Rich Gaspari

Professiona & Entrepreneur

From aspiring bodybuilder to being induced into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004, Rich has rubbed shoulders with many of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport.

He began competing in 1983, and earned his Pro Card a year later. It wasn’t long until he was placing highly in the Mr. Olympia, and later, successfully becoming a hall of famer and entrepreneur.

This is his story:

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Athlete Statistics

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Accomplishments

Awards

• Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award

Competition History

1983

• 1983 NPC Junior Nationals Overall Winner
• 1983 NPC Junior Nationals HeavyWeight, 1st
• 1983 NPC Nationals HeavyWeight, 5th

1984

• 1984 NPC Nationals Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
• 1984 World IFBB Amateur Championships Light-HeavyWeight, 1st

1985

• 1985 IFBB Night of Champions 2nd
• 1985 IFBB Mr. Olympia 3rd

1986

• 1986 IFBB Los Angeles Pro Championships Winner
• 1986 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
• 1986 IFBB World Pro Championships Winner

1987

• 1987 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
• 1987 IFBB Grand Prix Germany 2nd
• 1987 IFBB Grand Prix Germany (2) Winner
• 1987 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd

1988

• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix England 2nd
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Germany Winner
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Greece 2nd
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Italy Winner
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain (2) 2nd
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain Winner
• 1988 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd

1989

• 1989 IFBB Arnold Classic Winner
• 1989 IFBB Mr. Olympia 4th

1990-1992

• 1990 IFBB Mr. Olympia 5th
• 1991 IFBB Arnold Classic 7th
• 1991 IFBB Mr. Olympia 10th
• 1992 IFBB Arnold Classic 13th

1994

• 1994 IFBB Chicago Pro Invitational 16th
• 1994 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro Invitational 15th
• 1994 IFBB Night of Champions – Did not place

1995

• 1995 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 5th
• 1995 IFBB Night of Champions 12th

1996

• 1996 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 11th
• 1996 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 12th

 

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Biography

Early Years

Born and raised in New Jersey, USA, Rich grew up idolizing comic-book superheroes, such as Batman, Superman and The Hulk. He became fascinated with their muscular physiques from an early age, and aspired to build a similar body.

It wasn’t long until Rich began reading muscle magazines, with his passion for bodybuilding emerging from the age of 12. After being in awe of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, he started researching how to develop his physique.

At this point, he contracted mononucleosis, and was recommended by the doctor, to begin lifting weights. At the age of 15, in 1978, Rich entered the gym, determined to overcome his weaknesses and sculpt his dream physique.

Bodybuilding

After his first year of training, training 6 days a week, Rich gained an impressive 60lbs. Rich dedicated his life to fitness, with his sights set on stepping on stage as a competitor.

” I was 110 and I went up to 170 after one year of training. So, my body responded really quick with weight training. It was like I started to get muscular right away.” 

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Rich at 19-years-old.

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First Competition

5 years after embarking on his fitness journey, Rich had developed a powerful physique; he felt ready to start competing, and entered his first show – the 1983 NPC Junior Nationals.

Although he was inexperienced, Rich dominated the Heavyweight division, earning his first trophy in his debut appearance. But more impressively, he was awarded with the overall title.

This gave him the push that he needed to continue bodybuilding.

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Rich at the 1984 World IFBB Amateur Championships.

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Pro Card

Rich didn’t hesitate in entering more contests; over the next year, he appeared in 4 more shows, adding 3 trophies to his collection.

But that wasn’t all.

After winning the 1984 World IFBB Amateur Championships, Rich was awarded with the prestigious Pro Card. Only a year into his competitive career, he’d successfully become a professional bodybuilder.

Life as a Pro

Between 1985-1995, Rich entered a massive 28 competitions, placing highly in 6 Mr. Olympia shows. During this period, he become very well-respected as a leading bodybuilder of his era.

One of his biggest achievements was winning the Mr. Universe at 21-years of age – becoming the youngest winner in history, beating the previous record set by Lou Ferrigno (Lou was 22 when he won the Mr. Universe show).

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Retirement

Towards the end of 1995, Rich’s performances in competitions dipped. By the age of 32, Rich realized that his best years were behind him.

His last show was the 1996 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational, where he placed 12th. It wasn’t the dream ending for Rich, but he left behind a glowing reputation in the industry, remembered for his work ethic and drive.

Hall of Fame & Entrepreneur

2 years after his retirement from competitive bodybuilding, Rich made the big decision to create his own supplement company in 1998. His company released numerous products, from protein powders, to pre workouts, becoming a popular brand.

In 2004, Rich’s career as a bodybuilder was honored by the IFBB; he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining his childhood heroes, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, on the prestigious list.

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Training

 

Workout Routine

Here’s Rich’s training plan:

• Monday – Chest & Abs
• Tuesday – Back & Calves
• Wednesday – Legs
• Thursday – Shoulders & Abs
• Friday – Biceps & Triceps
• Saturday – Rest
• Sunday – Rest

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Nutrition

 

Macros

• Calories – 3,283kcal
• Fats – 57g
• Protein – 421g
• Carbs – 244g

Diet Plan

• Breakfast – Protein Shake, 1/2 Cup Egg Whites, 1/2 cup Apple Juice, 1tbsp Peanut Butter
• Snack – 1 cup Oats, 1 Banana, 1/2 Egg Whites, Whey Protein
• Lunch – 9oz Chicken, 1 cup Brown Rice, 1 cup Broccoli
• Snack – 8oz Chicken, 1 Sweet Potato, 1 cup Asparagus
• Dinner- 8oz Lean Steak, 1 cup Brown Rice, 1 cup Broccoli
• Pre Workut – Whey Protein, 1/2 cup Egg Whites, 1/2 Apple Juice, 1tbsp Peanut Butter
• Post-Workout – 1 cup Yoghurt, Whey Protein

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Idols and Influences

As a child, Rich idolized comic-book superheroes, such as Batman and Spiderman – their shredded physiques were what inspired Rich to build a powerful body in the future.

As his interest in bodybuilding grew, Rich looked up to Golden Era legends, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno – he was motivated by their successes on, and off the stage as bodybuilders.

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What we can learn from Rich Gaspari

One thing we can learn from Rich, is to always follow through with your ambitions. He set his goal, to sculpt a physique similar to comic-book superheroes as a child – he didn’t leave this behind, becoming the youngest Mr. Universe winner in the history of the sport in 1984.

Rich is well-known for his work ethic and drive – with a similar determination to succeed, you can realize your dreams. Always set your goals high and work hard to reach them.