One of the earliest?bodybuilding icons, Steeve Reeves, who was also a Hollywood star remains memorable to both industries, years after his passing. His 1959 movie ‘Hercules’ ushered in a huge number of epic movies and people still make cinema related to those themes. Unfortunately, the fitness world lost him at 74 due to complications with his lymphoma disease. However, his legacy still lives on and inspires bodybuilding champions, and Hollywood superheroes alike.

The New York Times has a throwback article written by Rick Lyman on May 5, 2000, that beautifully chronicles the life and some words from the 1950 Mr. Universe. Among them is the tale where he narrated how he might not have become a bodybuilder, because of a certain reason.

Why Steve Reeves would have not become a bodybuilder

Reeves ruled the bodybuilding arena far before Arnold Schwarzenegger started in the 1970s. The champion used his aesthetic and muscular body from bodybuilding to get into heroic roles in Hollywood. He juggled both his passions of acting and fitness and created a new genre of movies as well. The actor and bodybuilder, who was an all-natural athlete and against the use of steroids, once revealed a story about him.

According to NYTimes, he had once said, ”I always admired guys with well-developed bodies.” Reeves explained, ”Why? Because that’s my idea of a man. As a kid, I liked to go up and ask a big-muscled man if I could touch his biceps.’‘ Ever since he was a child, he was fascinated by muscular individuals. Despite the interest that the 1947 Mr. America had from a very young age, he could not pursue it for a long time. The reason was his mother, and he had said, ”My mother wouldn’t let me.”? He continued, ”She was afraid I’d get hurt.” Despite that, he still got into bodybuilding and created a new world for the next generations.

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The bodybuilding and movie world would not be what it is today if Steve Reeves did not pursue both of these passions. Reeves always respected bodybuilding, even after going to the movies, and told people to try to gain muscle naturally.

Reeves? thoughts about the sport that he pioneered in

The?Golden Instagram page had shared a throwback video of Steve Reeves giving an interview.?Speaking very highly of his time during the bodybuilding, the actor said, ?That?s the thing you see, during my time. I believe that bodybuilding is a health-oriented sport.? However, the deceased athlete had said, ?Whereas now it?s unhealthy chemical-induced gains and all that.?

After hearing this, the reporter asked him if he would ever take steroids if it was available to him during his time as a bodybuilder. The legend immediately answered, ?No. Never, never, never. Because it?s not health-oriented. I mean I plan to live to be 100. I don?t know if I?ll make it but I?m gonna try and that there would get me dead at 65 probably.??

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Admirers and young fitness enthusiasts will always remember his legendary performance in Hercules and mind-boggling muscles on the bodybuilding stage. It is sad that he only lived in 74, but the legacy he left behind is ageless. What would he feel about the bodybuilding industry if he were alive today? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.?