Rich

Rich Gaspari is a true legend in the sport of bodybuilding. Not only was he one of the top professional bodybuilders during the 1980’s but he also set a new trend for conditioning by introducing the concept of striated glutes to the bodybuilding world. After the example set forth by Rich, bodybuilders could not be considered really ripped unless they displayed shredded glutes.Rich certainly did not seem like he would be one of the top professional bodybuilders in the world based on how he looked when he began training. Extremely underweight with narrow shoulders and skinny arms, Rich transformed his physique with intelligent training and an overwhelming desire to achieve.By the time Rich was 19 years old, he was already winning national titles. He won the Jr. Nationals at the ripe age of 20 and became a professional one year later by winning the light-heavyweight class at the Mr. Universe. Rich set the record as the youngest person to ever win the IFBB Mr. Universe at only 21 years old, defeating the previous record held by Lou Ferrigno who won the same title in 1973 at 22 years old. Little did the bodybuilding public realize that the best was yet to come from Rich Gaspari.Rich shocked everyone by competing in the 1985 Night of the Champions six months later at a ripped and massive 216 pounds, 25 pounds more than when he won his class at the Mr. Universe! Not only was Rich much bigger but he was also extremely vascular, hard and ripped. When Rich turned to the rear, the judges and audience alike were shocked to witness the rock-hard striations that creased his glute muscles. A new era in bodybuilding had been unveiled!This incredible conditioning became Rich’s trademark during his professional career. He took a very impressive third place in his Mr. Olympia debut before taking three consecutive runner-up positions to 8 time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney from 1986-1988. In addition, Rich won his own share of titles including the 1986 Pro World and the 1987 Grand Prix Champion before making history again by winning the inaugural Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic in 1989.In the process of winning so many titles, Rich defeated all of the biggest names in bodybuilding at that time (with the exception of Lee Haney). Men who were bigger and more genetically gifted were all eventually defeated by the Dragon Slayer, Rich Gaspari.