Kevin Levrone: the story of one of the most successful bodybuilders in history

With 23 professional victories during his career, Kevin Levrone has one of the most impressive track records in the history of bodybuilding. The American even achieved one of the most remarkable comebacks on the circuit, returning to the stage at the age of 51. However, he never managed to win the Mr Olympiawhich I'm sure will remain a huge regret. Let's discover the background and training of the man nicknamed "Maryland Muscle Machine", an athlete with an incredible physique.

A childhood marked by the death of his parents

Kevin Levrone was born on July 16, 1964 in Baltimore, one of the largest cities in the state of Maryland, to an Italian father and an African-American mother.

The youngest of 6 siblings, Kevin Levrone lost both parents to cancer. His father died in 1975, when Kevin was just 7. His mother succumbed to the disease in 1990.

Trials that could have led him down a winding path. Instead, Kevin Levrone chose to turn to a healthy lifestyleinspired by his cousin Stoning. Enlisted in the Marine Corps, Stoning built up an impressively muscular body. A physical transformation which aroused young Kevin's admiration and led him to take up bodybuilding.

" I had a cousin named Stoning. He came home after serving in the Marines. He was 1.80 meters tall, weighed 80 kilos and was ripped. I'd never seen anything like it! I felt like I was looking at the Incredible Hulk! "

Kevin Levrone

Levrone quickly achieved his first results, seeing his body change and his muscles grow. This naturally led him to take part in his first bodybuilding.

A successful bodybuilding career

Obtaining your IFBB pro card

You have to go back to 1989 to find any trace of the first win by Kevin Levrone. He went on to win the Mr. Colossus, a local competition held in his hometown of Baltimore.

In 1990, he was crowned Maryland State NPC Champion. The following year, he was named overall winner of the NPS Nationalsahead of future legends such as Flex Wheeler and Ronnie Coleman in its heavyweight category. 

This brilliant success earned him his carte pro IFBB and launch his bodybuilding career for good.

A dazzling professional debut

On his first appearance at the Mr Olympia (1992), Kevin Levrone finished second on the podium, just behind the monstrous Dorian Yates. 

Levrone suffers his first severe injury in February 1993, a torn pectoral muscle contracted during a bench press at 270 kilos. He underwent a first operation, then a second following an infection. Many observers thought it would be difficult for him to return to the stage.

However, this didn't stop him from returning to his best level in 1994, demonstrating his strength of character. The man nicknamed the "Maryland Muscle Machine" won his first Arnold Classicone of the most prestigious competitions in the bodybuilding world.

In 1995, he came second again to Yates in the Mr Olympia. He won the Arnold Classic again in 1996.

Levrone fails again second position of the Mr Olympia in 2000 and 2002, this time behind Ronnie Coleman.

In fact, 2002 was certainly one of the greatest failures of Kevin's career, as he came so close to winning. That night in Las Vegas, he literally put Coleman to the test, forcing the eight-time winner of the contest to work hard for final success. Watch his exceptional performance in the video below.

Kevin Levrone retired from the scene in 2003, before making a sensational comeback 13 years later. At the time, he was 51 years old. At the 2016 edition of Mr Olympia, won by Phil HeathHe finished 17th after just 8 weeks of physical preparation. 

He retires for good in 2018, after a final appearance at the Arnold Classic.

A record of achievements as long as your arm

Kevin Levrone has long held the record for the most IFBB victories, with 23 Pro Show titles. He has since been dethroned by the immense Ronnie Coleman in 2004, then by Dexter Jackson a few years later.

This impressive number of victories places Levrone in a class of its own. the world's bodybuilding gotha. He has taken part in a large number of competitions around the world, winning several Grands Prix in Europe.

His lack of triumph at the Mr Olympia, however, leaves a taste of unfinished business, earning him the nickname "King without a crown".

Kevin Levrone's measurements

Equipped withexceptional geneticsKevin Levrone is 1.79 metres tall. In terms of weight, he weighed 110 kilos when he was on stage, compared with 120 kilos when he was off. He was also known for his impressive physical transformations when it came to competitions.

With 4 % body fat percentageHe always sported a flayed physique on the podium, revealing his 2 great strengths: huge shoulders and voluminous arms (biceps and triceps).

Here are his other measurements: 

• Arm circumference: 60 centimetres
• Chest circumference: 145 centimetres
• Waist circumference: 74 centimetres
• Thigh circumference: 82 centimetres

His training program

Kevin Levrone had a very particular approach to training, far removed from the standards of other bodybuilders at the time. He trained hard in the run-up to competitions, but greatly reduced the intensity of his sessions outside competition periods.

Concerning his weight-training programhe appreciated the Push Pull Legs method. He always started with the basic exercises, then finished with the isolation movements.

He also loved heavy workwith 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions, to develop strength and maximize hypertrophy. On the other hand, he never neglected execution technique. His movements were clean and controlled, promoting muscle building.

Here's what his planning looked like.

Monday and Friday (Push): pectorals, shoulders and triceps

• Barbell bench press
• Dumbbell incline press
• Chest press
• Opposite pulley spreads
• Military developed
• Lateral elevations
• Shrugs
• Bench press, tight grip
• Bar to the front

Tuesday and Saturday (Legs): legs and abdominals

• Hack squat
• Leg curl
• Thigh press
• Standing calf extension
• Seated calf extension
• Pulley crunches
• Deadlift

Wednesday and Sunday (Pull): Back and biceps

• Straight-arm pull-up with high pulley
• Rowing at the T-bar
• Tilted bust print
• Horizontal pulley turning
• Machine printing
• Incline curl with dumbbells
• Dumbbell curl
• Larry Scott curl
• Pulley curl

What has he been doing since his retirement from sport?

While many bodybuilders devote their entire lives to the sport, Kevin Levrone has always had other interests.

For example, he was part of a music band known as Fulblown.

An artist at heart, he has also tried his hand at a variety of acting careerwith a view to opening the doors of Hollywood. He starred in several - rather confidential - films such as Backlash (2006) or Redline: Speed without Limits (2007). He also appeared in a TV series entitled Burning Hollywood (2009).

Finally, Levrone has created its own brand of dietary supplementsThese include proteins, gainers, creatine, glutamine and pre-workouts.

It is now followed by 2 million followers on InstagramHis account features inspirational content from his coaching and training sessions. He also shares videos of his son Gabe Levrone, a promising young American soccer player.

Conclusion

Kevin Levrone is a model of determination and success for many bodybuilders. His prize list says a lot about his ability to get back to work after every competition, with the aim of progressing and coming back even stronger. For two decades, he pushed athletes such as Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman to their limits, marking a fine page in the history of american bodybuilding and worldwide.