Ronnie Coleman, the legendary eight-time Mr. Olympia, had a simple philosophy when it came to his workouts: stick to the free weights. In his own words, “It’s not the same” when you rely too heavily on machines.

Picture Coleman in the gym, pumping iron with a purpose. He rarely wasted time on machines, preferring instead to tackle the classics like bench presses, both flat and inclined, and decline presses. His reasoning was straightforward: free weights allowed for a more dynamic and engaging workout experience.

Ronnie Coleman works hard and heavy

A snippet of his interview was posted by Fitgenious on Instagram, where Coleman talked about his competitive days. During his competitive years, Coleman’s routine was a symphony of bench presses, freestyle inclines, and declines. Machines were not the cornerstone of his training; instead, he relied on the fundamental connection between his body and the weights. “When I worked out, I worked out hard and I worked out heavy,” he reminisces.

He believed in the old-school approach, where the weight you lifted was directly controlled by you, not by a machine. In his words, “So now they got all these different machines. No, it’s not the same, trust me. You guys balance everything out yourself.” Coleman wasn’t one to shy away from hard work. He knew that to achieve his goals, he had to challenge himself every time he stepped foot in the gym. And for him, that meant sticking to what he knew worked best: free weights.

What fueled Coleman’s disdain for machines? It was the belief that the freedom of movement provided by free weights allowed for a more natural and holistic workout. Coleman’s preparation for the Olympia involved not just a rigorous training routine but also a substantial diet. He consumed six meals a day, each packing around 6000 calories.

Coleman has always advocated eating bigger to get bigger

The King, understood the key to an incredible physique was devouring a substantial amount of food. In a snippet from his interview, shared by Muscle Mind Media on Instagram, Coleman stressed the need to eat big for massive muscles, advocating a daily protein intake of 600 grams. This dedication demands a well-planned nutrition strategy, highlighting the importance of protein for muscle repair and growth.

READ MORE: “Dude Was a Monster”: Bodybuilder Attempting Ronnie Coleman’s Insane 6000 Calorie Diet Leaves Fans With a Newfound Respect for the GOAT

He shunned the confines of structured machines, urging fitness enthusiasts to “balance everything out yourself.” 

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