Bodybuilding Documentaries

[Curt James]

5 of the Best Bodybuilding Documentaries to Watch on Netflix

By Katherine Webb
November 22, 2015

For many athletes, bodybuilding isn’t just a hobby — it’s a way of life. Their exercise plans, diets, and free time are all entirely consumed by the desire to sculpt the perfect physique. Some bodybuilders don’t take their ambitions very far; others are driven to achieve ultimate victory and join the ranks of Arnold, Ferrigno and Coleman.

Over the years, the media has paid a lot more attention to bodybuilding. Where once, the public only heard about the Mr. Olympia competition when it rolled around every year, now there’s a lot more awareness about the sport. Some of it is positive — whole online communities have sprung up to support and encourage fellow bodybuilders. Other media has focused on the dark side of the sport — namely performance enhancing drugs. The documentaries on this list cover every aspect of bodybuilding, and they’re guaranteed to pump you up, whether you’re interested in learning more, or looking for a little inspiration.

1. Pumping Iron (1977)

Before he was the Terminator, and then the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a full-time bodybuilder. Pumping Iron follows him and other professional bodybuilders in the months leading up to the 1975 Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia competitions. It gives viewers an entertaining and often educational look into this insanely competitive world, from the way the athletes train mentally and psychologically to the pressure they feel as their big days draw close. It also gives us a chance to see these larger-than-life men in a new light — as humans, enjoying time at home and celebrating after their competitions are over. Some of the best segments in Pumping Iron feature Schwarzenegger’s rivalry with fellow bodybuilding bigwig Lou Ferrigno, including their in-depth demonstrations of how they built their world class physiques.

2. Mark Dugdale: Driven (2006)

What does it take to rise to the top of the bodybuilding world in the 21st century? This intimate documentary follows Mark Dugdale, a professional bodybuilder who splits his time training, managing his own business, and trying to balance time with his young family. Mark Dugdale: Driven isn’t a great documentary because it follows a world-class athlete — though Dugdale is definitely skilled at his craft. It’s compelling because by focusing on a single athlete, it really gives you a feel for what life is like for a professional bodybuilder. Plus, Dugdale has some really fantastic tips, not only for taking your workout to the next level, but for building yourself as a brand.

3. Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (2008)

Steroids are one of the most controversial subjects in the sports world — but especially where bodybuilding is concerned. Bigger, Stronger, Faster* follows three brothers, all bodybuilders, and their individual experiences with these highly contest performance enhancing drugs. One brother is staunchly against them. The others speak to the pressure they’ve felt to use them in order to keep up with the insane competition they face. We also get to see the ramifications that each brother faces due to their choices.

4. Crazy Land: Extreme Body Builders (2013)

Bodybuilders are nothing without their trainers and the gyms that help them prepare for competition. In Crazy Land: Extreme Bodybuilders, we get to spend time with the men and women of Texas’s Metroflex Gym. The space is designed to encourage the most devoted bodybuilders to push themselves to the limit. Crazy Land: Extreme Bodybuilders isn’t the most flattering look at the sport, but it still gives you an amazing look at the intensity and jaw-dropping results these athletes can achieve.

5. Generation Iron (2013)

Like Pumping Iron before it, Generation Iron follows some of the most recognizable bodybuilders in the world as they train for the elite Mr. Olympia competition. Only this time, it’s the 21st century, and the sport has changed a little. With appearances from Schwarzenegger, Ferrigno and one of the sport’s newest icons, Jay Cutler, the film is a mix of instructional inspiration and gritty realism. It highlights the extreme discipline and restraint that builders like Dennis Wolf and Branch Warren had to exhibit to make it to the top. And it feels like a celebration of the sport, even when it shines a critical eye on some of its practices.

From http://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainm...n-netflix.html

[Curt James]

How many have you seen?

Like so many, I've seen Pumping Iron seemingly countless times. Dugdale's Driven is fantastic, too. Can't believe that was released in 2006!

Markus Ruhl's movies aren't mentioned and the Raising the Bar series of films was also excluded from that list of five films.

What bodybuilding documentaries would you add to the list?

[cook]

Only seen Pumping Iron.I still have it on video tape but nothing to play it on.

[PTB]

Sadly, Pumping Iron II: The Women gets no love on that list... a true shame.

Battle For the Gold - 1988 was also a good one.

[Curt James]

Only seen Pumping Iron.I still have it on video tape but nothing to play it on.

I have a number of VHS tapes too but no player. Bah!

[Curt James]

Sadly, Pumping Iron II: The Women gets no love on that list... a true shame.

Battle For the Gold - 1988 was also a good one.

I have a DVD about Yaxeni and also one of Lenda and other female competitors. Might have a few others as well.

When Mitsuru Okabe was closing up shop he offered deep discounts on his DVDs. I picked up a 6-hour long Jay Cutler and a 6-hour long Ronnie Coleman DVD. Actually, I believe I picked up two 6-hour DVDs of each competitor.

[MusclePoppins]

Good list. I've seen almost everything. Haven't seen Pumping Iron 2.

My favorite bodybuilding stuff are all the Jay Cutler and Kai Greene dvds. Managed to get some non-bodybuilding friends to watch Generation Iron with me. Unbelievably they liked it more than I did. I wanted 8 more hours and no Ben Pakulski.

[Joe Pietaro]

Pumping Iron II is available on a website out there and you can watch the full movie for free. I watched it and used to have the link but couldn't find it to post here. If you Google it, that site should pop up on the first page.

Quite different from the first one but very interesting, too.

[MusclePoppins]

So I watched Pumping Iron 2 tonight. Didn't know it existed until this thread.

https://youtu.be/9lpY4M5xlQI


A FEW THOUGHTS:

-Lydia Cheng soaping up in the shower with two other women was my favourite part.

-Rachel McLish was really narrow up top, but was ferociously beautiful. Today she might be the hottest 60 year old that's ever walked the planet.

-I thought Lori Bowen had the best legs and was right in the middle of the McLish (smaller) and Bev Francis (bigger) spectrum.

-Carla Dunlap was at her peak from 1983-1985. Great arms and shape.

-Steve Weinberger was pissed and confused after the show. Poor guy. But at least he made it into the head judging chair to oversee the implosion of the division instead of trying to redefine it and save it. Good job, Steve.

-Female bodybuilding at the Olympia began in 1980. Within 15 years it was already getting out of control, as allowed by the judges. This film (1983) was the peak, in my opinion, where you had all the different body types.

-I'm happy Juliana Malacarne is the bar now.


LYDIA CHENG, MY FAVORITE SOAPY LADY FROM PUMPING IRON 2
Lydia.jpg

[cook]

Shower scene huh??? I may have to check this out

[Young Gotti]

watched pumping iron, bigger faster stronger, and pieces of generation iron.....they are all ok, nothing great

[Curt James]

Pumping Iron is nothing great????

[Young Gotti]

Pumping Iron is nothing great????

Haha you know my opinion of arnold

[KnightXavi]

So I watched Pumping Iron 2 tonight. Didn't know it existed until this thread.

https://youtu.be/9lpY4M5xlQI


A FEW THOUGHTS:

-Lydia Cheng soaping up in the shower with two other women was my favourite part.

-Rachel McLish was really narrow up top, but was ferociously beautiful. Today she might be the hottest 60 year old that's ever walked the planet.

-I thought Lori Bowen had the best legs and was right in the middle of the McLish (smaller) and Bev Francis (bigger) spectrum.

-Carla Dunlap was at her peak from 1983-1985. Great arms and shape.

-Steve Weinberger was pissed and confused after the show. Poor guy. But at least he made it into the head judging chair to oversee the implosion of the division instead of trying to redefine it and save it. Good job, Steve.

-Female bodybuilding at the Olympia began in 1980. Within 15 years it was already getting out of control, as allowed by the judges. This film (1983) was the peak, in my opinion, where you had all the different body types.

-I'm happy Juliana Malacarne is the bar now.


LYDIA CHENG, MY FAVORITE SOAPY LADY FROM PUMPING IRON 2
Lydia.jpg

I want to rep you. But, they won't let me.

[mdvsony]

this is US netflix right?

aussie netflix get like 1/6 your catalogue lol and they craking down on vpn now too