn't draw a stream of young men to our club, but my work was cut out enlisting new members after a Steve Reeves film came to our town. Goliath and the Barbarians drew the most.

  • @jeffreylocke8808
    @jeffreylocke8808 Před 9 měsíci +5

    Steve Reeves deserved to win the 1950 Mr. Universe. Reg Park was more defined but his body wasn’t as full and flowing as Steve Reeves showed that day.

  • @Josh_estrada
    @Josh_estrada Před 8 měsíci +1

    I don’t know about you guys but these physiques are amazing like now everyone is so muscular and that era it was more better

  • @BobAdragna
    @BobAdragna Před 10 dny

    Also the cut of Steve's trunks were briefer, giving his torso a longer look.

  • @adairtl
    @adairtl Před 9 měsíci +1

    Times were different then in what judges were looking for, so the frame or scope of the times should be taken into account. Plus, while Steve may not have been more defined he was certainly the overall larger of the two.

  • @steveb1164
    @steveb1164 Před 9 měsíci

    You didn't mention that he performed on broadway, in the musical "KIsmet), and the west coast production of "Wish you were here". He had quite a bit of stage experience by the time of "Hercules".

  • @frankleeming2905
    @frankleeming2905 Před 7 měsíci

    In those days I was a wrestler and an olympic style weight lifter. I had the pleasure of sharing a dressing room
    with REG PARKS at an event in Ilkeston Derbyshire England where Reg pressed two 150 lb dumbells overhead
    whilst in the standing position. This would be about 1948 or 49. I still train at 91 years old. Frank Leeming UK.

  • @kentborges5114
    @kentborges5114 Před 9 měsíci +1

    The famous Lake Michigan photos were taken BEFORE the contest, I do believe ?

  • @justiceprevail1552
    @justiceprevail1552 Před 26 dny

    In those days it was symmetry that was judged.
    18.5" Bi's
    18.5"Calves
    18.5" neck
    27" Thighs
    54" Chest
    30" Waist
    That Waist to Chest difference is amazing. This was the time bodybuilders looked good, not freaks like today that judges look for.
    Steve Reeves was also one of the best looking men ever.

  • @tobyfitness6524
    @tobyfitness6524 Před měsícem +1

    HE IS COMPLETE RELAXED!!! REG IS ON A STEADY POSE!!!

  • @1manforequality
    @1manforequality Před 9 měsíci +1

    You would have to be there to actually see their bodies, photos are not 3 dimensional. Furthermore,they do not move. Regardless, there is no way to determine subjectivity or favoritism. How these men attained such mass, remaining fairly defined, is testament to their dedication and desire to be the best builder in the world.

  • @ericjohnson9477
    @ericjohnson9477 Před 9 měsíci +1

    One or two pictures doesn't take you back in time
    Nothing like making yourself an authority on history.

    • @NattyLifeYT
      @NattyLifeYT  Před 9 měsíci

      I guess you didn’t take the time to watch the whole video before commenting

    • @ericjohnson9477
      @ericjohnson9477 Před 9 měsíci

      @@NattyLifeYT The problem with the news and information these days is generalized sweeping statements designed to hit a nerve and draw you in
      No thanks !

  • @TheBcoolGuy
    @TheBcoolGuy Před 9 měsíci +2

    I really can't care enough to be upset about a 73 year old bodybuilding dispute. If anyone who was at that show is still alive today, that person is very old. Reg is definitely closer to more modern standards and looks better to our eye, but remember that bodybuilding is subjective. Those people had a very different view of it.

  • @josearimatea3600
    @josearimatea3600 Před měsícem

    José Arimatéa---Steve Reeves um dos maiores FISICULTURISTA de todos os tempos entre muitos outros que foram também de grande popularidades . Steve Reeves se destacou o melhor pelo seu físico perfeito . e um grande ator de sucesso nas telas dos cinemas em todo o mundo .

  • @jabull38
    @jabull38 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Muscle Memory is a proven fact,I haven't trained for over five years,three months in the gym,three days a week every other day Full body work out,I'm looking like Mr Reeves😊.

  • @_Sam62
    @_Sam62 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Steve's proportions are better than Reg's, aesthetically the better man.

  • @nikskou
    @nikskou Před 9 měsíci +2

    Excellent video, being "sharper, harder or more muscular" as Jon Jon Park says will not save you from an opponent who has overall better proportions. And Steve even at his worst looked like a Michaelangelo sculpture. Including his face, let's not forget that.

    • @fender1000100
      @fender1000100 Před 9 měsíci +2

      Correct he was more handsome and the perfect specimen to many men and WOMEN. That counts for alot. The same reason Mike Katz could never be Arnold Schwarzenegger 25 years later. He was big but he wasnt handsome enough. And balanced enough..

  • @itsgleneaton4883
    @itsgleneaton4883 Před 4 měsíci

    Steve is more smooth but his body is so perfectly formed that it may have given him the victory.

  • @robertdaly4074
    @robertdaly4074 Před 2 měsíci

    Have you ever heard of Mack Miya who toured doing his one arm lift with 300 Lbs. He also was an arm wrestling champ and long time gym owner where he built many of his equipment.

  • @user-up8jx3mt6j
    @user-up8jx3mt6j Před 9 měsíci

    A title is a collected look and 'personal' evaluation and judgement upon much more than mass. Much more.

  • @FerintoshFarmsPhotography
    @FerintoshFarmsPhotography Před 9 měsíci +1

    Can't wait for your 7 week transform. Muscle memory is pretty strong, they'll be popping out like mushrooms after a rain

  • @billschmidt4192
    @billschmidt4192 Před 9 měsíci +4

    STEVE WAS JUST MORE EVENLY BUILT THEN REG.
    STEVE HAD A BETTER BONE STRUCTURE THEN REG.
    STEVE HAD A SMALLER WAIST THEN REG. STEVE JUST LOOKED BETTER.
    REG HAD A BLOCKIER BODY.
    STEVE HAD THE BETTER CALVES.
    AND STEVE HAD THAT UNBELIEVABLE V TAPER- ESPECIALLY WHEN VIEWING HIS BACK.
    STEVE DESERVED THAT WIN!!!

  • @kennethbrettel8762
    @kennethbrettel8762 Před 5 měsíci +1

    Plus muscle memory 😮

  • @lazur1
    @lazur1 Před 4 měsíci

    Reeves' straight lines under & between pecs is a winner.

  • @anthonycesarano5948
    @anthonycesarano5948 Před 9 měsíci +3

    Reeves was more handsome- while his body was not as muscle bound - there was a flowing grace to it like an impala - which I think should be part of Mr Universe - the universe is a big place and not one dimensional - in those days I think there was an element of a male beauty contest. I like it better -

  • @RWAC685
    @RWAC685 Před 9 měsíci +9

    Because Steve Reeves Is The GREATEST Bodybuilder Of All Time.

    • @jackvannote
      @jackvannote Před 9 měsíci

      I think so too but let's not get overly carried away, Grsatest NATURAL Bodybuilder of all time. Tge ultimate GOAT of the sport is the One and Only Arnold. who went out on a controversial win like Steve in 1980. The judging has always favored a proven entity over the unknown. Best, Jurassic Jack A Mr Mass Media and Grand Elite Masters Champion

    • @RWAC685
      @RWAC685 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@jackvannote True. Commenting on his physique, Schwarzenegger said, “You know I still think that Steve Reeves was the greatest bodybuilder of all time because of the kind of the beauty he had and the body and all that stuff.

    • @jackvannote
      @jackvannote Před 9 měsíci

      @@RWAC685 Where may I find this quote? I should like to ti see it in context. Are you sure it ends 'and all that stuff" ??? I've known Arnold for almost 60 years. Descriptive ambiguity especally when discussing the body is not his style

    • @RWAC685
      @RWAC685 Před 9 měsíci

      @@jackvannote Google Who Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Say Was The Greatest Bodybuilder Of All Time. I’m Not 100% Sure It’s True, But it Is What It Is.

    • @fernandomaron87
      @fernandomaron87 Před 7 měsíci

      ​@@jackvannoteI'm pretty sure ive seen him speaking about this on a Instagram live that he discussed bodybuilding, he said that the core of bodybuilding is having your shirt off at the beach and having girls drooling over you and guys wanting to be like you, and Steve was the perfect example of that

  • @infinite_ammo
    @infinite_ammo Před 7 měsíci

    Bodybuilders that still look like actual human beings! love it

  • @frankjgornickjr3676
    @frankjgornickjr3676 Před 9 měsíci

    Steve Reeves was the best!

  • @jessfrankel5212
    @jessfrankel5212 Před měsícem

    Park was thicker overall, but Reeves had untouchable shape. I read somewhere that Reeves had the flu a couple of days before the contest, which may have caused him to retain fluids and not look as sharp. It was, as mentioned, a very close contest. That day, the judges liked Reeves' look better.

  • @martinloo9543
    @martinloo9543 Před 9 měsíci +4

    Steve Reeves was not as defined or cut as Reg Park but hand better overall muscle symmetry. Reeves had wider shoulders and better shoulder development, he had a better v taper upper body and better leg symmetry. Reeves had great calves, better leg biceps and well developed quadriceps.
    Reg Park was defined and looked more conditioned but was smaller than what he was famous for. The following year Reg Park won and was much bigger and kept his symmetry. From that point on Reg Park developed muscular size and strength to become a champion and even became a movie star and was casted as Hercules too!

  • @kentborges5114
    @kentborges5114 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Reg, as you stated looked the WINNER.

  • @georgewashington7539
    @georgewashington7539 Před 9 měsíci +11

    After seeing the pictures I think that Steeve Reeves had better legs and arms, his chest a tie with Reg Park. I think that the Reason Reg Park seems much better in certain pictures is because of his abs and his mid-chest line is naturally more defined than Reeves' even though they had the same volume. If Steeve Reeves had had a longer prep time and worked his abs more he would have been a clear winner. I actually think the Judges favored Steeve because they realized how the visual effect that Park's abs had but they noticed how Steeve Reeves's arms and legs were indeed better. If I were one of the judges and were aware of Steeve Reeves's issue due to his acting career and could see both close to one another in person without Reg Park's abs giving such a illusional contrast I would have voted for Steeve Reeves.

    • @adonvictus
      @adonvictus Před 9 měsíci +8

      He looks wider too

    • @georgewashington7539
      @georgewashington7539 Před 9 měsíci +5

      @@adonvictus yes. Steeve Reeves shoulders were wider

    • @aussiecath
      @aussiecath Před 9 měsíci +2

      Back in those days it was about aesthetics so that would help. Now everyone is expected to look like they are taking clenbuterol and the biggest wins.

    • @strengthandbulkMadness
      @strengthandbulkMadness Před 9 měsíci +1

      Steve looked.better posing especially in the lat spreads. Lower quads and upper chest were there too.

    • @Magnus_Loov
      @Magnus_Loov Před 9 měsíci

      Though it wasn't "Naturally defined" that was the reason. Steeve was clearly much smoother compared to his 1947 win where he was in much, much better shape.

  • @kenneth6102
    @kenneth6102 Před 8 měsíci +1

    The standards of the older eras definitely differed from nowadays. However, the greatest controversy surrounding this is not even about Park's physiques. It just feels a bit of an insult for dedicated sportsmen that Reeves won a bigger competition with a lesser form of his former glory than Mr America in 1947. If he had stayed in bodybuilding until the Mr Universe win in 1950 and moved onto acting, it would be the epic tale that everyone wanted.
    The fact that he regained so much in 7 weeks shows how important it is to start exercising young, for protection against immobility in old age. Imagine the difference if you start training for the first time after retirement against regaining the grounds lost to the decades of corporate hamster wheel and raising kids.

    • @Vitorruy1
      @Vitorruy1 Před 4 měsíci +1

      Starting later is not a big deal, I saw a strong and jacked 80 year old that started at 55, there's also a jacked and lean brazilian grandma who started lifting with white hair. Don't underestimate the hability of the body to grow.

    • @kenneth6102
      @kenneth6102 Před 4 měsíci

      @@Vitorruy1 The best time to start is TODAY, right?

  • @souravsaha7751
    @souravsaha7751 Před 9 měsíci

    Hai Bro make a video on reg park Olympia diet workout and life still

  • @SamC_182
    @SamC_182 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Yeah I think Reg was definitely also the winner even though I think Steve is the goat

  • @j-dub8399
    @j-dub8399 Před měsícem

    Bodybuilding controversies (e.g., Schwarzenegger 80’ win) don’t take significant things into consideration:
    Presentation
    Posing
    Charisma
    More
    Judging is subjective too and the above, just like body image preferences, is subject to personal preference.

  • @TOKYEO
    @TOKYEO Před 9 měsíci +3

    Silver era for the win!

  • @gigachil
    @gigachil Před 4 měsíci

    I believe the reason Reeves was most likely able to edge out Park was because of his overall looks topped with his aesthetic proportionally even look, and also, the judging criteria simply may have been different at this time with the judges not looking for such a lean look! Who knows lol

  • @paulnicolosi4792
    @paulnicolosi4792 Před 9 měsíci

    His face got him there-

  • @calvinjackson8110
    @calvinjackson8110 Před 8 měsíci

    I don't know but that picture of no.45 is most impressive and stunning, whoever he is.

  • @oliveroconnor2149
    @oliveroconnor2149 Před 8 měsíci

    I saw on golden era bookworms channel about the silver era cutting and bulking diets. Did the silver era guys do cardio and if so what kind of cardio did they do to get lean?

    • @fernandomaron87
      @fernandomaron87 Před 7 měsíci

      Steve never cutted or bulked according to himself