Victorian Era of Bodybuilding: 1850’s – 1890’s
Also known as the Victorian Strongman Era. These bodybuilding pioneers didn’t care much about muscular shape and aesthetics. They cared about raw strength and physical power.
They built strength through brute force training and an unyielding desire to hoist heavy objects.
This era was named after Queen Victoria since this was a time during her reign. This was also a time of enlightenment and progress. Physical culture started to become popular with the advancement of science and discoveries in health and fitness.
People had more leisure time as the world became more industrialized and the division of labor became the norm. Some people chose to spend their time working out and improving their health and wellness.
Victorian Era Training exercises
Training devices were limited compared to today. But Victorian Strongmen made the most of dumbbells, barbells and kettles full of sand and rocks (the precursor to kettlebell).
Popular Victorian Era strongmen and bodybuilders include Ludwig Durlacher (Louis Attila) and Louis Uni (Apollon the Mighty)
Bronze Era of Bodybuilding: 1900 – 1940
The Bronze Era of bodybuilding saw some of the first professional bodybuilders. The Bronze Era started with the first bodybuilding competition in the early 1900’s. (To this day the Bronze Era of bodybuilding is commemorated with a bronze statue of Eugen Sandow awarded to the Mr. Olympia winners.)
Bronze Era Bodybuilding Training Exercises
Bent press, deadlifts, overhead press, and dumbbell exercises for muscle isolation
Notable Bronze Era bodybuilders are Eugen Sandow, Bobby Pandour, and George Hackenschmidt.
Silver Era of Bodybuilding: 1940’s – 1960’s
Broad shoulders and gladiator pecs emerge in the silver era of bodybuilding. Silver Era bodybuilders focused on muscular proportions and full body development. New training methods and specialized equipment made shaping muscles possible.
The Silver Era bodybuilders wanted to look larger than life. Many of the most popular these bodybuilders were movie stars and displayed on the silver screen.
Noteworthy Silver Era Bodybuilders and Reg Park, Steve Reeves, and Vince GiRonda
Golden Era of Bodybuilding: 1970’s – 1980
The Golden Era of Bodybuilding brought the emergence of the classic physique.
Famous Golden Era bodybuilders are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Serge Nubret and Franco Columbu.
Mass Monster Era: 1990’s
Giant, massive, gargantuan lumbering oxen silverback gorilla humanoids showed up out of nowhere in the 1990’s.
Popular mass monsters are Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman.
Modern Era: 2000’s-Present
Still Massive alien physiques but more variety for those who want to focus on classic physique, aesthetics, and athletic builds. The internet made it easy to branch out. People are no longer force fed ideas and images by magazines and cable networks. People are free to gravitate toward any niche with the advent of the internet.
Aesthetics Era of Bodybuilding 2010’s – Present
A subculture of bodybuilding and fitness community focusing on aesthetics. Looking authentic and muscular without over doing it.
The most notable figure of the Aesthetics Era is Zyzz.
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