Casey Viator: Biography, Career, Achievements, and More

Posted by Leonard Shemtob on Feb 24, 2025

Casey Viator was a well-known bodybuilder who was recognized for his strength and muscular development. He gained attention at a young age, winning the Mr. America title at just 19.

Viator is also widely known for his involvement in the Colorado Experiment, a groundbreaking study that explored high-intensity training methods. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Casey Viator's life, career, key achievements, and the workout and diet principles that defined his journey.

Short Summary

Early Life and Career Start – Casey Viator began bodybuilding at a young age and quickly gained recognition.
Mr. America Win – In 1971, he became the youngest Mr. America winner at just 19 years old.
Competitive Career – He competed in various bodybuilding contests, including the Mr. Olympia.
Training and Diet – Viator followed high-intensity training (HIT) and had a structured diet to build muscle.
Best Natural Supplement – For a classic physique like Casey Viator, try AnaFuse by Vital Alchemy—a natural supplement for muscle growth and recovery.

About Casey Viator

Casey Viator was an influential American bodybuilder, born on September 4, 1951, in New Iberia, Louisiana. He gained fame as the youngest person in bodybuilding history to win the AAU Mr. America title at just 19 years old in 1971.

Viator began his bodybuilding journey as a teenager and quickly made a name for himself by winning various competitions, including the Teen Mr. America and Junior Mr. America titles. He trained under Arthur Jones, the creator of Nautilus equipment, who introduced him to high-intensity training methods.

This approach helped him achieve remarkable results, including significant muscle gains during the famous Colorado Experiment. Casey Viator passed away on September 4, 2013, at the age of 62, on his birthday.

Quick Facts About Casey Viator

Full Name: Casey Viator
Born: September 4, 1951, in Crowley, Louisiana, USA
Died: September 4, 2013 (aged 62)
Nickname: Rocky
Height: 5′ 8″ (172.5 cm)
Famous For: Youngest Mr. America winner (1971) and the Colorado Experiment
Weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)

Casey Viator Complete Biography

Early Life and Introduction to Bodybuilding

Casey Viator was born on September 4, 1951, in New Iberia, Louisiana. Even as a teenager, he was drawn to bodybuilding, diligently studying training materials and consulting with knowledgeable individuals to enhance his understanding and technique.

Early Career and Competitive Success

Viator began competing at 17, winning the 1968 Mr. Louisiana contest. In 1969, he placed sixth in the Teen Mr. America competition, but he won the awards for Best Arms, Best Abs, Best Chest, Best Legs, and Most Muscular.

In 1970, Casey Viator came back stronger, finishing 3rd in the Mr. America competition and winning the Most Muscular award. That same year, he also won AAU Teen Mr. America and AAU Mr. USA, earning the Most Muscular title in both contests.

Meeting Arthur Jones

After the 1970 Mr. America contest in Los Angeles, where Casey Viator placed third, he met Arthur Jones, the creator of Nautilus equipment. Jones believed Viator was overtraining and offered to help him reach the top.

Jones then invited Viator to work for him at Arthur Jones Productions (later Nautilus Sports Medicine). Arthur Jones placed Casey on a shorter, more intense workout plan, and his progress skyrocketed as a result.

Historic Mr. America Win

In 1971, at the age of 19, Casey Viator made history by becoming the youngest-ever AAU Mr. America. Earlier that year, he also won the Junior Mr. America title.

The Colorado Experiment

By May 1973, Casey had lost 33.63 pounds, and his health had noticeably declined. Seeing this, Arthur Jones stepped in to help him rebuild his physique. That same month, Casey became the test subject for Jones' "Colorado Experiment."

Over the next 28 days, Casey followed a strict training and diet plan under Arthur's guidance. For 28 days, Casey followed an intense training and diet program under Jones' supervision. By May 28, 1973, he had gained 63.21 lbs of muscle (an average of 2.26 lbs per day) while also losing 7 lbs of fat.

Break and Return to Competition

After the Colorado Experiment, Casey kept training but stayed away from competitions for five years. In 1978, Casey made his comeback at the NABBA Mr. Universe, finishing 2nd.

The next year, he competed in the Canada Pro Cup, where he placed 5th. By 1980, at 29 years old, Casey had his busiest competition season since 1970. He entered seven contests and won three titles.

Later Career and Mr. Olympia

Casey Viator competed in Mr. Olympia for the first time in 1980, finishing 14th. Two years later, he made a big jump, placing 3rd at the 1982 Mr. Olympia—his best performance in the competition. He outperformed legendary bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sergio Oliva, Tom Platz, Franco Columbu, and Boyer Coe.

After that, he stepped away from bodybuilding for a long break. Casey knew his time in bodybuilding was coming to an end. After another long break, he returned to the stage one last time in 1995 at 44 years old, finishing 12th in the Masters Olympia.

After Retirement

After stepping away from competition, Casey Viator started his own training and nutrition consulting business. He also wrote for Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines, sharing his expertise. Casey Viator died on September 4, 2013, his 62nd birthday, due to a heart attack.

Competition History

1968: Mr. Louisiana – 1st
1969: AAU Teen Mr. America – 6th
1970:
- AAU Mr. America – 3rd (Most Muscular)
- AAU Teen Mr. America – 1st (Most Muscular)
- AAU Mr. USA – 1st (Most Muscular)
1971:
- AAU Mr. America – 1st (Most Muscular)
- AAU Junior Mr. America – 1st (Most Muscular)
1978: NABBA Mr. Universe (Medium) – 2nd
1979: Canada Cup Pro – 5th
1980:
- Grand Prix California – 3rd
- Grand Prix Louisiana – 1st
- Grand Prix Miami – 2nd
- Grand Prix Pennsylvania – 1st
- Night of Champions – 5th
- Mr. Olympia – 14th
- Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – 1st
1981: Grand Prix California – NP
1982:
- Grand Prix Belgium – 4th
- Grand Prix Sweden – 3rd
- Mr. Olympia – 3rd
1995: Masters Olympia – 12th

Casey Viator Workout

During the Colorado Experiment, Casey kept his workouts short, never doing more than 3 sets per exercise. He focused on high reps with the heaviest weights he could handle. For cardio, he ran three times a week.

Viator often used the rest-pause method in his training. This involved lifting until muscle failure, taking a brief rest, and then continuing with more reps until failure again.

Workout Plan

Legs
- Leg Press – 1 set, 20 reps (750 lbs)
- Leg Extensions – 1 set, 14-20 reps
- Squats – 1 set, 14-20 reps (505 lbs)
- Leg Curls – 1 set, 14-20 reps
Back (Lats & Lower Back)

Nautilus Pullover Machine – 3 sets, 20 reps
Circular Pulldown Variation – 3 sets, 20 reps
Chin-Ups – 3 sets, 20 reps
Deadlifts – 1 set, 30 reps (400 lbs)

Shoulders (Delts & Traps)

Standing Lateral Raises – 3 sets, 20 reps
Behind-the-Neck Press – 3 sets, 20 reps (215 lbs)
Nautilus Side Raises – 3 sets, 20 reps
Shoulder Shrugs – 3 sets, 20 reps (280 lbs)

Chest

Bench Press – 2 sets, 20 reps (350 lbs)
Incline Barbell Press – 3 sets, 20 reps (225 lbs)
Dips (Weighted) – 3 sets, 20 reps (100 lbs attached)
Cable Crossovers – 3 sets, 20 reps

Arms (Biceps & Triceps)

Barbell Curls – 1 set, 20 reps (200 lbs)
Nautilus Biceps & Triceps Machine – 1 set, 20 reps
Nautilus Pushdowns – 1 set, 20 reps
Compound Triceps Movement – 1 set, 20 reps

Casey Viator's Diet

Casey's diet focused on balanced nutrition rather than fad diets or extreme restrictions. He ate 6 to 8 meals a day, with his intake made up of 60% protein, 30% carbohydrates, and 10% healthy fats.

His goal was around 250 grams of protein and 4,000 to 5,000 calories daily. He got most of his protein from eggs, fish, chicken, and turkey.

Meal 1:

Eggs
Milk

Meal 2:

Lean Beef
Egg Protein Powder

Meal 3:

Eggs
Milk

Meal 4:

Lean Beef
Milk
Egg Protein Powder

Meal 5-8:

Chicken
Milk

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FAQs: Casey Viator

Q: What was the Colorado Experiment?

A: The Colorado Experiment was a 28-day training program led by Arthur Jones, where Casey reportedly gained over 60 pounds of muscle in only twenty-eight days using high-intensity training principles.

Q: Did Casey Viator compete in Mr. Olympia?

A: Yes, he made his Mr. Olympia debut in 1980 and achieved his best finish in 1982, placing 3rd.

Q: What titles did Casey Viator win?

A: Casey won several major titles, including:

AAU Teen Mr. America (1970)
AAU Mr. USA (1970)
AAU Mr. America (1971)
AAU Junior Mr. America (1971)

Q: What was Casey Viator's diet like?

A: He ate 6-8 meals a day, with a focus on high protein intake from eggs, chicken, fish, and lean beef, consuming 4,000-5,000 calories daily.

Q: What did Casey Viator do after retiring?

A: After stepping away from bodybuilding, he worked as a trainer and nutrition consultant and also wrote for Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines.

Final Thoughts

This article covered Casey Viator's journey, from his early bodybuilding success to his training, diet, and competition history. He became the youngest Mr. America winner and gained recognition for his role in the Colorado Experiment and high-intensity training.

While genetics played a role in his development, his progress was driven by consistent effort and disciplined training. His story reminds us that while genetics may provide a starting point, true progress comes from effort, discipline, and a willingness to push boundaries.

About Other Bodybuilders, You Might Be Interested In

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_Viator
https://www.greatestphysiques.com/male-physiques/casey-viator/
https://fitnessvolt.com/14674/casey-viator/
https://ironandgrit.com/2021/06/11/casey-viator-workout-diet-and-colorado-experiment/
https://broscience.com/casey-viator-bodybuilder-workout-routine-and-diet/

Written and Sponsored by Leonard Shemtob

Leonard Shemtob is President of Strong Supplements and a published author. Leonard has been in the supplement space for over 20 years, specializing in fitness supplements and nutrition. Leonard appears on many podcasts, written over 100 articles about supplements and has studied nutrition, supplementation and bodybuilding.

Leonard's articles have been published in many top publications around the web. Leonard enjoys weight training, playing basketball and yoga, and also enjoys hiking. In his free time he studies and works on improving himself. For more detailed information, visit his official blog.