Franco Columbu was an Italian-American bodybuilder active in the 1970s and 1980s. He is considered one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, winning Mr. Olympia three times and Mr. Universe twice.
Franco Columbu had a successful career as a strongman, trainer, professional wrestler, and actor. Columbu was also a Hollywood stuntman, appearing in films such as The Terminator and Conan the Barbarian with his best friend, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Franco and Arnold were training partners and business partners. The two owned a cement company together. As a fitness trainer, he trained Sylvester Stallone, who credited Franco for helping him get in the best shape of his life. It was Franco who facilitated the friendship between Arnoldy and Sylvester.
Bio
- Date of Birth August 7, 1941
- Place of Birth Sardinia Italy
- Height 5ft 5in (165)
- Weight 185 – 195 lbs
- Death August 30, 2019
What made Franco Columbu so successful as a bodybuilder? His training methods were legendary. Columbu believed in high-volume, high-intensity training with short rest periods. This approach worked well for him, as evidenced by his ability to win Mr. Olympia at 41! He was also incredibly strong for his size, a trait he had in common with Ronnie Coleman.
In this article, we’ll look at some things we can learn from Franco Columbu’s life and career.
1. Train hard and consistently
Franco Columbu didn’t become one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time by accident – he trained hard and consistently throughout his career. Even after winning Mr. Olympia three times, he continued to train with the same dedication and intensity that got him to the top. To be successful in bodybuilding (or any other endeavor), you must put in the hard work daily. There will be no shortcuts to success. Also, while creating a periodization plan, focus first on strength first and muscle next.
2. Be willing to experiment
Franco Columbu was always willing to experiment with his training methods and routines. He was always looking for new ways to improve his physique and performance. His willingness to experiment led him to develop unique and effective training methods. If you’re stuck in a rut, don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what might work for you.
3. Stay positive and focused
Despite Franco Columbu’s challenges, he always remained positive and focused on his goals. He had an incredible work ethic and was always motivated to achieve his next goal. Whenever he encountered setbacks, he used them as motivation to work hard. To succeed, you must stay positive and focused on your goals, even when things get tough.
Achievements
- Bench Press 525 lbs
- Squat 655 lbs
- Deadlift 750 lbs
- Mr. Universe 1970
- Mr. World 1971
- Mr. Olympia Light Weight 1974 and 1975
- Guinness Book of World Records 1978
- Mr. Olympia 1976 and 1981
- Mr. Olympia – First under 200 1lbs
- World’s Strongest Man 1977 – 5th place
- IFBB Hall of Fame 2011
The Last Word on Franco Columbu, a Legend in the Bodybuilding World
Franco Columbu was one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, winning Mr. Olympia three times and Mr. Universe twice. He was a legend in the bodybuilding world thanks to his hard work, dedication, and willingness to experiment.
Also, he found a friend in Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two routinely worked out together. When Arnold went to Hollywood, Columbu followed him. Both migrated to the United States from Europe.
Suppose you want to be successful in bodybuilding (or any other endeavor). In that case, you can learn from Franco Columbu by training hard and consistently, being willing to experiment, staying positive, focusing on your goals, and finding a good training buddy or trainer.