a LEO ROBERT 1935 - 2016Tete Cee Lum eu cP : tt Oe ecu ns Seu an LEO ir . written by David Gentle in 2013 id Se Fashion rears its beautiful head in virtually every sport or human activity, not only in apparel or hairstyles but also In basic standards or methods. Bodybuilding per se wil never be an Olympic sport despite the efforts of many ‘prominent figures over the years in our chosen game of pumping iron. The hard truth is that in a bodybuilding ‘contest the victory goes to the one most judges agree was "the best.” In weightliting one can easily compare weights, s0 obviously the heavier woight lifted in each category wins: distances and the speed taken to cover them can be timed to the tape; but beauty is row, and vill forever be “in the eye of the beholder.” Over the decades physiques and what the judges look for in winners change like the climate, We have had eras when "bulk" was best, when musclemen sought pendulous. pectorals and drank iteraly quarts of mik daily (much like the average sumo wrestlers diet) in America, where food was plentiful. In Europe, especially after the ravages of two world wars, food was less readily available, and Europeans preferred lighter defined physiques with the ‘emphasis on abdominals, dettoids and over-all cuts. During this period the Brits had a ite of both - some size, some shape - with an attempt to combine the best Cf what they could produce on the food available. This ‘approach lasted until they began to copy their American ‘cousins, drinking milk to show more muscle For a while bodybuilders chose either definition or size. Then along came a man from Montreal who showed the world you could have both. His name was Leo Robert (pro- nounced Ro-bear), Lec had a development that combined the pectorals of Clancy Ross with the six-pack abdominals of the best European physiques. Leo truly had the best of both worlds. He satisfied all fashions and was admired in all judgements, With a rugged handsome face, cood hair, a natural tan, and a personality that charmed all he met, Leo Robert became a champion everyone could admire. Leo was bom in Montreal, Quetec, Canada, sharing his parents with two brothers and two sisters. After graduation he first was employed in boring office work which he hated, so he looked for 2 more energetic job. He found one as a longshoreman or stevedore on the Montreal docks, where he soon realized he was not as tough as he thought. So he decided on a lighter career, joining the Canadian army. He became ‘a physical training instructor, exercising often until his discharge after four years of service. Despite the activity in the ‘army he had put on some unwanted weight, mostly around his waistline, as is the case for most of us. After discover- ing the muscle magazines, Leo was inspired by the one and only Ed Theriault, with whom he became good friends. Eddy soon suggested Leo take up weight training (at 25 Leo began training later than most) and changed his diet for the better. Following Theriault's advice, he performed a full weight-training program, but with extra emphasis on his then slightly flabby waistline, which measured al of 35 inches. He made sure every training session included plenty of sit-ups, side bends, leg raises, and various other movements specifically for the midsection. This concentration was to pay dividends in his later competition days, as he won the Best Abdominals title whenever he competed. He first appeared on the cover of Sante et Force, @ French Canadian magazine. Later he was even featured in Time magazine. His best photos were taken by Russ Wamer and Tony Lanza (who coincidentally also trained with weights under Terry Robinson). MUSCLE SIZE Because he was not overty tall, Leo could do sit-ups and leg raises with straight legs: This is not a practice recommended for the taller man, who is advised to substitute crunches and bent-leg raises to avold lower-back strain. As an example of his abdomi= nal strength he would place a 140-pound Olympic bar behind his neck for si-ups. H&S + January 2017 Iesuo 1 5He spent endless hours hanging from a chin-up bar. He recalls that at one period he sua 7 was doing up to 1,000 situps on an abdominal board in under 30 minutes. Leo first began to show up in public around 1947 when he was featured in Joe Weiger's Muscle Power "Future Greats” photo competition, the photo blurb saying he had “recorded good gains.” In another contest he won “Best Abs.” Leo however was not just @ musclenead. Having been a musician in the army, he excelled at playing the trombone. (We can only imagine what sound would have hit the airways witn Leo on ‘vombone and the great George Eiferman on trumpet!) He was also a keen yachtsman, loved most sports from boxing to baseball, and once formed his own hockey club. Robert had the luck to become employed by Joe Weider at the Weider Health Studio in Montreal. He was used in a multitude of promotions in Joe's magazines for such diverse ‘apparatus as hand grippers, multiplex springs and expanders, to regular weights. Later he wrote, or at least had his byline on (probably with the expert aid of the late Charles ‘Smith) many magazine aricles. With his handsome face and physique he often made the cover. To give competition to the then established bodybuilding associations, the Wei-der brothers formed the IFBB in 1946. Later Leo became the first to win its Most Muscular Award in 1949, This was the first time a Canadian had taken honors at a Mr. ‘America event. (Source: Muscle Power Vol. 7, No. 3, Feb. 1949) At his most muscular Robert beat Al Stephen, who weirdly rebounded to take the overall ttle with Leo coming third. Years later in London Leo sensationally beat Clancy Ross at the NABBA Mr. Universe. Roberts fame and popularity grew and grew. David Webster OBE, who was instrumental in getting Robert to London to compete in the 1955 NABBA U, stated that Leo's success was not based simply on his physique and film-star glorious natural tan and Clark Gable (sorry, guys, he was an ol! movie star) moustache, but that he was "a warm human individual wiling to help anyone." Despite requests he resisted all calls to return to competition after 1955. His last two guest appearances were at the Mr. Eastern North America show in 1962, and in 1967 at ‘a New York contest, where he delighted and amazed the audience with his super Physique and posing. He made a token gesture to maturity in 69 by cutting down his training sessions from six days a week to just four. But, truth be told, Leo never went out of shape. He trained both in and out of contest seasons, unlike today's bodybuilders who commonly put on 30 pounds when out of competition. instead of competing, Leo put all his considerable energies into his gyms and to successfully training others. More recently he's had a website ([Link]) designed by his wife, Diane. Like ‘most pros who vary their training, Leo's weight and measurements also varied. Magazine references slate he was 5-7 with a bodyweight of 180-190 pounds. One article with his byline suggested he could pump his upper arms up to 19.2 inches. Others recorded his arms as around 18 inches with 14 1/2-inch forearms. He always used heavy weights. For example his bench presses and squats were over 350 when 100 pounds less was considered g00d. LEO'S ARM ROUTINE ‘When asked the secret of his muscularity, Leo always replied, "Hard work and never miss training.” He was almost addicted to training and the great feelings it gave him. Naturally he did a variety of workouts, but the following is one he basically used most of the ‘ime, only substituting exercises of a similar nature. Remember, he was a professional, This workout is not for beginners. Even experienced trainers will find it tough. He trained six times a week on split routines, training arms three times a week along with his leg work. On the other three days he worked back, chest, shoulders and waist. Once Leo had finished his usually intense arm workout, he would've been unable to follow with, say, bench presses or rowing. His arms would've been too fried. He would ‘normally spend up to an hour on arms, using maximum poundage. He reported doing sets of six curls with 120-pound dumbbells! He commenced in strict style, gradually allowing looser style to compiete the required repetitions. His usual arm workout consist- 20 of five sets of six reps, the low reps allowing for the heavy poundage. Astute readers will note no forearm exercises are included. This is because he considered his lower arms were already getting enough work from the other movements he used. Between sets or exercises he rested just long enough to regain normal breathing and relief in his ‘muscles. By and large Leo kept his reps slow and uncer control, fighting every repetition, THE ROUTINE Using just four exercises he would combine two exerc'ses working the same area but targeting opposing muscle groups. For instance exercise 1 Is for biceps and exercise 2Se) a Pas 's Most Muscular; Mr er Prenat Muscular; 2nd in |FBB Mr. Eastern North America’ 3rd in IFBB Mr. America; 2nd in IFBB's Canada's Dane eu nen) wr err RO ee te ed for triceps, with each exercise alternated set for set Exercise 1; Barbell curl, seated; bagin with bar across. upper legs while seated on flat bench; curl bar to high chest! shoulders for six repetitions. Without taking a rest move straight into Exercise 2: Lying triceps stretch on bench for six reps; after minimum rest repeat exercise 1 and then exercise 2 alternately. That is one superset. Complete five supersets of this combination. After a slightly longer rest continue to Exercise 3: Dumbbell curl on incline bench; cur! for six reps; without resting continue to Exercise 4: Triceps pressdown on pulleyilat machine for six reps; upper arms tight to the body; use good style ‘concentrating on the triceps muscies. Rest and then repeat exercises 3 and 4 alternating for five supersets in total By now youll realize this 's obviously an advanced routine. If you've trained for some time, it may well be just the kind of job your upper arms require to got them on. the move. To offset boredom, Leo would ewitch to different but basically similar exercises for biceps and triceps using the same system. That's Leo's routine - tough. but effective. if you can ‘comb your hair af-ter this workout, you haven't used enough weight in your exercises. DIET Competing before the days of enhancement drugs or even more sophisticated food supplements, Leo stil made progress by eating clean. (Where have | heard. that before?) He of course took extra vitamins, protein drinks, and also used the juice extractor a lot for good food and nutrition. Today he stil maintains a good diet, especially including protein. shakes and his own blend of oil. He enjoys fish, chicken and other lean meats. About the only change he has made, despite his love of training, is to exercise just four days a week instead of his usual six. He also ensures he gets sufficient rest, with ‘a good eight hours of sleep at night to aid recovery. Well that’s the Leo Robert story. Old habits die hard, and as of today Leo stil devotes his time and energy to helping others with their training problems and offering ‘nutrition advice with his own products (as explained on his website). As he has been throughout hss life, he is stil ‘a wonderful ambassador for bodybuilding, a great friendly personalty respected by everyone who has the pleasure of meeting him. Long may those abs, and the man cacti Sam Cnc w ete Patents cera coed ss. A fair example of an abdominal rou: fe been simple but effective: Three exer Senet Se ee me enc y Pee ct Se et Rea a a 2S Ge SS / aBACK TO WEBSITE