Is Height really an issue????

[fitmom43]

One of the other threads had me wondering about this whole height issue so I was bored this morning and decided to see what all the qualified competitors for this years Mr. O were, and compared them to previous winners. Thought I would share Yes I have to much time on my hands today LOL

Mr. Olympia 2011 Qualified

Abiad, Fouad 5’10
Alves, Troy 5’8
Beyeke, Lionel 5’10
Burneika, Robert 5’9
Centopani, Evan 5’11
Curry, Brandon 5’8
Cutler, Jay 5’10
Dohne, Marius 5’9
Freeman, Toney 6’2
Greene, Kai 5’8
Heath, Phil 5’9
Haley, Marcus 5’9
Jackson, Dexter 5’6
Jackson, Johnnie 5’8
Kefalianos, Michael 5’10
Lavoie, Marc *?*
Lewis, James 5’5
Martinez, Victor 5’9
McGrath, Frank 5’11
McMillan, Cedric 6’1
Mishin, Evgeny 6’2
Nunn, Edward 6’1
Rhoden, Shawn 5’9
Richardson, Craig 5’7
Rockel, Ronny 5’6
Warren, Branch 5’7
White, Ben 5’8
Winklaar, Roelly 5’6
Wolf, Dennis 6’0
Yamagishi, Hidetada 5’8


Previous Mr. Olympia Winners

Jay Culter (5’10) 2010, 2009 2007, 2006
Dexter Jackson (5’6) 2008
Ronnie Coleman ( 5’11) 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998
Dorian Yates ( 5’10) 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992
Lee Haney ( 5’11) 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984
Samir Bannout (5’8) 1983
Chris Dickerson (5’6) 1982
Franco Columbu (5’5) 1981, 1976
Arnold Schwarzenegger (6’0) 1980, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970
Frank Zane 1979, 1978, 1977
Sergio Oliva (5’9) 1969, 1968, 1968
Larry Scott (5’7) 1966, 1965


I was not motivated enough to post pictures of the previous winners, feel free to do so guys

[grant81]

I always thought Arnold was 6'2

[fitmom43]

I always thought Arnold was 6'2

There has been arguments about that all over the place. When I googled him they have him all over the place from 5'10 to 6'4 LOL Wiki has him at 6'0, bb.com and a few other sites have him at 6'2 and BBPro site has him at 6'1. I found an interesting site that explains a little all the diff. height issues with him.

http://www.celebheights.com/s/Arnold...egger-177.html

[xGaffner]

Most pros lie/exaggerate their height. I doubt most of those heights posted are real. Personally FROM MY OPINION i'd say around 5'8 -5'11 is the perfect height for pro bodybuilders. Much taller or smaller than that ruins the aesthetic flow and proportion to the physique (again imo)

[grant81]

There has been arguments about that all over the place. When I googled him they have him all over the place from 5'10 to 6'4 LOL Wiki has him at 6'0, bb.com and a few other sites have him at 6'2 and BBPro site has him at 6'1. I found an interesting site that explains a little all the diff. height issues with him.

http://www.celebheights.com/s/Arnold...egger-177.html

thank you for the info

[fitmom43]

Most pros lie/exaggerate their height. I doubt most of those heights posted are real. Personally FROM MY OPINION i'd say around 5'8 -5'11 is the perfect height for pro bodybuilders. Much taller or smaller than that ruins the aesthetic flow and proportion to the physique (again imo)

Very true, I always wanted to be 5'8 and blonde But unfortunately I barely reach 5'4. My best friend calls me his keebler elf, but then again next to him I am elfin sized even with heels I barely reach his chin LOL

thank you for the info

No problem

[Rocky-Balboa]

Previous Mr. Olympia Winners:

Jay Cutler (5’10) 2010, 2009 2007, 2006
Dexter Jackson (5’6) 2008
Ronnie Coleman ( 5’11) 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998
Dorian Yates ( 5’10) 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992
Lee Haney ( 5’11) 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984
Samir Bannout (5’8) 1983
Chris Dickerson (5’6) 1982
Franco Columbu (5’5) 1981, 1976
Arnold Schwarzenegger (6’0) 1980, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970
Frank Zane 1979, 1978, 1977
Sergio Oliva (5’9) 1969, 1968, 1968
Larry Scott (5’7) 1966, 1965

It isn't an issue when winning an Olympia, but as you can see, only the guys around 5'10 and above were able to hold onto the title the most.

When you have the top guys all in good condition, well proportioned, good symmetry etc, the only major factor separating them will be muscle mass. The taller guys can carry more mass so this puts them ahead.

[Unraveling]

Yeah, I think Arnold was 6'2 when he was competing, but not sure if he still is today.

[titomuheedo]

Jay's 5'8
Arnold's 6'2

[Delirium1337]

lol @ arnold being 6'0...

[RC2008]

Arnold is definitely taller than 6'0. 6'2 is more like it

[ikillsuckers]

Yeah, I think Arnold was 6'2 when he was competing, but not sure if he still is today.

Jay's 5'8
Arnold's 6'2

lol @ arnold being 6'0...

Arnold is definitely taller than 6'0. 6'2 is more like it

lol does it really matter????

the threads not about how tall arnold was its about weather or not height plays a role

i second what balboa said..

[bwelch1985]

Hide Yamagishi 5'8".....rearry??

[red_cat]

Hide Yamagishi 5'8".....rearry??

Not possible.

As for the topic, 5'10-11" seems to be that sweet spot where you can hold enough mass to look cartoonishly huge. Any higher than that and you'd have to compete at 300+...any lower and you can't hold enough mass to compete with the taller guys on a consistent basis.

[Joe Go]

Competitors averaged by height.

6'2"=6.89%
6'1"=6.89%
6'0"=3.45%
5'11"=6.89%
5'10"=13.79%
5'9"=20.7%
5'8"=20.7%
5'7"=6.89%
5'6"=10.34%
5'5"=3.45%

Mr. Olympia 2011 Qualified

Abiad, Fouad 5’10
Alves, Troy 5’8
Beyeke, Lionel 5’10
Burneika, Robert 5’9
Centopani, Evan 5’11
Curry, Brandon 5’8
Cutler, Jay 5’10
Dohne, Marius 5’9
Freeman, Toney 6’2
Greene, Kai 5’8
Heath, Phil 5’9
Haley, Marcus 5’9
Jackson, Dexter 5’6
Jackson, Johnnie 5’8
Kefalianos, Michael 5’10
Lavoie, Marc *?*
Lewis, James 5’5
Martinez, Victor 5’9
McGrath, Frank 5’11
McMillan, Cedric 6’1
Mishin, Evgeny 6’2
Nunn, Edward 6’1
Rhoden, Shawn 5’9
Richardson, Craig 5’7
Rockel, Ronny 5’6
Warren, Branch 5’7
White, Ben 5’8
Winklaar, Roelly 5’6
Wolf, Dennis 6’0
Yamagishi, Hidetada 5’8

[millivanilli]

Even though Jay says he is 5 foot 9 he is more like 5 foot 7 or 5 foot 6

[5foot7inchguy]

for all who don't know about arnold height...

all u need to know : http://www.arnoldheight.com/

[mikeybrah]

Arnolds frame was definitely 6'2ish when he was competing.

[Matt C]

One of the other threads had me wondering about this whole height issue so I was bored this morning and decided to see what all the qualified competitors for this years Mr. O were, and compared them to previous winners. Thought I would share Yes I have to much time on my hands today LOL

Mr. Olympia 2011 Qualified

Abiad, Fouad 5’10
Alves, Troy 5’8
Beyeke, Lionel 5’10
Burneika, Robert 5’9
Centopani, Evan 5’11
Curry, Brandon 5’8
Cutler, Jay 5’10
Dohne, Marius 5’9
Freeman, Toney 6’2
Greene, Kai 5’8
Heath, Phil 5’9
Haley, Marcus 5’9
Jackson, Dexter 5’6
Jackson, Johnnie 5’8
Kefalianos, Michael 5’10
Lavoie, Marc *?*
Lewis, James 5’5
Martinez, Victor 5’9
McGrath, Frank 5’11
McMillan, Cedric 6’1
Mishin, Evgeny 6’2
Nunn, Edward 6’1
Rhoden, Shawn 5’9
Richardson, Craig 5’7
Rockel, Ronny 5’6
Warren, Branch 5’7
White, Ben 5’8
Winklaar, Roelly 5’6
Wolf, Dennis 6’0
Yamagishi, Hidetada 5’8


Previous Mr. Olympia Winners

Jay Culter (5’10) 2010, 2009 2007, 2006
Dexter Jackson (5’6) 2008
Ronnie Coleman ( 5’11) 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998
Dorian Yates ( 5’10) 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992
Lee Haney ( 5’11) 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984
Samir Bannout (5’8) 1983
Chris Dickerson (5’6) 1982
Franco Columbu (5’5) 1981, 1976
Arnold Schwarzenegger (6’0) 1980, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970
Frank Zane 1979, 1978, 1977
Sergio Oliva (5’9) 1969, 1968, 1968
Larry Scott (5’7) 1966, 1965


I was not motivated enough to post pictures of the previous winners, feel free to do so guys

Most of these heights are right although a few are off. What I find funny is that if you add up all the heights, the average height is between 5'8-5'9 which is my height. I guess any bodybuilder that height can't argue that they are at a disadvantage.

[Morsprincipium1]

I would put the sweet spot of height perfection in bbing to be 5'8-5'10

Any shorter it can be difficult to put on sufficient mass because of structural limits (me being one of those)
Any taller and you'll be having problems filling out that gigantic structure, although I have seen some AMAZING taller bodybuilders in my day

[fitmom43]

I agree with most average height seems to come in at 5'8 to 5'10.

I am sure like someone else said that a lot of the heights are exaggerated. And I honestly can't believe the difference in height with Arnold's stats.

[Gorky88]

I agree with most average height seems to come in at 5'8 to 5'10.

I am sure like someone else said that a lot of the heights are exaggerated. And I honestly can't believe the difference in height with Arnold's stats.

Yeah but your 5' 4 is not short like you said in the beginning for a lady. I am from Turkey and most of the women are not that tall and I had some girlfriends around the 5' 3 mark.

Funny thing is my mom is 5 '3 but my sister is almost 6 foot tall.
--
I want to say one thing though I hate when people say bodybuilders are liars about their heights and weights. Everyone in the public that I know lie about their height and weight just as much

just this summer one of my close friends said he is like 5'9 and his girlfriend is like 5'8

He has to be like blind or something. He is around 5'7 and the girl is 5'4 at best. I mean what happens when you make yourself taller for gods sake?
--
Lastly, I think that 5'9 to 5'11 range makes it very efficient to have great frame for bodybuilding not so hard to fill out like a 6'3 guy but not like a manlet with Michelin Man looking body at 5'5 either.

[asbrus]

Jay isn't 5 10. He's 5 9. I st00d next t0 him t00 and i'm just alm0st 5 11. BRANCH WARREN IS ALS0 N0T 5 7 BUT 5 6. A L0T 0F TH0SE HEIGHTS ARE N0T ACCURATE.

[I_hate_Training]

Well to win the O, not as much. Franco is the only one who was say 5' 6" or 7 that won in the Arnold-present, besides Dex.

Now, who has won the most O's?

Arnold is 6+ tall, Lee Haney is 5' 11ish, Dorian is 5' 10 or 11, Ronnie is 5' 11 and Jay is the shortest at 5' 9(or 8) depending on what site you look at.

So while shorter guys have won the title, the taller men seem to hold onto it for multiple years.

[fitmom43]

Jay isn't 5 10. He's 5 9. I st00d next t0 him t00 and i'm just alm0st 5 11. BRANCH WARREN IS ALS0 N0T 5 7 BUT 5 6. A L0T 0F TH0SE HEIGHTS ARE N0T ACCURATE.

Can I paypal you so money so you buy a new keyboard? Plus.....WHEN YOU USE ALL CAPS YOU ARE YELLING AT SOMEONE rant/

Ok now to your post, since I was not the one doing the measuring you may be right I just pulled those heights from either bb.com or wiki so I can't say with 100% accuracy that they are correct. But I added them for the sake of some intelligent conversation that is all, in another thread height was mentioned and I was just curious if it indeed it is a factor when competing

[flangmasterj]

It isn't an issue when winning an Olympia, but as you can see, only the guys around 5'10 and above were able to hold onto the title the most.

When you have the top guys all in good condition, well proportioned, good symmetry etc, the only major factor separating them will be muscle mass. The taller guys can carry more mass so this puts them ahead.

Proportionately they carry the same amount of mass or sometimes less than a bodybuilder of smaller stature. That should not have any influence on how they are judged.

[BartPimpson]

Tall bodybuilders so often have weak legs (Arnold, Stubbs, Big Sean Allen), camel hips and wide midsections (Greg Kovacs, Roland Kickinger, Quincy Taylor), or physiques that just plain look a mess (Noah Steere, Art Atwood, Greg Kovacs).

Tall guys who can pull off a great, balanced, proportionate physique are pretty rare, Toney Freeman and Paul Dillett being two exceptions. Being tall is an advantage in basketball but it stacks the deck against you in bodybuilding.

[CFormish]

Looking at the list of former Olympians, I'll say no since there were a few under 5'8 that won. But at the same time the longest reigns were guys 5'8 and over. Samir was had the one win, but I think he was shorter than listed. And I have stood next to Jay at the Olympia expos on '07 and '08 and he didn't appear to be taller than me. He looks a little over 5'8. My stats here say 5'9, but I'm more like 5'8 1/2". Gotta round up not down right?

[IngJT]

Manlets will rule the world.
Alexey Lesukov for the win!!!!!

[Rocky-Balboa]

Proportionately they carry the same amount of mass or sometimes less than a bodybuilder of smaller stature. That should not have any influence on how they are judged.

By mass i mean size of muscle. Not height to weight ratio. A taller and wider guy like Jay will look bigger then a Kai who is 5 pounds heavier because he is wider and taller.


If it was judged proportionally, then a lot of 202 guys who are way more developed then the open top 10 would easily be beating them.

David Henry is a very complete bodybuilder, and standing alone he looks huge. He looks more filled out and has great shape. However, next to a less filled out and less shredded Wolf, he looks tiny:









Wolf's height stands out more then the great conditioning, shape and size that David Henry carries.