A lot of bodybuilders from the golden era of bodybuilding didn't have a lot of supplements to choose from so they made their own with good results. One such bodybuilder was Arnold Schwarzenegger. As part of his regime during the bulking up phase of his preparation he would consume a homemade protein shake as a snack before he went to sleep. Below is the drink as he wrote it in his book, Arnold the Education of a Bodybuilder:
Protein Drink:
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays:
CHEST : Barbell Bench Press, shoulder width grip, arms vertical with the bar. Elbows are never allowed to lock out. Warms up with 15 to 25 repetitions. From then on 5 sets, 8 to 10 reps. Incline Bench Press, 225 Ibs., 5 sets, 10 reps Dumbbell Flyes, 5 sets, 10 reps Cable Crossovers (standing) 5 sets, 12 reps
Rachel McLish was the first Ms. Olympia and was at the peak of her popularity in the 80's. She's best know for her muscularity but also for maintaining her feminity. She mainted this look by being steroid free. She continues to train today and looks great. For women looking to obtain a great classic physique look they should give her workout a try.
In Joe Weider's "Shape" magazine, July 1984, Rachel shared her off-season workout schedule.
Day 1:
CHEST & ARMS
The following is the workout Bill Phillip's says he favors in his book
Monday: Chest and Calves
Bench Press:
3 x 20 @ 135 lbs.
2 x 10 @ 225 lbs.
1 x 8 @ 275 lbs.
1 x 6 @ 295 lbs.
1 x 5 @ 315 lbs.
1 x 4 @ 335 lbs.
1 x 3 @ 355 lbs.
2 x 8 @ 295 lbs.
Incline Flys:
4 x 6-8 @ 70 lb. DB's
Flat Flys:
4 x 6-8 75 lb. DB's
Standing Calve Raise:
4 x 10 @ 400 lbs.
Finding information regarding Mr. T's workout routines online is quite a task. So for fans interested in how the star of Rocky III built his menacing frame I've included his training routine he used when he was a bodyguard. Read more below:
This was taken from an early excerpt from Mr. T on his bodyguard workout done each day. At one point this workout was doubled on the reps, Heavy bag and running increased to 2 miles.
Daily
Reg Park’s Beginner’s routine below was also used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in his late teens to get big. Reg Park trained using this routine 3 times a week and it comprised mainly of heavy compound movements done with his “5×5″ program. Reg Park advocated that sets 1 and 2 are to be warmups for sets 3,4 and 5.
Jack Delinger was Mr. America 1949 and was also Mr. Universe 1956 defeating Bill Pearl. He trained hard and followed the the 3 day a week training schedule of the champions of the golden era of bodybuilding. He 5',6'' tall and 205 lbs and proves that it's possible for a natural bodybuilder to achieve a herculean physique naturally. Below is a workout he used to put on muscle mass.
Marvin Eder used many strength training routines over the years. He particularly enjoyed Olympic lifting, and for bodybuilding purposes, mainly trained on the split system of 2 days on with the 3rd day off for rest. Upper body one day, legs and mid section the next day. Four times a week where he would work out Monday and Tuesday, rest Wednesday, workout Thursday and Friday and rest the weekends because the training was exceptionally heavy.
Marvin Eder's routine:
Day 1:
* 5 sets x 10 reps dumbbell laterals, 120 lbs
Mon-Thurs-Sat
Lats and Arms:
- Wide grip chins 5x6-8 reps
- Long pulley lat exercise 5x10 reps
- Straight arm Pullover 5x10reps
- Lat Pulley Pull-ins 5x10 reps
- Incline Dumbbell Curls 5x10 reps
- Preacher curl 4x10 reps
- Gironda Bicep bench curl 4x10 reps
- Concentration Curl 4x10 reps
- One arm Seated triceps press 6x10 reps
Roger Callard detailed his workout routine in his interview for the article "Insider on the Outside" and below is what he said:
"I train three times a week and do my entire body at each workout. I train Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Each session lasts about one hour. On nonworkout days I do aerobics.
Legs: Leg extensions, squats, leg curls, 15 to 25 reps on each. One big tri-set. No rest between exercises.