Lee Haney: The first of the muscle monsters

Mein Fitness

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Veröffentlicht am 10.03.2022

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I remember standing outside Gold’s Gym in Venice in the early 1980s and listening to a young bodybuilder complain that there were no “big boys” in the sport anymore. By this time Arnold had retired, and top competitors included Samir Bannout, Chris Dickerson and Frank Zane. Excellent bodybuilders, but not very big. But little did I or this young bodybuilder know that a sea change was coming to physique competition, which would be heralded by the arrival of the massive and aesthetic Lee Haney. Lee Haney had mastodon muscles but no mastodon bones, what great shape...

Ich erinnere mich, dass ich Anfang der 1980er Jahre vor Gold’s Gym in Venedig stand und einem jungen Bodybuilder zuhörte, der sich darüber beschwerte, dass es keine „großen Jungs“ mehr im Sport gebe. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt war Arnold in den Ruhestand getreten, und zu den Top-Konkurrenten gehörten Samir Bannout, Chris Dickerson und Frank Zane. Ausgezeichnete Bodybuilder, aber nicht sehr große. Aber ich oder dieser junge Bodybuilder ahnten nicht, dass im Körperbau-Wettkampf eine grundlegende Veränderung bevorstand, die durch die Ankunft des massiven und ästhetischen Lee Haney angekündigt werden würde. Lee Haney hatte Mastodon-Muskeln, aber keine Mastodon-Knochen, was für eine großartige Form … — I remember standing outside Gold’s Gym in Venice in the early 1980s and listening to a young bodybuilder complain that there were no “big boys” in the sport anymore. By this time Arnold had retired, and top competitors included Samir Bannout, Chris Dickerson and Frank Zane. Excellent bodybuilders, but not very big. But little did I or this young bodybuilder know that a sea change was coming to physique competition, which would be heralded by the arrival of the massive and aesthetic Lee Haney. Lee Haney had mastodon muscles but no mastodon bones, what great shape...

Bodybuilder Lee Haney führt eine Beinstreckungsübung für ein Unterkörpertraining durch — Lee Haney hatte Mastodon-Muskeln, aber keine Mastodon-Knochen, was für eine großartige Form und Ästhetik sorgte. Bill Dobbins

I toast massively mesomorphic bodies all the while bodies that look like they were designed for linemen in the NFL. Lee Haney doesn't have that kind of body. The story I heard was that he got into bodybuilding because he broke his leg twice playing high school football. This would suggest that Lee has mastodon muscles, but not mastodon bones. And that is of course the key to its outstanding aesthetics. With smaller bones and joints, you can end up with more well-formed, tapered muscles. Otherwise, you'll end up with thick, massive, but blockier muscles. Look at photos of Lee and see how small his wrists are. I always noticed that about Arnold. Huge forearms that taper to surprisingly slim wrists.

At 300 pounds plus Mr. Olympia contender, Lee Haney doesn't seem that massive. But when he won the 1982 NPC Nationals, he seemed like a very big guy indeed. He was the first of a line of future massive competitors like Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler - eventually leading to Big Ramy, who is so massive he looks like he could be a member of another species.

Lee-Haney-Medaille. — Lee Haney gewann acht Mr. Olympia-Titel – und war im Jahr seiner Pensionierung am besten. Mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Weider Health and Fitness / M+F Magazin

Bodybuilder Lee Haney führt im Fitnessstudio Beincurls durch — Lee Haney war das erste der „Massenmonster“ im modernen Profi-Bodybuilding. Bill Dobbins

In the 80s, the Nationals champion competed in the IFBB Mr. Universe. I remember speaking to Lee on the flight to Belgium for Universe and he told me he had never been to Europe before. “You’re not really going to Europe now,” I told him. "You're just going to a different competition. An airport, a hotel, a theater. The same thing you're already used to. Focus on that and enjoy a trip to Europe later after you win the competition.”

YATES gegen HANEY, 1991 — Dorian Yates und Lee Haney im Jahr 1991 – das Ende einer Ära, der Beginn der nächsten. Bill Dobbins

Needless to say, Lee won the universe and moved on Winning eight Mr. Olympia events. The last one was in Florida in 1991. The question at the time was whether “newcomer” Dorian Yates would beat the champion and become the new Mr. Olympia. I remember being backstage when Dorian came in to pump up. He was of course very impressive. And then Lee came in and took off his shirt. Photographers and journalists watching immediately realized that second place would be at stake. Lee was one of those bodybuilders, along with others like Lee Labrada, who was at his best the year he retired.

I have had the opportunity to photograph Lee Haney many times, on stage, in the gym and in the studio. He was always an absolute gentleman, easy to get along with. Joe Weider sent me to Atlanta twice to photograph Lee in his gyms. The original had no air conditioning. You'd think taking photos in November wouldn't be a problem. But I'm from very dry Los Angeles and Atlanta was extremely humid, so even though it wasn't super hot, I ended up with a collection of Lee Haney t-shirts since I kept getting replacements when I wore through the ones I sweated through.

Lee Haney trainiert im Fitnessstudio mit Bizeps-Curls an einer Predigerstange — Bill Dobbins

Lee Haney's next gym shoot took place in his newer gym, all chrome and air-conditioned. Back then, it was common for photographers to spray subjects with water to imitate sweat. I sprayed Lee several times, but the gym was very cool at the time and he found it uncomfortable. So he finally said to me in his gentle but very distinct southern drawl, “Bill, please don’t spray me with any more water….”

This was about as “difficult” as Lee Haney could be. A super nice guy, everyone would agree.