1999 British GP Revisited - Flex looked GODLIKE but Ronnie was a supervillain MONSTER!

[@abnerbondoc7087]

This show is arguably the best muscle event ever

[@DomMotivation]

1996 Mr. Olympia has the best line up ever, Dorian Yates, Shawn Ray, Nasser, Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler, Paul Dillett, Ronnie Coleman and Chris Cormier.

[@abnerbondoc7087]

@@DomMotivation that is indeed a star-studded line up. But if we factor in the lighting and conditioning of the athletes involved, I'd still go for this 1999 event

[@DomMotivation]

@@abnerbondoc7087 EGP 99 best lighting ever!

[@destroyer9153]

99 Mr O

[@salmane98]

96 where politics won ? com'on

[@aragusea]

I think the reason the lighting is so much better at these smaller shows is the stage is smaller, therefore the lights are closer. On a giant stage like at the Olympia, the lighting rig is necessarily much farther away from the guys, and as a result the lighting is more “broad” - more diffuse, less contrast between shadows and highlights. I’m not sure there’s anything the stage techs can do about that, unfortunately.

[@pepeknapp4956]

Well, you could install some rigs halfway over the stage and install lights there but that would be expensive and distracting with the jumbotrons. I do think I recall some old Mr. Olympia contests having really big light bulbs, covered by simple, big half-spheres for lampshade which were hanging from a long cable. They were suspended only 4-5 Meter above the stage and hanging quite a ways from the ceiling. Something like that might be viable, as long as you could eliminate back lighting from the jumbotrons with a curtain or something.

[@jeremy_leow]

Hi Adam, big fan of yours too!!

[@donkbox7317]

Yeh that’s true

[@sagatparkes]

It would probably be costly, and i dont know what the margins are on a BB show but they could temporary install additional lighting that is more specific to a BB show. much like the way the ufc and wwe travel with their ring setups, the owners of the olympia could purchase the setup and install at any venue they use.

[@adnan7698]

Okay but look how thin Ronnie's SKIN is! Got anything to say about that Adam?😂

[@anthcesana]

How did these 3 top tier competitors come together at a show NOT the Olympia? Would NEVER happen these days.

[@ehariharan9320]

Bonac, Ramy, Dexter in the 2020 AC

[@Tomn8er]

No social media = more contests for the big names

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

@@ehariharan9320 yes very good point

[@petar2761]

@@Tomn8er no disrespect to flex but wasnt he using oil during those years ?

[@Tomn8er]

@@petar2761 almost certainly something yes. But I don't care. It still looks good. Somehow he still has more arm separation in the FDB than Kevin, who is never accused of SEO yet probably did similar things as Flex, just not as obviously. None of these guys is natural or has anything remotely resembling real natural muscle; many used site injections to artificially inflate certain muscles through inflammation, if not oil per se. The "synthol" issue (in quotes because it usually wasn't even that - Flex was allegedly using esiclene not synthol) is so overblown in these online discussions, it's become incredibly obnoxious, veering on trolling even. In fact it's so annoying reading some of these comments I may even do a follow up vid on it lol

[@Jrocc811]

Ronnie really maxed out what is possible for the human body. Being that huge and that shredded was unbelievable.

[@dylanmaklev]

Ronnie's side chest in this show might be the best side chest of all time

[@Tomn8er]

@Popa so who is better? And if you say Dorian I'm afraid I can't take you serious anymore 😝

[@zc8211]

@@Tomn8er for me Arnold is always going to be king of the side chest, but Ronnie is definitely called the king for a reason

[@stephencurran2284]

@Popa hide his chest? yet his chest looks thicker than anyone elses ever in this pose? ( at least anyone conditioned enough to fight for goat status in this pose)

[@stephencurran2284]

@@Tomn8er the dorianite of all dorianites about to give us a lesson as to why dorians is the best side chest pose of all time

[@mohammadsufian7890]

@@Tomn8er Arnold

[@CamIsStillUnderTheWeather]

Never clicked faster. 1999 BGP is still the highest caliber of competition

[@Jorge_Kero]

5:55 Ronnie's back looks like a happy cat and Flex's back like an angry one.

[@stephencurran2284]

Some of the best lighting at any bodybuilding show ever, wish they could bring this lighting and background back to every show

[@nightrider5109]

Flex Wheeler is such an incredible specimen !!! Always admired Flex greatly! His symmetry mass his cuts round muscle bellies Just incredible !!!!!!

[@shred9475]

He looked like an alien in 1999

[@johnernesto2250]

u mean the synthol in Arms, Shoulders, Calves?

[@LUCCCAS_A]

@@johnernesto2250 if he was using synthol he was using it right

[@DammDamian]

synthol injected biceps, shoulders and claves. his biceps today look like those synthol brazilian dudes. fake muscle is never saluted

[@SureBone99]

Damn bro I can't imagine anything better to watch while I'm eating my chicken with rice

[@rychier6994]

Where's the broccoli 🥦?

[@SureBone99]

It was with peas and peppers bro

[@93Beefcake]

Some chipotle sauce

[@Faazthetruthseeker]

The lighting in that show was outstanding..this helped competitors present their physique at their best...

[@Hoopculture24]

Greatest lighting in the history of any bodybuilding show ever

[@Nirsterkur]

It's almost criminal that a physique like Flex is here had to be relegated to runner up, but that's just how transcendent the prime Ronnie Coleman was! Absolutely brilliant words by Tomn8er...

[@Nirsterkur]

@fitaddiction 369 Agreed. Prime Dorian dominated in certain body parts and poses but he also had major flaws in a few. Prime flex was so balanced and near perfect and had no major flaws/ only minor ones.

[@scerkann3966]

@fitaddiction 369 Dorian would expose wheelers shitty conditioning far more and his softness calf implants, synthol and watery physicue. Dorian destroyed flexs best version in 93 and it wasnt even close. Dorian would smoke 98-99 wheeler

[@AXIOM6]

Ronnie still unmatched to this day by far.

[@skycorrigan6511]

He was the blend of insane work ethic and God-like genetics

[@rajarshighosh4821]

True, his pregnant belly remains unmatched.

[@Bavarian_Lifting]

@@rajarshighosh4821 mid section of all others were ugly as well even wheelers. So this argument is irrelevant

[@rajarshighosh4821]

@@Bavarian_Lifting not as ugly and protruding as Ronnie's.

[@ireplytostupidpeople4750]

@@rajarshighosh4821 his belly pre 2000s were almost non existent. Here as well. If he walked into any olympia with this physique, everyone will be fighting for 2nd Also, Flex was using synthol in this video. Yet he couldn't outsize Ronnie

[@pramod14091993]

The back relaxed position shows how unfair it was for flex and Kevin to stand next to Ronnie...

[@geroton6776]

Flex Wheeler definitely deserved to win Mr. Olympia through his career..

[@names-mars]

He almost did, but then Coleman wanted to play.

[@Dpend84]

He should have won the 99 Olympia, was jobbed

[@supersonic249]

@@Dpend84 Ronnie was more shredded especially from the rear, back then was low quality VHS stuff.

[@orlando9923]

Flex had syntol oil in his arms and calfs

[@MrKlutchp]

flex should have 100%

[@aftekharkhan1094]

I was there at the show, first bodybuilding show I ever went to also. My uncle was a huge bodybuilding fan (still is and now owns a few gyms). I was 15 at the time and what a show it was. Kevin was awesome when he hit that most muscular we went nuts!!! The person who got the most love from the audience was Markus Ruhl. When he hit the stage everyone in the crowd was like "RRUUUUHHHHHLLLL". The only downer on the night was the Dorian Yates, he was charging people to take a photo with him, maybe it was the people with him I don't know but it seemed extra just to take a photo with him to charge. My uncle was livid as were others.

[@Иванов-в5ш]

Все профи перед и после турниров брали деньги за фото.Это нормальная практика.

[@jordandangelo180]

I’ve been waiting for someone to review this for years. Nice call Tom. The pictures from this show are unreal. This may be ( besides 1993 for Flex ) the best Kevin, Flex and Ronnie looked. Ronnie may have been bigger in 2003 but some of the shots including the side chest seem to have better pop to them. The black and white of Kevin, Flex and Ronnie could be the best bodybuilding photo of all time, at least top 5 for sure.

[@Tomn8er]

Milos Sarcev did as well on his channel! He didn't go as in depth but it's cool to hear the perspective of someone who was actually there and competed.

[@zondaboy6493]

Kevin looked better at the '97 Finland GP

[@biscariot1074]

"What's baby Dex doing in the picture?" lol If He saw this video he'd make 30 minute video ranting about it.

[@littlebreakertom]

Omg when I saw Flex in those first scenes I thought: 'holy shit, unbeatable physique'... and then came Ronnie. Sick event, ty for the video

[@tago1660]

I had almost forgotten about this show so thanks for another great analysis comparison Tom. Always find them very interesting.

[@CC-be3ko]

They look crazy in the front and side poses, but like always, when they turn around Flex and Kevin look like amateurs compared with Coleman. It's no even close to be competitive, Ronnie takes this show by a mile.

[@benliftin4awhile]

Yep

[@willthomas7666]

Yup.thats why when ppl say flex.kevin Shawn r Nasser etc shoudve won shows against ronnie.i laugh bc the moment he turns around it's not even remotely close.imo Ronnie was so dominant the only guys who even challenge him on front/side shots are flex and maybe Nasser and I'd still give it to ronnie.he was a freak

[@RenegadeRanga]

There are 3 angles cheech, 3 not 1.

[@cristiangutierrez1927]

@@RenegadeRanga Ronnie is close in the FDB, is winning easily the FLS, the SC it's not even a contest, he is the last in the ST and AT. So he is winning at least: 2 LS's, SC, BDB, 4/7. This contest was a cakewalk for Ronnie.

[@c.ostriker5572]

​@@RenegadeRanga Thank you. Finally someone who doesn't bow at the altar of Ronnie Coleman.

[@adityaraj6336]

Greatest lighting ever!!

[@caguama.charlie]

The lighting at this show should be the standard at a big show like the olympia

[@dylanmaklev]

Flex his arms in the FDB are bit too smooth idk if its synthol but they look a bit suspicious

[@AndrasMihalyi]

yeah, suspicious like a 3$ bill...

[@frankdragon7086]

He had synthol in arms and Delts, also calf implants

[@zondaboy6493]

@@frankdragon7086 There's no proof of calf implants. Go back to 1993 and they look the same. His ankle joints were just so tiny, his calves look bigger than they really were.

[@frankdragon7086]

@@zondaboy6493 actually there is, he said himself he had calf implants. Plus in his movie of 1993 his calf started to bleed in the gym, he said that he had calf implants, the movie is HARD BODY(u can go check, I got the movie and watched already 10 times, I know what I'm talking about 😉) , so before u talk u should really check. I talk Bcoz I know what I'm telling, but u probably don't, here we ain't talking about how is physique was, which was perfect imo., we were talking about synthol and implants

[@dakikawoodard3043]

He did have synthol in his arms

[@johnathandk42134]

I think one of the things people don't think about with heavy downlighting is that the shadows makes the competitors look good for the fans, but it'd actually be harder for the judges to judge them properly with it being darker. The bright light may wash them out but you can see who's truly in better condition.

[@eriche8870]

I been following Bodybuilding since late 80’s and saves up money to buy magazines by far im impress how you have a very keen eye and judging videos and pictures its rare you will do real well as a judge on a physique shows. Keep making videos man.

[@parkerrish9024]

I watched ronnie coleman back workouts yesterday;. I miss that so much in bodybuilding! Those were the days.

[@davetheplugpalumbo1621]

Ronnie is an absolute monster in that side chest.. this is ronnie at 98% he cant be touched

[@ironrob2160]

Not by nobody

[@ogdocvato]

Ronnie is the GOAT!

[@Douceteric3419]

Flex a best!!!!!

[@breaks3085]

flex outclassed the show Easily, too much symmetry & shape, ronnie maybe more detail with muscularity but his shape doesn't flow aesthetically, as for Kevin he has a good balance those are three heavyweights but flex all day

[@samraizshoaib585]

@@breaks3085 nope. Aesthetics aren't judged and Flex was soft from the back in the g&h. He was ten pounds smaller than Coleman and not as thick either. And bodypart for bodypart Flex can't touch Coleman. And aesthetics are subjective for me Ronnie's RLS is the most aesthetic pose (in this show) and his BDB is up there too. And if we had a proper view of the FDB Ronnie looked damn aesthetic there too.

[@purgatov]

Woe this is like the best Ive ever seen Ronnie. He is godlike. Sincerely doubt this shape will ever be toppled from the 10 greatest appearances of all time (which btw would be a fun video in itself). As always, love ur videos man! 🥳

[@graefx]

Flex's side tri or hands over head clasped ab n thigh should be made into trophies. Those are two poses that could win shows. But Ronnie has a demon back with the back double.

[@giallooldschoolrivals7424]

Appreciate the consistency with uploades

[@Lucas-hz4um]

imagine Phil Heath on that contest, he would have looked 4D!

[@ezeuzuka3344]

I can literally imagine it and that is insane 😨...the🎁

[@Kiido11]

Phil the lord of Space and Time

[@larrywerdeniuk8157]

The gut?

[@larrywerdeniuk8157]

@ihateidz cringe.?

[@oatmeal7818]

4D bubble gut... What a vision of Hell

[@woldemike82]

Thanks for doing what you do, you have a keen eye for bodybuilding and I agree with your judging 100%. You right about the stage and lighting its better than any show I've seen, and the black background just makes the eyes focus more on the art these guys are showcasing.

[@sagebias2251]

That lighting is perfect.

[@NavidDragon]

Tom has been going big mode these past few weeks.

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

Big?

[@Puss1man]

Dunkey castle

[@efraengomez946]

Flex water this is your friend your friend Gomez I'm very proud of you brother for everything you've done in the body world and you said you're going to do that when you're in 3rd grade

[@trexpj]

Man flex and Ronnie are so close! Flex looks like a statue but when Ronnie vacuums his striations are mind blowing!

[@amycaprari9951]

Best back: Levrone. Nice traps / lats tie- ins and real deltoid. Excellent intercostals / abs / obliques as well. He and Wheeler both.

[@michaelgad4324]

Just love your classic reviews man

[@Scott-jk5zk]

5:27 I the only one blown away by the striations on Ronnie's lats and lower back

[@davidkosiba624]

The weird thing is that Flex's upper back is more dry , you can see a lot of veins while Ronnie never had upper back veins(I mean visible veins)

[@anasfazil3091]

Hey, literally your channel is the best among all

[@TrainerCTZ]

I remember always reading about the "Grand Prix" events that the athletes cashed in on immediately after the Mr. O. Never got to see video though, only pics in FLEX Magazine. Great preso!

[@ernestokelly8758]

Thank you for making this videos. You're the true bodybuilding expert.

[@Imranskoo]

Best Show Of Bodybuilding Ever

[@mattspencer6154]

This goes to show you how hard these guys trained. Can just go around the world and look amazing. In shape all the time just because the training was so superior.

[@chrislogan6043]

seeing these guys in person would’ve been INSANE

[@swayIo]

Between 1984 and 2006, there were only 3 Mr Olympia winners.

[@aamirsid6684]

This channel deserves more subscribers 👍👍👍

[@panchopuskas1]

Nostalgia time......them were the days, they really were.....

[@chrismeredith3626]

That lighting was awesome!

[@ivomarchokov4812]

Another great video. I really enjoy your work. Keep it up!

[@850pimpn]

This was the serious show! The best lighting ever for a stage still till this day people don't know how to light a damn stage I competed for 8 years and them LIGHTS are major!

[@lazarmackic4719]

Flex at this show is the best body ever, whenever they ask me what would you love to look like, this is it. I have no idea how he didn't win at least once.

[@Dpend84]

Was definitely jobbed in 99

[@holgerscharfenberg2828]

This 3 Boys are Legend's for ever on this Planet,at this time no guy can beat this Amazing Form of beast shape

[@ChinkRoy]

the man is back

[@xanthromera]

1:04 Wouldn't have given the double bicep to Flex with the soft synthol biceps.

[@JasonSmith-zu3rn]

I wish I had commented earlier but Colemans back at 5.14 is like Yujiro Hanma from baki it is UNBELIEVABLE HOLY ....

[@joseph1145]

Shame he had to shut down this channel. His analysis of the shows was the best in my opinion. I wish dude the best. 🤙

[@vanemvenom]

My opinion is that flex had something going on with the calves, biceps and probably shoulders too!

[@DespicableBunny]

2019 Mr. Olympia looks like a Tampa Pro next to this line up, if we're being honest. Lol

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

😂

[@devandeva9128]

Only Ronnie Both flex and Kevin are overrated as shit

[@bigpapaadam1]

What an incredible lineup!

[@ehariharan9320]

Everyone would rather LOOK like Flex but Ronnie wins on a bodybuilding stage.

[@benji6866]

You mean everyone would like to have synthol in their arms, shoulders and calves? Because that's what flex has.

[@AzalDaniel]

@@benji6866 Ronnie also took a shit ton of GH and insulin. Nobody would want to do that on top of steroids and diuretics. Its obvious that the OP meant that we'd want to look like Flex as realistically as possible, not do what they did to get to that level.

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

True

[@M.J.D.R]

@@AzalDaniel at that point? No chance in hell. It was all about the work ethic and hardcore training that brought him this kind of density to his muscles. Samir himself many times backed it up saying that don’t use GH and insulin unless you’re Ronnie who already trained the shit out of the body. And even he did from 2002 on, real muscle would still be ore admirable than implants and site injections

[@ezeuzuka3344]

I would rather look like a young classic ronnie coleman than anyone else in history...

[@coenh8735]

I absolutely loved this show

[@WlerickBigotOfficial]

1:34 I'm sorry dude, but their is just no doubt at all when it comes to dryness and hardness. Flex and Kevin looks soft AF, while Ronnie like always, looks like his muscles are made out of freaking Metal. And it wasn't just a impression. Ronnie's strength and muscle density were inhuman.

[@Antraxx997]

Ronnie is incredible.... unreal mass and definition

[@Michaelburlyo]

No reason for the big shoes not to replicate this lighting! I honestly think it would increase interest in the sport! It’s so crazy looking and more fun to watch!

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

The Show was stacked!!! Best way to put it was, Superman vs Hulk. This the best Flex ever looked and also a great showing for Big Ron. Levrone was good too but he was a pretty distant 3rd in almost every pose. Even the rear lat looked good for Flex! He looked mind blowing his only downfall was the softness in the glutes and hamstrings.

[@Douceteric3419]

Yes, but now! 😏

[@danny.4506]

That thumbnail of flex wheeler is godly he has the perfect body that anyone would dream of

[@uvespatel3828]

I think you should get offer of Olympia commentary with your idol Shawn ray. Your way of describing physic is so cool.

[@thunderrushmovie8834]

LOVED THE STAIND BACKGROUND MUSIC IN THE ORIGINAL VIDEO

[@rickeymoxley1420]

Imagine if Kevin had over 100 synthol injection sites done by artist

[@Tyl1000]

Ronnie looks the most insane by far!! Those striations make him look like a anime character. Flex had wayy too much oil in his arms haha

[@petpuu]

This lighting looks like the one in Night Of The Champions 2002. Ruhl looked like the greatest bodybuilder of all time there 😃 I think these kinds of lights explains why 90's bodybuilders had better "condition".

[@robchicano1986]

5:44 Looks like flex has a snake in his left calve ! Flex was loaded on SEOs at this time u can really tell

[@Globalhorns]

I'll tell you what's unmatched, the lighting. The lighting on the stage was done right back in the day.

[@sbsb4995]

Outstanding video

[@fradd182]

With visible oil in biceps and rear delts, Flex should be placed way lower than he was.

[@patrickmurphy5842]

Milos down on the far left in teh rear lat spread looks amazing @ 10:31

[@arthurclover5990]

Daym this 3 Musketeer can SMOKE any Mr Olympia Line Up, Boy Oh Boy look at the Muscle popping them thang. Ronnie, Levrone and Wheeler My oh My

[@maisaanmohamed1267]

Yessssssssssssssssss Tom knows his shit he is so right the lighting should be like this in the 21st century

[@rob_nice1]

From the back it's lights out when Coleman is there.

[@AS.47]

Man, just look at that incredible lighting and the plain black background.

[@projecteli_]

Flex is a real uncrowned mr Olympia. He’s a complete bodybuilder for sure.

[@Lump1737]

Flex wheeler was such a good sport. Seemed like a great human being.

[@taylenday]

Prime example of people valuing freaky size over beauty. Too bad, Flex is definitely an uncrowned Mr.O and should have won more shows than he has. In my opinion this is one of them.

[@ChrisReyes-ml8gb]

Ronnie’s combination of size and conditioning was really unmatched

[@AndrasMihalyi]

Flex was not godlike but full of oil. I'm not a Ronnie fan by far but he brought quality muscle to the stage not suspect looking biceps, triceps like Flex.

[@Faazthetruthseeker]

Yeah Flex heavily depended on oil to show case his arms..its clear when he is not flexing,the skin around his biceps looks too shiny and smooth..

[@HardbrasH1]

@@Faazthetruthseeker still one of the best cases of oil use, if you do it, you do it like this, but of course you shouldn't

[@accradogshow2902]

What do you mean oil? Flex was pure muscle

[@Faazthetruthseeker]

@@accradogshow2902 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@AndrasMihalyi]

@@accradogshow2902 When I say oil, I mean, Flex was lucky the US didn't invade him.

[@asmradiseb6238]

Flex symmetry was just over perfect😂perfect proportions that body was perfect Ronnie maybe a bit more mass but not proportional

[@guruchichenorr1101]

Simplemente el Mejor Fisiculturista de Todos los Tiempos Flex!!!!!!!! 💪💪💪🔥🇦🇷

[@BatmanBoss]

Best show ever!

[@linusjohansson6424]

A video idea, rank your top 10 favorite shows of all time. Like the 1993 Olympia or the 1997 Finland Grand Prix etc

[@CompleteProducer84]

Hey Tom, great vid as always! Would you ever consider doing a "best winning percentages" video? I would be really interested to see what percentage of shows that people like Ronnie, Phil, Dorian and Arnold placed first in. Not just Olympias, but all of the big shows they were in

[@giganticitalianbodybuildin1584]

He did it in the GOATs video.

[@CompleteProducer84]

@@giganticitalianbodybuildin1584 That's right, thanks I forgot that was one of the included metrics

[@giganticitalianbodybuildin1584]

@@CompleteProducer84 Easy to miss in a 27 min long masterpiece.

[@ohmy9261]

Bro I have to know where you got the last few second clip from!

[@daveyadict_]

I wish we could have lighting like this now with the uhd footage

[@KrishnaKumar-ge2wh]

The best headliner to describe both

[@usmilitary280]

Man I wish the lighting improved on today's shows! It sucks seeing your favorite bodybuilders not being able to display their muscles optimally due to poor lighting! It's such an easy fix every gym has this magic lighting where we all take pictures, it's not that hard for a PRO SHOW to get that same warm color temperature downlighting as well.

[@BatmanBoss]

Thanks

[@CouplesLite]

Ronnie stepping on to the Platform looks like the Final Boss Scene from any Anime war movie

[@FatherSonHolySpiritAmen.]

5:50 I always appreciated how Levrones’ traps go all the way up through his neck, it looks clean and money..

[@ohmy9261]

Nigga everybody's traps go to neck bruh

[@EVO6-]

@@ohmy9261 Why're you talking like that, we can all see you're not black