Who is Dave Draper?
A legendary figure from the Golden Age was Dave Draper. He played a significant role in bringing the activity into the public eye and popularizing bodybuilding.
Early Life of Dave Draper
Before the age of 10, Dave Draper began to train, although he wasn’t always aware of his potential in the fitness sector. In his early years, he had a welding job in a factory in New Jersey.
Body Measurements of Dave Draper
| Full Name: Dave Draper |
| YEAR OF BIRTH: 1942 |
| ERA: 1960 |
| PROFESSION: Bodybuilder |
| NATIONALITY: American |
| ARMS: 21″ |
| HEIGHT: 6′ (183cm) |
| WEIGHT: 215 – 225lbs (93.0 – 102.1kg) |
| ALIAS: The Blond Bomber |
Accomplishments
Competitions:
- 1963 Mr. New Jersey
- 1965 IFBB Mr. America Tall Class & Overall, 1st
- 1966 IFBB Mr. Universe Tall Class & Overall, 1st
- 1967 Mr. Olympia 4th
- 1970 AAU Mr. World 3rd
- 1970 IFBB Mr. World Tall & Overall, 1st
- 1970 NABBA Mr. Universe Tall, 3rd
Films:
- 1966 Lord Love a Duck – Billy Gibbons
- 1967 Don’t Make Waves – Harry Hollard
Biography of Dave Draper
The Blond Bomber, who was born and reared in New Jersey, has always been passionate about exercise. Before he was ten, he started working out and did push-ups and dips.
He kept a little set of weights behind his bed, and as he got older, the set got bigger.
By the time he was 12 years old in 1954, he saw that his back was expanding and had significantly improved his physique.
Upper School
By the time he was 15 in 1957, Dave had gotten enormous for his age. Strangers started commenting on his size and enquiring about his training.
He attained proficiency in gymnastics, swimming, and wrestling during high school. Dave hadn’t thought about being a bodybuilder, though.
Death
Dave passed away in December 2021 at the age of 79. Without providing a cause of death, his wife Laree Draper posted on Facebook that he had passed away.
First Competition
Dave joined his first event in 1963, the Mr. Jersey competition, with the support of his family and friends. At the young age of 21, he won the trophy in his first game.
At this point, he started to see his potential for success in the field.
Meeting Joe Weider
Dave worked as a welder at a factory after receiving his degree. He nevertheless placed a new purchase for a set of 45-pound plates from the Weider Barbell Company since his desire for exercise was still strong.
He ran into the store’s proprietor, Joe Weider, while he was gathering his purchase. He gained a job offer in Santa Monica after impressing Joe with his massive body.
Six weeks later, Dave decided to relocate to California.
Bodybuilding
Dave Draper exercised with Joe during lunchtime while employed at the Weider Barbell Company. In Santa Monica, California, it was around this time that he picked up the moniker “The Blond Bomber.”
Dave was itching for more following his first gig two years prior. He won both the category and overall titles of the 1965 IFBB Mr. America under the direction of his boss.
But he had only barely begun.
Mr. Universe and Acting
After taking home the 1966 IFBB Mr. Universe and overall titles, Dave brought home another trophy the following year. After becoming a successful bodybuilder in competition, he decided to try acting.
Over the next two years, he made two cinematic appearances. He never gave up on his genuine interest, though, and 1967 saw the end of his career as an actor.
In this period, he triumphed in the prestigious Mr. Universe contest in 1966, receiving more notoriety for his body.
Making Legends
The 1967 Mr. Olympia was The Blond Bomber’s largest competition, which he joined at the age of 25. In a field that featured the legendary Sergio Oliva, he finished a solid fourth despite not taking the first position.
Soon after, in 1968, he started working out at the original Gold’s Gym among people like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He rose to fame during the Golden Era of bodybuilding in this location.
Retirement
Dave decided to retire from competition in 1970 after a three-year hiatus. He had a solid start to the year, taking first place in the IFBB Mr. World and third place in the AAU Mr. World competitions.
At the NABBA Mr. Universe, he made his final appearance around the end of 1970. He was 28 years old. He ranked among the top 3.
Although Dave’s story didn’t have the happy conclusion he had hoped for, he had solidified his place among the industry’s greats.
Training of Dave Draper
Dave Draper enjoyed changing up his workouts and not adhering to any set training regimen, which startled his body and made it expand.
Dave was known to train at the gym with full-body exercises, but he never overtrained.
Nutrition of Dave Draper
Dave would eat seven times a day to maintain his body well-fueled; he would start the day with breakfast at seven in the morning and end it at nine in the evening.
Diet Plan
Dave’s diet plan looked something like this:
- Meal 1 – Protein shake with non-fat milk, a banana, and creatine (7 am)
- Meal 2 – Post workout protein shake with non-fat milk, banana, and creatine (9:30 am)
- Meal 3 – 8oz Hamburger with vegetables and cottage cheese (12 midday)
- Meal 4 – 8oz Hamburger with vegetables and cottage cheese (3 pm)
- Meal 5 – Fruit or cottage cheese and protein shake (5 pm)
- Meal 6 – Roasted chicken, green salad, and rice (8 pm)
- Meal 7 – Tin of tuna and 2oz cheese (9:30 pm)
Supplements Stack:
- Multivitamin
- Antioxidants
- Whey Protein
- Creatine
- BCAA
- Glutamine
Influences and Idols
Dave lived through one of the finest periods in bodybuilding history. He had the good fortune to train alongside legendary athletes, and they had an impact on him during his entire career.
But he identifies Steeve Reeves as his hero since, in his opinion, he is the sport’s most naturally attractive athlete.
What can Dave Draper teach us?
Dave Draper has taught us to work toward our goals as quickly as possible. Before the age of 10, he began working out to develop his ideal body.
The moral of Dave’s tale is that you should constantly take advantage of your circumstances. When he met Joe Weider, he took advantage to work for his business.