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Ronnie Coleman Weight: Competition vs. Off-Season

Ronnie Coleman Weight: Competition vs. Off-Season

Posted by Leonard Shemtob on May 15, 2025

Ronnie Coleman is one of the most famous bodybuilders in the world. He won the Mr. Olympia title eight times and is known for his massive size and strength. Many people are curious about how much he weighed during his career.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Ronnie Coleman's weight—how heavy he was during competitions, how much he weighed in the off-season, and how his weight changed over time.

[Related] Ronnie Coleman Before Bodybuilding: The Rise of a Legend


Quick Summary

  • Ronnie Coleman is a legendary bodybuilder who was famous for his incredible size as an 8-time Mr. Olympia.
  • His competition weight typically ranged from about 287 to 300 pounds.
  • His highest weight in one season was 301–305 lbs during the 2004 IFBB Grand Prix shows.
  • In the off-season, Coleman's weight would often climb even higher, reaching around 315 to 330 pounds.
  • Post-Retirement Weight: After retiring, Coleman’s weight fluctuated but stayed above 270 lbs, despite multiple surgeries.
  • This article explores the different weights Ronnie Coleman carried throughout his journey as a champion bodybuilder.
  • For those starting their bodybuilding journey, consider Anafuse, our best muscle-building supplement to support your muscle growth, strength, and recovery.

About Ronnie Coleman

Ronnie Coleman is widely regarded as the greatest bodybuilder of all time. Born on May 13, 1964, in Monroe, Louisiana, he earned the nickname "The King" for his incredible size, strength, and dominance in the sport.

Ronnie won the prestigious Mr. Olympia title eight times in a row, from 1998 to 2005, tying the all-time record with Lee Haney. Over his career, he claimed 26 professional bodybuilding titles, making him one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport.

Before becoming a bodybuilding legend, Ronnie graduated with a degree in accounting and worked as a police officer in Arlington, Texas. He was famous for lifting very heavy weights in his training and for having one of the most muscular physiques ever seen on stage.

Even after retiring, Ronnie remains a popular figure in the fitness world. He runs his own supplement brand and shares his journey through interviews, videos, and social media.


Ronnie Coleman: Quick Stats

  • Full Name: Ronnie Dean Coleman
  • Nickname: "The King" / "Big Ron"
  • Birthdate: May 13, 1964 (age 61)
  • Birthplace: Monroe, Louisiana, USA
  • Height: 5’11” (180 cm)
  • Competition Weight: 287–300 lbs (130–136 kg)
  • Off-Season Weight: 315–330 lbs (143–150 kg)
  • Professional Career: 1990–2007
  • Mr. Olympia Titles: 8 (tied for most all-time)
  • Total IFBB Wins: 26 (most ever)

Ronnie Coleman Biography

Early Life

Ronnie Dean Coleman was born on May 13, 1964, in Monroe, Louisiana, and grew up with a strong work ethic. Raised in a family that valued hard work, Ronnie graduated from Grambling State University in 1989 with a degree in accounting.

During college, he played football as a linebacker, showing early signs of athletic potential. After graduation, financial struggles led him to work at Domino’s Pizza, where he often ate free pizza due to limited means.

Eventually, he became a police officer in Arlington, Texas, serving from 1989 to 2000, while simultaneously pursuing bodybuilding.


First Competition and Early Start (1990–1991)

Ronnie Coleman began his bodybuilding journey in 1990 with the Mr. Texas competition. At just 26 years old, he shocked everyone by winning the show, even beating his coach, Brian Dobson.

He followed this up with another show the same year: the NPC Texas Championships. In 1991, Ronnie earned his Pro Card after winning the World Amateur Championships in Poland.


Tough Start as a Pro (1992–1994)

Ronnie’s professional debut came in 1992 at the Chicago Pro Championships, where he placed 11th. Over the next three years, from 1992 to 1994, he entered 10 more contests but struggled to win. His best result during this time was 3rd place.


First Pro Win and Rising Name (1995–1997)

Ronnie finally broke through in 1995, winning the Canada Pro Cup by defeating legends like Rich Gaspari and Milos Sarcev. He won the same event again in 1996, this time beating Flex Wheeler, one of the top bodybuilders at the time. Ronnie was now gaining serious respect.


First Mr. Olympia Title (1998)

After Dorian Yates retired in 1997, the 1998 Mr. Olympia was wide open. Flex Wheeler was the favorite, with strong competition from Kevin Levrone, Nasser El Sonbaty, and Shawn Ray. However, Ronnie brought a much-improved physique to the stage.

He competed at the IFBB Finnish Grand Prix, beating Kevin Levrone and Nasser El Sonbaty. That same year, he shocked the world by winning the Mr. Olympia title, beating big names like Flex Wheeler and Shawn Ray.

  • On-stage weight (1998): 248 lbs (112.5 kg)


Gaining Mass and Titles (1999–2002)

Ronnie defended his Mr. Olympia title in 1999, coming in bigger than before.

  • Weight (1999): 257 lbs (116.6 kg)

He continued to dominate in 2000 and 2001, even winning both the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia in the same year—a first in bodybuilding history.

In 2002, although he won Mr. Olympia again, he was defeated by Gunter Schlierkamp shortly after at the GNC Show of Strength (the only time he was defeated during his Olympia reign).


Peak Size and Mass Monster Era (2003–2005)

In 2003, Ronnie shocked the bodybuilding world by stepping on stage at 132 kg (291 lbs) with extremely low body fat—a level of mass never seen before.

  • Weight (2003): 132 kg (291 lbs)
  • Weight (2004): 134 kg (295 lbs) at Mr. Olympia (less shredded)
  • Heaviest Ever On-Stage Weight:
    301–305 lbs (136.5–138.3 kg) during the
    2004 IFBB English, Dutch, and Russian Grand Prix

He won his eighth and final Mr. Olympia title in 2005. After the win, the IFBB declared him the greatest Mr. Olympia of all time.


End of an Era and Retirement (2006–2007)

In 2006, Jay Cutler finally beat Ronnie, ending his eight-year reign. Ronnie competed one last time in 2007, placing 4th at Mr. Olympia.

Soon after, he announced his retirement from professional bodybuilding. Over his legendary career, Ronnie defeated nearly every top name of his era, including Jay Cutler, Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, and many more.


Post-Retirement

Brand

In 2011, Ronnie Coleman launched the Ronnie Coleman Signature Series (RCSS), a supplement company offering sports nutrition and wellness products designed for bodybuilders and athletes.

Health Concerns

Years of lifting extremely heavy weights took a serious toll on Ronnie’s body. Since 2007, he has undergone more than a dozen surgeries, including two hip replacements and multiple procedures to relieve chronic pain caused by damaged spinal discs.

Due to these issues, Ronnie sometimes uses a wheelchair and can no longer walk without assistance. Ronnie still trains using very light weights and remains active in the fitness community.


Competition History

1990-1991

  • 1990 Mr. Texas – 1st place, Overall winner
  • 1990 NPC Texas Championships – 1st place
  • 1991 World Amateur Championships – 1st place (earned Pro Card)

1992

  • 1992 Chicago Pro Championships – 11th place
  • 1992 Night of Champions – 14th place
  • 1992 Mr. Olympia – Did not place

1993

  • 1993 Chicago Pro Invitational – 6th place
  • 1993 Grand Prix France – 4th place
  • 1993 Grand Prix Germany – 6th place
  • 1993 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational – 6th place

1994

  • 1994 Grand Prix France – 3rd place
  • 1994 Grand Prix Germany – 3rd place
  • 1994 Mr. Olympia – 15th place
  • 1994 San Jose Pro Invitational – 4th place

1995-1997

  • 1995 Canada Pro Cup – 1st place
  • 1996 Canada Pro Cup – 1st place
  • 1997 Grand Prix – 1st place

1998

  • 1998 Toronto Invitational – 1st place
  • 1998 Mr. Olympia – 1st place
  • 1998 Grand Prix Finland – 1st place

1999

  • 1999 Mr. Olympia – 1st place
  • 1999 World Pro Championships – 1st place
  • 1999 Grand Prix England – 1st place

2000

  • 2000 Mr. Brody Langley – 1st place
  • 2000 Grand Prix England – 1st place
  • 2000 World Pro Championships – 1st place
  • 2000 Mr. Olympia – 1st place

2001

  • 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic – 1st place
  • 2001 Mr. Olympia – 1st place
  • 2001 New Zealand Grand Prix – 1st place

2002

  • 2002 Mr. Olympia – 1st place
  • 2002 Grand Prix Holland – 1st place

2003

  • 2003 Mr. Olympia – 1st place
  • 2003 Grand Prix Russia – 1st place

2004

  • 2004 Mr. Olympia – 1st place
  • 2004 Grand Prix England – 1st place
  • 2004 Grand Prix Holland – 1st place
  • 2004 Grand Prix Russia – 1st place

2005

  • 2005 Mr. Olympia – 1st place

2006

  • 2006 Grand Prix Austria (IFBB) – 2nd place
  • 2006 Grand Prix Holland (IFBB) – 2nd place
  • 2006 Grand Prix Romania (IFBB) – 2nd place
  • 2006 Mr. Olympia (IFBB) – 2nd place

2007

  • 2007 Mr. Olympia (IFBB) – 4th place


Ronnie Coleman’s Most Impressive Lifts

  • Deadlift: 800 lb (363 kg) for 2 repetitions
  • Squat: 800 lb (363 kg) for 2 repetitions
  • Bench Press: 500 lb (227 kg) for 5 repetitions
  • Dumbbell Bench Press: 200 lb (91 kg) dumbbells for 12 repetitions
  • Military Press: 315 lb (143 kg) for 12 repetitions
  • Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 160 lb (73 kg) dumbbells for 7 repetitions
  • Bent-Over Row: 515 lb (234 kg) for 10 repetitions
  • T-Bar Row: 540 lb (245 kg) for 9 repetitions AND 505 lb (229 kg) for 12 repetitions
  • Front Squat: 585 lb (265 kg) for 4 repetitions
  • Hack Squat: 765 lb (347 kg) for 8 repetitions
  • Lunges: 185 lb (84 kg) dumbbells for 20 repetitions per leg
  • Barbell Shrugs: 735 lb (333 kg) for 11 repetitions
  • Dumbbell Shrugs: 250 lb (113 kg) dumbbells for 15 repetitions
  • Calf Raises: 540 lb (245 kg) for 20 repetitions
  • Leg Press: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg) for 8 repetitions
  • Tricep Extension: 180lbs

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FAQs: Ronnie Coleman Weight

Q: How much did Ronnie Coleman weigh in his prime?

A: In his prime (1998–2005), he competed at 287–305 lbs (130–138 kg) and bulked to 330 lbs (150 kg) off-season.

Q. What was Ronnie Coleman's heaviest weight on stage?

A: Ronnie Coleman’s heaviest stage weight was 301–305 lb (136.5–138.3 kg) during the 2004 IFBB Grand Prix events in England, Holland, and Russia.

Q: Why was Ronnie Coleman so heavy yet shredded?

A: His extreme mass came from:

  • 6,000+ calorie diets
  • Powerlifting-style training (e.g., 800-lb squats)
  • Genetics (rare muscle density and insertions)

Q: Did Ronnie Coleman compete against Jay Cutler?

A: Yes, Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler had a famous rivalry on the Olympia stage. Jay was runner-up to Ronnie multiple times before finally defeating him in 2006 to win his first Mr. Olympia title.

Q: What is Ronnie Coleman’s record with the leg press?

A: Ronnie Coleman was known for his incredible leg strength, famously leg pressing up to 2,400 pounds (1,089 kg) for multiple reps.


Final Thoughts

Ronnie Coleman's weight changed a lot during his career. He won the Mr. Olympia title for eight consecutive years, maintaining an impressive physique throughout this period.

In 1998, he stepped on stage at 248 lb. By 1999, he was around 257 lb. Over the next few years, his weight kept climbing.

In 2003, he competed at about 292 lb. His heaviest on-stage weight was between 301–305 lb during the 2004 European Grand Prix events. Even after retirement, he is still maintaining about 270+ lb.


Read More About Other Bodybuilders You Might Be Interested In


Sources:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Coleman
  • https://gymbeam.com/blog/ronnie-coleman-and-his-training-plan-diet-and-interview/
  • https://generationiron.com/ronnie-coleman-profile-stats/
  • https://fitnessvolt.com/ronnie-coleman-profile/
  • https://www.greatestphysiques.com/male-physiques/ronnie-coleman/

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.