Bodybuilders don’t stop living the lifestyle just because they don’t compete anymore. Case in point: “The Black Prince” Robby Robinson still trains hard and is ready to pose in his mid-70s.
The 1994 Masters Olympia champion recently trained arms with Mike O’Hearn. Robinson hit some poses afterward, revealing muscular and lean arms at 76 years old. Watch Robinson perform a drop set of preacher curls at the 1:52 mark of the video below, courtesy of O’Hearn’s YouTube channel:
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Robinson started with 70 pounds, performing seven reps for the first portion of his set. O’Hearn instructed his cameraman to pay attention to the definition in Robinson’s biceps while he was lifting.
The former cast member of American Gladiator handed Robinson a 50-pound barbell to extend his set for six extra reps. Robinson hit side chest and most muscular poses before putting his jacket back on. Robinson offered his explanation for why he is in the shape he is at this stage of his life.
We’re always working, working, working, all the time. I love what I do.
Robinson’s influence in bodybuilding dates back to the mid-1970s. According to Muscle Memory, Robinson started competing in 1974 as an amateur, winning the AAU’s Mr. Southeastern USA and Mr. Southern States titles. He won multiple shows in 1975, culminating with the IFBB’s Mr. World championship. That was also the year he was one of several bodybuilders filmed for Pumping Iron, released in 1977.
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By the end of that decade, Robinson competed in the Mr. Olympia, having won the Heavyweight title in 1977 and 1978, followed by the Lightweight title in 1979. Frank Zane won the overall Mr. Olympia title all three of those years.
In 1981, Robinson shifted focus to the NABBA and claimed their Universe title. He wouldn’t win another show for seven years until he won the IFBB’s Niagara Falls Pro Invitational show in 1988. He completed the 1980s with his win at the IFBB’s World Pro Championships.
Robinson’s most famous victory may be his 1994 Masters Olympia victory scored over Lou Ferrigno. Robinson won the Over 50 division at the Masters Olympia twice, in 1997 and 2000. His final onstage appearance was at the 2001 Masters Olympia, where he placed fourth overall. Even though it’s been over two decades since Robinson’s last contest, he told O’Hearn that his passion for training has never wavered.
Featured image: @robbyrobinsonofficial on Instagram