How The Hell Did Steve Reeves Win The 1950 Mr. Universe?

A deep dive into the 1950 Mr. Universe and the events leading up to Steve Reeves' final victory before retirement.
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[@NattyLifeYT]

CORRECTION: The York Barbell Club where Steve trained for his comeback is in York, Pennsylvania. I said Philadelphia by accident in the video. Who do you think should have won? Vote on my community poll: kzbin.infoUgkxj6YPawXzlx53pSdQBOhvOVLhqW00mt0M

[@daviddupre5591]

Steve Reeves also had the flu while training for this contest in York, Pennsylvania with George Eiferman. They drove from Los Angeles to York, Pennsylvania in a beat up old car.

[@Xinjiekou_新街口_Station]

Can not understand why the directors would want him so small.....

[@ericjohnson9477]

Oops, another great statement.

[@thispersonrighthere9024]

steve wins! his genetics are just better.

[@deductivereasoning4257]

All sports are rigged...

[@malachidewitt5856]

This era needs a comeback

[@Odinson224]

Honestly prefer the bronze era myself especially the wider waist is more practical for manual labor and strength which is something I also desire. That being said the Silver era was an absolutely great era in terms of allowing bodybuilding to become popular while still being healthy focused.

[@Odinson224]

@@Joseph_dubs_wilson I really don't see how they could just be noticing, the downsides have been apparent for years. I am glad that the competitions might be going back to their roots and embracing a more healthy focused competition.

[@nicolamarco7110]

Working on it my amigo ❤

[@MadGunny]

No tattoos, natural but impressive physiques. A comeback would be sweet

[@user-he4ef9br7z]

​@@Odinson224I've always been disgusted by my relatively wide waist but it does make me stronger structurally.

[@41BOT]

I just can't get over hypocritic Hollywood. Inviting a man for his great natural physique, and then asking to grade it down.

[@SB-mg1wy]

It happened with Arnold too

[@willyf6172]

@@SB-mg1wy Arnold got smaller , but I don’t think it had to with being asked to drop size . More to do with naturally losing size after getting out of competition and not doing the same thing anymore to get his maximum size . Happens to guys all the time after retiring . Steve’s was far more natural than Arnold , perhaps entirely natural .

[@emmanuelmondesir]

Arnold said that they asked him to lose weight for the Terminator.

[@willyf6172]

@@emmanuelmondesir Perhaps they did ask him to drop weight but he wasn’t going to keep the muscle mass anyway , if he didn’t stay on the same program with all the medication. He still did look pretty big in the Terminator even so , bigger than Steve Reeves was at his biggest .

[@fernandomaron87]

​@@willyf6172Even before Terminator when he did Conan they've asked him to lose a few kilos in order to hold a sword correctly with more fluid moves. You can’t compare his body even after leaving competition to Steve's, he was still working out and on gear, heck even in T3 when he was 55 he had almost the same size, while Steve had already shrunk dramatically when he gave his run in acting.

[@pimpompoom93726]

Park had more definition in still photos, but Reeves just had IT-that intangible presence, symmetry and good looks that radiates out during posing. It wasn't stolen, the right man won.

[@clintemshoff6663]

What most people fail to realize about Reeves is he had a unique posing style. Unlike today, where bodybuilders remain in a flexed state even when not posing, Reeves would completely relax between poses. His belief was that his poses looked more incredible going from relaxed to fully flexed, and if you look at the pictures I believe he’s right. Of course, pictures of him relaxed next to Reg flexing could beg the question how did he win, but when you see the pictures of him posing it was no contest. The judges saw it the same way, as I believe the judges voted 4-2 or 5-2 in Reeves’ favor.

[@DragonGP]

I'm a fan of both Park and Reeves, but Steve's proportions were on a whole different plane. He looked like he stepped off Mt. Olympus. To me, the contest looked like it was between Reeve's better physique and lines, vs Park's superior conditioning, which makes it the close contest that it was.

[@oscarrodriguez8998]

thats true. but it sucks back then i guess they judged more on genetics (steve's general proportion's in this case) rather than the conditioning and overall fit look.

[@DragonGP]

@@oscarrodriguez8998 Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it. Is it harder to get lean, or to have 1 in 100,000,000 genetics? Reeves body was better than Parks at almost every point, but Reg was leaner.

[@oscarrodriguez8998]

@@DragonGP i doubt Reg’s bodybuilding work for this one could’ve be summed up as simply lean as he looked muscular too. I think Reg was the clear winner but that’s my opinion based on the pics. Might’ve looked different in person -

[@jmgonzales7701]

tbh i dont think reg looker more muscular, he was definitely leaner and i agree that he should have won but from what I'm seeing in the photos reeves looked a bit bigger idk if its due to the frame @@oscarrodriguez8998

[@jmgonzales7701]

@@oscarrodriguez8998 tbh even if it was graded down i would like that physique, partly because no mere mortal can look the same as peak steve reeves. I am personally Fond of his toned down physiques such as kimbar (seen in the video) and when he fought primo but even that is kinda big.

[@DMAN99]

Reg Park's symmetry in that picture of him and Steve was crazy, his abdominals are lined up perfectly.

[@bau7216]

Steve Reeves has the most insane chest insertions i have ever seen. Literally just a straight line across, no gap. Truly remarkable

[@alysefu7]

He was born with a condition pectus excavatum

[@bau7216]

@@alysefu7 does this affect the muscle insertions tho? I have seen many people with the same condition with normally inserted pecs

[@PeterSsailing]

exa t,y first thing I noticed, eventhough his shape and conditioning was off. Just out of this world insertions for the chest where they meet in the middle. I have been in a lot of gyms, that's extremely rare if not enhanced or some deviant stuff.

[@PeterSsailing]

LOL pec implant ts sometimes give that result

[@biohazard9503]

Those shots at 14:14 with him doing that overhead pose looks absolutely incredible, if his posing looked like that throughout maybe then it's understandable why he beat Reg. It's hard to judge a physique with still shots where he's relaxed, he looks more massive while posing in those 2 shots... And his legs do look better in most shots

[@walden6272]

I like the poses Steve did in 1:34 and 3:14 . His body is a work of art.

[@theo1965stang]

Politics. Steve was the 50s Arnold. Steve went on to Hollywood and that’s why he won.

[@BeefWifGrief]

Agreed. Politics per usual

[@yippee-ki-yay9925]

In 1950, Steve only had minor acting roles. He wasn't on Arnold's level in the 1980s.

[@glennbishopbishthemagish]

At that time Steve Reeves was just starting his show biz life, and he is several years away from getting his break out roll as Hercules.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

If it were politics, why did Sergio win in 67,68,69?

[@fernandomaron87]

Steve didn't go to Hollywood my friend, he made cameos there, but all his movies as protagonist were in the italian movie industry, and the first one was Hercules in 1958 way after this contest happened.

[@emZee1994]

I think Reeves won fairly. You have to remember, back then they didn't only judge your physique based on muscularity and conditioning. They judged based on aesthetics Reeves had better aesthetics, especially for the standards of the time. Park was too lean in the chest and mid section for their liking. And Reeves was wider and had better flow

[@aussiecath]

I agree.

[@Seriouslyfunny1]

I agree too

[@therustedshank9995]

I also agree

[@Tijiel]

also had a 10/10 face, dude got the whole package!

[@strategery101]

And lets be honest, he looked like a movie star. That didnt hurt him

[@andrewwelch1040]

In 1947 Reeves was spectacular, almost mythical.

[@bombfog1]

I recently saw a short you did discussing Milo of Croton who used a growing calf to progressively overload everyday as he prepared for the Ancient Olympics. You doubted the story but I’d like to point out that cows were much smaller then than they are now, so it’s entirely possible that this story is no exaggeration. Love your channel.

[@lsegher]

Back then we had natty men and natty cows

[@bombfog1]

@@lsegher Ha Ha Ha! That’s an obvious joke that I wish I had thought of.

[@pablowentscobar]

I use to really be into martial arts and on a mission to watch every old Kung Fu movie I could get my hands on. There's a bunch of old Kung Fu movies that had the "Wrestling a Bull to get strong" trope. Even in the early days of movies coming out of China the bulls were much smaller. I have no doubt that was an actual training technique. One or two of Jackie Chan's early films have him wrestling a bull. I think it my have been "Snake in the Eagles Shadow" Which is an amazing film, but I'd have to go back and watch it. Those old Jackie movies have some crazy strength training techniques if interested.

[@ofauvi2089]

I mean Alexander Zass could carry a full grown horse across a river during the 20’s-40’s. There’s photos of it. You could definitely carry a calf, and might be able to carry a full grown bull (ancient world size)

[@kryptonianstrength8461]

Bulls back then were 500 lbs not 2000 like today

[@jonathancontreras633]

My bet was that Steve had more flow and grace during his posing routine. Vince Gironda said it’s more important how you transition to different poses than the poses itself. Steve had more experience with posing and I would say he was a better poser.

[@DiogenesOfCa]

Makes sense.

[@user-he4ef9br7z]

This wasn't exclusive to Steeve Reeves. Even bodybuilders as late as the 80s focused on transitions between poses. It is only in modern bodybuilding we look at static distinct poses rather than an entire fluid continuous posing routine. Look at Bob Paris for example.

[@jonathancontreras633]

@@user-he4ef9br7z I never said it was only exclusive to reeves

[@thispersonrighthere9024]

steve had better genetics. steve had lower lats origins. steve didn't have that space between his pecs like reg did. even with a wider waist, steve's shoulder-to-waist ratio still matched reg's. steve wins!

[@johnrodriguez6676]

Hey guys, Reeves legs were beyond his time!

[@franciswashack89]

I belive if Steve had not lost weight and continued to train from 1949 up until the universe contest in 1950, he would have won that contest by many more points than he had. And as mentioned by this fine video Steve was well liked and was a very nice guy. That being said, Reg Park became legendary in his own right. He was the the bodybuilder who inspired Arnold Swarzenegger. And to this day, whenever I show a picture of Steve Reves to a woman young or old, they all say that he is simply beautiful.

[@jmgonzales7701]

where was steve really bigger? 40s or during his acting career? tbh even if it was graded down i would like that physique, partly because no mere mortal can look the same as peak steve reeves. I am personally Fond of his toned down physiques such as kimbar (seen in the video) and when he fought primo but even that is kinda big.

[@josephrock8739]

In 87 I met a man who trained track and field athletes weight training, he loved Bodybuilding more though, he was also a retired school head master, he told me he was at that show and I asked him about SR ? He told me he was amazing with great classic lines, symmetry that flowed from every muscle to the next and balanced. I asked him about him looking smooth ? he replied when he contracted the muscle, it and he stood out, he was just the more polished with a great tan as well as being so handsome. In his eyes Steve was the winner 💪🏻

[@AWiz-lx8lh]

Without Looking, Reeves Won Cause of Better Leg Development and An Iconic Individual Legendary Pose. What Separates Most of the Great Bodybuilders From the Pack Is Usually, They Have a Pose that They Created That Is Unique Only to Them and No One Can Compare In Such Pose. Very Few Would Even Attempt Such Pose. Reeves Is Legendary No Matter What Era You Place Him In.

[@bulvie603]

Back then the goal was symmetry. To sculpture the body in perfect proportion, closely resembling that of a statue of a Greek god. Steve Reeve's was the perfect example. Today the goal is looking like the Hulk.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Today's clowns are just walking chemical heads dead by 45. Fcking idiots.

[@Jean-ClaudeLonguepee]

Steve Reeves was my favorite bodybuilder and I enjoyed all his movies!

[@willele]

Reeves always in relaxing! Park always in posing!! When Reeves is in posing it's impossible to beat it!

[@terry_willis]

Steve should have won, at least, for having the "best comeback". Anybody who could make such improvements in just 7 weeks deserves it. That's phenomenal. Maybe Grimek was just setting him up to lose to make himself look better.

[@trislifting47]

Great video, looked forward to this one. Funny how this is one of your favorite pictures of all time, mine is the "perfection in the clouds". Amazing how both of these men were active so long ago, yet to date have some of the greatest physiques of all time

[@paullossois3989]

Reg is more jacked but I believe Stave's physique is more balanced

[@anthonybutt2453]

Fascinating & informative. Both looked great.

[@Magneticlaw]

Steve knew through experience what studies have shown about muscle memory. And as with others here in the comments, I'll venture a guess that Steve's posing was the difference maker - Arnold even says that a worse physique with better posing can win a contest.

[@51909relapseminem]

This was really interesting! I love this channel!

[@LeviticusCorwall1899]

Thank you so much for this video dude, even though reeves has always been my favourite i was confused as how he got the win, great video!

[@Gabingus69]

Great video idea, thanks man

[@sirreynolds1681]

Another great video. Great photos and research

[@pomicultorul]

thank you for your efforts!

[@bradreid6057]

Some good comments below. Note that the NABBA Mr. Universe was a bit more like a beauty pageant in many ways, at least it was later years later. There is a famous story about Sergio Oliva losing there in '71 to Bill Pearl because the judges had competitors stand around so long on stage that Oliva's great pump wore off like a balloon with a small hole in it. In Reeves' case, I recall Reg once opined that he thought one contributor to Reeves' narrow victory was his facial lineaments, how handsome he was. And, Reeves even mentioned it once in a rare taped interview that some liked his "noble" face and that included those wanting to make a film star out of him. I do agree: Reg was in better condition that day in terms of muscular definition. I don't know who I'd have voted for. One last thing: I think Reeves actually weighed 215 to 217 lbs. never 225 lbs. in a contest. Steve held onto his looks and his physique until the very end. He attended an old-timer event, I think he was well into his 60s, and looked like a movie star.

[@rickhoag7491]

Great video!!

[@poksnee]

Steve Reeves was more handsome.

[@tevya017]

Probably made the difference.

[@stevemann1299]

Of course it did. How do you Think Elvis became so popular. And V shread can sell crap to people. Beauty sells and influences.

[@INFJason]

Yup. 100%

[@pablowentscobar]

Good stuff. Love the ol' timey body building vids.

[@strangeuniverse1199]

Nobody beats Hercules, by the Gods!

[@christopherseat9871]

Thankyou for sharing this. ❤🙏💪🏋️‍♂️♥️

[@billschmidt4192]

Steve deserved that 1950 Mr. Universe Win.

[@GVS]

Greatest natty recomp of all time

[@_Sam62]

I don't think so, if something is too good to be true it usually isn't true! “Anabolic steroids were first discovered to promote muscle growth and enhance athletic performance in the 1930s. Since the 1950s, these substances have been used by body builders, athletes, and others to improve performance and enhance cosmetic appearance”.

[@squirrellsquats8428]

@@_Sam62 You are confusing testosterone and anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids were first available in 1954 ( Dianabol and Nilavar), four years after Reeves retired from bodybuilding. Testosterone was first used medicinally in the 30’s. Typically it was used to treat older men with depression ( no it wasn’t given to the Nazi’s during the war to turn them into raging killing machines, which was a story made up by a journalist in the 70’s).

[@ryanmccomas8573]

Test helps 😂

[@stevemann1299]

​​@@_Sam62 This is 1950. Steroids hadnt become available in the mainstream yet.

[@MrSilvervw]

Fantastic content 👌 👏 👍

[@voiceinthedesert153]

True, whether we agree or not, it was a different metric system and standard back then. We have to consider the context of the era ALWAYS. Much thanks to these amazing figures that pioneered the bodybuilding sport that we enjoy today. Great content btw. Thank you

[@mattydukes007]

you make great videos

[@richardrobles6241]

As a Grunt from '66 to '70 (USMC), we used to go down to LA to work out at a high-end Gym. One day, this skinny guy came in (6'0, 175 lbs), and everyone in the gym just stopped their workout and got very quiet. He began a ninety-day workout routine. At the end of ninety days, he had gained 35 lbs and had a Mr. Universe body. Steve Reeves was getting ready to shoot another of his 18 Hercules movies. He had a perfect body; he could squeeze his hand a dozen times and develop forearm muscle.

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

Great vid. Thanks! I'm trying to remember if it was that competition or another where the guy who lost to Steve said he had won from the neck up.

[@donsantiago1]

There is no match to Steve. He is archetypical bodybuilder. His proportions are amazing, even if he is not shredded to the bone. His arms have the right lenght, Park looked shorter, so fuller, wide shoulder, slim waist and articulations. He was elegant and aesthetically privileged.

[@glennbishopbishthemagish]

Photographs are not what they used to judge a contest. It is a live show. A lot can happen in a live show to sway the judges in a bodybuilding contest. Personality, experience, all play a part in the show that leads to confidence. In my opinion I would say Steve Reeves won simply because he was more experienced. Besides looking the part.

[@alwallace4538]

Thirty years later there was a similar controversy at the Olympia, when another bodybuilder turned actor made a comeback and won

[@daxmoney5011]

Hey with a chest like Steve Reeves I can see why the judges chose him. Edit: Reg won in 51 a year after Steve retired

[@yezzzsir]

Nice coverage of the event. Personally I think Reg had a better Physique, but agree a lot gets put in the posing. Here Steve was definitely in a great class of his own for the period.

[@kennethbrettel8762]

Steve was a phenomenon plus the Grimek training plus the Dianabol which works FAST😊

[@robertathey8504]

I competed many, many years ago. The judges back then looked at the competitors stage presence as well

[@firebird7479]

The best Reeves ever looked IMO was in the first Hercules movie.

[@wynlewis5357]

Don't think any other bodybuilder looked quite like Steve Reeves .. there was just that something about his physique that took him to another level. Maybe that's what the judges saw as well in spite of Reg Park being more muscular.

[@bobjenkins4925]

Despite looking a little soft, it's a damn miracle he looked as lean as he did having gained 35 pounds in just over 7 weeks, either naturally or with minimal pharmaceutical assistance by modern standards

[@pauldavies7251]

​@prettyBoyIncel😂😂😂😂Ye ok, even with ped's gaining that much "lean" weight is nigh on impossible stop being so naive

[@Magnus_Loov]

@@pauldavies7251 It wasn't lean weight though. Lets's say you weight 200 pounds at 20% (to make it easy to calculate) which is 40 pounds of fat and you then gain 40 pounds. 8 pounds of these can be fat and you still sit at the same 20% bodyfat that you began at. If he gained a little fat, even less would be lean weight. So maybe only 25 pounds of lean tissue , which is still alot, but not impossible when he had been downtrained and muscle memory kicked in again when he got back.

[@ryanmccomas8573]

Test helps 😂

[@vivalarazausarmyvet4453]

I wish someone would do a documentary on how much test these athletes used. There has to be a record of it somewhere since John Grimek kept a record of his experience.

[@jmgonzales7701]

lol you guys think everything is on peds @@ryanmccomas8573

[@robertmin7233]

Steve Reeves still had better proportions and symmetry even if he was a little off that year, his physique was more pleasing to the eye than Reg Park. Steve said in another interview the max weight he got was 217 not 225.

[@rumatadestora]

Both look amazing!

[@sergiodario58able]

Steve Reeves had a more pleasing to the eye physique compared to Reg Park, even if he was a littler softer and smoother than Reg.

[@rodolfoschneider7417]

Congratulations ! excelent article. I have been following the career of all four outstanding athletes since 1956, Steve Reeves,Reg Park,Clarence Ross,John Crimeck(this last one I had the honor to knew personally). Very interesting the story and your point of view. Its very dificult to judge and write about bodybuilders of that high standart. Rudy Schneider Old bodybuilder from Brazil 15:09

[@avoosl]

As a great admirer of both Steve and "The Great Jawn" Grimek since ~1960, I long studied the differences from the view of "complete perception." After some time I came up with the notion that, if you saw any of the hundreds of (static) Grimek photographic poses they would be comfortably rated over most all of Reeves's. Nevertheless, after seeing all of Reeves's films (many times) I realized that his kind of physique was best realized IN MOTION. Not in posing transitions, no, but in merely walking or striding or even perfectly ordinary conversational scenes. Most of us grew up with and know Reeves through the movies. Think back to anything in them. When Reeves is in focus nothing else matters, even though his physique would be easily beaten by many at the time of any of those movies from 1960 through the 1970s. So - ultimately, best physique is, and always will be a loose term, and it will be the one who inspired the most fans with the fondest and admired memories from many sources. For me, with, perhaps, greater respect for Grimek in several ways, I nevertheless give the award to Reeves. -- And, thanks for the thought-provoking video.

[@LeslieMilligan]

In the fifties and sixties bodybuilding was not only judged on muscle mass, but also on symmetry, something Steve had in abundance. Some athletic feat was also required, Seen through today's bodybuilding where muscle mass is god and who cares about symmetry or even life expectancy he was nothing! Reg Park is impressive and went on to become even more so, an incredible bodybuilder with a form that makes his 1950 frame seem chunky, disjointed and very youthful. Reg Park at his best played Hercules, but he didn't draw a stream of young men to our club, but my work was cut out enlisting new members after a Steve Reeves film came to our town. Goliath and the Barbarians drew the most.

[@personalideas-pauldrriffan2345]

Hey there yes I think it will be great for you to do a follow up of the controversy you’re talking about so please do another video follow up!!

[@frankleeming2905]

In those days I was a wrestler and an olympic style weight lifter. I had the pleasure of sharing a dressing room with REG PARKS at an event in Ilkeston Derbyshire England where Reg pressed two 150 lb dumbells overhead whilst in the standing position. This would be about 1948 or 49. I still train at 91 years old. Frank Leeming UK.

[@adairtl]

Times were different then in what judges were looking for, so the frame or scope of the times should be taken into account. Plus, while Steve may not have been more defined he was certainly the overall larger of the two.

[@westoncroye643]

To be honest, I think Steve’s physique on this competition was still better than parks. Half the time you can tell reg was flexing his lats to appear wider than reeves. If reeves didn’t take as many breaks, he could have EASILY wipe the floor against Reg. Of course that would also probably mean reeves would continue BBing and would get outclassed by Reg once he got into steroids in the early-mid 50’s. But we only got to see a few pictures and videos in ok lighting and quality from the show. And we didn’t really get to see them do any mandatory poses either so it is only a little bit difficult to tell. Edit: I also will agree that Reg did have better conditioning than reeves as well; however, reeves conditioning still wasn’t terrible either as you can see in some of his posing.

[@steveb1164]

You didn't mention that he performed on broadway, in the musical "KIsmet), and the west coast production of "Wish you were here". He had quite a bit of stage experience by the time of "Hercules".

[@kentborges5114]

The famous Lake Michigan photos were taken BEFORE the contest, I do believe ?

[@FerintoshFarmsPhotography]

Can't wait for your 7 week transform. Muscle memory is pretty strong, they'll be popping out like mushrooms after a rain

[@BobAdragna]

Also the cut of Steve's trunks were briefer, giving his torso a longer look.

[@Josh_estrada]

I don’t know about you guys but these physiques are amazing like now everyone is so muscular and that era it was more better

[@user-up8jx3mt6j]

A title is a collected look and 'personal' evaluation and judgement upon much more than mass. Much more.

[@TheBcoolGuy]

I really can't care enough to be upset about a 73 year old bodybuilding dispute. If anyone who was at that show is still alive today, that person is very old. Reg is definitely closer to more modern standards and looks better to our eye, but remember that bodybuilding is subjective. Those people had a very different view of it.

[@georgewashington7539]

After seeing the pictures I think that Steeve Reeves had better legs and arms, his chest a tie with Reg Park. I think that the Reason Reg Park seems much better in certain pictures is because of his abs and his mid-chest line is naturally more defined than Reeves' even though they had the same volume. If Steeve Reeves had had a longer prep time and worked his abs more he would have been a clear winner. I actually think the Judges favored Steeve because they realized how the visual effect that Park's abs had but they noticed how Steeve Reeves's arms and legs were indeed better. If I were one of the judges and were aware of Steeve Reeves's issue due to his acting career and could see both close to one another in person without Reg Park's abs giving such a illusional contrast I would have voted for Steeve Reeves.

[@adonvictus]

He looks wider too

[@georgewashington7539]

@@adonvictus yes. Steeve Reeves shoulders were wider

[@aussiecath]

Back in those days it was about aesthetics so that would help. Now everyone is expected to look like they are taking clenbuterol and the biggest wins.

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

Steve looked.better posing especially in the lat spreads. Lower quads and upper chest were there too.

[@Magnus_Loov]

Though it wasn't "Naturally defined" that was the reason. Steeve was clearly much smoother compared to his 1947 win where he was in much, much better shape.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Steve Reeves deserved to win the 1950 Mr. Universe. Reg Park was more defined but his body wasn’t as full and flowing as Steve Reeves showed that day.

[@robertdaly4074]

Have you ever heard of Mack Miya who toured doing his one arm lift with 300 Lbs. He also was an arm wrestling champ and long time gym owner where he built many of his equipment.

[@1manforequality]

You would have to be there to actually see their bodies, photos are not 3 dimensional. Furthermore,they do not move. Regardless, there is no way to determine subjectivity or favoritism. How these men attained such mass, remaining fairly defined, is testament to their dedication and desire to be the best builder in the world.

[@sethgaston8347]

0:22 Reg showing why neck training is important

[@josearimatea3600]

José Arimatéa---Steve Reeves um dos maiores FISICULTURISTA de todos os tempos entre muitos outros que foram também de grande popularidades . Steve Reeves se destacou o melhor pelo seu físico perfeito . e um grande ator de sucesso nas telas dos cinemas em todo o mundo .

[@jabull38]

Muscle Memory is a proven fact,I haven't trained for over five years,three months in the gym,three days a week every other day Full body work out,I'm looking like Mr Reeves😊.

[@billschmidt4192]

Alright! Keep it up.

[@RWAC685]

Because Steve Reeves Is The GREATEST Bodybuilder Of All Time.

[@jackvannote]

I think so too but let's not get overly carried away, Grsatest NATURAL Bodybuilder of all time. Tge ultimate GOAT of the sport is the One and Only Arnold. who went out on a controversial win like Steve in 1980. The judging has always favored a proven entity over the unknown. Best, Jurassic Jack A Mr Mass Media and Grand Elite Masters Champion

[@RWAC685]

@@jackvannote True. Commenting on his physique, Schwarzenegger said, “You know I still think that Steve Reeves was the greatest bodybuilder of all time because of the kind of the beauty he had and the body and all that stuff.

[@jackvannote]

@@RWAC685 Where may I find this quote? I should like to ti see it in context. Are you sure it ends 'and all that stuff" ??? I've known Arnold for almost 60 years. Descriptive ambiguity especally when discussing the body is not his style

[@RWAC685]

@@jackvannote Google Who Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Say Was The Greatest Bodybuilder Of All Time. I’m Not 100% Sure It’s True, But it Is What It Is.

[@fernandomaron87]

​@@jackvannoteI'm pretty sure ive seen him speaking about this on a Instagram live that he discussed bodybuilding, he said that the core of bodybuilding is having your shirt off at the beach and having girls drooling over you and guys wanting to be like you, and Steve was the perfect example of that

[@nicholasmcdaid9143]

A rather fair and measured critique of the situation. Although history attests to the fact that promoters and managerial teams often consist of very unscrupulous characters willing to rob clear winners of their appropriate titles. So it wouldn't surprise me if this were the case here. Thieves who play the political game think they’re clever, but any honest person who knows what they’re witnessing will consider them fools who earned the label, having supplanted the right intentions of others and casting disrepute on the sport as a whole. Regardless of whether this was the case, Steve Reeves was a true champion and has rightfully gone down in history as such. Being a bit off on the day could never change this. There is clearly still much admiration for both men, and rightfully so by the sounds of it.

[@radstar2185]

That side shot shows how massive steve was compared to everyone else. It's the first photo I've seen that makes me think he was actually a big guy

[@itsgleneaton4883]

Steve is more smooth but his body is so perfectly formed that it may have given him the victory.

[@nikskou]

Excellent video, being "sharper, harder or more muscular" as Jon Jon Park says will not save you from an opponent who has overall better proportions. And Steve even at his worst looked like a Michaelangelo sculpture. Including his face, let's not forget that.

[@fender1000100]

Correct he was more handsome and the perfect specimen to many men and WOMEN. That counts for alot. The same reason Mike Katz could never be Arnold Schwarzenegger 25 years later. He was big but he wasnt handsome enough. And balanced enough..

[@kenneth6102]

The standards of the older eras definitely differed from nowadays. However, the greatest controversy surrounding this is not even about Park's physiques. It just feels a bit of an insult for dedicated sportsmen that Reeves won a bigger competition with a lesser form of his former glory than Mr America in 1947. If he had stayed in bodybuilding until the Mr Universe win in 1950 and moved onto acting, it would be the epic tale that everyone wanted. The fact that he regained so much in 7 weeks shows how important it is to start exercising young, for protection against immobility in old age. Imagine the difference if you start training for the first time after retirement against regaining the grounds lost to the decades of corporate hamster wheel and raising kids.

[@Vitorruy1]

Starting later is not a big deal, I saw a strong and jacked 80 year old that started at 55, there's also a jacked and lean brazilian grandma who started lifting with white hair. Don't underestimate the hability of the body to grow.

[@kenneth6102]

@@Vitorruy1 The best time to start is TODAY, right?

[@infinite_ammo]

Bodybuilders that still look like actual human beings! love it

[@_Sam62]

Steve's proportions are better than Reg's, aesthetically the better man.

[@kennethbrettel8762]

Plus muscle memory 😮

[@gigachil]

I believe the reason Reeves was most likely able to edge out Park was because of his overall looks topped with his aesthetic proportionally even look, and also, the judging criteria simply may have been different at this time with the judges not looking for such a lean look! Who knows lol

[@ericjohnson9477]

One or two pictures doesn't take you back in time Nothing like making yourself an authority on history.

[@NattyLifeYT]

I guess you didn’t take the time to watch the whole video before commenting

[@ericjohnson9477]

@@NattyLifeYT The problem with the news and information these days is generalized sweeping statements designed to hit a nerve and draw you in No thanks !

[@daviddevine1030]

Steve Reves is the MAN!!!

[@frankjgornickjr3676]

Steve Reeves was the best!

[@anthonycesarano5948]

Reeves was more handsome- while his body was not as muscle bound - there was a flowing grace to it like an impala - which I think should be part of Mr Universe - the universe is a big place and not one dimensional - in those days I think there was an element of a male beauty contest. I like it better -

[@justiceprevail1552]

In those days it was symmetry that was judged. 18.5" Bi's 18.5"Calves 18.5" neck 27" Thighs 54" Chest 30" Waist That Waist to Chest difference is amazing. This was the time bodybuilders looked good, not freaks like today that judges look for. Steve Reeves was also one of the best looking men ever.

[@tudorm6838]

All the pictures are in relaxed positions.

[@eoinosullivan2636]

The irony of pointing to Reeves poster and saying that's my Samson and then telling him to lose weight

[@calvinjackson8110]

I don't know but that picture of no.45 is most impressive and stunning, whoever he is.

[@jessfrankel5212]

Park was thicker overall, but Reeves had untouchable shape. I read somewhere that Reeves had the flu a couple of days before the contest, which may have caused him to retain fluids and not look as sharp. It was, as mentioned, a very close contest. That day, the judges liked Reeves' look better.

[@kentborges5114]

Reg, as you stated looked the WINNER.

[@SamC_182]

Yeah I think Reg was definitely also the winner even though I think Steve is the goat

[@souravsaha7751]

Hai Bro make a video on reg park Olympia diet workout and life still

[@billschmidt4192]

STEVE WAS JUST MORE EVENLY BUILT THEN REG. STEVE HAD A BETTER BONE STRUCTURE THEN REG. STEVE HAD A SMALLER WAIST THEN REG. STEVE JUST LOOKED BETTER. REG HAD A BLOCKIER BODY. STEVE HAD THE BETTER CALVES. AND STEVE HAD THAT UNBELIEVABLE V TAPER- ESPECIALLY WHEN VIEWING HIS BACK. STEVE DESERVED THAT WIN!!!

[@samialmaslami2181]

Steve was and still the best than reg