Personal Life
Date of Birth
November 7, 1955
Birthplace
Beirut, Lebanon
Nationality
United States
Food Habit
Non-vegetarian
Samir Bannout Physical Stats
Height (approx.)
5'9 (175 cm)
Weight (approx.)
235 lbs (107 kg)
Body Measurements (approx.)
Chest: 50 Inches • Waist: 31 Inches • Biceps: 19 Inches
Samir Bannout Competition History
Awards, Honours, Achievements
2012- • IFBB Evolution of Bodybuilding – Film Appearance
2011- • IFBB Pro World Masters Bodybuilding – 11th place
1996- • Masters Mr. Olympia – 6th place
1994- • Mr. Olympia – 19th place
- • Grand Prix Spain – 12th place
- • Grand Prix Italy – 12th place
- • Grand Prix Germany – 13th place
- • Grand Prix England – 14th place
1993- • San Jose Pro Invitational – 10th place
- • Ironman Pro Invitational – 13th place
- • Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic – 13th place
1992- • Mr. Olympia – 16th place
- • Grand Prix Germany – 11th place
- • Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic – N/A
1991- • Mr. Olympia – 16th place
1990- • Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – 1st place
- • Mr. Olympia – 8th place
- • Houston Pro Invitational – 2nd place
- • Grand Prix Italy – 6th place
- • Grand Prix Finland – 5th place
- • Grand Prix England – 6th place
- • Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic – 4th place
- • NABBA World Championships Professional – 2nd place
1989- • Mr. Olympia – 9th place
- • Grand Prix Sweden – 3rd place
- • Grand Prix Spain (2nd) – 5th place
- • Grand Prix Spain – 5th place
- • Grand Prix Holland – 5th place
- • Grand Prix Germany – 5th place
- • Grand Prix France – 8th place
- • Grand Prix Finland – 6th place
- • Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic – 4th place
1988- • Mr. Olympia – 8th place
- • Grand Prix Italy – 9th place
- • Grand Prix England – 10th place
1986- • WABBA World Championship – 1st place
1985- • WABBA World Championship – 1st place
1984- • World Grand Prix – 5th place
- • Mr. Olympia – 6th place
- • Canada Pro Cup – 5th place
1983- • Mr. Olympia – 1st place
1982- • Mr. Olympia – 4th place
- • Grand Prix Sweden – 2nd place
1981- • Night of Champions – 10th place
- • Grand Prix New England – 6th place
- • Grand Prix California – 7th place
1980- • Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – N/A
- • Mr. Olympia – 15th place
- • Night of Champions – 10th place
- • Grand Prix Pennsylvania – 7th place
- • Grand Prix California – 4th place
1979- • World Amateur Championships, Light Heavyweight – 1st place (Pro Card earned)
- • Canada Pro Cup – N/A
- • Best in the World, Amateur – 1st place
1978- • Mr. International, Middleweight – 2nd place
1977- • Mr. International, Middleweight – 2nd place
1976- • Mr. Universe, Middleweight – 12th place
1974- • Mr. Universe, Medium Class – 7th place (Youngest contestant)
🦁 Samir Bannout – The Lion of Lebanon
Samir Bannout is a legendary bodybuilder from Beirut, Lebanon, who went on to win Mr. Olympia in 1983. He’s known for his incredible lower back development (nicknamed the “Lebanon Cedar”) and classic, aesthetic physique.
🏋️♂️ Training Style
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3-Day Split:
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Day 1: Chest & Back
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Day 2: Legs
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Day 3: Shoulders & Arms
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Day 4: Rest, then repeat
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Back Workouts: Samir loved training his back. Lots of chin-ups and bent-over rows, sometimes lifting crazy heavy like 405lbs for rows.
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Intensity & Focus: Known for strict form and targeting each muscle carefully, especially the lower back and lats.
🥗 Nutrition Tips
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Competition Prep: Extreme dieting – mostly meat (chicken & fish), cutting out carbs. Close to show day, sometimes relied on amino acids and liver tablets only.
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General Diet: Ate according to body needs, paying attention to minerals and hydration. Samir believed the body often signals what it needs.
🏆 Career Highlights
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First Competition: 1974 Teenage Mr. Universe – 7th place at age 19
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Pro Card: 1979 IFBB World Amateur Championships – 1st place
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Mr. Olympia: Winner in 1983, competing against legends like Frank Zane & Lee Haney
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Retirement: 1996, after 38 shows and leaving as an icon
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IFBB Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2000, joining Arnold Schwarzenegger & Sergio Oliva
🌟 Key Takeaways
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Dedication pays off: Moved from Lebanon to the USA to pursue his dream.
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Classic physique matters: Focused on proportion, aesthetics, and strength.
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Back is king: Training the right muscles with proper intensity can set you apart.
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Listen to your body: Nutrition and hydration matter as much as training.
💡 Fun Facts
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Nicknamed the “Lion of Lebanon” for his powerful presence and incredible back.
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Idolized Arnold Schwarzenegger and admired legends like Tom Platz and Franco Columbu.
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Came back to compete in 2011 at age 56 in the IFBB Pro World Masters.
Samir’s journey shows that heart, dedication, and the courage to move out of your comfort zone can take you all the way to the top.
