The King of bodybuilding did not spend his life chasing fitness and diet fads. He believed it was a simple recipe that could never go out of style. In an Instagram video on July 23rd, Ronnie Coleman revealed his simple and trustworthy bodybuilding formula.

"Cardio. Eat. Train. Work," His Instagram video caption read. "The formula never changed. The discipline, the grind, and the commitment were what made me a champion! Yeah buddy!"

Coleman’s simple approach, highlighted in the short Instagram clip, helped him eventually become an eight-time Mr. Olympia champion. He consistently trained six days a week, no exception. Sunday was his only reprieve.

Furthermore, he heavily advocated 30-45 minutes of fasted cardio each morning. His high-protein, high-calorie diet was simple and consistent, enabling him to achieve his coveted physique.

The results spoke: 26 IFBB Pro League victories, one of the highest in professional bodybuilding history.

He also had an iconic run of eight straight Mr. Olympia crowns from 1998 to 2005, tying the record and cementing his place among the sport's greatest. Coleman even added the 2001 Arnold Classic to his record.

What’s even more surprising is that Coleman managed to do all of this while managing a full-time career as a police officer.

Of course, training and eating like “The King” was just half the battle. He also relied on tried and tested recovery methods that helped him stay at the top of his game.

How Ronnie Coleman recovered from his intense training days

Coleman followed not only a disciplined training routine and diet but also a disciplined recovery guide.

According to his website, Ronnie Coleman Nutrition, he incorporated mobility work and stretching after each training session. This was the main reason behind his flexibility, despite his having massive muscles and an impressive physique.

Alongside proper rest and mobility drills, Coleman paid attention to what he put on his plate.

His high-calorie, high-protein diet was filled with eggs, lean beef, potatoes, rice, and chicken, giving him adequate fuel to stay active and for his muscles to recover and grow well.

However, due to his intense training sessions, Coleman often suffered injuries or chronic pain. To help with this, he relied on massage therapy and chiropractic care.

Coleman’s philosophy is proof that sometimes, all you need to do is stick to the basics to get incredible results.

What do you think about Coleman’s simple mantra?

Follow Bodybuilding Bros for more such interesting content.

Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote