Clancy Ross - King of Bodybuilders

[@NattyLifeYT]

Old School Bodybuilding playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLK7oVKkif-qXRDEob5MKbaT0KEZRe9niu

[@anjinsanx44]

Thx 4 posting this great doc about a legend of the silver era!🎉😂🎉

[@markvonwisco7369]

Anytime I see photos from this era, it makes even sadder to see what modern bodybuilding has became. Even in the natural shows, the participants are over-dieted in an effort to emulate the vascularity of drug enhanced bodybuilders.

[@DCJayhawk57]

Yeah I think it's rare to see anyone from this era under 10% bodyfat. A lot of these photos he's pushing closer to 15% (still a shade under most of the time), but he's not lean by today's standards. Naturals tend to look best when they're in that 10-12% range. There's detail and muscle separation but not paper thin skin or heavy vascularity, and what's most important is they remain full. Modern natural bodybuilding needs to change. The leanness standards are ludicrous. You have guys who are 6' and 225 lb in the offseason who are on stage in the low 180s. Alberto Nuñez is 5'9" with a stage weight in the low 160s. Because of that standard, he rarely lets his body weight get over the low 180s, and I think long-term that probably slows the progress of a lot of competitive natural pros. They're overly concerned with conditioning and having to diet down.

[@tshatos6442]

You think that competitors get that lean only to emulate vascularity?

[@billyabot3023]

Now bovinebuilding

[@billyabot3023]

at that time they looked like something

[@cldavis33]

Right - the natty's today, they try to get as ripped the guys on drugs, but the human body doesn't want that. It's not natural at all. You need some fat and it actually looks good.

[@daneyraju8433]

Silver era bodybuilders all looked like beautiful statues we can't take our eyes of them... unlike today's mass monsters who looks like just muscle

[@samueldavis5895]

Muscle? You mean veins and water retention? 😂

[@onceagainvideos]

Now that I am in my 70s and retired, I have been working out in earnest. The work you are doing serves as an inspiration for me, and I appreciate you. Thank you.

[@NattyLifeYT]

The honour is mine sir. Thank you for your comment and best of luck on your lifting journey 💪

[@whack-yl2fq]

I have never seen that photo of the 4 Mr. America winners! Legendary!

[@PaulPupp]

NoFirst commercial gym I ever joined (after I graduated high school and could no longer use the high school weight room) was Clancy's gym in Walnut Creek CA. The "Clancy Ross Mr America Club" gym. Clancy opened in 1976, Arnold was the one who headlined, and gave a seminar, at the Grand Opening. I joined in 1979 right after I graduated high school. Clancy put me on a good workout routine. I was not a bodybuilder at that time, just a kid that loved to lift. But his gym WAS a hardcore bodybuilding gym, and the next thing you know I am in the middle of heavy hardcore workouts with hardcore bodybuilders and my life changed. Clancy sold out, the gym changed owners a few times (being one of the early/first Gold's Gym licensees in the early 1980's), and that gym is STILL there today, on Ygnacio Valley Road, in the same exact spot in Ygnacio Valley Plaza, it is a Fitness 19 now. Has been there since 1976 when Clancy opened. Clancy worked part time, after he sold the gym, at Russ Warner's exercise equipment store in Hayward CA, then retired to a nursing home I believe in Walnut Creek, where he was interviewed by a local TV station as he was still lifting. Clancy had a really bad hip from his training days and it was very hard on him. Was honored to have known Clancy, have him as a mentor, as well as been a pupil at his Mr America gym.

[@NattyLifeYT]

Super cool! Thanks for sharing

[@PaulPupp]

​​​@@NattyLifeYT Clancy was a great guy. He was a ladies man, and very sharp dresser. Even in 1979 and 1980, when he still owned his gym, he came in to work dressed like he was going out to a beautiful Five Star restaurant, every single day! Clancy wore his hair poofed up and combed straight back, in a/like a pompadour with a ton of hairspray, and it didn't move at all😅😅😅 it looked perfect every single day.

[@harryplummer6356]

You are so lucky to have trined in his gym. I was a huge fan of him.

[@dra911]

Reeves, Grimek and Ross all did full-body workouts for the most part. Imagine that today? I believe he only regretted training too heavy which left him with some debilitating injuries later in life. All three are inspirational.

[@mikafoxx2717]

Yep, and only 3x a week for him and Reeves. They look great. 3-4x a week and 3 sets each movement seems to be about the most a natural can really keep up with energy wise. Interesting that he didn't do any pull-ups, supposedly. And two different variations of curls.

[@billyabot3023]

he trained until the end

[@dra911]

There was a FB post by Bill Pearl about Clancy in 2020. In it, he described how after 65 years of weight training, he (Clancy) had knee and hip replacements and a severely damaged lower back. The comments then go on to discuss how he blamed heavy training for his joint problems & pain. I aim to learn from his experience...

[@williamsweeney7954]

This was a great surprise. Worked out at Leo Sterns gym in San Diego for years. Great guy. RIP.

[@loulopez554]

I'm in my sixties and miss this era so much!

[@sparta007ot]

im 32 n i miss it lol

[@knightveg]

Love listening to classic bodybuilding knowledge Thank you for putting this up I thoroughly enjoyed it

[@NattyLifeYT]

Many thanks brother!

[@knightveg]

​@@NattyLifeYTthank you

[@JDirty-w-tha-30]

I appreciate this level of leanness more than the unhealthy appearance we see modern bodybuilders at today too. Peak aesthetics

[@NattyLifeYT]

💯

[@whack-yl2fq]

Totally agree. I would guess the bodybuilder builders of the silver era were anywhere between 17% at the highest and 9% at the lowest IMO. I would say Clancy is somewhere in the middle at like 12%. Natty Life should totally make a video about bf% in the silver era it could be really interesting. The spray on artificial tan hasn't helped either and it has turned bodybuilding into a laughable joke to the average person.

[@JohnMacField]

@@whack-yl2fq yup. Sad that this sport has been ruined by drug addicts.

[@Magnus_Loov]

True, although they could have gone a little bit lower in bodyfat for the silver era. Many bronze era bodybuilders were really cut. Many hardly did any cut at all, like Steve Reeves who only did a couple of weeks before a competition. In 1950 he was more or less given the Mr Universe being way too smooth where Reg Parks should have won it. Most here are between 12%-15%. Around 9-10% would really be possible while keeping the muscle.

[@JDirty-w-tha-30]

@@Magnus_Loov I think that's fair. I will say I like how it looks like where these guys are at, they could sustain their bf%. 9-10% while trying to make gains isn't in the genetic cards for a lot of guys. What is represented here is what it looks like a lot of men could get reasonably close to and walk around with good energy. I could understand taking off a few % for a dedicated show, but what I see here looks like a sustainable lifestyle

[@ParvParashar]

Bodybuilding was at its peak during the silver era, in my opinion. It was about health and aesthetics. It wasn’t about reaching extremely low levels of body fat and being unhealthy. Natural bodybuilding should be about the right balance between size and leanness and being physically fit and athletic. This is why I love the silver era of bodybuilding. It’s truly my favorite. Also, tanning should be done the natural way and only to an extent. Bodybuilders today overdo tanning with artificial methods and it looks very unnatural and not aesthetic. Great video! It’s absolutely amazing and very inspiring. 💪

[@biggieyorke8415]

85 percent of what you said I agree with whole heartedly.❤

[@ParvParashar]

@@biggieyorke8415 🙏

[@harryplummer6356]

So true Parv. I started lifting in 1955 and it was about being 'husky' and healthy. Now, I'm not sure what it's supposed to be.

[@ParvParashar]

@@harryplummer6356 Wow! That’s amazing. This is what I love about natural bodybuilding so much! It’s about longevity and health. That’s why I look up to old school bodybuilders and listen to their advice. I prioritize following their advice over the advice of bodybuilders of today. Seeing a natural lifter who’s been bodybuilding for decades is incredibly inspiring and highly motivating. It’s truly commendable! 🙏

[@JohnMacField]

Gotta raise up the expectations for natural Bodybuilding. Have faith brothas you can do it. 👊

[@NattyLifeYT]

Hell yeah brother 💪

[@intenzityd3181]

Reeves and Grimek weren't natural, I don't have much reason to believe Ross was either given his drastic mass increase.

[@michelrood2966]

Stay irrelevant 😊

[@сесьсясь]

@@intenzityd3181 they were. Steroid use started in late 50s. Stop spreading misinformation.

[@sebastiansullivan4770]

@@michelrood2966 Hope you're doing well!

[@kenneth6102]

This guy looks like a titan at 5'9", dwarfing the 6'3" steroid freaks by comparison, in appearance, athleticism, confidence and lifespan.

[@milan51259]

Absolutely mindblowing natural physique. I'm 5'8 myself and this is quite a huge rolemodel!

[@solb101]

His training looks like a basic beginners routine but it obviously gets results. His legs are not very big but everything seems in proportion. Basically a good, lean and muscular physique.

[@cronikvialo5463]

Bro is back, great video !

[@NattyLifeYT]

Thanks brotha! 💪

[@nomad6086]

Great video. Insightful & informative. Clancy is one of my favorite bodybuilders from the Silver Era. His physique is perfection at it's best. Btw, the movie he was in was hilarious - I've probably watched it a dozen times.

[@REPSDirect]

Those group shots are absolutely fantastic!

[@johnrobinson4445]

Leo Stern, wow! He was the owner of "Stern's Gym" in North Park San Diego. Bought my first weight set from him. He drove an old Jaguar. Met him many times when he was much older. Nice man.

[@williamsweeney7954]

Worked out there for years. Knew Leo and his pit bull Blue. Unfortunately Sterns just closed. Nothing will ever be like that gym.

[@REPSDirect]

As a sailor In the late 60's I worked out in Leo's gym when my ship was in port, and still vividly remember that steep flight of stairs up to the gym.

[@billyabot3023]

It worked calves.​@@REPSDirect

[@PaulPupp]

Stern's Gym was the OLDEST gym in America, until it closed 7 months ago. From 1946 until 2024. Bill Pearl trained there when he grew up in San Diego...

[@FrankId]

Thanks for the informative coverage of this Era.

[@loveamerica3426]

Dude you're making a lot of really quality content you should be proud of yourself 👍 you are what's good about KZbin. Good job!

[@esjosaqui]

The challenge for the present-time lifters is still there!

[@AnarchoReptiloidUa]

Great video. Thanks for making this channel💪

[@Louis_Bieringer]

I think its great that you are coming back now. Always inspiring to see Silver Era bodybuilders and learn about the history.

[@sixwingsram]

I worked out at his gym in NorCal back in 1977. He was a great guy. In his peak form he was one of the best body builders in history. He had a classic build. Amazing!!

[@damianop100]

This was a wonderful little video. I didn't know much about Clancy Ross. Thank you for all the great photos and information.

[@nunomartins2209]

Back when bodybuilding was to build Ur body to the most healthy and better shape not to be a monster

[@leon5537]

What always stands out that most of these guys went far beyond 80 years of age!

[@dominicpaul1]

Brilliant video! Love the old-timey radio interview at 8mins in 😆👍👍👍

[@ottohernandez8818]

inspirational and informative video, great for those of us lifitng for life naturally, thanks !

[@NattyLifeYT]

Thanks for the support bro!

[@biggieyorke8415]

Thank you for featuring this video. I have never heard of Clancy Ross before now. It was great to see him.If he is completely natural,then his results were excellent.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👍

[@-metaldemon]

Awesome video as always with great story and video composition thanks and peace and positivity to everyone.

[@BigV24]

phenomenal physique. the proportions 👏🏾

[@trislifting47]

Great video bro and dayum what an amazing physique. Really goals man

[@NattyLifeYT]

Thanks big dawg 💪

[@Greyman141-o6j]

Wow another great video thank you so much for this information it’s very inspiring!

[@daneyraju8433]

Man that hands up in the hair twisted pose at 0:11 is immaculate...how a man is supposed to look according to God

[@Pantelifts10]

Did He told you that personally?No, that's how you'd like a man to look.

[@biggieyorke8415]

Well if Clancy Ross was natural, he didn’t go beyond what nature intended.So he maximised what God gave him.

[@akwandegawe2600]

🎵I HEAR VOICES IN MY HEAD, they council me they understand they talk to me🎵

[@daneyraju8433]

@@Pantelifts10 yes😂

[@williamnoel1682]

That's a nice photo, yes, but there are a number of others of him that are even better. I think that he was probably one of the 3 most photographed bodybuilders of his era (40s & 50s) along with Grimek and Reeves.

[@LatimusChadimus]

The silver era was certainly the end of a great era

[@Andy-828.]

Thanks for sharing, Mr Natty!

[@Keith-dn9pf]

That guy was very strong for his era of the 1940s into the 1950s. For the weights he used and with no chemical assistance, ive always thought he was was impressive. Clarence Ross and John Grimek are 2 of my old school favorites.

[@marcusmoonstein242]

The Silver Era had the best physiques of all time. They had more pleasing proportions than the Bronze Era and were not freakishly huge like the Golden Era - and let's not even get started on the modern bodybuilders.

[@talibe801]

Even today if he got the conditioning right could be top 5 in classique physique.

[@kieranmurraysnaturalstreng5913]

Clancy Ross is another example of a natural bodybuilder from the Real Golden Era.

[@xruin7]

Fantastic video! Gained a subscriber :)

[@juggernautic.]

Great video! Can you do George Eiferman next?

[@wataboutya9310]

Great bodybuilding history there!

[@TDghf]

This guy is the supreme amazing

[@gosple2]

Another great video from Natty Life. Thank you sir!

[@oldnatty61]

Great job!👍

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Marvellous!!! :)

[@MajoMJ2002]

He truly was the King💪 Natural, Strong and Healthy

[@daiakunin]

Wow his squat depth is really impressive! He really was able to go ass to grass!

[@warrenthearchangel]

Indeed peak Natural physique.

[@eunicewong3963]

He is so handsome 😍

[@omamage]

Glorious silver era!

[@davisdenver6756]

I'm just leaving a comment for the algorithm. Great video! :)

[@51909relapseminem]

Can we all go back to idolizing silver era bodybuilders, please?

[@juanrodriguez5404]

Awesome 👍😎👍

[@harryplummer6356]

Clancy Ross, Alan Stephan, and Steve Reeves were my favourites.

[@DCJayhawk57]

What I appreciate about these Silver Era guys is that weren't just trying to get an X frame with overdeveloped legs and tiny baby waists. Also, none of them were coming in super lean. I think the main difference between the Bronze and Silver Eras was that the Bronze guys were all sub-10% bodyfat and therefore looked flat and stringy, whereas the Silver Era guys were usually 11-13% on stage, giving them that muscle fullness and an overall powerful look. Modern natural bodybuilding is a joke with the conditioning standards. Nobody really wants to see a sinewy, flat 6% natural physique. There are some super impressive naturals out there, but they all tend to look the same when dieted down. You shouldn't have to lose 30-40 lb of bodyweight from a healthy bodyfat level to compete in natural bodybuilding, but that's the case with a lot of guys. Some never let their body fat go up to 15% where a lot of naturals will experience their best gains because they want to make their contest prep easier, but I think it slows their gains by a lot. I consider myself a natural bodybuilder, but I would almost assuredly never compete with the current standards. You shouldn't be miserable on stage and in the few weeks leading up to the show, but today it's all about striated glutes and hamstring separation and not about a big full chest and arms.

[@NattyLifeYT]

Well said!

[@mikafoxx2717]

Yep. It's not about beauty anymore, it's about technical prowess. Being at 12% or so, or even 15+ as a few silver guys were looks best and most healthy. They're the kind of physique people actually want to have. Not a strongman stuck in a concentration camp or genetically engineered looking monster human. Just a natural dude that has lifted for a few years a few times a week at a healthy body fat level that's neither starving nor fat.

[@DCJayhawk57]

@@mikafoxx2717 Totally. Health and vitality instead of freak show. Big difference between physical culture which emphasized truly building the body and the freak show today. It's certainly impressive and fulfills a morbid curiosity for those within the fitness niche, but there's a reason why the general populus finds elite bodybuilding disgusting and offputting. I still follow enhanced pro bodybuilding closely, it was those guys who got me into the sport to begin with, but it's not something I want for myself. I want to look like the Silver Era guys with a better posterior chain and legs. Steve Reeves with better traps, lats, glutes, and hamstrings.

[@mikafoxx2717]

@@DCJayhawk57 You'd look mighty good if you could top Mr. Reeves! They still did have some to learn back then, though, and did have a few weaker points, but still looked fantastic. These days people are probably looking more towards people like Henry Cavill for actually being very good looking, and he's probably one of the only natural muscular guys in Hollywood to boot. He's just kept at lifting over the years after a role that required it never went through, and by the time man of steel was set he was perfect for that role instead, and is even bigger today after many more years. Much more realistic, but very few probably wanted to look like Arnold during his acting career.

[@jimmyconway8025]

We don't make people like this anymore. Look at those dudes heads and Jaws! My grandfather was like this my dad's not I'm not my brother's not. My grandfather played college football at UPenn with Chuck Badnerik for a ref. I'm guessing it's diet... Idk... crazy

[@Shvabicu]

Bro, how have you been doing? Any physique updates/training updates? I enjoyed that content from your home gym

[@NattyLifeYT]

Hey bro, check out my second channel. i have actually been doing a lot of rock climbing (bouldering) recently thanks for your support :)

[@ericjohnson9477]

My Inspiration as well as Leroy Cojbert

[@lucasgraeff5391]

I WANT TO GO TO THE GYM RIGHT NOW

[@adrianmorris1767]

Fantastic video thank you, I wonder if tge 3 sets of 10 we’re with the same weight or ramping up to a top set like the de’lorme system

[@IRON_D]

These guys look a lot more like what I would aspire to achieve!!! So much better than modern look which is just scary unhealthy look…

[@SamBroadway]

NATTY'S BACK!!!!

[@firebird7479]

George O'Hanlon was the voice of George Jetson. His son, George O'Hanlon, Jr., went on to an acting career as well.

[@CooteRJ_84]

This was interesting.

[@Jaguar-s7f]

Dude was jacked.

[@MshSh-sl2rt]

Post a physique update, been like a year since i last watched your vids

[@NattyLifeYT]

You can check my second channel, I am actually mainly bouldering the last couple months. It's my new obsession 😁

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

Great video, but FYI Bill Pearl was not undefeated. He took third place in his first contest and lost to Jack Delinger in the Mr. Universe. But he was also coached by Leo Stern, who you mentioned here. (P.S. Isn't it crazy how much better Steve Reeves looked in street clothes than three other Mr. Americas? The man was blessed with godlike physical beauty.)

[@Gabingus69]

great fizeek

[@arymniak1]

A healthy looking man.

[@4speedpony]

Would that be Jack Delinger curly hair blonde at 3:35 2nd from the right, I still have a signed glossy from him, when he had his shop on Broadway Street in downtown Oakland Ca, back in 1983 ;-)

[@williamnoel1682]

I am pretty sure that was Eric Pederson who was Mr. California 1947 and who tied Reeves for the Mr. America that year. There was a tie-breaker (not sure what the criteria was), so Reeves won that. Pederson got the "Most Muscular" title, though, at that same competition.

[@bigbadwolf200335]

Great video, I wonder what his diet was like, was there even protein powder back then, Definitely no creatine or multi vitamins were there? PS just subbed to your channel, looks like you have quite a collection of videos.

[@mikafoxx2717]

Don't need any of that stuff, just real foods. Even vegans could look like these guys with enough beans and tofu and years of training.

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Ah possibilities of what can be achieved drug-free! I've lived it. Robert DeNiro facially looked like he and Mr Ross could have been related.

[@Winterascent]

nice

[@karlkriz508]

Am I welcome on this natty life channel even if Im on trt? Im 39 btw....

[@mikafoxx2717]

TRT isn't steroids, though many use TRT as an excuse for their steroids, despite taking over 10x as much as a medicinal dose.

[@randybowman]

Did you do earle liederman yet?

[@NattyLifeYT]

Not yet, but will do some day

[@randybowman]

@@NattyLifeYT looking forward to that one.

[@Lifestyle3kz]

What year was he in

[@daneyraju8433]

Was Clancy natural?

[@NattyLifeYT]

Yes

[@salvadorromero9712]

3:34 Who is third place in Mr. USA 1948? I am a V taper fanatic so my heart will always belong to Steve Reeves. I'd never taken a close look at Ross, which is a shame. Really good looking physique in its own way. I especially noticed the immaculate pec aesthetics--and nothing "bronze age" about their level of development either! On the other hand I failed to heed the warning and just now watched "So You Want to be a Muscle Man." I am now eleven minutes older and regret every single one of them. Please don't make the same foolish mistake I did! This is easily one of the stupidest short films in the history of cinema, and not in any way you want to see how, trust me.

[@NattyLifeYT]

So according to my source the placements at the ‘48 USA were: Clancy Ross Steve Reeves Alan Stephan Eric Pedersen Though looking at the photo it’s a bit confusing because the size of the trophies go Ross, Pedersen, Reeves, Stephan 🤔 But yeah… the short film was terrible lol would not recommend other than to see Clancy’s poses

[@orionl7406]

Chad

[@ankitojha6822]

2:23 tf that's a 19 year old????

[@NattyLifeYT]

I know right? Must be his facial structure and hairline than makes him appear more mature

[@frankiereinares8892]

best chess ever

[@stephss]

Mogged? Dude, is all up with internet lingo.

[@milan51259]

176 cm tall only? Guy looks in all of those photos like 195!

[@Leo-gi7bg]

🏃‍♂️

[@ninjallama7046]

I’ve noticed hamstring and adductor development is almost none existent in the bronze and silver era, I think that’s why their legs never look quite as big as I would expect them to be, I think they’re legs would’ve exploded if the had more variety that just squats and calf raises

[@elgranmani9983]

But he was natural??

[@NattyLifeYT]

Yup

[@elgranmani9983]

@@NattyLifeYT cannot believe it. His state humiliates myself

[@sebastiansullivan4770]

@@elgranmani9983 genetics do in fact play a roll. But with consistent, smart work, anyone can make improvements to be proud of

[@glennday7802]

None of them were natural. Upjohn pharmaceutical sold steroids to the public from the mid-40's onward.

[@mikafoxx2717]

​@@elgranmani9983He's one of the top (famous) natural guys ever, so don't be too dismay. Just put the work in and be consistent and eat decent food and you'll be a whole lot more impressive than you otherwise would've been without doing so.

[@msportster6791]

The narrator sounds like one of the hosts from “The Gentleman’s Gazette”.

[@brandonyoung4910]

Looked great. Skinny neck lol

[@HikaruGuzman]

I liked my comment

[@ricardogabrielurcuyoruiz2273]

🍙

[@albertolloret7688]

At the 50s everyone was on the juice

[@covingtoncreek]

Nice video but natural? I'm skeptical.

[@dasociety129113]

So this guy 100% for sure natty? I mean testosterone had already been synthesised in the 30s a full 10-20 years later even having military experience whos to say complete 100% natty. Just being skeptical.

[@SebDeSto]

But he was not natty...