Dorian Yates, a renowned bodybuilder and six-time Mr. Olympia champion, recently took a trip down memory lane on Instagram. He reflected on his final Mr. Olympia victory in 1997, despite competing with a 90% detached tricep. Yates, who dominated the bodybuilding scene in the 1990s, revolutionized the sport with his focus on muscle mass and conditioning. He adopted a unique workout philosophy of going to failure in every session, a principle introduced by bodybuilding veterans Mike Mentzer and Arthur Jones. This approach led to the emergence of mass monsters like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. Yates is also admired for retiring at the top of his game and continues to be an influential ambassador for bodybuilding.
Since stepping away from competitive bodybuilding, Yates has remained dedicated to sharing his training knowledge and workout tips. He is an advocate of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which he credits for maintaining his ripped physique at the age of 61. Additionally, Yates has embraced practices such as yoga and meditation. While he has no regrets about his bodybuilding career, he does wish he had been more present for personal obligations during his six-year reign as Mr. Olympia.
Yates also opened up about his 1997 Mr. Olympia victory, despite dealing with a torn tricep. He shared images of himself training post-surgery and revealed that he had to travel to New York for the procedure as there were no experienced surgeons in the UK at the time. Yates vividly recalled the moment he tore his tricep in the gym, describing it as a loud bang that could be heard across the gym. Although the surgery was successful, his tricep never fully regained its strength and shape, causing an imbalance. Despite this setback, Yates made the decision to compete in the Mr. Olympia contest, relying on his remaining arm, leg training, cardio, and strict diet. He had to be extremely careful on stage, as his tricep tendon was 90% detached, and any impact could have led to complete detachment. Ultimately, this experience played a significant role in his decision to retire from bodybuilding.
In his retirement, Yates has focused on maintaining his physique and overall well-being. He has incorporated various training methods such as Pilates, biking, and hiking. He also uses an inversion table to decompress his spine after years of intense competition. Yates’s story is a testament to his determination and willingness to take risks, as injuries often end careers in the IFBB Pro League. Despite the challenges he faced, Yates emerged victorious and left a lasting impact on the world of bodybuilding.
Published: 5 August 2023 | 1:44 PM EDT
