The Worst Genetics in Bodybuilding

[@Gnybr]

Rich Gaspari should definitely be in the video as well. The guy had terrible muscle insertions and structure for bodybuilding but still managed to place 2nd place at the Olympia.

[@dunnymonster]

Totally agree, thought the same but you beat me to the comments 😊

[@anthonyk597]

Definitely. Gaspari needs to be here.

[@heavymetalminiatures]

He made the best of what he had by being shredded and having awesome posing routines, in a time where the free posing round was scored.

[@rickhurribans912]

Bullshit! Rich had an amazing physique and he has good genetics yes not perfect because his biceps were abit short not the shortest though and later into his career his waist got wider but not that bad his structure was still good and he did the best with what he got

[@Gnybr]

@@rickhurribans912 We are not saying that Rich Gaspari was a bad bodybuilder. But he did for sure have shitty genetics.

[@joneswilliam9845]

This dude really said Franco Columbo had bad genetics

[@stayontrack]

Yea pretty dumb, Franco's lat insertions and upper chest split are insane definitely not bad genetics

[@escastro241]

Agreed! wtf he talkin bout lol

[@ianlewis7749]

Did you see Franco in 1981 wtf ! He looked terrible... Never had good legs

[@guillaumebillette4078]

​@@ianlewis7749Having a horrible leg injury while carrying a fridge in the 1977 worlds strongest man is not bad genetics.

[@ianlewis7749]

@@guillaumebillette4078 if you look, he never had good thighs before 77.. Arnolds best pal wins in 76... better bodybuilders around at that time.. Robbie Robinson for example...

[@edge3220]

One thing I love about bodybuilding is seeing all the different genetics and what guys are able to do with what they were given. Discussing what looks 'good' or 'bad' almost always turns into an argument on subjectivity rather than objectivity, making the sport of bodybuilding quite strange sometimes.

[@Day-ZDuke]

Honestly this is why I feel that Bodybuilding is more of an “art” than a “sport”. It’s more akin to a beauty pageant than any traditional sport And I think there needs to be more weight given to the totality of the package a contestant brings. Opposed to scores for each individual pose / muscle group Cause for me, it’s kinda crazy that say Big Ramy , or Nick Walker be considered the “best” bodybuilder, when their body looks ugly and weirdly proportioned, for all intents and purposes. It’s not what an average person would consider attractive or “nice” looking

[@topemeister3000]

The whole pageant is indeed based on subjectivity. Bodybuilding has and never will be a sport. They are not athletes. Nor is it a sport. It’s a beauty pageant. Just because they “compete” does not mean that it’s a sport. Where is the physical display of skill?

[@gcg8187]

@@topemeister3000 but Phil heath keep calling it a sport, and keeps referring to himself and other bodybuilders as athletes

[@topemeister3000]

@@gcg8187 And pretty much all bodybuilders refer to themselves and their peers as athletes, but that doesn't make it true. I go to the gym 5 days a week, and plenty of other people do too. Does that make me an athlete? No. They believe that they're athletes because the title of 'athlete' sounds nice. Sports aren't subjective (for the most part), and sports require a display of skill (said skill can objectively be measured). Football (soccer) you get past the opponent's team, and you score more goals than they can = you win. Basketball... Same. American Football... Same. Bodybuilding? Oil yourself up, get on stage, POSE (that is the only thing that can possibly be described as a physical display of skill - but it's not really), and then have the judges decide what "looks best." Bodybuilding is the only "sport" where every competition, the entire fanbase is saying that a different person should have won. Entirely subjective. Sport isn't subjective (for the most part).

[@beornthebear.8220]

In his later competitions, Franco looked like he had 2 chests, one over the other. His abs and obliques were also well defined. And of course, the "cobra head" back.

[@richardlawson6787]

Franco actually had great biceps

[@olegariomartinez6807]

I saw Franco in the 70s, and his arms weren't bad when you saw him in person. Dickerson never impressed me when I saw him compete, and I stood next to Zane when he handed me my trophy, and he was small. This was in 1978.

[@Dakradom]

How big were Zane's arms?

[@olegariomartinez6807]

@Dakrom Vee to be honest, I don't know.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

@@Dakradom I saw him in person I’d say 18”-18 1/2”

[@Dakradom]

@@kurtvonfricken6829 What year?

[@odessafile75]

​@Kurt Vonfricken Kurt, we've discussed this before on KZbin. I also met Zane on a couple of occasions when he guest posed at the 1979/ 1980 Canadian Championships several weeks before the Olympia. His arms at best @ 195 - 210 lbs ( slightly bulked) were about 17 1/4 inches cold and may have been as " small" as 16.5- 16.75 inches cold at a ripped contest weight of 180- 190 lbs. His arms looked much larger as he is small boned, has great shape , very low bodyfat and small musculature structure. As Mike Mentzer would say Zane reached the limits or close to the limit of his muscular potential. Boyer Coe , Serge Nubret and Bill Pearl who had enormously larger arms had 18.5 inch arms as per Art Jones.

[@MT-hy6pr]

Bloody hell, I watched this and thought I wish I had genetics that bad.

[@OTM-101]

Marx Max I love your videos and your unique sense of humour. You are a natural by any stretch. Thank you for sharing and Keep up your great work. Lots love from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤️ Down Under the 🍺

[@taklampan650]

Never thought Franco had bad genetics

[@thomasmorrell2737]

That’s because he didn’t

[@calvinm1866]

Agreed. He had some of the best chest striations ever.

[@arthurblackhistoric]

It was those short muscle bellies and long tendons that made Franco the strong man he was to become. Fred Hatfield, Dr Squat, had the same development, especially in his legs.

[@88KUNGFUMAN]

The thing about Franco is..his torso was one of the best ever!! But legs and arms lacking. But his legs in 76 has decent separations..but he never flexed them!

[@mikthe2004]

Yeah, his torso including his shoulders was fantastic!!

[@JohnPeter1940]

Day 394 of saying hi to Marx!

[@emperorvitiate1844]

Your goals are beyond my understanding

[@JohnPeter1940]

@@emperorvitiate1844 XD

[@mmaboxingclips2407]

Yikes

[@Built89LX]

John Peter plays with peters! Yayyyy!!!!

[@NV86thr]

Franco Columbu was Sardinian, in there the average has always been shorter than the rest 😅 i'm Sardinian as well..his genetics were huge, he was a freak of pure strenght even before doing bodybuilding...he was just short 😂

[@kombasanpracka]

6:30 The guy you're comparing 'Paco' Bautista with is Jaroslav Horvath (from Slovakia just like Krizo) who placed 4th at Mr.O 2011 in 202-212 category. A quite aesthetic bodybuilder - reminds me of a smaller Milos Sarcev.

[@marchegler3025]

I would say you're wrong bout Franco chest. Columbo had by far the best upper chest in the history of bodybuilding.... that to me counts for something

[@mitchcornacchia968]

Funny you make me laugh with your comments and voice fluctuations! Keep it up love your videos

[@OTM-101]

Another awesome video thank you for sharing ❤️

[@powerofme7144]

Not sure what to think about this one MMM. I thought it would have the Atwoods, Gasparis, Jim Quinns, Pacos, Dickersons, Flavios, Kevin Englishs, and things of that nature. Porter actually had rounded, pretty delts and at one point superb ab separation. Weak triceps and calves of course but he had a good structure in my eyes. When he was still amateur they’d paint him as a Steve Reeves or Bob Paris.

[@algrundau9441]

Given the amount of magazine spreads and exposure Joe Weider gave Porter Cottrell you would swear he was the American version of Francis Benfatto. Always thought Porter went as far as he did BECAUSE of his symmetry.... Although your comment about the Triceps is interesting. He followed Push,Pull, Legs with an interesting twist. He Did Chest and Delts (including rear delts and traps) all on day 1 and skipped Triceps. Back and Bi's as usual but on the Legs day he did Triceps with legs???? Was that because he was trying to improve them?....or is that the reason they were lagging in the first place?....I have never seen or heard of anyone splitting their bodyparts up like that....He also followed a 2 on 1 off cycle.

[@russellsilva6592]

Franco Columbu is not a great example of bad genetics, you have to reevaluate your sight of view, cause say that a Mr.Olympia has bad genetics... Is not being in his right mind

[@henrymoore1270]

Franco should have never won any mr Olympia

[@nx1379]

Take away the pecks and lats and what does franco have? Small arms. Terrible legs. No balance.

[@jessedavis7572]

cool video- loved it! thanks Mark!!!!!!!

[@Chopper650]

franco getting the mr o win in 1981 was a travesty

[@keithgreenan7300]

You can thank Arnold for that

[@userwater777]

Yo my man great great analysis . Im really seeing what you guys are seeing as a body builder.

[@deathadone88]

dude av been going though hell at the moment, am really low, and your vids just make me laugh haha your funny, thanks man.

[@lakeeriesailor2852]

Frank Zane should be on this list, great structure, but I consider him to be a hard-gainer, an ectomorph. He was just unable to pack on enormous muscles like most other bodybuilding legends. Richard Gaspari also.

[@odessafile75]

Zane was not a pure ectomorph but an ecto/ meso combination with long arms and a thick torso.

[@thechosenone93]

@samonusuke1What methods are those? I’m interested to know

[@thechosenone93]

@samonusuke1 Oh I thought you meant in terms of training

[@heavymetalminiatures]

I would also place Jim Quinn in this list. His obliques made his waist look very wide. His calves weren't too great either.

[@megabugginout]

Good point because dont like Nick Walker's physique flow, but I do appreciate the muscle dryness, separation and ability to enhance what he has.

[@CHARLTON2015]

tbh I like Franco's physique waaay better than Frank Zane's. He looks thicker and more powerful. In terms of raw athleticism, Franco could have a pretty good argument for best of his era. I'm a big Franco fan so I'm probs a bit bias.

[@oreocarlton3343]

Zane doesn't look proportional v taper isn't complimented by legs

[@algrundau9441]

The late great legend and first Mr.Olympia Larry Scott was another. He himself admitted he had "wide hips, narrow shoulders,short and just a scrawny spud picker from Idaho."....(How can you not love Larry?) That is why he went all out on developing his delts, to give the illusion of width. Of course those famous guns helped draw attention but he also claimed Vince Gironda teaching him how to pose, greatly helped showing off his strong points and hiding his flaws. ...(very important) If you notice, even in picture's most of Larry's camera angles come from down to up and he is constantly tilting, turning or twisting his waist while drawing attention to his arms. Note, how much Arnold did this as well. A well selected posing routine can do wonders.

[@billgitelson4888]

While I agree Franco doesn’t have the best genetics for a Mr. O, it’s for different reasons. Franco’s chest was a strength, not a weakness. He did have short biceps, but as long as you have heart-shaped split peaks, you can get away with it. He was stockier with his wide waste for his height … that is true. But his glaring weakness was lack of separation in his thighs. Very genetic. Surprised Dorian was not on the list. He openly talks about his genetic short comings. Chest and arms specifically.

[@raindoset5408]

Dorians back overshadowed his weakness. When you first see him posing in front double bicep,he looks like normal bodybuilders. But when he turns around all attention got on the back,to the point that his weakness wasn't even talked about.

[@MrExcessum]

Dorian was a hyper responder to gear, but yes he had godawful biceps insertion, bad structure, narrow clavicles etc

[@lukeet331]

Did you just say Franko doesn't have a chest what?...

[@jtro77]

I have bad genetics but still tanned up and competed and stepped on stage, 2nd place in my first competition. The discipline and art of dieting is what appealed to me. Strength sports was my forte, I was built for strength but aspired for aesthetics....

[@JL-yw1cp]

Paco had one of the best arms and legs ever, he reminds me a bit of Nick walker

[@EastCoastPGS]

Dude, Franco Columbu had the best built chest in bodybuilding history. He had a split that separated the upper pecs from the lower pecs that even today you don’t really see in modern bodybuilders. Plus he had wide thick pecs and benched around 500. It was his height that was the main factor.

[@thomhagan8297]

Apparently that split was a birth defect. I think Jerry Brainum said that.

[@EastCoastPGS]

@@thomhagan8297Yeah I saw that interview. Crazy that’s what it was that gave him that super muscular chest

[@richardlawson6787]

Bow legged

[@jerryalbin2589]

Robbie Robinson , Samir Bannout, Lee Priest, Phil Heath, Flex Wheeler, Kai Green. These are gifted bodies!

[@wildmanz8233]

Don't get it twisted, these "bad" genetics pros have much better genetics than the average guy in the gym.

[@Stoverade]

Great video topic!

[@rickhurribans912]

i love videos about genetics please make way more videos on this topic

[@darthvaper6745]

Best genetics ever was Shawn Ray, then Flex Wheeler, then weirdly Andrew Jacked. Those tie-ins are perfect. The way the lines all meet up

[@Richard-ts6mg]

Great video.👍👍👍👍

[@kylepressonsk8]

Him calling the gyno a “fig newton” had me in tears 😂😂😂😂

[@MeesterJ]

So what is a fig newton normally? Im from Holland and never heard about it.

[@mistermcluvin2425]

Thanks for this video. Never really noticed Paco but now that I see him...that's what my frame looks like. Argh. We are like meso endomorphs if u believe in that sorta thing. We can get big and strong without taking anything but we'll never be thin and slim.

[@JL-yw1cp]

Paco is a legend in Spain

[@user-fx6tp3gs8s]

Patrick Moore and Hubert Mentz are built very similar, Patrick has ridiculously long limbs

[@jamesh2711]

Never got the Patrick Moore thing, he looks like an empty clothes hanger

[@nekronbeast3981]

Umm Franco's chest was ridiculous tho

[@hikedayley9309]

Most guys when asked always respond that they would love to have Zane's physique

[@velaphinosdumo]

@5:20 I know its unrelated to the video. And however you may feel about him, Shawn Ray looked incredible in that front relaxed pose. That mid section is chiseled.

[@bigjo90210]

Hubert metz have had a supplement store in Nuremberg. Great guy!

[@sergiodario58able]

I'd like to see amongst the natural body builders who is actually genetically gifted and who is not. You can't really see that well with heavy steroids users, because it's a kind of leveller. With natural ones you either have it, or you haven't. Simple.

[@richardlawson6787]

Leroy colbert was the most genetically gifted builder of all time...i saw a picture taken of him at age twelve and he was developed even then!!

[@DevOne561]

I think another thing ppl don’t talk about either is arm length…especially serge and Arnold. When you have long arms plus wide bones you have so much more potential to fill out your arms especially when you hit a front double with long thick arms and wide shoulders 1:16

[@quasarleon4645]

I knew Branch would be on here . Dude looked like Crazy Frog on juice .

[@cencil6497]

When he was older, sure. Look at him when he was young though.

[@quasarleon4645]

@@cencil6497 Indeed . Polumboism ?!

[@ovathere93]

I never really thought of Porter having bad genetics. Unfortunately his competition was unworldly.

[@mikthe2004]

Yes, Porter was actually very complete. Symmetrical and aesthetic. And his back when he won the NOC was fantastic. he was a shorter guy, but bad genetics?? Definitely not!! He beat Kevin Levrone when both were debuting as pros!!

[@MrClassicmetal]

​@@mikthe2004Agreed, it's perplexing to hear anyone say that Porter has "bad genetics". He had a very balanced physique, no overpowering bodyparts, and no glaring weaknesses. Perhaps that's his "weakness"; the fact that he didn't have any body parts that really stand out.

[@Real.Mad.Hatter]

Hey Marx you think you could do a video on John Hnatyschak and tell us what you think.

[@michelrood2966]

Tom platz said : I will not be a victim of my genetics

[@lordvader5101]

Big Lenny has the best genetics I've ever seen. For this list.

[@39Hundred]

700 lbs! Cut!

[@JohnPeter1940]

BB youtubers be like: "No disrespect to athleates but...." Also BB youtubers: " *Worst genetics ever* !!!!!"

[@michelrood2966]

Are Athleates the same as Atlhletes ?

[@johnspartan98]

Best Genetics of all time = Danny Padilla. Zero weaknesses when he was peaked. He looks like Arnold with the long legs sawed off and his legs were more fully developed. Next would be Lee Priest. But in the tall men's cat. Arnold is the best.

[@VictorCornelius-bd3bh]

Bad genetics for aesthetics….🙂

[@omalley16]

First dude looks like Steven segal if he tries bodybuilding

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

6:50 That double gyno

[@druiz127]

When you say on the wheels what are you referring to?

[@erikkemper]

Franco Columbo 👊😉 My favorite. Its just which picture you take.

[@dtiebel9794]

I always thought Franco had great genetics besides his height

[@johnspartan98]

If Hubert had gotten a haircut his shoulders would have looked about 4 inches wider.

[@marcpadilla1094]

Off the top. Boyer Coe ,Mike Mentzer, Danny Tinerino (?). I think these guys had to work twice as hard just to place. Franco was just short. Danny Padilla too. They had all the hallmark attributes except height.

[@jamesh2711]

Padilla had great genetics for a midget. If he was 6'2, he would've looked like Arnold. Very similar lines

[@shred9475]

the rooster deserves an honourable mention

[@keithgreenan7300]

Franko Columbo owns everything to Arnold and joe weider fixing the contests.Franko was 5 ft. 5 inches tall with bebe biceps

[@weirjf]

who was the guy at the beginning?

[@davidkosiba624]

This video makes me feel better about my genetics 😂

[@vegnewb]

Porter Cottrell is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

[@robertburatt5981]

Larry Scott had a narrow shoulder width, wide waist, short legs with so-so calves.

[@actionahsan3430]

Arnold had long legs and short torso but he had great genetics

[@smithgorrilugum4574]

Don't mean to be heretical here but Arnold did have some genetic/structural disadvantages that he had to overcome. One was his somewhat narrow and droopy shoulders. If you look at him standing relaxed in a line up that becomes apparent. Of course his other features more than made up for that deficit.

[@adriankonig2168]

8:49, "Iron" Mike Kefalianos, from Greece! He won Mr. Europe 2012, competed at the Olympia a handful of times, as well the Arnold, and the European renditions of both these 2 major shows. Competed a lot alongside Johnnie Jackson (who is shown right after Mike). He also competed at the Masters Olympia, the year that Dexter won (2012). I think he took 6th right behind Ronny Rockel who took 5th, but he did manage to beat Darrem Charles, Troy Alves and Bill Willmore. Really solid physique, during his prime he was known for coming in shredded with some awesome cuts, and he also had great shoulders, and was above average overall (at least in my opinion, which is probably a bit biased). Not bad genetics at all, he was just a shorter/smaller guy, and also he reached his competitve peak (not in terms of physique but placings and showings) around 40+, and age had already starting to show, although I think he did a good job managing that while still competing well until his late 40's, in 2018 when he decided to retire.

[@quasarleon4645]

5:23 Look at Shawn's mid section .... Just ridiculous . Looks like a Fitness competitor , while still packing mass .

[@oreocarlton3343]

2nd from the left mogs them all in all levels, name of the guy?

[@paulblake1164]

That's why the Open class at The Oyimpa is crap. The prize fund should be the same across all categories so that a person can compete at a level and graduate in the next class over time; after all, this is meant to be a healthy sport.

[@davidswan5295]

Porter Cottrell had bad aesthetics? That's actually kind of shocking to me. I thought he had fantastic lines.

[@jamesh2711]

Phil Heath had freakishly long legs and a short torso too. Great 3D effect, but his muscles looked soft like he was a filled up water balloon sculpture

[@marxmaxmuscle1]

man you have been watching my videos since the beginning! Thank you for the continued support!

[@jamesh2711]

@@marxmaxmuscle1 Yeah man, it's been awhile. Your channel has really blown up since then. Congrats!

[@bobayekadabogeyman9819]

This vid just proves biased not overcoming

[@wildmike951]

I have to say that Dave Palumbo had horrible genetics but he trained hard and has a ton of knowledge about diet, training and using gear and how it affects the body.

[@nukeboy4939]

I actually think his back and legs were pretty strong imo.

[@mikemccormick8115]

I think bodybuilders success is determined by, in order of importance; 1. Hard work in gym 2. Steroids 3. Genetics

[@jasonstearns2666]

Franco and Arnold were lovers in the early days. No wonder he was always front and center in the bodybuilding world. Arnold saw to it.

[@hotpocketjdd8279]

Would Flex wheeler vs Chris bumstead be a good match up? Would love to hear ur “food for thought “ on it*

[@dra911]

It seems harsh on Porter especially when you give Warren a pass. Porter had a pretty good aesthetic physique by comparison. Even Arnold commented on Francos seemingly lack of potential ("bow legged") but in his best form, he didn't have a lot of weak points. Funny thing about genetics, you never know how good or bad they are unless you try.

[@MrClassicmetal]

Porter had damn good genetics. Very balanced physique, and structurally better than Warren for sure.

[@odessafile75]

Franco had incredible genetics for torso ( chest, back,.delts, abs) . His arms while not " small" were not in proportion. His legs weren't " small" but had an unusual shape in part due to being bowlegged and hus calves were Ok. Porter Cortrel had great genetics.

[@ukestudio3002]

I think there’s a difference between bad genetics and those who are not working toward symmetry.

[@theadventuresofbruceleeand4701]

Look at the fig Newton's on Paco 😂

[@neosanking1388]

1994 Mr Olympia line up.. Olympia has a habit of awarding the guy with the worst midsection the Mr Olympia title.

[@BuJammy]

Dave Freakin' Palumbo!

[@howy3333]

Arnold also had a great back for that time as a bonus to his genetics....

[@amaanshaikh6868]

Yeah but we are talking about the worst not the best. He is in the league of best .

[@elipato6573]

Paco's legs were phenomenal

[@rickyricardo4413]

Hubert Metz German Legend✌🏼

[@dustinkeith8034]

Dave Palumbo should be on this list. He had freaky size, conditioning and vascularity but not the best structure.

[@eduardobatista329]

Did you find out if krizo is hurt and if he's coming back 🤔

[@ccrouch9679]

day 1 asking for shaun clarida 2022 vs dexter jackson 2008

[@respectkev5136]

Is not that Franco had bad genetics, its just that the other guys had a way better structure for sure. I agree

[@Tetraid13]

Johnie Jackson had some good legs when he was younger. So probably some injuries.

[@glynhannaford7332]

Sorry Marx, I'm disliking this video. You've worked hard making it and packed in masses of detail, and I'm taking nothing away from that. The great work and sculpting done over years to achieve perfect or near perfect proportions and symmetry eg Arnold, Zane, Oliva, Serge Nubret and others, is totally undermined by the sweeping generalisation 'Oh they had great genetics'. By the same token, looking at guys who didn't make the top tier, and concluding that "they had bad genetics" is an easy cop out. The whole point of proper bodybuilding for each individual, is too not just take advantage of the parts which develop easily, but to also identify those parts which naturally lag behind, and work harder on those areas to avoid imbalance. Basically, if genetic shortcomings are still evident in the finished article, that shows the effort put in, in the gym, was not allocated to the best effect.

[@terryfonz4603]

Back then Franco there was tall and short classes!

[@abdulatif701]

Oliva either didn't flex properly or he had to diet more

[@busabro6533]

Is jerry smith narrating?

[@zekegarzaiii2012]

At least Franco Columbo won Mr. Olympia 1981