Who is Rich Gaspari?
Rich Gaspari has crossed paths with many of the best athletes in the history of the sport, starting as an ambitious bodybuilder and ending with his induction into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004.
Short Career of Rich Gaspari
Rich Gaspari started competing in 1983, and a year later he received his Pro Card. It took him only a short while to start winning Mr. Olympia and eventually succeeding as an entrepreneur and hall of Famer.
Body Measurements of Rich Gaspari
| Full Name: | Rich Gaspari |
| YEAR OF BIRTH: | 1963 |
| ERA: | 1980, 1990 |
| PROFESSION: | Professional and Business |
| NATIONALITY: | American |
| ALIAS: | The Dragon Slayer |
| HEIGHT: | 5’8″(172.5cm) |
| WEIGHT: | 245 to 255 pounds (111.1 to 115.7 kg) |
Accomplishments
Awards
- Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award
Competition History
1983
- 1983 NPC Junior Nationals Overall Winner
- Also, 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
- Also, the 1985 IFBB Night of Champions 2nd
- 1985 IFBB Mr. Olympia 3rd
1986
- 1986 IFBB Los Angeles Pro Championships Winner
- Also, in 1986 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
- 1986 IFBB World Pro Championships Winner
1987
- 1987 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
- Also, 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
- Also, the 1988 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
- 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Germany Winner
- 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Greece 2nd
- Also, the 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Italy Winner
- 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain (2) 2nd
- 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain Winner
- Also, in 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
- Also, in 1991 IFBB Mr. Olympia’s 10th
- 1992 IFBB Arnold Classic 13th
1994
- 1994 IFBB Chicago Pro Invitational 16th
- Also, the 1994 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro Invitational 15th
- 1994 IFBB Night of Champions – Did not place
1995
- 1995 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 5th
- also, the 1995 IFBB Night of Champions 12th
1996
- 1996 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 11th
- 1996 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 12th
Biography
Young Years
Rich, who was born and reared in New Jersey, the United States, grew up idolizing superheroes from comic books like Batman, Superman, and The Hulk.
From a young age, he was fascinated by their powerful bodies and wanted to develop a body like theirs.
Soon after turning twelve, Rich developed a liking for bodybuilding and started reading muscle publications. After being inspired by Lou Ferrigno and Arnold Schwarzenegger, he began learning how to build his body.
He developed mononucleosis at this point, and the doctor advised him to start weight training. Rich joined the gym in 1978 when he was 15 years old, determined to conquer his weaknesses and build the body of his dreams.
Bodybuilding
Rich acquired an astonishing 60 pounds after his first year of training, which included six days of workouts per week. Rich committed his entire life to fitness to compete on stage.
“I started at 110 pounds and after a year of training, I reached 170. My body, therefore, responded to weight training very quickly. It appeared as though I immediately began to develop muscularly.
Inaugural Competition
Rich had been working out for five years when he believed he was ready to start competing. He entered the 1983 NPC Junior Nationals as his first show.
Rich dominated the Heavyweight division despite his inexperience, winning his first trophy in his first match. But even more remarkably, he won the overall prize.
This gave him the motivation he required to keep up his bodybuilding.
Card Pro
Rich didn’t hesitate to enter other competitions; throughout the following year, he made an appearance in 4 more exhibitions and won 3 more awards.
But it didn’t end there.
Rich received the coveted Pro Card after winning the IFBB World Amateur Championships in 1984. He had already achieved professional bodybuilder status after just one year of competing.
Professional Life
Rich competed in a whopping 28 events between 1985 and 1995, taking first place in 6 Mr. Olympia events. He developed a strong reputation as a top bodybuilder of his era at this time.
One of his greatest accomplishments was becoming the youngest Mr. Universe winner in history at the age of 21, breaking Lou Ferrigno’s previous record (Lou was 22 when he won the Mr. Universe show).
Retirement
The end of 1995 saw a decline in Rich’s competition results. Rich understood his prime years were past him by the time he was 32.
In his final competition, the 1996 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational, he finished in twelve.
Rich’s story didn’t have the happy conclusion he had hoped for, but he was remembered for his ambition and work ethic and has a sterling reputation in the field.
Fame & Entrepreneurship
Rich decided to start his own supplement business in 1998, two years after he stopped competing in bodybuilding.
His business produced a wide range of goods, from protein powders to pre-workouts, and it quickly gained popularity.
Rich was recognized for his bodybuilding career by the IFBB in 2004 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, where he joined childhood idols, Lou Ferrigno and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Training
TrainingExercise Routine
Here is Rich’s exercise schedule:
- 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 Workout – Whey Protein, 1/2 cup Egg Whites, 1/2 Apple Juice, 1tbsp Peanut Butter
- Post-Workout – 1 cup Yoghurt, Whey Protein
Influences and Idols
Rich Gaspari grew up idolizing comic book heroes like Batman and Spiderman, and it was their chiseled bodies that motivated him to develop a strong physique in the future.
Rich’s interest in bodybuilding expanded, and he began to look up to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno as role models. Rich was inspired by their accomplishments both on and off the stage as bodybuilders.
What can Rich Gaspari teach us?
Rich Gaspari teaches us to constantly follow through on our goals, which is one thing we can all learn from him.
When he was younger, he made it his mission to develop a physique resembling that of comic book superheroes. He stuck with it, and in 1984, he became the youngest Mr. Universe winner in the sport’s history.
Rich is renowned for his drive and work ethic; if you have a similar will to succeed, you can achieve your goals. Always aim high and put in great effort to achieve your goals.