• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workouts
      • Best Whey Protein
    • Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Machines
    • Certifications
      • ISSA Review
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
News

Legendary Bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman Powers Through Calf Raises for Reps, Continues to Inspire

The bodybuilding legend continues to push himself in the gym, not letting his unfortunate health circumstances sully an optimistic mindset.

Written by Robert Zeglinski Last updated on June 15, 2022

Many consider Ronnie Coleman to be one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.

Unfortunately, the 58-year-old Coleman has fallen on hard times of late. The legendary strength sports athlete has undergone over a dozen surgeries on his neck and back. While his balance and leg strength have been improving, he walks with crutches for the time being. These developments certainly haven’t stopped Coleman from keeping an optimistic outlook and pushing himself wherever he can. 

For example, on June 12, 2022, Coleman shared footage of a recent training session where he did some calf raises (weight undisclosed) for reps. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Ronnie Coleman (@ronniecoleman8)

[Related: Deloading 101: What Is A Deload And How Do You Do It?]

If his social media is any indication, Coleman’s calf-raise session appears to be about sharing regular updates on his progress. Coleman has been posting videos of himself training his legs in recent weeks. Per the caption of his Instagram post, it seems to be an apparent part of keeping himself as active and healthy as possible. 

“Trying my very best to do calf raises with both of my feet being totally numb,” Coleman wrote. “Sometimes it’s not about how hard you try to do something, it’s about how bad you wanna do something.”

According to Coleman, he doesn’t let his mobility troubles keep him away from the gym. If anything, they seem to motivate him more based on his approach. 

“I may have a little trouble with my mobility, but I still train legs twice a week every week,” Coleman wrote in another recent post on Instagram. “I miss doing squats more than any exercises I’ve ever done. But at least I still have some leg strength left.”

Coleman’s Health and Future

With one of the more decorated resumes in bodybuilding, some might consider Coleman an ambassador of the sport.

From 1998 to 2005, Coleman captured eight straight Mr. Olympias — tying Lee Haney for the most-ever Olympia wins. Throughout his 17-year career (1990-2007), he won 26 International Federation Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) competitions. Thanks to a rare combination of strength, conditioning, and heavy, challenging lifts, some might even consider Coleman the strongest bodybuilder ever. 

His place in the pantheon of elite bodybuilders and his positive approach to life naturally have the greater bodybuilding sphere closely monitoring his recovery. The comments on Coleman’s social media posts often find a litany of stars like Breon Ansley and Phil Heath offering appropriate words of encouragement. 

Last fall, in recognition of his many achievements, Coleman received the 2021 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award from fellow Mr. Olympia legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two men possess a combined 15 Mr. Olympia titles and have maintained relative contact over the years. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Arnold Sports Festival (@arnoldsports)

[Related: Why You Should Be Greasing The Groove During Your Workouts]

Coleman has expressed hopes he’ll be able to walk unassisted again in the near future. If he keeps pushing himself appropriately in the gym while holding a cheerful mindset, it might only be a matter of time before the bodybuilding legend can accomplish his goal. 

Featured image: @ronniecoleman8 on Instagram

About Robert Zeglinski

Robert is a seasoned and adept editor and writer with a keen, passionate penchant for the writing craft. He's been a leader in newsrooms such as SB Nation, USA TODAY, and WBBM Newsradio, with various other content and art production teams, and first made a name for himself in his hometown of Chicago. When not knee-deep in research or lost in a stream of consciousness for a thorough piece, you can find Robert inhaling yet another novel, journaling his heart out, or playing with his Shiba Inu, Maximus (Max, for short).

View All Articles

Recommended Articles

Ronnie Coleman standing outdoors with reflective look in 2022
Ronnie Coleman Believes Stem Cell Treatment Saved His Health
Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler January 2023 Training Session
Bodybuilding Legends Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler Get Together for a Training Session
Powerlifter Larry Wheels squatting with a safety bar in front of legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman.
8-Time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Takes Larry Wheels Through a Grueling Leg Workout
Bodybuilding 'Big Ramy' Mamdouh Elssbiay flexing arms
Bodybuilding Icon Lee Haney Compares Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay to Ronnie Coleman at Peak of His Powers

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

Bodybuilding Fixture Johnnie Jackson Teases Masters Comeback at Age 52

Powerlifter John Haack Deadlifts an Astonishing 415 Kilograms (915 Pounds) for a PR and Unofficial World Record

Seven-Time 212 Olympia Champ Flex Lewis Predicts Top 10 at 2023 Arnold Classic

Chris Bumstead: “All I Want to Do is Win Olympias.” Quashes Any Arnold Classic Rumors

Latest Reviews

ISSA Personal Trainer Certification Review

ISSA Personal Trainer Certification Review

Best Whey Proteins for Packing on Muscle, Shredding Down, Meal Replacement, and More

Best Pre-Workouts for Building Muscle, Running, Taste, and More

Best Home Gym Machines

Best Home Gym Machines

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2023 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About