The Beginning of Muscle Building Competitions for Males

Mr. Eugen Sandow is often referred to as the father of modern body building. He was known for his “gracilian” physique and muscle display performances, where he would pose and flex his muscles. Sandow’s popularity became widespread thanks to his manager, Florenz Ziegfield, who was always consistent in promoting muscle building his performances. Sandow’s reputation earned him a good following and he was able to establish a credible image, which he maximized and used to create a business. He invented exercise equipment for muscle building, including machined dumbbells, spring pulleys and tension bands.

The first body building competition, “The Great Competition,” was organized by Sandow, and was held on September 14, 1901. The winner, Mr. William Murray, received a bronze statue of Sandow himself. Sandow’s legacy lives on through one of today’s most prestigious body building competitions, the annual Mr. Olympia, where winners receive the same statue of Sandow. It was Mr. Larry Scott who won the first title in 1965.

There are two other equally prestigious body building competitions today, the Mr. Universe and the Mr. America competitions.