DOB 22.Feb.1972 in Darmstadt, Germany Height: 5’10″ / 178m Contest Weight: 270-289 pounds Off-Season Weight: 315-325 pounds Chest: 148 cm / 58″ Arms: 57-59cm / 22.5″ – 23″ Legs: 79 cm / 31″ Waist: ?

Markus Ruhl is a German IFBB professional bodybuilder. He is fluent in German as well as English. Markus began is lifestyle as a bodybuilder when he was encouraged by a doctor to participate in the gym after a soccer injury. At what was claimed to be 120 lbs soaking wet, Markus added an incredible amount of size and began to compete as a bodybuilder four years later.

His personality is often seen as non serious and comical. He often jokes and burps / farts often in his DVD’s during workouts and general lifestyle. Although he has what would be perceived as a silly personality, his intensity in the gym is unmatched. His physique, as many fans have claimed, is one of the freakiest bodybuilding physiques in term of sheer mass. He sports some of the most impressive delts, as well as one of the best chests, of all time in the sport of bodybuilding.

Although Markus is a mass monster and definitely outsizes various competitors – at times even those such as Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman – his physique seems not to be favored by the judges. But regardless of Markus’ placings, he always is a crowd favorite. During his posing routines, the crowd may often be heard chanting in what sounds to be “boo’s”, but they are actually howling “RUHL”.

Workout Routine / Training

Markus is often seen combining various machines as well as free weights into his routine. Although many say free weights are the only way to build quality muscle, Markus Ruhl seems to think otherwise. He can be seen doing heavy smith machine incline bench presses, as well as various other machines, and has a very well developed chest as a result. Here is a routine that was taken from 2004.

MARKUS RUHL’S OFFSEASON PROGRAM 2004

EXERCISE                                                                SETS     REPS

MONDAY–Chest
Smith machine incline presses                                    5        4-12
Machine presses                                                              5        8-12
Incline flyes                                                                        5        8-12

TUESDAY–Back
Front pulldowns                                                                5        6-12
One-arm dumbbell rows on an incline bench         5        8-10
Seated cable rows                                                            5        6-10

WEDNESDAY–Arms
Machine preacher curls                                                 4        8-10
Dumbbell curls                                                                 4        6-10
Standing two-arm cable curls                                      4        8-10
Lying triceps extensions                                                4        6-10
(with cambered bar)
Triceps pushdowns                                                         4        8-10
Lying one-arm dumbbell extensions                        4        8-10

FRIDAY–Thighs
Leg presses                                                                        5        4-12
Hack squats                                                                        5        4-12
Leg extensions                                                                   5       10-20
Lying leg curls                                                                    6       10-20

SATURDAY–Shoulders
Smith machine front presses                                     5        4-15
Bent seated laterals                                                       5        8-12
Seated side laterals                                                        5        8-12
Lying cable upright rows                                            5        8-12

Minor changes are taken into consideration as Markus Ruhl leads up to a bodybuilding competition, such as exercise frequency for smaller bodyparts, like calves, as well as an increased amount of cardio.

Competition History / Record

• 2009 Mr. Olympia – 15th
• 2009 New York Pro – 3rd
• 2006 IFBB Austria Pro Grand Prix – 3rd
• 2006 Mr. Olympia – 8th
• 2005 Mr. Olympia – 15th
• 2004 Mr. Olympia – 5th
• 2003 Arnold Classic – 3rd
• 2002 Mr. Olympia – 8th
• 2002 Night of Champions – 1st
• 2002 Toronto Pro Classic – 2nd
• 2001 Mr. Olympia – 14th
• 2000 Mr. Olympia – 7th
• 2000 Joe Weider’s World Pro Cup – 5th
• 2000 Grand Prix England – 5th
• 2000 Night of Champions – 2nd
• 2000 Toronto Pro – 1st
• 1999 Grand Prix England – 7th
• 1999 Joe Weider’s Pro World – 7th
• 1999 Night of Champions – 4th

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