Frank Zane
Encyclopedia
Frank Zane is an American
former professional bodybuilder
and teacher
.
in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in 1964. For 13 years, he taught mathematics and chemistry while living in Florida and California. Later he earned a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts degree) in psychology
from Cal State LA
in 1977. Finally, he was awarded a Master's degree
in Experimental Psychology
from Cal State SB
, California in 1990.
(1977 to 1979). His reign represented a shift of emphasis from mass
to aesthetics
. Zane's proportionate physique featured the second thinnest waistline of all the Mr. Olympias (after Sergio Oliva
), with his wide shoulders making for a distinctive V-taper. He stood at 5'9" and had a competition weight of 187-195 pounds when he won Mr Olympia (He weighed over 200 lbs when he competed in the 60s). Zane is one of only three people who have beaten Arnold Schwarzenegger
in a bodybuilding contest (1968 Mr. Universe
in Miami, FL) and one of the very few Mr. Olympia winners under 200 pounds. Overall, he competed for over 20 years (retiring after the 1983 Mr Olympia contest) and won Mr America, Mr Universe, Mr World and Mr Olympia throughout his illustrious career.
He has written many courses and books about bodybuilding
. In 1994, Zane was inducted into the 1st annual Joe Weider Hall of Fame. He received the Arnold Schwarzenegger lifetime achievement award at the 2003 Arnold Classic
for his dedication and long-time support of the sport. He was given the nickname "The Chemist" due to his Bachelor of Science degree and, as he puts it: "Back in the day I took a lot of supplements and tons of amino acids. Still do. But back then it was pretty unusual. That's how I got the nickname The Chemist." There was also a perception that his nickname was given because he was very scientific in reaching his peak on the exact day of competition, year after year.
In 1985, Frank and his wife Christine owned and operated Zane Haven in Palm Springs, CA where they conducted one-on-one sessions with clients who wished to possess a symmetrical physique. Today, the Zanes live in San Diego, CA and his learning center is now called Zane Experience.
In 2005, Frank Zane played the IFBB Announcer and worked as the consulting producer in the movie "See Arnold Run." As of 2006, Zane currently runs his own website, appears at seminars and book signings. He still trains with weights at age 69.
In 2011 Frank Zane appeared in the documentary Challenging Impossibility (film)
describing the weightlifting odyssey of spiritual teacher and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy
. The film was an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival
. Frank attended the premier in New York City on April 22, 2011.
| colspan=3 align=center | Mr. Olympia
|-
| width=30% align=center | Preceded by:
Franco Columbu
| width=40% align=center | First (1977)
| width=30% align=center | Succeeded by:
himself
|-
| width=30% align=center | Preceded by:
himself
| width=40% align=center | Second (1978)
| width=30% align=center | Succeeded by:
himself
|-
| width=30% align=center | Preceded by:
himself
| width=40% align=center | Third (1979)
| width=30% align=center | Succeeded by:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional bodybuilder
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
and teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
.
Education
Zane received a B.Sc (Bachelor of Science degree) in Education from Wilkes UniversityWilkes University
Wilkes University is a private, non-denominational American university located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It has over 2,200 undergraduates and over 2,200 graduate students...
in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in 1964. For 13 years, he taught mathematics and chemistry while living in Florida and California. Later he earned a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts degree) in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
from Cal State LA
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
in 1977. Finally, he was awarded a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
from Cal State SB
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Bernardino, also known as Cal State San Bernardino or CSUSB is a public research university and one of the twenty three general campuses of the California State University system. The main campus sits on in the suburban University District of , United States, with...
, California in 1990.
Bodybuilding career
Zane is a three-time Mr. OlympiaMr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
(1977 to 1979). His reign represented a shift of emphasis from mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
to aesthetics
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
. Zane's proportionate physique featured the second thinnest waistline of all the Mr. Olympias (after Sergio Oliva
Sergio Oliva
Sergio Oliva is a bodybuilder known as "The Myth". This sobriquet was given to him by bodybuilder/writer Rick Wayne. Wayne had begun calling Oliva "The Myth" ""....
), with his wide shoulders making for a distinctive V-taper. He stood at 5'9" and had a competition weight of 187-195 pounds when he won Mr Olympia (He weighed over 200 lbs when he competed in the 60s). Zane is one of only three people who have beaten Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
in a bodybuilding contest (1968 Mr. Universe
Universe Championships
The Universe Championships are an annual bodybuilding event organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association . It has a number of competitions: NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe, Miss Figure, and Miss Toned Figure....
in Miami, FL) and one of the very few Mr. Olympia winners under 200 pounds. Overall, he competed for over 20 years (retiring after the 1983 Mr Olympia contest) and won Mr America, Mr Universe, Mr World and Mr Olympia throughout his illustrious career.
He has written many courses and books about bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
. In 1994, Zane was inducted into the 1st annual Joe Weider Hall of Fame. He received the Arnold Schwarzenegger lifetime achievement award at the 2003 Arnold Classic
Arnold Classic
The Arnold Classic, renamed Arnold Fitness Weekend, is an annual bodybuilding competition, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. It takes place in late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, United States.-History:...
for his dedication and long-time support of the sport. He was given the nickname "The Chemist" due to his Bachelor of Science degree and, as he puts it: "Back in the day I took a lot of supplements and tons of amino acids. Still do. But back then it was pretty unusual. That's how I got the nickname The Chemist." There was also a perception that his nickname was given because he was very scientific in reaching his peak on the exact day of competition, year after year.
In 1985, Frank and his wife Christine owned and operated Zane Haven in Palm Springs, CA where they conducted one-on-one sessions with clients who wished to possess a symmetrical physique. Today, the Zanes live in San Diego, CA and his learning center is now called Zane Experience.
In 2005, Frank Zane played the IFBB Announcer and worked as the consulting producer in the movie "See Arnold Run." As of 2006, Zane currently runs his own website, appears at seminars and book signings. He still trains with weights at age 69.
In 2011 Frank Zane appeared in the documentary Challenging Impossibility (film)
Challenging Impossibility (film)
Challenging Impossibility is a 2011 documentary film which chronicles the weightlifting odyssey of the spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, who in 1985 at the age of 54 took up weightlifting and performing feats of strength using the power of meditation...
describing the weightlifting odyssey of spiritual teacher and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy
Chinmoy Kumar Ghose, also known as Sri Chinmoy was an Indian spiritual teacher, poet, artist and athlete who immigrated to the U.S. in 1964., the founder of the religious organization "Sri Chinmoy Centre Church, Inc." better known as "Sri Chinmoy Centre"...
. The film was an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival is a film festival founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff in a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the consequent loss of vitality in the TriBeCa neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.The mission of the festival...
. Frank attended the premier in New York City on April 22, 2011.
Bodybuilding titles
- 1961 Mr. Pennsylvania (17th place)
- 1962 Mr. Keystone (Winner)
- 1963 Mr. Keystone 2nd
- 1965 Mr. Sunshine State (Winner)
- 1965 IFBBIFBBIFBB can refer to:* Independent Family Brewers of Britain* International Federation of BodyBuilders...
Mr. Universe (1st, Medium Height category) - 1966 IFBB Mr. America (1st, Medium)
- 1967 IFBB Mr. America (1st, Medium)
- 1967 IFBB Mr. Universe (3rd, Tall)
- 1968 IFBB Mr. America (Winner)
- 1968 IFBB Mr. Universe (Winner)
- 1970 NABBA Mr. Universe (Winner)
- 1971 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe (1st, Short)
- 1972 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe (Winner)
- 1972 IFBBMr. OlympiaMr. OlympiaMr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
(Under 200 lbs, 4th) - 1973 - did not compete (retired)
- 1974 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Under 200 lbs, 2nd)
- 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia (did not place)
- 1976 IFBB Mr. Olympia (2nd overall)
- 1977 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Winner)
- 1978 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Winner)
- 1979 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Winner; perhaps the greatest shape of his career)
- 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia (3rd, after suffering a near-fatal injury at his home, requiring lengthy hospitalization)
- 1981 - did not compete (boycotted the Mr Olympia contest after the controversial 1980 contest)
- 1982 IFBB Mr. Olympia (2nd)
- 1983 IFBB Mr. Olympia (4th, after suffering another accident on his bicycle, requiring extensive shoulder surgery shortly after the contest)
Competitive stats
- Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
- Contest weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
- Off-season weight: 200 lbs
- Arms: 18"
- Neck: 17.5"
- Chest: 51"
- Waist: 29"
- Thighs: 26"
- Calves: 16.5"
Books by Frank Zane
- The Zane Way to a Beautiful Body (1979)
- Super Bodies in 12 Weeks (1982)
- Zane Nutrition (1986)
- Fabulously Fit Forever (1992)
- Fabulously Fit Forever Expanded (1996)
- Frank Zane: Mind, Body, Spirit (1997)
- Frank Zane Training Manual (2005)
- The High Def Handbook (2008)
- The Mind In Bodybuilding (2009)
- Since 1998, Frank Zane has written a newsletter (published four times a year) entitled Frank Zane Newsletter, that provides the latest information in all aspects of bodybuilding and to also promote the aesthetic physique.
External links
- Official Frank Zane Facebook Page
- The official Frank Zane website
- IMDB Biography of Frank Zane
- Frank Zane info on Bodybuilders.com
- Video Clip of Frank Zane posing at the 1979 Mr. Olympia contest
- Video Clip of Frank Zane posing at the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest
- Video Clip of Frank Zane posing at the 1982 Mr. Olympia contest
- Video Clip of Frank Zane posing at the 1983 Mr. Olympia contest
- Frank Zane Article
- 4 minute video clip of "The Train with Zane Video"
| colspan=3 align=center | Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
|-
| width=30% align=center | Preceded by:
Franco Columbu
Franco Columbu
Franco Columbu is an Italian actor, former bodybuilder and World's Strongest Man competitor.-Bodybuilding:Columbu was born in Ollolai, Sardinia . Starting out his athletic career as a boxer, Columbu progressed into the sport of Olympic Weightlifting, powerlifting and later bodybuilding, winning...
| width=40% align=center | First (1977)
| width=30% align=center | Succeeded by:
himself
|-
| width=30% align=center | Preceded by:
himself
| width=40% align=center | Second (1978)
| width=30% align=center | Succeeded by:
himself
|-
| width=30% align=center | Preceded by:
himself
| width=40% align=center | Third (1979)
| width=30% align=center | Succeeded by:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....