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Rich Gaspari

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:

Athlete Statistics

Full Name: Rich Gaspari
Weight	Height		Year of Birth		Nationality
245 - 255lbs (111.1 - 115.7kg)	5'8" (172.5cm)		1963		American

Profession		Alias		Era
Professiona & Entrepreneur		The Dragon Slayer		1980, 1990

Weight	245 - 255lbs (111.1 - 115.7kg)
Height	5'8" (172.5cm)
Year of Birth	1963
Nationality	American
Profession	Professiona & Entrepreneur
Alias	The Dragon Slayer
Era	1980, 1990

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

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.”

Rich at 19-years-old.

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.

Rich at the 1984 World IFBB Amateur Championships.

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).

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.

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

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

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.

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.