Who is Porter Cottrell?
An ex-professional bodybuilder from the 1980s and 1990s named Porter Cottrell earned numerous first-place awards in competitions.
Short Career of Porter Cottrell
Despite being much shorter than Porter’s rivals—only 5’7 inches— Porter Cottrell nonetheless succeeded in obtaining his professional card and developing a reputation as a fierce opponent.
Porter’s father took him to see Steve Reeves in the movie Hercules, which was the beginning of his fitness adventure. Porter was inspired to be like his hero from the moment he first lay eyes on Steve.
Porter reached his bodybuilding goals year after year, making a few professional changes from welder to firefighter. He continued to participate for more than two decades, earning outstanding stage places along the way.
Body Measurements of Porter Cottrell
| Full Name: | Porter Cottrell |
| DATE OF BIRTH: | 1962 |
| ERA: | 1980–1990 |
| PROFESSION: | Bodybuilder, Firefighter, Personal Trainer |
| NATIONALITY: | American |
| WEIGHT: | 215 to 225 pounds (93.0 – 102.1kg) |
| HEIGHT: | 5’6″ (167.5cm) |
Accomplishments
Competitions
- 1988 Junior Nationals – NPC, Overall Winner
- 1988 Junior Nationals – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
- 1989 Nationals – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 3rd
- 1991 Nationals – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
- 1992 Chicago Pro Invitational – IFBB, 1st
- 1992 Grand Prix England – IFBB, 5th
- 1992 Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 4th
- 1992 Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 7th
- 1992 Grand Prix Italy – IFBB, 5th
- 1992 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational – IFBB, 1st
- 1992 Night of Champions – IFBB, 2nd
- 1992 Olympia – IFBB, 8th
- 1993 Chicago Pro Invitational – IFBB, 1st
- 1993 Night of Champions – IFBB, 1st
- 1993 Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – IFBB, 1st
- 1994 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 3rd
- 1994 Grand Prix England – IFBB, 9th
- 1994 Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 7th
- 1994 Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 5th
- 1994 Olympia – IFBB, 5th
- 1994 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
- 1996 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 8th
- 1996 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 10th
- 1998 Night of Champions – IFBB, 6th
- 1998 San Francisco Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
- 1998 Toronto Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
- 1999 Night of Champions – IFBB, 9th
- 1999 Toronto Pro Invitational – IFBB, 3rd
Biography
Getting Motivated
Porter’s father took him to his first drive-in movie, Hercules, starring Steve Reeves, when he was 8 years old. Porter’s life was irrevocably changed by this particular incident.
Porter Cottrell recalled, “I knew then and there that I wanted to get that style. I had no idea what bodybuilding was, but that incident piqued my interest.
Porter has sought out every opportunity to watch the Hercules film since witnessing the original, which starred Steve. Porter claimed that she frequently tuned into station 41 to watch Hercules’s films.
It didn’t take Porter long to learn that his pal had bodybuilding magazines, which only stoked his already raging fire. Porter recalled that he would “rush down to his house whenever I got the chance and look at his mags.”
First-time Weight Training
Porter’s brother received a 110-pound concrete weight set when he was 12 years old, but he never opened it.
Porter seized the chance at this point to begin lifting weights. An instruction manual was found inside the case when he opened it. That was the start of it all, Porter said.
Welder – Bodybuilder – Firefighter
Porter began his early professional career as a licensed welder/machinist as he grew older. Even while he had fun doing it, he was aware that it wasn’t what he intended to do for the rest of his life.
In the back of his mind, he harbored a secret desire to become a bodybuilder. Porter, however, was a realist and realized that bodybuilding wouldn’t bring in much money, at least that’s what he thought at the time.
At this point, he decided to pursue employment in a field that would give him more stability and the opportunity to interact with people, both of which Porter liked.
It was the chief of the department, Chief Russ Sanders who introduced him to the Fire Service.
As Porter said, “I met him and one thing led to another, and I said,’ this is an opportunity not only to help people and have a great deal of self-gratification in my job, but it offers me a stable career. So I pursued it”.
Flexible Employment
Porter had the good fortune to work as a Fireman for the duration of his bodybuilding career.
This gave him the flexibility to work various shift schedules and alter his rota whenever necessary, enabling him to train or travel whenever he needed for bodybuilding competitions.
We work 24 hours on and 48 hours off at the fire station, Porter added. I have adequate time to train as a result. And practically everyone in the fire department has a profession or career that they don’t work every day. Bodybuilding is my side gig.”
Competitions
It’s obvious from looking at Porter’s competition record that he had a successful and lengthy bodybuilding career.
He was the winner of many Pro competitions, including the 1992 Chicago Pro Invitational, 1992 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational, 1993 Chicago Pro Invitational, and 1993 Pittsburgh Pro Invitational.
Porter’s Present Life
Porter decided to make his experience in the gym his full-time profession after spending many years competing and working as a firefighter.
Porter is still regarded as a legendary bodybuilder from the 1980s and 1990s, even though he is no longer active in competition. Porter continues to share his knowledge with his followers and clients year after year.
“I work out two days a week, every week. This gives my body the time to relax it needs to heal and develop. The one piece of advice I would provide is, “Quality above quantity.”
Training
Porter Cottrell built his remarkable physique over the years using heavy compound exercises, just like all professional bodybuilders.
The bench press, squat, and deadlift were only a few of the workouts Porter used.
The image below shows an illustration of his shoulder exercise.
Porter’s Shoulder Workout
- Dumbbell Press Warm-up sets 2-3. Working sets: 3. Reps: 8-25.
- Lateral Raises Warm-up sets: 1-2. Working sets: 3-4. Reps: 8-20.
- Bent Laterals Warm-up sets 1-2. Working sets: 4-5. Reps: 8-20.
- Shrugs Warm-up sets 1-2. Working sets: 3-4. Reps: 15-20.
Influences and Idols
Porter first decided he wanted to be a bodybuilder when he was a young child and went to the cinema with his father to see Steve Reeves in Hercules.
Thanks to Steve’s appearances as Hercules, Porter kept on the path to faking his “ultimate” physique decades later.
What Lessons Can We Take Away from Porter Cottrell?
Porter has taught us to always stay true to our initial goal, no matter how long it takes. Keep your attention on your goals, just like Porter did, even if circumstances change and require you to “re-think” your strategy.
Follow your dreams, take baby steps to realize them, and “work hard” to achieve them. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything you set your mind to in this world, according to Porter. Cottrell, Porter