Lee Haney: The First of the Muscle Monsters

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March 10, 2022

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I bear in mind standing outdoors of Gold’s Gymnasium in Venice again within the early Eighties and listening to a younger bodybuilder complain that there have been no extra “huge guys” within the sport. At that time, Arnold had retired, and high rivals included Samir Bannout, Chris Dickerson, and Frank Zane. Glorious bodybuilders, however not very huge ones. However little did I or that younger bodybuilder understand {that a} sea change was about to happen in physique competitors, and it could be introduced by the arrival of the large and aesthetic Lee Haney.

Lee Haney had mastodon muscle mass however not mastodon bones, which created nice form and aesthetics. Invoice Dobbins

I run into massively mesomorphic physiques on a regular basis, our bodies that seem like they have been designed for linemen within the NFL. Lee Haney doesn’t have that form of physique. The story I heard was that he obtained into bodybuilding as a result of he broke his leg twice enjoying highschool soccer. That might point out that Lee has mastodon muscle mass however not mastodon bones. And, after all, that’s the key to his excellent aesthetics. With smaller bones and joints, you may find yourself with extra shapely, tapered muscle mass. In any other case, you find yourself with thick, huge however extra blocky muscle mass. Take a look at images of Lee and see how small his wrists are. I at all times seen the identical factor about Arnold. Large forearms tapering right down to surprisingly small wrists.

Within the age of 300 kilos plus Mr. Olympia rivals, Lee Haney won’t appear that huge. However when he gained the NPC Nationals in 1982, he appeared like one very huge dude, certainly. He was the primary of a line of future huge rivals similar to Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, and Jay Cutler – main finally to Massive Ramy, who’s so huge he appears as if he is perhaps a member of a special species.

Lee-Haney-Medal. — Lee Haney gained eight Mr. Olympia titles – and was at his greatest the yr he retired. Courtesy of Weider Well being and Health / M+F Journal

Bodybuilder Lee Haney performing leg curls exercise at the gym — Lee Haney was the primary of the “Mass Monsters” in fashionable professional bodybuilding. Invoice Dobbins

Again within the 80s, the Nationals champion went on to compete within the IFBB Mr. Universe. I bear in mind speaking to Lee on the flight to Belgium for the Universe and having him inform me he had by no means been to Europe earlier than. “You aren’t actually going to Europe now,” I informed him. “You’re simply going to a different contest. An airport, a resort, a theater. The identical factor you might be already used to. Think about that and get pleasure from a visit to Europe later, after you’ve gained the competition.”

YATES vs. HANEY, 1991 — Dorian Yates and Lee Haney in 1991 – the top of 1 period, the beginning of the following. Invoice Dobbins

Evidently, Lee did win the Universe and went on to victory in eight Mr. Olympia occasions. The final was in 1991 in Florida. The query on the time was whether or not “newcomer” Dorian Yates would be capable to beat the champion and turn into the brand new Mr. Olympia. I bear in mind being backstage when Dorian got here in to pump up. He was after all very spectacular. After which Lee got here in took off his shirt. Photographers and journalists watching instantly realized the competition could be for second place. Lee was a type of bodybuilders, together with others like Lee Labrada, who was at his greatest the yr he retired.

I had event to {photograph} Lee Haney many instances, on stage, within the fitness center, and within the studio. He was at all times a complete gentleman, simple to take care of. Joe Weider despatched me twice to Atlanta to shoot Lee in his gyms. The unique one had no air con. You’ll assume, doing images in November, wouldn’t be an issue. However I’m from very dry Los Angeles and Atlanta was extraordinarily humid, so though it was not super-hot, I ended up with a set of Lee Haney tee-shirts since I stored getting replacements after I sweated by means of those I used to be sporting.

Lee Haney working out in the gym with biceps curls using a preacher bar — Invoice Dobbins

The subsequent Lee Haney fitness center shoot was at his newer fitness center, all chrome and air-conditioned. It was frequent for photographers on the time to spray topics with water to imitate sweat. I sprayed Lee a number of instances, however the fitness center was very chilly at that time, and he discovered this uncomfortable. So, he lastly stated to me in his light however very pronounced southern drawl, “Invoice, please don’t spray me with no extra water….”

That was about as “troublesome” as Lee Haney was able to being. A brilliant-nice man, everybody would agree.