Who Is Lou Ferrigno?
One of the most well-known names in bodybuilding is Louis Jude Ferrigno (often known as Lou, The Hulk). He became the first actor to be cast as The Incredible Hulk, earning him the nickname.
Short Career Of Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno sculpted an incredible physique and won several competitions and awards. His popularity in the media as a fitness figure is a result of his career as an athlete and actor.
Lou, however, had a challenging early life because he was ridiculed at school and home as a child and lost the majority of his hearing as an infant.
“To be a champion, you must act like one.”
Body Measurements of Lou Ferrigno
| Full Name: | Louis Jude Ferrigno |
| YEAR OF BIRTH: | 1951 |
| ERA: | 1970, 1990 |
| PROFESSION: | Professional Bodybuilder, Actor, Personal Trainer |
| NATIONALITY: | Italian and American |
| ALIAS: | The Hulk |
| HEIGHT: | 6’5″ (195.5cm) |
| WEIGHT: | 285 to 295 lbs.(129.3kg – 133.8kg) |
“I never think about losing.”
Accomplishments
Bodybuilding Competitions:
- 1971 WBBG Pro Mr. America – Teen 1st
- 1971 AAU Teen Mr. America – 4th, Most Muscular
- 1972 WBBG Pro Mr. America – 2nd
- 1972 NABBA Mr. Universe, Tall 2nd
- 1973 IFBB Mr. America, Overall Winner
- 1973 IFBB Mr. Universe, Tall 1st, Overall Winner
- 1974 IFBB Mr. International, 1st
- 1974 IFBB Mr. Universe, Tall 1st, Overall Winner
- 1974 Mr. Olympia, Heavyweight 2nd
- 1975 Mr. Olympia, Tall class, 3rd place
- 1992 Mr. Olympia, 12th
- 1993 Mr. Olympia, 10th
- 1994 Olympia Masters, 2nd
Filmography:
- 1977 Pumping Iron
- 1983 Hercules
- 1983 The Seven Magnificent Gladiators
- 1985 The Adventures of Hercules
- 1988 Desert Warrior
- 1989 Sinbad of the Seven Seas
- Also, 1989 Cage
- 1989 All’s Fair
- 1989 Liberty & Bash
- 1993 And God Spoke
- 1994 Cage II
- 1996 Stand Tall
- 1998 The Godson
- 2003 The Hulk
- 2008 The Incredible Hulk
- 2009 I Love You, Man
- 2012 The Avengers
- 2014 Mom’s Night Out
- 2015 The Scorpion King: The Lost Throne
- Also, 2015 Avengers Grimm
- 2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron
- 2016 Instant Death
- 2017 Thor: Ragnarok
Bodybuilding saved my life because I overcame the nerd stage. I got picked on.”
Biography of Lou Ferrigno
Adverse Childhood
Lou was a challenging youngster who was born and reared in Brooklyn, New York. When he was a small child, he had an ear infection that caused him to lose 80% of his hearing.
As a result, he was taunted at school and called “Deaf Louie” and “Deaf Mute.” He nevertheless continued to play school sports and didn’t let this bother him.
Lou set out to develop a physique resembling that of The Incredible Hulk, his comic book hero, in 1964 when he was just 13 years old. The future icon started lifting weights and started his fitness journey.
Bodybuilding Competitions
Lou worked hard in the gym for the following eight years to develop his ideal physique. He was 18 years old when he graduated from high school in 1969, and he was motivated to disprove his critics.
He didn’t take long to develop a liking for the gym and decide to pursue a career as a bodybuilder.
Lou competed in his first event in the Teen division of the WBBG Pro Mr. America in 1971 when he was 20 years old. Through his years of dedication, he had able to carve out an amazing physique and win the award.
1st Significant Victory
Lou received the Most Muscular award and finished fourth in the 1971 AAU Teen Mr. America contest. He finished second in two competitions the following year: the 1972 WBBG Pro Mr. America and the 1972 NABBA Mr. Universe.
His greatest accomplishment to date, nevertheless, occurred in 1973.
He won the prestigious IFBB Mr. America and Mr. Universe competitions at the age of 22, taking home the overall crowns. Lou was now regarded as one of the world’s most talented individuals and was given the title.
More Achievement
After taking first place in the IFBB Mr. International and Mr. Universe competitions in 1974, Lou added two more victories to his resume. Around this time, he started working out with other well-known figures in the business, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Lou entered the coveted Mr. Olympia the same year. Despite losing, he defeated competitors like Serge Nubret and came up short against the Austrian Oak (Arnold).
Lou was now more committed than ever to becoming the best in his field.
Ironing out
Lou experienced his first taste of fame in 1975. He took part in “Pumping Iron,” a movie that tracked the preparations for that year’s Mr. Olympia competition.
Despite having the largest frame, he finished third behind Arnold Schwarzenegger and Serge Nubret. His role in the bodybuilding documentary, however, had launched his acting career.
Acting
Lou Ferrigno was contacted to take on the role of The Incredible Hulk when he was 24 years old and the biggest bodybuilder at the time. He started appearing in the popular TV show Bill Baxby’s co-star in 1977.
For the next 15 years, Lou put his bodybuilding on hold while appearing in several films, most notably The Hulk, Hercules, and Sinbad.
Lou Ferrigno became one of the most successful bodybuilders who transitioned into acting, along with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He became well-known all around the world because of his movies.
Going Back to Bodybuilding
Lou Ferrigno loved becoming a movie star, but his love of exercise never faded. He started to long for bodybuilding competitions.
Lou returned to the stage in 1992 at the Mr. Olympia competition, at the age of 41. In the year that Dorian Yates won the trophy, he finished in 12th place.
Retirement
Before quitting, The Hulk competed in the 1994 Olympia Masters and the 1993 Mr. Olympia. Even though he lost, he decided to end his successful career as a competitor.
Being a member of the generation that catapulted bodybuilding into the spotlight, Lou retired as a legend of the sport.
Individual Training
You decided to give back to the profession after finding great success. As a personal trainer, he started assisting others in achieving their ideal physiques.
He worked with famous people like Chuck Norris and Michael Jackson at this time.
Nobody should have a justification for skipping three days a week of exercise.
Training of Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno trained each muscle group twice a week using a three-day split plan. He believed his body responded best to this, therefore he performed 6–10 reps in sets of 4-5.
Except on Sundays, he exercised in the gym every day, giving his body a chance to rest and grow.
Exercise routine:
Monday – Chest, and Back
- 5 sets of Flat Barbell Bench Press of 6-8 reps
- Also, 5 sets of Incline Barbell Bench Press of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Dumbbell Pullovers of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Chest Flyes of 6-8 reps
- Also, 5 sets of T-Bar Rows of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Dips of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of deadlifts of 6-8 reps
- Also, 5 sets of Bent Rows of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Chin ups of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Pull-ups of 6-8 reps
Tuesday – Shoulders and Arms
- Also, 4-5 sets of Military presses of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Dumbbell Overhead Press of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Bench Press of 8-10 reps
- Also, 4-5 sets of Behind the Neck Press of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Front Dumbbell Raises of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of side dumbbell raises of 8-10 reps
- Also, 4-5 sets of Barbell Curls of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Scott Press of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Dumbbell Curls of 8-10 reps
- Also, 4-5 sets of concentration curls of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Cable Pulldowns of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of cable pushdowns of 8-10 reps
- Also, 4-5 sets of Incline Dumbbell Curls of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Standing French Press of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Skull crushers of 8-10 reps
Wednesday – Legs
- 5 sets of leg curls of 10 reps
- 5 sets of leg extensions of 10 reps
- Also, 5 sets of leg presses of 10 reps
- 5 sets of squats of 10 reps
- 5 sets of hack squats of 10 reps
Thursday – Chest, and Back
- 5 sets of Chest Flyes of 6-8 reps
- Also, 5 sets of T-Bar Rows of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Dips of 6-8 reps
- Also, 5 sets of deadlifts of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Chin ups of 6-8 reps
- 5 sets of Pull-ups of 6-8 reps
Friday – Shoulders and Arms
- 4-5 sets of Barbell Curls of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Scott Press of 8-10 reps
- Also, 4-5 sets of Dumbbell Curls of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of cable pushdowns of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Cable Pulldowns of 8-10 reps
- Also, 4-5 sets of Standing French Press of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of Incline Dumbbell Curls of 8-10 reps
- 4-5 sets of concentration curls of 8-10 reps
Saturday – Legs
- 5 sets of leg curls of 10 reps
- 5 sets of squats of 10 reps
- Also, 5 sets of leg extensions of 10 reps
- 5 sets of hack squats of 10 reps
- 5 sets of leg presses of 10 reps
Sunday – Rest Day
“The attitude is very important. Because, your behavior radiates how you feel.”
Nutrition
Lou ate a diet high in carbohydrates and low in calories when he was competing. He ate four to five times a day, which kept his metabolism strong and gave his body the energy it needed to expand.
He consumed about 3500 calories per day, mostly from meat, fish, eggs, fruit, and vegetables.
Food Menu
Lou’s diet would have like the following:
- Meal 1 – Oats with milk and fruit
- Meal 2 – Chicken, rice, and vegetables
- Also, Meal 3 – Lean steak with potato and vegetables
- Meal 4 – Fish with rice and vegetables
- Meal 5 – Eggs with vegetables
“The best effect I have on the other competitors, is the fact that I have a good time.”
Influences and Idols
Lou grew up idolizing comic book characters like Spiderman and The Incredible Hulk.
Nevertheless, he lists Steeve Reeves and Arnold Schwarzenegger as his role models throughout his bodybuilding career.
“Fitness is a huge part of my life. I am a very motivated individual who enjoys challenges.
How Can Lou Ferrigno Teach Us Something?
Lou Ferrigno has taught us to never let adversity affect who we are. He was tormented at school and suffered hearing loss as a child, yet he overcame both challenges to become a superstar in his own right.
One lesson we may learn from Lou’s tale is that perseverance and hard effort will pay off. At the age of 13, he started weightlifting at the gym, and at the age of 20, he won the championship.