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Bodybuilding veteran Frank Zane‘s words of wisdom are definitely enviable for most proficient and emerging bodybuilders. The holder of multiple titles, Zane always placed his focus on his characteristics and marveled at that. In his prime, there was barely anyone who would match the massive back of this muscle monster. Perceiving what he should look like on stage, the former IFBB pro knew what he was doing. However, recently, in an interview with Escape Fitness, the former 3x Mr. Olympia spilled his workout routine that he would follow before appearing on stage. 

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Even at 80, Zane still thinks everyone should pursue that approach. Let’s check out what the veteran had to share in the interview.

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Frank Zane rationalizing bodybuilding

While discussing many aspects of the sport during the interview, the 200-lb icon talked about the perfect physique. “I would say the perfect physique is one that has really great proportions where everything matches, and no one thing stands out, it all blends together.” In fact, he pointed out how a proportionate body is very rare to witness. Then Zane moved on to his take on maintaining the ‘fairly timeless’ physique.

To talk about his desirable physique in his prime, Zane came up with a beautiful insight. “I always thought about it as what is possible for me, based on my frame…I had narrow hips and relatively wide shoulders, so I wanted to maximize that.” Apparently, his mantra was really simple but impactful. According to the IFBB pro, he worked on his strengths, and that eventually helped him stand out from others.

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The former Mr. Olympia then went on sharing, “I built my calves up quite a bit and great abdominals. I did a lot of ab work, I worked up to 1000 reps a day, and my abs got real deep. Then my back, I did a lot of back work to bring out a lot of definition in the back. That’s what I focused on, and then I took a lot of photos, and I looked at the photos and looked at what wasn’t progressing and what was…I knew exactly what I looked like.”

Read More – “You Are Not Meant to Do That”: 80-Year-Old Bodybuilding Legend Who Barely Gets Sick Shares the Secret to Aging Gracefully

Knowing his body might have helped Frank Zane to achieve the coveted trophies and become one of the most sought-after bodybuilders. But what were his views on the timeless physique? Can the body really remain timeless?

Frank Zane’s perspective on life after bodybuilding 

In a recent confrontation with former Mr. Universe Mike O’Hearn, Zane capped off the fact that no matter how accomplished a bodybuilder can be, with time, the body fades. He then recalled his last competition in 1983, when he was 41 and soon took retirement.

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As per Zane, life is hard after retiring from the sport because the body, if not maintained, starts to collapse. But then he brought the optimism, that even if his body had aged a lot and he no longer looks like before, all Zane had is the legacy and love in people’s hearts to live the rest of his life.

Watch This Story –A quick look at the genesis of the bodybuilder who received the title ‘Uncrowned Mr. Olympia’

As per the bodybuilding virtuoso, before marveling at the sport, one needs to master his own body to stand out alone. What are your views on his words of wisdom? Tell us.

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Soumili Chatterjee

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Soumili Chatterjee is a pro-writer for EssentiallySports. With a Master's degree in English, Soumili's passion for sports writing has taken her on an extraordinary journey in the American sports arena. Inspired by the famous quote by ice-hockey legend Gretzky, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take," Soumili has taken these words to heart and has made it her mission to meet her idol someday. Her relentless pursuit of her dreams has been reflected in her writing, as she delves into the world of NHL brawls, MMA principles, and bodybuilding routines with the same determination and grace as The Great One himself. Soumili's writing goes beyond just the surface level of sports, as she delves into the minds of legends like Bruce Lee, Alexander Ovechkin, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, exploring the psychology of their successes and failures. She intends to be an authority in sports psychology, marrying her passion for the sporting world, with her love for her favorite sporting icons.

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Simar Singh Wadhwa

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