Who is Leo Robert?
By being the first Canadian to win the Mr. Universe contest, Leo Robert created history.
He is revered as an icon by innumerable fans and bodybuilders despite being less well-known than the athletes from the golden period.
Short Career of Leo Robert
Leo Robert struggled to build his body in his early years and even considered giving up his fitness adventure, so it wasn’t always an easy trip.
“A proportioned, balanced physique has always been my goal.”
Body Measurements of Leo Robert
| Full Name: | Leo Robert |
| DATE OF BIRTH: | 1921 |
| ERA: | 1940, 1950 |
| PROFESSION: | Bodybuilder and fitness model |
| NATIONALITY: | Canada |
| WEIGHT : | 165-175lbs (74.8 – 79.4kg) |
| HEIGHT: | 5’7 ” (170cm) |
“To the surprise of many, I did not set out to achieve the Mr. Universe title in the beginning.”
Accomplishments
- 1947 Mr. Montreal, 1st and Overall
- 1947 Mr. Province of Quebec, 1st (Pro Card)
- 1948 IFBB Mr. Eastern North America, Most Muscular, 2nd
- 1949 IFBB Mr. Eastern North America, Most Muscular, 3rd
- 1949 IFBB Mr. America, 3rd
- 1950 AAU Mr. Eastern America, 2nd
- 1951 IFBB Mr. Canada, 1st
- 1955 NABBA Mr. Universe, 1st and Overall (First Canadian to win)
“I began training in an attempt to give up a sedentary lifestyle and to start feeling better physically.”
Biography
Young Years
Leo Robert was an extremely active boy growing up in the “Cradle of Strongmen,” Quebec, Montreal (Canada).
He was raised practicing a variety of sports, but ice hockey was especially important since it taught him the value of perseverance.
Leo started working as a longshoreman, transporting freight on the docks, after finishing high school. However, the young man realized he lacked the strength to pursue his vocation.
Leo quit working on the docks and started working in an office, but his lack of activity caused his body fat to rise. He gained weight and his waist grew to 35 inches.
The future legend was losing ground, but there was still some chance.
Start of Fitness Journey
After growing very overweight while working in the office, Leo started to dislike the way he looked. But when he first saw a muscular magazine, he got the inspiration he needed.
Leo set out to build the body of his dreams. It didn’t take him long to get in touch with a personal trainer and start working out in the gym.
In 1944, when Leo was 23 years old, he started his fitness quest.
“The iron game was very much a brotherhood.”
Bodybuilding
Leo’s first month of gym workouts didn’t see any improvement. He called himself “flabby and squishy,” and while he worked hard to gain weight, his lack of growth disappointed him.
Leo thought about giving up on his goal of developing a ripped physique at this time. But his pals pushed him to succeed by encouraging him to keep lifting weights.
Leo’s diligent work soon began to pay off.
Making Headway
The Canadian made significant improvement and started to show effects three months after starting to exercise. Three years after he began his fitness adventure, in 1947, he had achieved his goal of sculpting a shredded figure.
Leo went back to work as a longshoreman, aiming to maintain his active way of life. His change earned him admiration, which inspired him to start bodybuilding competitions.
Leo was inspired by his pals to pursue a career in business.
First Competition
Leo entered his first competition, the 1947 Mr. Montreal, proud of his development. The Canadian impressively finished first and won the overall championship.
Leo made a comeback that same year when he competed in the Quebec Mr. Province of 1947 pageant. He was successful again, winning the prize, but that wasn’t all.
Leo attained his Pro Card at the age of 26 and fulfilled his dream of being a professional bodybuilder.
“Going to the gym meant working on improving myself.”
A Professional Bodybuilder’s Life
Leo entered his first professional event right away, still on a high from his early triumph. At the 1948 IFBB Mr. Eastern North America competition, he took the stage in an attempt to extend his winning streak.
Leo came in second place, but he didn’t take first. He was adamant about becoming known in the field.
Making Legends
The Canadian competed in 5 more competitions over the following 7 years, finishing in the top 3 in each one.
However, his final performance was his greatest success. Leo was the first Canadian to win the 1955 NABBA Mr. Universe contest when he was 33 years old.
He had established himself as a legend in the sport, writing his name into the record books.
“I studied each of my muscles to ensure that they were developing proportionately.”
Training
Leo was rumored to work out twice a day to build his physique. By working his upper and lower bodies on different days, he liked split training.
To avoid overtraining his muscles, he would limit his workouts to four exercises for his upper body and three for his lower body.
Leo always varied his routines to shock his body and push it to grow.
The Canadian spent his weekends away from the gym because he thought that resting his body would help it gain muscles.
Leo concentrated on keeping his body in shape after he retired, doing extra reps to stay shredded.
Maintenance Workout Routine:
- Bench presses 3 x 10
- Incline dumbbell
- presses 3 x 10
- Dumbbell pullovers 3 x 10
- Seated presses
- (front to back) 3 x 10
- 3-way lateral raises 3 x 10
- Pulldowns 3 x 10
- Barbell curls 3 x 10
- Triceps extensions 3 x 10
- Leg presses 3 x 10
- Leg extensions 3 x 10
- Leg curls 3 x 10
- Side bends and crunches to failure
“The journey to ultimate nutrition may take a lifetime for many… but it is a road that each one of us must travel to ensure good health.”
Nutrition
Leo Robert adhered to a strict diet since he thought that nutrition was the secret to building a terrific physique. He would try to eat six meals a day to keep his body fueled and prepared for growth.
Lean meats (steak, chicken, and fish), fruits and vegetables, complex carbs, and vitamins and minerals made up the bulk of his diet.
Dietary Example Plan
Leo’s diet would resemble the following:
- Meal 1 – Oats, fruit, and vitamins
- Meal 2 – Chicken and green vegetables
- Meal 3 – Steak and green vegetables
- Meal 4 – Chicken and green vegetables
- Meal 5 – Fish and green vegetables
- Meal 6 – Chicken and green vegetables
“We had no idea how popular bodybuilding would become.”
Influences and Idols
Leo’s buddies were the ones that inspired and supported him to become a successful bodybuilder, especially at the beginning of his fitness journey. They were listed as Leo’s main influences.
“I was very fortunate in possessing responsive muscles and the right type of instructions.”
How can Leo Robert teach us something?
The lesson we should take up from Leo’s tale is to never give up.
Within the first several weeks of training, he thought about giving up because of the lack of development.
However, Leo Robert persisted in his efforts and eventually achieved his ideal physique, exceeding all of his goals by turning into a professional bodybuilder.
No matter how big or small your objective may be, you should constantly work toward it since nothing is insurmountable.