Larry Scott- The Legend
Larry Scott won the inaugural Mr. Olympia contest in 1965 and 1966 again before retiring from the sport forever a champion. He is the man who helped legitimize the early years of the Olympia, and was also at the forefront of training and nutritional innovations that are still in use today.
- In Scott’s own words, he transformed himself from a 98-pound weakling to bodybuilding perfection.
Scott's Life Story.....
Scott was born and raised in Idaho, America. As a kid he always had a passion for sports growing up. But as a child, he was too small to play football and basketball at high school. Hence he joined the gymnastics squad and became a prolific tumbler – he was at such a high level that he toured with his state team.
In 1956, at the age of 18, during his senior year in high school, Larry encountered a bodybuilding magazine. The future legend was instantly inspired and began lifting weights. However, he wasn’t training in the gym – at this point, he was using a deserted tractor axle as a dumb bell.
In 1958, Larry entered his first competition – the Mr. Idaho show. All of his hard work paid off, and he placed 1st in his debut.
This victory made him realize that he had the potential to succeed in the industry. In 1958, he moved to California and began training at Bert Goodrich’s Hollywood Gym.
It was there that Larry met “Mr. Muscle Beach”, Lou Degni – he helped Larry eventually to develop a great body.
Soon after, he met the owner and bodybuilding legend, Vince Gironda – The Iron Guru, who took up the responsibility to personally train the youngster.
Under the guidance of an icon, Larry made serious progress and was ready for his first major competition – the 1960 AAU Mr. California.
During this period, Larry also enrolled at Valley College, majoring in Electronics.
Scott's Fitness Routine
- Larry trained 6 days per week in the gym, focusing on 2-3 muscle groups every session.
- He performed 8-10 reps in equally as many sets.
- Each of his sessions lasted 2 hours – he worked out for 12 hours total per week.
- The Legend believed in taking as little rests between exercises as possible, to keep blood in the muscle and maintain the pump.
- Larry never used what he considered to be extremely heavy weights – the highest he’d go to for his bicep curls was 150lbs.
Larry Scott's Success: Mr Olympia Title
In 1965 Joe Weirder created the prestigious Mr. Olympia show.. Joe wanted the event to host the best bodybuilders in the world, so he only invited top title winners.
Larry being the winner for the Mr. Universe title, entered the 1965 Mr. Olympia. He managed to hold his previous success, and secured the1st Position.
Winning this title meant that Larry was crowned as the world’s greatest bodybuilder.
He returned a year later and stepped on stage at the 1966 Mr. Olympia. The Legend successfully defended his position as the king of the industry, becoming a superstar.
At 28, The Golden Boy announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding after his victory in 1966.
In 1999, Larry’s accomplishments in the fitness industry were memorialized.
He was inducted into the coveted IFBB Hall of Fame, alongside other icons like Reg Park and Arnold Schwarzenegger.