1975 Olympia: The Pumping Iron Scandal

1975 was the year Pumping Iron was filmed. And in typical IFBB fashion there was some controversy involved.
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[@abnerbondoc7087]

Serge Nubret's aesthetics is amazing! Those abs separation are very deep as well.

[@Haunteddookie]

Deformed?

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

i wish I had those 'deformed' abs.

[@abnerbondoc7087]

mac daddy Same here. Serge's waist is still a benchmark for great symmetry

[@131313manbearpig]

Rasdeep Gill LMAO

[@brianbevilacqua3114]

i dunno if youve heard of a man named Jason Blaha, but he has as much muscle mass as Serge Nubret, actually probably more, and is one of the most alpha male aesthically pleasing man ever created...

[@cromartie1984]

the scandal : someone stole the t-shirt of mike katz ?

[@thegoodmememan8693]

arnold hid it from him as a joke

[@KentuckyJet]

Katz tried out for the NY Jets

[@michaelwoods1171]

Rich Broccoli the 5% Natty Vegan Veggie Farmer it was Ken waller who hid it from him not Arnold. watch the video again.

[@tlig]

The bit where Waller talks about hiding his shirt was actually recorded after his shirt went missing. It was done to give the docu a more dramatic feel, Waller had nothing to do with the shirt going missing.

[@Sssummerfalll]

tlig So, the question remains..... Who stole Katz' shirt?

[@joshs4171]

Pumping Iron was NOT a true documentary. Rather a "docu-drama". They discuss this in the 25th anniversary DVD edition.

[@DcphZ]

serge actually looked insane! a shame he didnt get much attention /:

[@rayberto1826]

I think he just did a bad job at marketing himself. He should have just taken what they offered and got more involved in the movie, used it as a flatform for bigger things like Arnie did. Arnold was a ham and he friended alot of famous people. I think arnold was already rich at that point from reals tate, so he wasn't a dummy. I've seen a vid of Tom platz talking about having a chance to be part owner of Starbucks and golds chain but turned it down... he also said instead of investing his money from his first win he bought a corvette. So these guys weren't as savvy business wise as Arnie.

[@terryf3282]

I'd rather have Serge's physique than anyone who has won a Mr Olympia in the last twenty years.

[@yousefsobhani9502]

Ray Berto My sentiments exactly

[@albussd]

@@rayberto1826 As much as I absolutely love Serge's physique, i am willing to admit that yes he had no pleasing personality as compared to Arnold. Thunking about it, perhaps Serge shojld have accepted the role in PI and that may havr helped him be in the limelight and hence go on to gain more. But then, one could also say that he didnt need all that as he, from what i read, was very well known in the European film scene.

[@kingsweattv2465]

@SYNERGISTIC123 I bet you are built like dog shit yourself lmao

[@CarlosFlores-vc7gv]

Make a video about how Dom is so much bigger than Bradley Martyn

[@sergioromeropt]

I see too much hate about Arnold...Serge Nubret had an amazing body, but Arnold in 1975 was the best with no doubts

[@hayesman76]

sergio romero fernandez Agreed.

[@robertsuhrer5604]

So true. Serge's calves were almost nonexistent...

[@thepeddle]

Serege's V taper with that small waist looked phenomenal.

[@SunsetAlgorithm]

Weider did 9/11

[@spencerjohnson925]

Sunset Algorithm jet fuel might not get it done but tren sure can

[@chefmastershake]

Old Iron King Jet fuel clen't melt steel beams.

[@spencerjohnson925]

cohenhaywood10 woah now we were screwing around. Not trying to put my tin hat on today

[@huhehiho9892]

Nah, your just a antisemitic dipshit who wallows in hate conspiracy theories. TROOFFERS JUST LIKE ISLAMISTS ARE RACIST SHIT BIGOTS!!!

[@WillScarlet1991]

y56y756t aterta5er Idiotic Islamophobic shithead.

[@billmcdonald4045]

Serge has one of the greatest builds ever

[@elementaldragon3]

HOLY serge is fucking aesthetic!

[@kalel248]

Spade CDG Arnold still won but it's bs to make it look like Lou was the oaks only competition. as Serge definitely was a very close second. great post Nick!!

[@OLDTIME47]

serge had no back, smaller legs and just smaller. lou just looked that bad and has/had a weird tall mans body. long torso, no bicep peak. no lower back, half way decent defined upper back, no cuts in his legs, high lats.

[@superlyger]

kalel248 in hindsight it worked out. Because in the late seventies Lou and Arnold were the ' Hollywood bodybuilders.'

[@elementaldragon3]

kalel248 yeah it's so disrespectful! IMO serge has one of the best bodies in the golden era he definitely deserves more credit and respect.

[@Primathys]

Not gonna lie, Serge Nubret and Frank Zane (Maybe Bob Paris too) had the most aesthetic physiques of all time. Those tiny waists, really small ankle and bone structures and perfectly shaped abs make them look like fucking Zeus.

[@jeffseddal1514]

You should do a video on how Big Lenny would do without his gut. Maybe get into the details of how he'd look and his muscle bellies and proportions.

[@AmasBansalArt]

Nick - this could be a another rumour spread by Joe Weider. The real story (in Lou's book from 1996) said that Joe saw Serge leading up to the show, he felt he would have beaten Arnold, so he made up a lie so to deny him a spot to compete. Serge got depressed and fell below 200lbs, only to be let back in at the last moment, with Joe feeling he had lost enough size in order for Arnold to win handily as Joe needed him to remain the poster boy for the IFBB.

[@adama5543]

Amas Bansal Art Serge said this as well, there must be something to it. The photo at the end of this video was taken 2 days before he went to South Africa - insane size and conditioning.

[@DerekBailey.]

Great video Nick! You consistently make great videos! Continue to put out great content.

[@frikandelkroket9335]

I'm from the VHS period and have watched pumping Iron several times from beginning to the end. Serge nubret was definitely on the spot.

[@Ponerology]

Man, Nick's research for his videos is first rate. He is better than most documentary shows on any subject. His videos are worth watching whether you like bodybuilding or not.

[@prismatic9804]

Serge's legs just don't look that full...

[@gert-janboot3928]

hahaha your arnold had no legs at all and calve implants..........................

[@Milonko30]

yes Serge's legs and thighs were his weak points

[@arjundev8090]

@@gert-janboot3928 that was your dad

[@liviuradu8204]

I discovered your channel when you had like 1k subscribers. I am watching fitness channels on youtube for years so I can say that I know how to spot a good one and, when I saw yours, I was pretty sure that, if you continue posting the way you do and you preserve your content, you will eventually blow up. Seeing you now at 84k subscribers, brings me joy because I always felt that you really deserve it. Talent and hard work being rewarded is something that we should see as often as possible. I am happy for you! Keep up the good work!

[@Polandsyndromebodybuilding]

Serge stopped training when he was told he can't compete, he lost alot of size leading u to the show. I think he was 15lb-20lb heavier, a major threat, probably why he wasn't allowed to compete at the time. can you imagine him 20lb heavier with that condition? would destroy a 1975 Arnold imo.

[@spencerjohnson925]

Poland syndrome bodybuilding if I were him I wouldn't be able to handle it. I would scream from the rooftops about all the crap that they did. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to give up on your prep because you're told no you can't compete and then hey! Guess what now that your prep is ruined we changed our minds.

[@abdulmuq]

murrayculix no way man, Serge's back was way better than Arnold's imo

[@kl16863]

What’s wrong with ur left pec

[@Biggmofo]

Kevin Liu Check his name on google then you’ll find out.

[@glynhannaford7992]

You may be right.

[@keungkau9215]

Dennis Tinerino said he was one of the best competitors at the 1980 Olympia and deserved to win He said a rocking chair had better legs than Arnold that year.Bill Pearl said that if he was a judge he would have picked Boyer Coe as the winner on the night . It would be interesting to see if CBS ever release the footage they filmed for the 1980 Mr Olympia however they felt the competition was unbroadcastable as the competition looked ' fixed'. Tinerino went onto win the 1981 IFFB Mr Universe the next year and retired after the 1982 Olympia in London.

[@Jason-me1bs]

Keung Kau Boyer Coe? He ha an awful looking physique. Perhaps that’s why Bill Pearl wasn’t a judge then. Arnold has huge flaws in 80 however, he still looked better than the rest.

[@derekwilliams1066]

I've been following bodybuilding for years and never knew this. Great video! Thanks for posting it!

[@metalzen3480]

Nick, great video as usual! Love the content, and the quality you bring. It was my understanding that Pumping Iron was a Docudrama as oppsoed to an actual "documentary". I can't recall specifically where I saw this, pretty sure there was a behind the scenes and sort of retelling of the events that went into Pumping Iron when they did an anniversary special for the film. Anyway, the rivallry between Arnold and Lou was pretty much completely fabricated. They wanted to portray Lou as the "villain", but it wasn't panning out as well as intneded once filming had been underway a while. So they shifted the focus to show the difficulty of having Lou's father as his trainer and the stark contrast in training atmosmphere between where Lou trained and Gold's. Arnold has said in interviews (again sorry I don't' have links to anything) that alot of what he said in Pumping Iron was total made up b.s. too "dramatize" different situations. For example when he said he didn't go to his father's funeral because it would ruin his focus for the next Olympia, not true. And of course the famous line about the "pump" giving him the feeling of cumming all day, lol. He said in very plain words as I recall that was something he just made up as part of his dialogue to enhance the personna he was trying to protray. Most of the "rivalries" were very exagerated if not outright fake. These guys were all close friends. Well, maybe up untill 1980 lol. The film maker felt it was neccessary to spice thigns up. At one point they were out of ideas so just followed Franco around his home town. Franco desperately trying to think of something to do to liven things up. So he picked up the car. He tells this story in a much funnier way than I can recall it. Anyway, feel free to corect me if I'm mistaken, but Pumping Iron is at best a showcase of great classic era physiques, presented in a slightly ficticious way to make the film more interesting to a broader audience. No one thought at the time anyone would want to sit through a 2 hour film just watching people workout, pose and talk about bobybuilding without any drama. Grats on 80k+ and good luck on your future plans for the channel. Really looking forward to watching you succeed!

[@labamba48]

"When Arnold competed against me in the 1975 Mr. Olympia, I was 200 lbs. and Arnold was 220 lbs. But 12 days prior to the contest, I was 212 lbs. When I arrived in South Africa for the 1975 Olympia, this was my condition. I was told I could not compete. The reason given for not allowing me to compete was that I was accused of doing a so-called porn film and therefore did not represent bodybuilding in a respectable manner. I have done 25 films in my acting career--none of which are porn films. I was so disappointed, I stopped training and eating for 12 days and lost 12 pounds. When my drop in weight and spirit was noticeable to everyone, I was allowed in the last minute to compete on the day of the contest. That's why I was not in my best condition the day of the contest."

[@KLRGT500KR]

LOL @ Arnold 220 lbs. BS caught right there. This was his highest placement in all of the times he compete against Arnold. Arnold was 215 lbs for the Stay Hungry movie and he looked slim as hell because he was tall. He was no less than 230 lbs at the Olympia. Ferrigno said, he saw Arnold weighing in at 235 lbs (Lou himself was 268 lbs IN 1975).

[@Milonko30]

I saw Serge in 1979 and he was huge and dry and in this form he would have beaten all the best of the time

[@WhyAreTheyOverHere]

The 12 pounds in 12 days sounds like BS to me. Most bodybuilders are so over trained near a contest a break would allow for SUPER compensation to take place. Was he suddenly struck with some ultra fast killer disease? Even 12 more pounds wouldn't cure Sergio's high lats or poor leg and calve development relative to his upper body... even by 70's standards.

[@DC-dy4ji]

great video nick, vids like this are reason i subscribed

[@dwalter278]

awesome vid bro !! love it. Greetings from Germany

[@rezo147]

was waiting for this video!

[@3fingervic1]

I hate to say it, but I think Joe Weider did as much to hurt bodybuilding as he did to help it. He has had too much of a vested interest in certain competitors. His biases always seemed to rear their ugly heads.

[@hayesman76]

3fingervic1 No idea why he went to Europe to recruit Arnold when back in the US there was Dave Draper, Lou Ferrigno, Frank Zane, Mike Mentzer and others.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

I think he helped it, but he helped himself first. He was part of bringing it into the mainstream, and his magazine was quite good. He also was an excellent promoter. His equipment and supplements were absolute crap. I always wonder why he didn’t buy golds gym and get into that business as well. The idea that he ever “ trained” anyone is also fantasy. I always thought the idea of the IFBB was quite flawed here the guys that won always seemed to be employees of the president of the federations’ brother. The 1980 and 1981 Olympia results nailed it home to me that they were pretty shady.

[@porcupinecraig]

@@hayesman76eider did not go to Europe. He invited Arnold to come to America. Draper, Lou, Zane, Mentzer were all great physiques, but Weider wanted a personality that could be promoted. He saw that in Arnold.

[@UnlimitedHatred]

Probably because Serge had smaller legs than the other competitors.

[@RelaxingGhost]

Can you talk about some of Arnold Schwarzenegger greatest movie physiques? cuz he became more popular in the 80s and 90s with a bunch of movies

[@visualizeme-tz3ng]

good idea

[@keungkau9215]

The Terminator 1984 , The Running Man 1987 , Red Heat 1988 and Total Recall 1990

[@hmackprotection1]

Relaxing Ghost, 👈REALLY GOOD IDEA..the best he ever looked on film is a tie between him in "Commando", & "The Terminator"..

[@amjidali588]

Great vid.... Thanks!!

[@inspirationalaries]

Another great video! Thanks

[@ABOUD1]

Your channel is great bro. Keep up the good work.

[@jerrys13]

Another well done video Nick!

[@preachinoldschool5726]

Change of Subject...for future reference: Joe Weider used Dan Lurie. Weider used to write to Dan Lurie seeking approval & gaining training knowledge. Unfortunately Dan invited Joe W. down from Canada to New York, to help with his Bodybuilding Supply business. Both men were Jewish, but Dan had married a Catholic woman, Thelma & Dan had a son (Mark), Dan asked Joe Weider to become Mark's Godfather. Sometime later Weider backstabbed Dan Lurie & ruthlessly left... taking with him trade ideas & registering them as his own. Some may say Joe Weider was a smart businessman, but i say he was more like a bullet in the revolver of Robert Ford. I know these things because thankfully, Dan had eventually become friends.

[@jjk3502]

Look my comment above. Movie was not a reason for banning Nubret. Nubret was over 50 ty when I met him in late 80 ties in the World Gym Lake Forest Ca. He train there few months. Sometimes we trained together. Told me all story.

[@Charles-bn4cd]

Awesome video! Very interesting!

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

Wow, Serge with a beard looks like Lenny Kravitz :D

[@ashwinagger8786]

great video mate

[@MontaukFilms7]

What so many people don't truly understand, is that filmmaking is about telling a story. The director of "Pumping Iron", rightly so in my opinion, chose to pit Lou against the Oak because he felt that angle was more compelling, interesting and made for a better STORY. Serge Nubret, as good of a physique as he had, again-- and I've said this before, had NO personality whatsoever. He's just a very uninteresting guy, especially compared to Arnold and Lou. Many of these guys just do not come across well on camera or in interviews. I'm in the film industry and have worked on and directed several films, with bodybuilders and fitness people in them and have seen all this first hand. Furthermore, the film that Serge was in, that is referred to in this video, is not a porn. I've seen it. Yes-- I'm sure a lot of this controversy is true about him and not being offered fair compensation, etc-- however the bottom line here is that he's a boring guy. "Pumping Iron" is the classic it is because of Arnold, Louie and Franco, and their antics and STORY leading up to the Olympia. Story, people-- STORY. Story sells-- if you're just a body with no personality or charisma, you're not interesting, nor are you MARKETABLE. look at the industry and who's popular-- who has the biggest social medial followings? Piana, Kai, Phil, Cedric... you'll never see a guy like Rhoden or Big Ramy win the O because they're not articulate or interesting in any way. GREAT physiques, but who cares about those guys??? Is Rich Piana even HALF the athlete some of these lesser known guys are? No way, BUT he markets himself, is controversial and love him or hate him, you click on his videos and listen to what he has to say. What has Serge Nubret ever said??? Rhoden??? Ramy??? This sport is SO much more than muscle...

[@glynhannaford7992]

Well said. Pumping Iron was a showcase for Arnold and bodybuilding generally. It was never meant to be and never held itself out to be, a factual documentary about the 1975 Olympia. Arnold has charisma and great on-screen presence. That movie was great for his career but it also elevated bodybuilding from the shadows to a truly international sport.

[@joeneufeldt4738]

I agree

[@ashrafmohammad7840]

Take an L against Rhoden

[@jd0879]

Sandy Collora Clearly you lost all credible by saying Shawn Rhoden will never win an Olympia. Get out of here

[@albussd]

Great expalantion. It has always irked me how Serge never won Mr. O even with that fantastic physique which imho is far better than Arnold, aesthetically. But I also understand that he had no personality as compared to Arnold and tbat may have been a contributing factor, among others, for him not winning. All in all, all three final contestants were great. Though in my mind, for physique Serge is Mr. O and for charisma and personality, it's Arnold.

[@Andrey-il8rh]

Serge Nubret was always my favorite bodybuilder of all times, I think that he had much better definition and a figure proportions overall then Arnold so I was always puzzled on why he never got proper attention in the BB history. Thanks for the vid, made a picture clearer.

[@hulk7272]

I totally agree with your analogy. You are absolutely on point. Thanks for posting.

[@vikrantchaudhary821]

Hey Nick, Thanks for sharing such information. I love the content you brought in. I let us know something about Kai Greene and Phil Heath rivalry. Thanks you, Vik

[@Commander76]

Great video Nick 👍

[@bobspencildrawings6928]

I got to hand it to you Nick, for a young guy, you sure know how to research the golden era. Your videos come off very professional. I have a feeling,in the near future you might become the Ariel Helwani of bodybuilding

[@WhyAreTheyOverHere]

It was also claimed that Serge demanded the rights to the European distribution of the movie which George Butler refused.

[@crowbarbob1900]

What everybody seems to miss is that the contest was held in Apartheid South Africa at the Capital city of Pretoria. At that stage we were not even allowed to walk on the streets. I'm surprised they even allowed him to compete at all.

[@tarik13ful]

great vidéo again... keep going

[@robertdiminuco689]

Serge had one of the best developed chests in bodybuilding.

[@P14YCR]

Thanks Nick great channel

[@terryseddon6350]

great video

[@williamdrijver4141]

Lou's side bicep pose at 4.45 minutes.....still amazing in 2019! Especially for someone 6 ft 5 or 195 cm tall

[@fabiorodrigo3638]

I heard another theory for Serge been forbid to compete.... He appeared with such a good physique the he would beat arnold and ruining pumping iron (since arnold should win), so they made up some reason to get him out of the Olympia, them he stop dieting and training and they came back and said he could compete again, but now he already had a worse physique than before. Anyone heard about this ?

[@IronWarrior86]

Yes i remember hearing Serge tell this story in one Muscular Developments radio show a couple of years ago.

[@septashaker8918]

was watching pumping iron recently again and it is just amazing how mature arnold muscles looked given his relatively young age at his olympias, absolutely insane! also thanks for the explanation, the first time i watched pumping iron i was like "who is that black guy that came in second wtf?" :D

[@ayushchavan701]

serge nubret was very aesthetic and his abs were shredded

[@JoseRamos-kd9ig]

I remember Serge from the magazines,​ I was in 5th grade, I would pick up one or two issues from a coffee shop down the block from school, cool memories 👍🙌😁

[@Hal-xl4si]

I honestly don't really care about bodybuilding, i just watch all your videos because I love your voice

[@garrison6863]

Serge lost 12 lbs after he was refused entry into the show. He thinks that this was done because he would have beaten Arnold at that weight. And he really does look good here.

[@jagergerg9771]

I always wondered why he was never really in the movie, he just comes out towards the end and I was like damn who is he he looks great. Great video keep it up

[@weasaljones862]

Just wondering I know this has nothing to do with the video but how tall are you?

[@crocgator653]

Please do videos on Frank Zane?!! Hes my favorite

[@hayesman76]

Croc Gator The thing about Frank Zane, to my eyes he looks like a naturally skinny/slim guy just as, in my opinion, without bodybuilding Arnold would be a naturally slim person. They both obviously have good genes for bodybuilding. Personally, I come from a family with obesity on both sides and never, even if I lived in the gym 24/7, could look anywhere like those guys, so when I look at them, although I admire their terrific physiques back in the day, comparing myself to them is ridiculous. Therefore, I’m more interested in the builds of “stockier” guys such as Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, Tom Platz, the late Rich Piana (RIP) et al because, if I gave bodybuilding my all (not gonna happen) my physique could’ve conceivably been 1/5 as good as theirs.

[@SF-wx1bu]

Pumping Iron was partly scripted, right? And scenes with Lou and his father were completely staged (amongst others). An amazing film but can we call it a documentary?

[@joeyvalenzuela1602]

Love the videos nick. Huge fan! What I would like to see is a video of how you feel about the IFBB. Throughout your videos you give a here say explanation about the subject involving the IFBB. today the IFBB is widely known. And I know you really don't have a mean comment or a discouragement towards IFBB, you simply state facts. Anyways that's my suggestion is just a video of how you feel about the IFBB today. Thanks for the videos!

[@prowrestlerfighter]

ive heard serge saying that they wouldnt allow him to compete because they were afraid he could beat arnold. There was an audio interview on youtube where he said that.

[@mybigarmada]

According to film makers they ran out of money making the film. The featured bodybuilders flew themselves to NYC for art expose in which they posed on a rotating pedestal. They helped the film makers to raise the rest of money to complete the film. I understand that Serge was already established in France at this time but this was a low budget documentary, there was no way he was going to get any kind of real money.

[@marlinabogo2830]

Bless, thanks for this. you saw my request?

[@Ulysses6806]

I think a point to keep in mind for context is that the film struggled to get funded and the makers had to use their own money and fund raise to finally get the film to the screen. There really wasn't much money to recompense anyone to any degree....not sure that really constitutes a 'dark side' of the business. The movie ended up helping the key players careers, maybe Serge would have been wiser to think of the back end benefits than the front end. That was where Arnold always excelled, playing the long game.

[@azkikrx1]

Hi everyone. An element that hasn't been considered is that the 1975 Olympia was held in South Africa at the height of apartheid. Trying to follow, film and group Serge Nubret with the white people would have been very problematic.

[@rayberto1826]

Most of the movie was filmed in California and new York for Lou ferignos part.

[@adama5543]

Serge said himself that this had nothing to do with politics of South Africa, but the politics of Weider. Go to the bodybuilding.com forums, he posted a lot before he died.

[@troybingham6426]

As the video stated, Albert Beckles came 3rd in the

[@Siddyxgiddy]

please make video on Tom plats,, please!!!!!!

[@NicksStrengthandPower]

It's coming soon

[@abc456f]

siddo Only if you spell his name right...Platz.

[@dbolgangster]

Nick's Strength and Power Can you make a video of the most decorated bodybuilder ever?

[@KeeperOfProphecies]

And the Tom Platz of abs: Lenny. But, really, Platz had some INSANE legs.

[@jofrigi]

That vegan bodybuilder That would be awesome!

[@kylesegal642]

Hey nick, could you do a video on fat burning supplements? I don't understand them too well and hear differing opinions all the time. But at this point you're the source I trust the most. I'm sure other people are curious too since the videos on bcaa's and creatine

[@garrison6863]

Thanks for reporting this. Its a real bummer that needs to be exposed. Clearly, the IFBB wanted Arnold to win because of the film.

[@Tracks777]

When is your next video? :D Keep it up!

[@joshuatreebje]

Is any of the footage of Serge around on the net?.

[@Le1fur]

According to Serge himself in an interview, he arrived in South Africa just over two weeks before the Olympia and weighed well over 210 pounds. His condition - this was verified by those who saw him was amazing. Ben Weider informed him that he wouldn't be allowed to compete due to his nude appearance in an "Art Film". Upon hearing this Serge became very depressed and lost his appetite, eating very little and then the day before the contest Weider reversed his decision and allowed him to compete. It actually refers to him in Pumping Iron as a late entry. Due to his low calorie intake his weight had dropped to 201 pounds, as it's stated to be in Pumping Iron. Following the Olympia Serge flew home and it was on that plane journey he discussed with Bruno Piccoli forming a new federation, before then Serge had been an IFBB official. The new federation formed was WABBA. It's long been supposed that seeing the loss of muscle on Serge was what compelled Weider to change his mind to allow him to compete, as he would be less of a threat to Arnold.

[@bobbyiaccino266]

Hey Nick, great stuff. Please do a Lou Ferrigno video soon.

[@purple_ice285]

Sergio looked ripped assfuck!

[@Tabish29]

Serge looks good in pics but he's mostly doing three quarter poses and like Dickinson said, when he flexes, not a whole lot happens. His legs look a bit overpowered by his upper body. Having said all that, he does look awesome.

[@kevinkidd7211]

Great Take!!💪💪💪

[@prettynoose8497]

Correction at 5:02.... Serge was *THE BEST* bodybuilder on stage!!

[@dtemplar21977]

I wonder if you can do a video about why there is no more Ms. Olympia.

[@CapnKrunk123]

Dan Collins because they look like shit.

[@andyrandall9289]

There's politics in every sport. Pity that Weider and Nubret couldn't come too some kind of resolution. He was barred from competition after Pumping Iron. But it would of been awesome too see him and Franco compete after Arnold retired.

[@julian73de]

that was very interesting.greetz from Germany

[@vegaspowerlifting]

Great stuff.... started powerlifting in 1987, and Arnold was a huge hero of mine as long as I can remember....

[@jluke7440]

I think it shows how fair the judging actually was could’ve easily just said Arnold 1 Lou 2 but Serge did place 2nd over Lou,and why would these guys pay him more they were a couple of people doing a documentary on a very obscure sport/hobby thing anyway no one was thinking of making big money on this,Serge did look good but just like in any other sport with judging ie combat sports to dethrone a champ you have to be perfect and not just possibly slightly better

[@cornellscott108]

Amazing video.

[@Olympian085]

I like Mike Katz from that movie. Good guy

[@hayesman76]

Olympian085 When I watched PU I was sad that he got into bodybuilding because he’d been the brunt of anti Semitic bullying as a kid.

[@flexmedia8576]

Trained every set to failure and it showed...what a great physique!

[@PowerfulFupa]

Nick can you look at guys from the UFC like Yoel Romero or Hector Lombard or Tyron Woodley I know they aren't as big as wrestlers and bodybuilders but do they have potential

[@PowerfulFupa]

maybe even Tim Kennedy in his top form

[@rayberto1826]

they're big but those guys are way too light to compete in Olympia or universe.

[@PowerfulFupa]

Ray Berto I understand i just wanna hear his assement on their best features and if they're genetic freaks because they seem like it to me also are they natural with usada now in place

[@joe225c]

Nick, good point except the 70's does not have a monopoly on politics nor controversy in bodybuilding.Lee Haney won the Olympia 8 times and there are many people who believe he should have lost at least once( you made a video about that).Then there is Dorian Yates who notoriously showed up with a torn biceps, had a bigger gut each year and was still awarded the win each time.In the meantime Shawn Ray consistently looked as perfect as a human male can look and still lost.Then there is is Ronny Coleman and Phil Health.Between those two i can can't decide which one showed up consistently with the worst stomach of any champion ever, yet they kept winning.So there you have it.

[@adama5543]

Serge said he felt Weider didn’t let him compete because he looked too good and might ruin the movies ending if he won the Olympia. Then he didn’t train for 12 days while waiting in South Africa, lost muscle, and Weider allowed him at the last minute to compete. The last photo of Serge in your video was taken 2 days before he left Paris for South Africa, and you can see his physique is better than Arnold’s.

[@errolkim1334]

Arnold was bigger, and he posed out of his skin in 1975. He really did pull out a lot of stops and while I can say Nubret would have been a good winner, Arnold did just enough, in my opinion.

[@90loneeagle]

Mad controversy in that movie, dude do you have any information about why they didn't show much footage of Danny Padilla in that movie? He was supposed to have a role in it but they cut it all out! Follow up on that nick! Thanks

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

The powers to be wanted the United States to have two competitors in the heavyweight class and Danny got axed ( screwed). He briefly tried to compete for Portugal but too many people complained and he was disqualified again.

[@Sunslighter]

How could he've been part of the storyline if he didnt allow his footage to be used? Seems like the logical consequence to leave him out of the equation, since talking about a guy which is never really shown would only evoke questions right? Regardless they should have probably paid him fair in the first place...

[@Cokey96]

What would Arnold chances be if he would compete in 2017 with his physique from 1974?

[@TinFamsThoughts]

Saber tooth he wouldn't even place

[@Cokey96]

thinh pham I am not talking specificly about mr olimpia. maybe he could be an ifbb pro. I dont know to what competition he's body would suite the best

[@richardcademartori2515]

Saber tooth ii

[@WhyAreTheyOverHere]

If the night before the show, Arnold swallowed a fully inflated 55 cm stability ball he'd probably stand a serious chance with today's 'champs'. I think he would also cause major confusion among the ranks of the judges. Doctor explaining the mysterious anatomy to the judges: "Yes... that area below the knee that ends at the foot... you know, the area you have been turning a blind eye to for 30 years... they're called calves..."

[@JohnnyCage333]

That would be awesome to see. You know to be honest I gotta say that some of Arnolds past Olympia wins could have some controversy with them but, with no doubt, he developed an incredible historical physique, with one of the best, if not the best developed chests ever to grace an Olympia stage, that inspired millions to begin working out and taking care of themselves. That's why he is one of the greatest ever to do it. And of course his personality and charisma helped alot as well. Human nature to be drawn to that.

[@SAXONWARLORD1000AD]

I used to see Serge back in the early 90's in GOLDS in Redondo Beach CA - He looked amazing - still huge and ripped and did tons of crunches for abs - if i remember right ,he told me 1000 - i dont remember how often though

[@RickCarter-kb6vp]

From the late 1960s-1970s race also was playing a central role in Mr. Olympia politics. First Mr. Olympia Larry Scott was challenged by Harold Poole, then it was Sergio Oliva and Arnold... Butler and crew and Weider were not interested in doing that story in 1975 ... they did West Coast - East Coast, Veteran vs. New Gun... Serge Nubert did not fit into that narrative... and he was an inconvenience at the time.... so his role in the drama was limited... he was one of the great aesthetic bodybuilders of his time black or white ... way ahead of the curve....

[@TheSpritz0]

IF Serge were allowed to compete at 12lb heavier, Serge would have won this show as he was MEGA-JACKED (Weider forced him to diet before he allowed him to compete as he KNEW Serge would have embarrassed Arnold)

[@pikkon899]

His ab separation would have worked against him. His legs, particularly his calves also didn't look as good as Arnold's and Lou's. He was ripped but still, Arnold was more complete and his abs were better. Serge's arms were also small for his chest.

[@jamesh1369]

I agree with you that Arnold was more complete, but are you actually saying that his abs were better than Serge's? Lol

[@chingambaksh3181]

Please make a video on Lou Ferrigno

[@TheLukenod]

Nick's "of all time" Strength and Power

[@sebastianbeckett-holck9099]

Its a disgrace that Serge Nubret and Robby Robinson never won the Olympia. Robby did win the masters a couple of times and the over 200 lbs in 77 and 78, but never the overall. Serge could easily have won a couple of Olympias after Arnolds retirement but dropped the IFBB for other federations after how they treated him in 1975, and who can blame him. Would love to see the lost footage of Serge in pumping iron.

[@craigfleming1040]

good video Nick. Weider always had tge expansion of his empire on his mind. Bodybuilding was seen as a freak show, therefore had to avoid unnecessary controversy. Arnold was the perfect promoter salesman. lou the lovable underdog, with a partial deafness. made for a perfect rivalry

[@hayesman76]

Serge’s physique in ‘75 was amazing, very well-proportioned. I like Lou’s physique as well, his look was, in my view, more “masculine” than Arnold’s and reminiscent of the 1940s-1960s “look”. For some reason I always thought of Lou as bulky compared to Arnold’, but in retrospect he looked very aesthetic, any minimal bulkiness he had was nothing compared to the truly massive, bulky bodybuilders of today. IMO the judges called it right that year, to their credit.