Leroy Colbert Was the First Bodybuilder to Develop Massive 21″ Inch Drug-Free Arms
Leroy Colbert (May 9th, 1933 – November 20th, 2015) is among those unheard names among the bodybuilding community known as the first Golden Era bodybuilder credited to build 100% natural 21-inch arms.
If Leroy Colbert Had Not Gone Through Motorcycle Accident, He Could’ve Been a Future Mr. Olympia Without Taking Anabolic Steroids
Leroy’s bodybuilding career was short-lived due to a fatal motorcycle accident that damaged his ankle. Still, today’s date, he’s considered as one of the best legends ever lived. Compared to other bodybuilders, Leroy Colbert had a very similar physique to Frank Zane, as both had identical muscle mass proportions.
Leroy Colbert’s Workout Routine – 1978
Leroy Colbert’s Chest Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Barbell Bench Press – Wide Grip | 6 – 8 | 10 – 12 |
| DB Flys | 8 | 8 – 12 |
| DB Pullovers | 6 | 10 – 12 |
Leroy Colbert’s Back Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Chin-Ups – Wide Grip | 6 | Till Failure |
| 1 – Arm DB Rowing | 8 | 10 |
Leroy Colbert’s Biceps Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Alternate DB Curls | 6 | 12 |
| DB Concentration Curls | 8 | 10 |
| Barbell Concentration Curls – Lying | 8 | 12 |
Leroy Colbert’s Triceps Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
|
Tri – Set: Triceps Press downs DB French Press Weighted Triceps Dips |
6 8 6 |
10 10 10 |
Leroy Colbert’s Legs Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Press | 6 | 10 – 15 |
| Leg Extensions | 5 | 20 |
| Leg Curls | 5 | 12 |
Leroy Colbert’s Calves Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Calf Raises – Standing | 8 | 12 – 20 |
Leroy Colbert’s Shoulders Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Seated Press – Behind The Neck | 6 | 10 |
| Side Lateral Raises | 5 | 12 |
| 1 – Arm DB Press | 5 | 12 |
Leroy Colbert’s Waist Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
|
Cycle: Sit-Ups Twists Knee Raises |
5 5 5 |
Go For Burns Go For Burns Go For Burns |
Here’s How Leroy Splits His Workout Routine
Monday & Thursday
- Chest
- Back
- Biceps
- Triceps
Tuesday & Friday
- Thighs
- Calves
- Shoulders
The waist is done at the end of every workout.
For Leroy, Every New Program Was Like a New Challenge
Leroy Colbert’s Diet & Nutrition
Though Leroy always had access to many different types of bodybuilding supplements, from whey protein to any other like used in today’s 21st-century bodybuilding. But, he was a believer in eating whole foods from natural sources. And, one such diet plan he followed to build his physique is:
- Steak with Onions & Potatoes – 2Lbs
- Eggs – 6
- Cottage Cheese – 1 Lb
- Chicken – 2.5 Lbs
Tuna – 1 Can
Milk – 2 Cartons - Pineapple – ½
- Water – 1 Gallon
Physical Statistics of Leroy Colbert
- Arms – 21.25 Inch
- Chest – 52 Inch
- Waist – 32 Inch
- Thighs – 28 Inch
- Weight – 205 lbs (92.99 Kg)
Accomplishments of Leroy Colbert
- 1951 – Placed 6th (Mr. Eastern America)
- 1952 – Placed 1st (Mr. New York City)
- 1952 – Placed 17th (Mr. America – AAU)
- 1950 – Placed 5th (Mr. New York State – AAU)
- 1953 – Placed 1st (Mr. Eastern America)
Leroy Colbert’s Thoughts on Training
According to Leroy:
- Training heavier weights wasn’t that effective.
- Believed in training with weights that didn’t interfere with his proper techniques and form.
- He was the firm believer that moving weight in a controlled and steady manner is the key.
- After two or three months, he uses to change his workout routine. If he didn’t and stick to the same workout plan, then it’ll become the habit that’ll become stale.
- Sometimes, Leroy changed his exercise order. For instance, in first back training, he may go with Chin-Ups, Lat Pulldowns, and Rowing. In the second back session, Leroy may start with rowing and finish it with chin-ups. Likewise, Leroy interchange between dumbbells and barbells, close grip or wide grip Chin Ups.
- For the workout as mentioned above, you may be able to handle big weights. According to Leroy, he used 2/3rd poundage of heaviest he could go for the given set. He would then work up in 8 reps until he hits his 8th set.
“All We Knew Was That if You Wanted to Gain Weight and Size, You Trained Like the Devil and Ate Everything in Sight. When You Cut Down, You Trained Like the Devil and Ate Less” – Leroy Colbert
Leroy’s Tips for Beginners
- Avoid training more than three times a week.
- Should begin with 1 set of 10 reps in all exercises and gradually increase to 3 sets with 8 to 10 reps per exercise.
- Be careful and avoid overdoing things. Since it’s easier for bodybuilding enthusiasts, that can hinder progress.
- Beginners should stick with a basic workout routine for six months. It should include 12 different exercises like standing press, shrugs, squats, rowing, laterals, bench press, cheat curls, forearm exercises, calf exercises, and sit-ups.
- For an average gain, stick to 10 reps and the utmost three sets per exercise. For bulking, go for six reps and three sets per exercise.
- For better muscle definitions, hit about 15 reps, three sets per exercise.
- After six months, the lifter should incorporate other advanced methods like supersets.
Wrapping Up
Unfortunately, Leroy’s bodybuilding career ended prematurely, and he was among those unheard names of the bodybuilding community who couldn’t reach his optimal potential. However, if he hadn’t gone through this tragic accident, he could’ve been in rivalry against some of the most significant golden-era bodybuilders like Sergio Oliva or Arnold Schwarzenegger.
