Dorian Yates: "I Could Have Came Into Contest Bigger Than I Did" | GI Vault

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Dorian Yates talks about why he became a mass monster and the common misconceptions about his size.
Dorian Yates is often dubbed "The Original Mass Monster." This is because he took size to a then unheard of level. This was immediately followed by Ronnie Coleman who pushed the boundaries even further. It changed bodybuilding forever. While it's true Dorian was massive, he often sees a misconception about what the term "mass monster" really means. In our latest GI Exclusive Vault interview, Dorian Yates explains how he could have competed at an even bigger size but chose not to.
GI VAULT - is an extension of our GI Exclusive interviews. The difference? These interviews come straight out of the Generation Iron vault from the cutting room floor of our feature film documentaries. With over hours of interview footage that doesn’t make it into our final films, we’re now releasing them out into the world.
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[@ericschooff268]

Is it me, or do they continually ask him the same questions?

[@bobjohn1234]

No nonsense from dorian.his contest condition is still unmatched to this day.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Frank Zane was the best physique ever

[@bobjohn1234]

@@ronaldtartaglia4459 I said contest condition not best physique.i didnt say best physique because it is subjective,we all have our own opinions.but what is not up for debate is nobody has ever come in contest with that grainy,granite look that dorian did and that includes frank zane,which makes it all the more remarkable when Dorian was 60lbs of pure muscle heavier! For me size means nothing if not accompanied with perfect contest condition, I applaud dorian for that.

[@samjump9892]

What about '98 Ronnie Coleman?

[@dj_m19]

@@ronaldtartaglia4459 Frank zane was like 170 pounds soaking wet. There are gym bros in every gym that are bigger than him lol

[@dj_m19]

@@samjump9892 '98 Ronnie was great conditioning wise, but still trailing Dorian. Here's the thing with Ronnie, he naturally stored less fat in his glutes and hamstrings so you can't really look at his glutes and say "oh yeah he's peeled" when he really isn't. Ronnie held most of his fat and water in his quads and his back so whenever you see his quads crazy separated and his back hard and grainy, you know he is conditioned out of his mind. Just to give you an example, go look up Ronnie's 2003 Mr. O version. Shredded glutes and hamstrings but then look at his back, it looks all glowy and smooth, there's a thick layer between the skin and the muscle itself.

[@XPGamer95]

Conditioning was his Game.. because he knew there's no one on that stage bigger than him so little bit of sacrifice in Mass is not a big deal.

[@markwood9987]

Paul dillet was much bigger but his back let the guy down.

[@juliohernandez3323]

Correct. He knew he had the size to topple anybody but the conditioning had to be top notch. That is why he was virtually untouchable.

[@scottish__beard8856]

Precisely!

[@dj_m19]

@@markwood9987 adjusted to height he wasn't bigger at all. He was around 270 pounds at 6'3 (he said it himself that he is 6'3) whereas Dorian was in upper 250s at only 5'10 of height and also way more conditioned than Dillet.

[@markwood9987]

@TheLusianPopa 282 lbs in 94 .

[@diamondsandgold1993]

In his black and white photo shoot he was ready to step on stage. That would have been his biggest stage appearance.

[@johnmaguire3608]

Love these interviews with (or about) Lee Haney, Dorian, and Ronnie.

[@latman1]

I wish they would bring on Dorian to do the assessment of the Mr. Olympia!

[@dj_m19]

@TheLusianPopa I agree, Dorian is super big on conditioning and most people would think of him as being arrogant if he were to give an honest assessment

[@decabeatzHealthWellness]

I AGREE HE WOULD BE BETTER THEN RAY

[@Messimo-Il-Predestinato]

But if he could be as conditioned as he was they can do it in this era .. And if they know the judges look for the best conditioning the new bb’s would come in more conditioned now a days they just go for mass but it isn’t looking good

[@stevansmith9582]

That would be ideal

[@neonemptiness8152]

That would shake things up

[@HardcoreNaturalFitness]

Dorian Yates intensity thats how we train 💪🏽

[@dj_m19]

@Anthony Martino meh, Platz pretty much trained intensely when it came to leg training, other than that not so much and that's why his upper body was severely behind his leg development.

[@Satarnoch]

You should go NOT natural and train like him, you'll probably see some gains.

[@bbrockRailFan]

@@dj_m19 I saw a video of Platz and all he did was yell and scream with horrible form and had someone constantly grabbing his weights to help him. His leg training might have worked for him but for most people you would end up with some horrible joint issues.

[@Deciden0w.]

Damn didn't know this about Dorian. Unfortunately that's the truth though to get really shredded you have to sacrifice some muscle mass. And its funny he said that his physique 6 weeks out is the condition guys today have lol

[@Han-nk3io]

Yeah look at his 6-7 weeks out 1993 you will see

[@Deciden0w.]

@@Han-nk3io Yea I looked at them again. His condition blows alot of major pros today. This should have been the standard

[@mara009100]

His 6 weeks out is Wayyyy Better than todays Mr. O SHAPE 🤣🙈

[@apuuvah]

Fact. He was harder.

[@WakaVerseOfficial]

Love this guy 🙌🏼

[@snapledore9770]

Dorian is truthful and great. I used to work out hard to almost pass out and to think thats fun no. Like any sport your mind is in a different place.

[@mitchelljack1590]

Dorian is always going to say his era was the best

[@dlindo8892]

Because it was.

[@JBStefan]

It was.

[@FernandoTorresCanada]

Because is true

[@Polandsyndromebodybuilding]

Tru

[@sneakeasy5664]

@@dlindo8892 🧢

[@valeyyrm]

L&R Dorian your frIend from ICELAND you said the MONSTER STANDARD IN BODYBUILDING AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU

[@johnklinger6887]

Some of you guys that say Dorian shouldn't have won 94 and 97. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but he did win lol there's nothing you can do about it either. There's no use in debating about it. Some of you just hate Dorian based off of his personality which is sad. There's nobody that can say though he didn't give it his all because that man trained harder then anybody that walked on that stage. Including Ronnie. I'm not saying Ronnie didn't train hard but at the same time Ronnie doesn't even come close with the conditioning that Dorian brought to the table. Ronnie may have came in bigger and he may have more wins but but Dorian competed in the toughest era so honestly his 6 wins in my opinion matches Ronnies 8. Not only that if it wasn't for Dorian there would be no Ronnie. Plain and simple. We can debate all we want. But Dorian ushered in the mass monster not Ronnie. It was unheard of a guy coming in at 260 pounds plus and before Dorian in the condition that he was in. Nobody can take that away from him and nobody can take his wins away from him. Nasser was great but his mindset didn't match Dorians. Nasser hated going to the gym he's stated it many times. You're going to have trouble winning anything if you don't have passion for it plain and simple. I'm sure I'll get smart remarks for this that's fine I understand keyboard warriors. I'm saying what everyone else simply won't Nasser lost Dorian won. Next topic.

[@LouisHoodie]

Always interesting

[@apuuvah]

Absolutely. His PED use was much more moderate than the top level guys today. Plus, he was harder on stage, grainy. Todays guys tend to be smooth, with a belly.

[@cmax4488]

Dorian Yates is a beast.

[@TLopez3199]

A true gentleman.

[@lazur1]

Dorian's muscle fibers flow like water under Saran-Wrap. Size helps, but that condition's a winner@any size.

[@michaelhanford8139]

I dont like beer but want to have a beer with this bloke.

[@shonmoody1706]

If he was 15lbs heavier he would be in the condition of today's guys except Ramy. Ramy was finally really on this year. I'm happy he finally won. He's one of the nicest genuist BB's out there so he deserved it. I think he will see his true peak at the next one.

[@eduzin2192]

Dorian 15lbs heavier still more condioned than ramy

[@shonmoody1706]

Last year Ramy I agree. 2021 it would be very close. I still think Dorian's best in in 93 would beat any Ramy. Before he tore his arm muscles. 92 Dorian is debatable since he was smaller.

[@marlin-cy1od]

he a big boy

[@joeyvanhelvoort3662]

Yu are a real champ

[@songokulul]

It's all there mate

[@adambergeron5]

I wonder when him and Jason Genova are working out

[@fitandover4046]

A mass monster perhaps but Dorian brought peeled condition.

[@suba7320]

I respect his hard work and what he achieved, but he changed bodybuilding for the worse. The pre mass monster days were the height of aesthetics and the expression of a human male physique. Pre Yates, bodybuilders looked like Greek gods, not mutant lobsters ready to burst out of their skin. Healthwise Yates came out of it fairly unscathed it seems, but the mass trend has also led to bodybuilders dying like flies due what they're putting in their bodies, whereas the guys from the 60s and 70s seem much healthier in their old age by comparison.

[@marvellis6762]

The 90s was simply the best times for all sport and music. Bone idol and laze set in come 2000 and continues to worsen!

[@d6m6nk6ng6]

Did he say lee Labrada has better calves than lee haney?....

[@martinburghardt9563]

I think Dorian is like the Fruit He is smelling from all the hard Work!

[@halyn1986]

Ronnie cam in 2003 30lbs havier than in 2002 so I think that's more than 17lbs of Dorian's.

[@steviestrange]

I feel like the 2020 Olympia has made the opinions on physique and conditioning a little less valid

[@liamswanson340]

It’s a new era, I think us fans like to see the conditioning come back. I do for sure!

[@billj4525]

He was huge, but he was no Ronnie Coleman in terms of size, lets put it that way.

[@TheTruth-jv1ri]

Mad respect for Dorian but I would say Ronnie Coleman in the 2004 Mr O is the most dramatic/freakiest change of any bodybuilder ever. He was 296 lbs and ripped

[@rayner1704]

Unpopular opinion but I don’t actually think Ronnie was ascetic yes he was a beast and huge

[@illterps]

That’s not unpopular - many would agree (most in the know, at least). Ronnie is/was popular because he was an absolute monster but Yate’s aesthetics were better

[@rayner1704]

Matthew - aesthetic * sorry keyboard worried was a typo

[@kaynemordini4229]

Ok, ok, settle down champ

[@sannitafl890]

BOOOM

[@decabeatzHealthWellness]

MY FAV BB =)

[@capt.shaffer8655]

Did Dorian just compare himself to Roger Bannister?

[@superfitatpowerhouse4006]

I thought nah sir I'll sabotage was awesome. In my opinion should have won over Dorian.

[@laubachm11]

Nah

[@jaziahgrant3963]

Nah.. Once the posing began for certain champions, you could see the difference and why they kepted winning.. For yrs.. Dorian was a pretty good champion.. But a two could have went to someone else... Especially one competition that he had no business winning

[@adamgriffiths7796]

Arnold 1980, Franco 1981, Haney 1989, Yes Dorian wasn't there 1997 but yet still overall was better 🤔

[@dj_m19]

I mean, that's pretty much every Mr. Olympia that has won multiple Olympias. ROnnie, Dorian, Lee, Arnold, Phil, Jay...they all had controversial victories that many argue they shouldn't have won.

[@biblebill6206]

No disrespect intended yea more drugs is the truth .

[@Beastking1107]

well, just in case you havent noticed, Olympias going down - and its gonna be a banger we KNOW whats what - but these guys are all outstanding competitors Brandon, Phill, Rammy, Hadi, Bonac, Dexter .... ,,newcomers‚‚ like Hunter, Ian, Antoine Vaillant... Come on man... Im just waitin on one interviem not to hear - even slightest ... ,,oh the standard once... and now...‚‚ Makes you sound like an old man, who still seems to be ,proving something‚ And I DO HAVE - a much higher opinion of you (and have listened to you many times on shows on life in general)

[@hameednazari9810]

Dorian mate get over yourself. There were bigger guys than you remember Nasser. Its alway about you.

[@thomasfortin2824]

Nasser was taller but he had a bad back and just huge legs, better arms than Dorian but Arms isn't all

[@hameednazari9810]

@@thomasfortin2824 thata your point of view.

[@hameednazari9810]

@Nikos Alpha yes he was but go check 1996. I ain't saying all of them. Ask ronnie and many others who should've won its that racism that never stops. Torn biceps i would say yates was watery and bloated.

[@hameednazari9810]

@Nikos Alpha that racism that you think im muslim because of my name. Understand? Didn't you hear where is the water nonsense you talking about? Did i say Nasser beat him every year? But that year fuck yea. Im a godless atheist just so you know.

[@stugamerzone8076]

He had the worse arms in history. Only thing he had was a good back on stage.. wouldnt even come close to a ronnie or phil heath

[@DrGreenthumb820803]

Crack is not your friend!!!

[@jonhenry2921]

Dorian is a weirdo

[@matthewtuakolo8049]

Says the weirdo🤣🤣

[@jonhenry2921]

. Apparently u don't know dorian.

[@matthewtuakolo8049]

@@jonhenry2921 like u know him well 🤡

[@jonhenry2921]

@@matthewtuakolo8049 💩yea

[@doncornetto]

Never forget you robbed Nasser in 94 !

[@marthamryglod291]

97 too?

[@VHale-yz7hc]

That is not attractive lol

[@vortanoise.2625]

Now there is one winner? What a bullshit... Dorian won everytime he competed, and at the Olympia there were in top 5 pretty much every year the same bodybuilders: Kevin, Flex, Shawn, Nasser. If Flex wasn't competing, there was also Paul Dillett in top 5. And was Kevin often 2nd or Flex; Nasser or Shawn 3rd or 4th, and then all the others. Sometimes Flex and Kevin didn't place in top 3.

[@SouthernSilverExchange]

What?? English

[@gazzgarage5412]

Ronnie was better

[@Venger25]

No doubt later but not when Dorian was on Top

[@gazzgarage5412]

@@Venger25 Ronnie has always been a better package than Dorian , Dorian should have only won 4 Mr Os at best

[@matthewtuakolo8049]

Never u just wish he was🤣

[@matthewtuakolo8049]

@@gazzgarage5412 lol ronnie should of won or 4 the rest is bullshit with that ugly gut shit

[@gazzgarage5412]

@@matthewtuakolo8049 Dorian was gifted at least 2 , the last one with only 1 bicep was a joke

[@dontworryaboutit4117]

Honestly I hate when black people whine about whites but you definitely didn't deserve atleast 2 of the Olympias.. nassar was wayyyyyyy better none will disagree he should have beat you but to be fair when Ronnie colemans abs split apart he should have never won again either.

[@dontworryaboutit4117]

Alot of the over 3 times winners had atleast 2 times they had no business winning even Arnold...

[@felixdonar1015]

You "could". But you cant. Why? Because words are easier than action. This guy is a joke.

[@DrGreenthumb820803]

What have you ever done? Were you an undefeated champ? Do people know your name? Are you considered one of the best of all time? No your a nark. GTFOH.

[@nikosrosos5180]

He lost at least once maybe 2 times a European champion did good for the sport, and Lee Haney beat him easy

[@gmail729]

lee haney first olymia in 1983 not 1984 he took 3 place

[@Njderig]

The density the graininess the dryness of Yates is unmatched by anyone

[@robbiekekic749]

Chris bumstead

[@robbiekekic749]

@Always Cumming not in size but in dryness

[@Njderig]

@@robbiekekic749 no lol

[@matthewtuakolo8049]

@@robbiekekic749 stfu lmaoo

[@user-si2sn5gw7b]

Haidi choopan is close to Yates in conditioning .

[@ItsTheMunz]

In my opinion he had the only appealing version of a mass monster because he was so conditioned it was like sculpture. Nowadays guys look too much like balloon animals.

[@DrewPWebos]

What is a "balloon Animal"?

[@steezyg23]

@@DrewPWebos an animal made out of balloons

[@lennonpaiva5684]

Big Rammy has an impressive and conditioned physique IMO.

[@chrismale9976]

Greatest ever

[@chrismale9976]

Greatest mr olympia of all time!! He made Ronnie look off season

[@chrismale9976]

@MAGABOZOtrump Yep. The condition wasn't even close. Dorian was insane

[@chrisbeere2117]

The more i listen to him the more i respect him, smart bloke and you cant fuck with over a decade smashing it out in a brummie shitbox.

[@abdiver12]

I don't know why more of today's pros aren't turning to this legend for coaching. I can't think of anyone more qualified or knowledgeable about being a champion than Dorian Yates.

[@georgeadams.1]

i think he's over bodybuilding. mans does yoga these days lol

[@majungasaurusaaaa]

"Coaching" means drug guidance and sourcing.

[@user-dq6se6er8j]

Why should they need coaching? Bodybuilding is a solo sport. Dorian did it all himself. So did Ronnie

[@LanceG007]

@@user-dq6se6er8j Ronnie had a coach

[@joeyhuebner10]

@@majungasaurusaaaa- He's actually a personal trainer, and his HIT method has nothing to do with pharmaceuticals.

[@operationtruth288]

The Greatest Mr. Olympia is History

[@antstockley]

Arnold's the greatest

[@cedricnayna1540]

this guy is really intelligent and i am fascinated by his capacity to articulate his thinking

[@jakedunn4972]

No bodybuilder done what he has

[@kuziokundera]

Dorian Yates and the 90’s in general wasn’t really a PEAK, as much as it was the beginning of ridiculousness in Bodybuilding. Yates started the trend of cartoonishly big.

[@sagelight7777]

Agree with him mostly but he did begin the bubble gut trend that has got worse and worse. Proportion is subjective. I would argue that Lee haney had the best physical attributes with his v taper and shoulders and chest. Arnold also had the enormous arms and chest with vacuum. Dorian was terribly proportioned during his last win. He was an amazing bodybuilder but an ugly shape compared to the greats. Equally Ronnie's stomach got out of control.

[@MiguelRDias2001]

Ruff has much weaker points than Ramon . Terrence is way smaller but he's posing was on point

[@martinburghardt9563]

True

[@thefreshprince8005]

Symmetry & Conditioning is the goal to winning mass is just some shit the judges accepted.👌🏾

[@chezmaniac4912]

Lee Haney was Big but Dorian is where Massive started.

[@john-ze7eu]

Funny how small these guys look when off the juice. Can't see how it's worth it after you factor in the health risks

[@richardelliott99]

He is one of the greatest of all time in his chosen field, made a fortune for himself, looks healthier than most men half his age, and hasn't taken any gear for 20 years apart from doctor recommended TRT, which most men over 50 would benefit from. Next joke please.

[@rayrodrigo3999]

@@richardelliott99 what is gear?

[@richardelliott99]

@@rayrodrigo3999 any substances with anabolic properties, e.g. steroids

[@everready1805]

He is almost 60

[@john-ze7eu]

@@everready1805 so am I... And look a hell of a lot better than he does. Seems like nice guy though

[@eugenesis8188]

"It wasn't just physiques, it was personalities." Says the man nobody knew had a personality before he was on Joe rogan. Turns out he's by far my favorite Mr o personality, but I think blood and guts and his posing were the only thing we knew about him for decades.

[@joeyhuebner10]

I think that's the way he wanted it haha

[@edwinmejiajr]

💯💯

[@leecoomber3877]

Wasn't loui ferringo bigger than arnold.🤔🤔🤔

[@georgeton4991]

yes

[@METATRONS_CUBE]

Dorian is the WORST looking Olympia ever. But he was Big and shredded to the bone. But structuraly THE WORST. Disqusting.

[@maplestory125]

I'd argue Chris Dickenson looked the worst

[@mr.t5262]

Samir Bannout wasn't exactly the epitome of mass, symmetry & condition either!

[@FerminTrujilloEspetero]

"I could've come..." NOT 'came'! Jesus...🙄

[@user-dq6se6er8j]

… what?

[@FerminTrujilloEspetero]

@@user-dq6se6er8j Read the title of the video.

[@larrywerdeniuk8157]

Standards...? Awarded him mr.o with no biceps, tricep, muscles were melting together final 2 mr.o's. Bubble gut too.

[@ricky55626]

Sure you could have dorian.... coulda shoulda woulda

[@stafanlumpkin3738]

Yates had a good physique but not a great one.