Frank Zane
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Frank Zane
1999 IFBB Hall of Fame Inductee |
Frank Zane
By Terry McConnell
*Photographs courtesy of Weider Publications except where otherwise noted
Education, curiosity, concentration, success!
In the world of bodybuilding the ultimate prize is the title of Mr. Olympia. Although bodybuilders now number in the millions around the globe, only a chosen few rise to the level required to enter the competition and fewer still reach even the top three. Frank Zane has won the brass ring, so to speak, on three occasions; the first in 1977 and in the two following years. Frank Zane, by today’s level of competition, was a smaller man. In the tradition of one of his hero’s, Steve Reeves, Frank Zane made his claim to supremacy with the elements of symmetry and a superlative ability to demonstrate his muscularity.
It was in the Boy Scouts that Frank Zane found his philosophical home. The "strong minds, healthy bodies" credo of the scouts became the foundation of his physical supremacy. As a Boy Scout, he excelled with highest honors - Explorer Scout and Eagle Scout - and added to his accomplishments with 50 merit badges. As an Explorer Scout, he learned about the outdoors, about survival and the development of many skills including the exacting skills of archery. Most of these skills, in one way or another, served him as building blocks to an enviable and successful life, both as an educator and bodybuilding champion.
Frank Zane, not unlike his many peers, is a well educated man. His achievements include a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (B.Sc.); a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (B.A.) and a Masters degree in Experimental Psychology from California State University. Additionally, though not related to education, he received the Arnold Schwarzenegger “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2003 Arnold Classic for his dedication and longtime support of the sport. This, in bodybuilding circles, is an enviable achievement.
A mathematics and chemistry professor, his life took a turn when he won the title of “IFBB Mr. America” in 1968. Also that year, Frank won the “IFBB Mr. International” and defeated the now-Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, for the title of “IFBB Mr. Universe”. The apex of his competitive bodybuilding career came with three consecutive “IFBB Mr. Olympia” wins in 1977, 1978 and 1979.
The term symmetry is a point of contention as far as he is concerned. His mathematical mind compels him to carefully specify the differences between the word symmetry in relation to proportion. Symmetry being related to perfection of the whole makes it impossible to be perfectly symmetrical, in which case both sides of the body would be identical in proportional development; however, applying the word proportional gives more propriety to excellence in bodybuilding. Frank Zane describes symmetry this way, “The way bodybuilders use it is entirely wrong, they should be using proportion, symmetry only has to do with the left side of the body matching the right side. It’s called bilateral symmetry. The usage of the word has been degraded so much by bodybuilders and judges alike that it is now a form of slang and is used to infer something it really doesn’t mean”.
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Courtesy of www.FrankZane.com
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When, as an accomplished bodybuilder, you can proudly stand on the pedestal of success with such greats as Larry Scott, Mr. “O” in 1965 and 1966, and subsequent champions such as Sergio Oliva, Franco Columbu, Chris Dickerson, Samir Bannout, Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler as well as the fabled Cinderfella “ARNOLD” who, it must be noted, in accepting the Glass Challenge Trophy proffered by the Weider Brothers, rose from the obscurity of small town Austria to Global Fame and subsequently to the lofty post he now inhabits. He too a perfect illustration of the results incumbent to those who visualize, focus, and with determination, achieve. Frank Zane has successfully competed against this array of bodybuilders who also achieved the highest measure of success by being on the Mr. Olympia competitive stage; it is then that you know you have, as the term goes, “arrived”.
Frank Zane has followed his successes as a bodybuilder and his talent as a professor/teacher in most of the venues of a champion. Utilizing his fame and knowledge to bring bodybuilding skills to all who follow in his footsteps and these are giant footprints in an industry of giants. In addition to his many credentials, Frank Zane is also author of numerous books on proper exercise methods and nutrition.
Frank Zane is unique in that his many skills and intellect place him in a singular category. The word SUCCESS does not cover it all. Success is a marginal term for many, but the skills, intelligence and personal successes that are representative of Frank Zane make him so unique that even the word unique becomes insufficient in describing him.
A formula for success, in any field, begins early in life and is fed by curiosity, dedication and concentration. Frank Zane began the process in his early teen-age years. Frank Zane has followed a circuitous route in his total development with the most important, it would seem, a discovery that an excellent life partner is essential. This he found in his beautiful, equally talented and devoted wife Christine who shared with him the ups and downs of everyday life. He describes Christine as a tremendous motivator “I think I needed someone like Christine to be successful “. It seems appropriate here to repeat a famous old saying … behind every successful man there is a woman. Christine was the motivator, photographer and all round companion that sustained his dreams of success.
