The Golden Era, running from the 1970s to the 1980s, is often seen as the peak of aesthetics and balance in bodybuilding. During this time, athletes continued to perfect the classic physique, combining size, symmetry, and proportion. This era is marked by the dominance of competitors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu, who became symbols of the sport’s ideal form.
- Rhonda Lee Quaresma
- Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls
- Mark Dugdale
- Colette Nelson
- Achim Albrecht
- Mustafa Mohammad
- Dona Oliveira
- Sue Price
- Christa Bauch
- Mohammed Benaziza
- Dayana Cadeau
- Francesca Petitjean
- Ade Rai
- Nikki Fuller
- Anja Langer
- Roy Callender
- Chris Dickerson
- Rich Gaspari
- Lenda Murray
- Rasa von Werder
- Bob Cicherillo
- Joanna Thomas
- Chris Cook
- Colette Guimond
- Mary Roberts
- Nancy Lewis
- Bill Pearl
- Casey Viator
- Laura Davies
- Bev Francis
- Dennis Wolf
- Serge Nubret
- Ed Corney
- Angela Salvagno
- Flex Wheeler
- Cedric McMillan
- Shawn Rhoden
- Lisa Lyon
- Gladys Portugues
- Nicole Bass
- Corinna Everson
- Larry Scott
- Rachel McLish
- Shawn Ray
- Vince Taylor
- Scott Wilson
- Harold Poole
- Lee Haney
- Robby Robinson
- Jim Arrington
- Matt Mendenhall
- Andreas Munzer
- Tonya Knight
- Mike Katz
- Sergio Oliva
- Jusup Wilkosz
- Berry DeMey
- Milos Sarcev
- Frank Zane
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Dorian Yates
- Tony Pearson
- Lou Ferrigno
- Mike Quinn
- Reg Park
- Sandy Riddell
- Kalman Szkalak
- Bob Paris
- Samir Bannout
- Mike Mentzer
- Dennis Tinerino
- Bill Pettis
- Ken Waller
- Bertil Fox
- Danny Padilla
- Mohamed Makkawy
- Darrem Charles
- Ray Mentzer
- Porter Cottrell
- Lee Priest
- Andreas Cahling
- Boyer Coe
- Gary Strydom
- Rory Leidelmeyer
- Lee Labrada
- Tim Belknap