Gary Strydom - Bodybuilder Profile

Gary Strydom

The Shadow

Gary Strydom Professional Bodybuilder
Brooklyn, New York 65 Years

Personal Life

Date of Birth
September 30, 1960
Birthplace
Brooklyn, New York
Zodiac sign
Cancer
Nationality
United States
Hometown
Brooklyn, New York
Food Habit
Non-vegetarian

Gary Strydom Physical Stats

Height (approx.)
5'10 (178 cm)
Weight (approx.)
265 lbs (120 kg)
Body Measurements (approx.)
Chest: 52 Inches • Waist: 33 Inches • Biceps: 21 Inches
Eye Colour
Brown
Hair Colour
Black

Gary Strydom Competition History

Debut
1980s
Awards, Honours, Achievements
2006
  • • Colorado Pro Championships – 7th place
1996
  • • Night of Champions – 12th place
1992
  • • WBF Championships – 1st place
1991
  • • WBF Championships – 1st place
  • • Night of the Champions – N/A
1990
  • • Grand Prix Germany – 4th place
  • • Ironman Pro Invitational – 4th place
  • • Grand Prix Italy – 3rd place
  • • Grand Prix Finland – 3rd place
  • • Houston Pro Invitational – 2nd place
  • • Grand Prix England – 2nd place
  • • Grand Prix France – 2nd place
1989
  • • World Pro Championships – 2nd place
  • • Grand Prix Germany – 2nd place
  • • Grand Prix Spain (2) – 2nd place
  • • Grand Prix Spain – 2nd place
  • • Arnold Classic – 3rd place
  • • Grand Prix France – 1st place
  • • Grand Prix Melbourne – 1st place
  • • Grand Prix Sweden – 1st place
1988
  • • Mr. Olympia – 5th place
  • • Chicago Pro Invitational – 2nd place
1987
  • • IFBB Night of Champions – 1st place
1986
  • • NPC Nationals, Heavyweight & Overall – 1st place
1984
  • • NPC USA Championships, Heavyweight – 1st place
1983
  • • NPC Florida Championships, Junior Heavyweight & Overall – 1st place

Relationships & More

Marital Status
Married

Ron Harris – Natural Bodybuilder & Fitness Writer

Ron Harris is a respected American natural bodybuilder, fitness writer, and bodybuilding educator. Known for his long-term commitment to natural bodybuilding, Ron built an impressive physique through discipline, consistency, and smart training rather than shortcuts. Alongside competing, he became one of the most influential voices in bodybuilding journalism.

His journey proves that bodybuilding success is not limited to professional stages—it can also be achieved through knowledge, experience, and lifelong dedication to the sport.

Accomplishments

Ron Harris competed in numerous NPC and natural bodybuilding competitions over a career spanning more than two decades.

Notable achievements include:

• NPC Natural Colonial Cup – Light Heavyweight & Overall Champion
• Multiple top placements in regional and national-level NPC competitions
• Over 20 years of competitive bodybuilding experience

While he never pursued an IFBB Pro career, Ron earned respect for maintaining a high-level physique naturally.

Biography

Early Life & Introduction to Bodybuilding
Ron Harris grew up in Massachusetts and began weight training as a teenager. Initially small and underweight, he turned to bodybuilding to transform his physique and build confidence. What started as self-improvement quickly became a lifelong passion.

Competitive Bodybuilding Journey
Ron entered his first bodybuilding contest in 1989. Over the years, he competed consistently, improving his physique with each season. His focus remained on symmetry, muscularity, and conditioning—without compromising health.

Unlike many athletes, Ron balanced competition with education, learning everything he could about training, recovery, and nutrition.

Training Philosophy

Ron Harris believes bodybuilding is about intelligence, not ego.

His core training principles include:

• Progressive overload with proper form
• Training intensity without overtraining
• Prioritizing recovery and sleep
• Long-term consistency over quick results

He strongly advocates listening to the body and adjusting training based on age, recovery ability, and lifestyle.

Training Style

Ron prefers classic bodybuilding routines built around fundamental movements.

Key elements of his training approach:

• Compound lifts as the foundation
• Moderate volume with controlled intensity
• Avoiding unnecessary exercises
• Training each muscle group thoroughly, not excessively

His approach suits both competitive bodybuilders and long-term fitness enthusiasts.

Nutrition Approach

Ron Harris follows a practical, sustainable diet philosophy rather than extreme dieting.

General nutrition principles include:

• High-quality protein sources
• Balanced carbohydrates for training performance
• Healthy fats for hormonal balance
• Consistency over perfection

He believes nutrition should support training and health—not become a burden.

Writing & Influence in Bodybuilding

Beyond competing, Ron Harris became one of bodybuilding’s most recognized writers.

He has written thousands of articles for major fitness and bodybuilding publications, sharing honest insights about:

• Training realities
• Natural bodybuilding
• Supplement myths
• Longevity in the sport

His book Real Bodybuilding: Muscle Truth from 25 Years in the Trenches reflects his no-nonsense approach and real-world experience.

Mindset & Values

Ron Harris represents the disciplined, realistic side of bodybuilding.

He stands for:

• Health-first training
• Honest education
• Respect for natural athletes
• Lifelong improvement

His influence extends beyond trophies—shaping how people understand bodybuilding as a lifestyle.

What We Can Learn from Ron Harris

• You don’t need shortcuts to build an impressive physique
• Consistency beats extreme methods
• Knowledge is as important as training
• Longevity matters more than titles
• Bodybuilding is a lifelong journey