Interview with 6x World Champion Bodybuilder Serge Nubret

What an amazing experience to speak with the great Serge Nubret before his passing.  In this interview, Serge Nubret and I discuss his life, bodybuilding, and what the future holds.  If you are a fan of bodybuilding and bodybuilding legends, you’re going to love this interview I conducted with Serge Nubret!

Before we jump right in, let’s first dive a little deeper into who Serge Nubret is and his background to set the stage.

Who is Serge Nubret?

Serge Nubret was a prominent bodybuilder from France who gained fame for his impressive physique and accomplishments in the world of bodybuilding. He was born on October 6, 1938, in Anse-Bertrand, Guadeloupe, and he passed away on April 19, 2011.

Nubret’s bodybuilding journey began when he moved to Paris in the late 1950s. He started weightlifting and quickly became interested in bodybuilding. His dedication and hard work paid off, as he began to build a remarkable physique characterized by his balanced proportions, muscularity, and aesthetics.

One of Serge Nubret’s most notable achievements was his performance at the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition. He participated in the Mr. Olympia contest several times during the 1960s and 1970s, competing against other bodybuilding legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nubret’s most successful showing at Mr. Olympia was in 1973, where he secured a second-place finish, narrowly trailing behind Schwarzenegger.

Nubret was known for his unique training approach and philosophy. He was an advocate of high-volume training and often performed a high number of sets and reps for each muscle group. He believed in focusing on the mind-muscle connection and placing great emphasis on perfect form and control during exercises. His approach emphasized sculpting and refining the muscles rather than just adding bulk.

Serge Nubret’s physique was characterized by his wide shoulders, small waist, and exceptional symmetry. His dedication to aesthetics and proportionality set him apart from other bodybuilders of his time.

Beyond his competitive achievements, Nubret also worked as an actor and appeared in a few films. He also published several books on bodybuilding and fitness, sharing his training methods and philosophies with the world.

Serge Nubret remains an influential figure in the world of bodybuilding, admired for his dedication to his craft, his unique training approach, and his ability to create a balanced and aesthetic physique.

The Bodybuilding History of Serge Nubret

Below are some of Serge Nubret’s notable placings in various bodybuilding competitions:

• 1960 NABBA Mr. World: 2nd place
• 1961 NABBA Mr. Universe (Tall Class): 2nd place
• 1963 NABBA Mr. Universe (Tall Class): 2nd place
• 1964 NABBA Mr. Universe (Tall Class): 2nd place
• 1968 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 3rd place
• 1969 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 3rd place
• 1970 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 3rd place
• 1972 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 2nd place
• 1973 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 2nd place
• 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 3rd place

Serge Nubret had his most successful year at the Mr. Olympia competition in 1973, where he secured a second-place finish, narrowly trailing behind Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nubret consistently placed among the top contenders in many of the competitions he participated in, showcasing his exceptional physique and dedication to the sport of bodybuilding.

The Life and History of Serge Nubret

Serge Nubret’s life before and after his bodybuilding career was marked by a mix of personal achievements, challenges, and pursuits.

Below is a brief overview of his life outside of bodybuilding:

Early Life and Background of Serge Nubret

Serge Nubret grew up in a relatively modest environment and was raised in a family with a background in education. Nubret’s early years were shaped by the cultural and social dynamics of his island home.

Move to France

In his late teens, Serge Nubret moved to France in search of better opportunities. He settled in Paris in the late 1950s. It was in Paris that he discovered his passion for weightlifting and bodybuilding. He began training vigorously and developed his physique through dedication and hard work.

Acting Career

Aside from bodybuilding, Serge Nubret also explored a career in acting. He appeared in a few films, although his acting career didn’t reach the same level of recognition as his achievements in bodybuilding. This experience allowed him to venture into a different realm of creativity and expression.

Entrepreneurial Pursuits

Serge Nubret wasn’t just an athlete, he also had entrepreneurial interests. He opened a gym in Paris called “Gym Nubret” where he trained aspiring bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts. The gym provided a platform for Nubret to share his knowledge and expertise with others who shared his passion for fitness.

The Personal Challenges and Health of Serge Nubret

Like many individuals, Serge Nubret faced personal challenges and health issues during his lifetime. In 2003, he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and affected his speech. Despite this setback, he continued to remain active and engaged in various pursuits, including maintaining his connection with the fitness community.

The Legacy and Passing of Serge Nubret

Serge Nubret passed away on April 19, 2011, in Paris, France, at the age of 72. His death marked the end of a life dedicated to physical excellence, self-expression, and the pursuit of personal goals. While he is often remembered for his contributions to bodybuilding, his life story also reflects the resilience, determination, and diversity of experiences that shaped him as an individual.

Serge Nubret’s journey encompassed more than just his achievements in bodybuilding. It was a journey of growth, adaptation, and exploration that spanned continents and different aspects of life.

My Interview with Serge Nubret

Below is my interview with the late Serge Nubret. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did interviewing this legend of bodybuilding.

First off, I want to thank you Serge Nubret for doing this interview for us.  I know you have a busy schedule and I appreciate you taking some time for this interview.

Serge Nubret:  It’s my pleasure. You help me to practice my English.

For the people who have heard of your name, but really don’t know much about you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself.  What is your personal background as well as your background in the sport of bodybuilding?

Serge Nubret:  I was born in Anse-Bertrand, Guadeloupe, 69 years ago. I have been a bodybuilder for over 50 years, a six-time World Champion, a bodybuilding federation leader, movie actor, gym owner and book author. I have been awarded bodybuilding titles including: Mr. Europe (1966), Mr. Universe (1976) and Mr. World (1977). I competed against Arnold Schwarzenegger for the title of Mr. Olympia in 1975 after having placing third in 1973. I have lived all over the world and now live in Paris, France.

When you were competing, what were your weight training routines like?

Serge Nubret:  I have been training with 30/40/50 sets per body part (16 sets for arms) twice a week. Sets of 12-20 reps with 30 seconds rest in between sets. So it is impossible to train with very heavy weights. I used to do 225 kg max on bench press and I trained with only 70/100kg.

Monday/Thursday

Chest
Quads

Tuesday/Friday

Back
Legs
Biceps
Calves

Wednesday/Saturday

Shoulders
Triceps
Biceps
Calves

I do abs every day for one hour non-stop. I always use high volume and high reps.

When you were competing, what was your diet like?

Serge Nubret:  A lot of red meat, rice and beans. Sometimes 6 lbs. of red meat a day when training for competition. I also eat chicken, fish, steak, lentils, rice, vegetables and fruits.

Being that you are now 69, has much changed in terms of your weight training and diet?  If so, what all has changed?

Serge Nubret:  Not much has changed in terms of the number of days of the week that I train, but the number of hours a day is less. I train 6 days a week, 2 hours a day and rest on Sunday. I will be touring and guest posing next year at age 70.

Do you have a moment in your career that you feel was the pinnacle for you?

Serge Nubret:  My pinnacle was from 1975-80 after the 1975 Olympia in South Africa. I won the WBBG championship in New York which helped me to be well known in the U.S. giving me recognition in the states that I did not have in the magazines. I won the NABBA Mr. Universe in London, a contest that every bodybuilder from the beginning of the sport wanted to win as it was the highest title of achievement in bodybuilding before there was a Mr. Olympia contest.

Do you have any “secrets” to bodybuilding success that you would like to share with everyone?

Serge Nubret:  Bodybuilding is not just about physical training with weights to change how you look. It’s about mind, body and spirit together in union so that everything grows, not just your muscles. Without love of what you are doing, you will never be as successful at it as someone else who works with passion and love. Genetics help to some degree, but the most important thing is the mind and the spirit. These two are even more powerful than physical characteristics that are passed on.

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What is your view on the sport of bodybuilding right now?  What all has changed since you were competing?

Serge Nubret:  I am glad I became a bodybuilder when I did. When I started, there was more of an emphasis on symmetry, balance, proportion and overall shape… more than can be seen today. I am a bodybuilder 365 days/year and will be training at age 70. How many guys today will be able to claim that tomorrow? How about when they are 70?

Do you feel bodybuilding as a sport has changed from a more symmetrical and condition driven sport to a sport where the only thing that matters is how massive you are? 

Serge Nubret:  Yes. Paul Dillet sent me an article he wrote for Kennedy’s magazine recently about this. I think bodybuilding has changed and is going right into the wall if they continue in the direction it is going. I am glad to be a bodybuilder of the past. I don’t think that I will be a bodybuilder now if when I was first starting out, it was like it is now. Someone asked me if I agreed with what Lee Haney said that the mass pros are packing on now days is bad for the sport and its followers in the sense that young bodybuilders can not possibly realistically aspire to be 300lbs ripped like Coleman or Cutler. I agree 100% agree with Lee, who I respect. He is a gentleman too.

Can you tell us a little bit about the life of a bodybuilder?  What does one do from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed?

Serge Nubret:  A typical day for me… I wake up about 6:30 a.m. I spend a few hours doing emails, phone calls, online personal training. At 9:30 a.m., I go to the gym. I train for 2-3 hours, then afterward I sometimes train/visit with someone, then come home to eat. After that I might run errands and/or visit with family/friends, spend time writing my next book or phoning/online training, then eat dinner, watch the news, politics, sports, write, phone and then go to bed. Sometimes I travel and do book signings at gyms or libraries. I’m organizing the Muscle Awards Contest and integrating more languages to my website for more countries to be able to enter.

Obviously you were able to compete against Arnold as well as some other great bodybuilders.  Can you tell us what it was like competing against some of the best in the sport and how you feel you faired against them?

Serge Nubret:  When Arnold competed against me in the 1975 Mr. Olympia, I was 200 lbs. and Arnold was 220 lbs. But 12 days prior to the contest, I was 212 lbs. When I arrived in South Africa for the 1975 Olympia, this was my condition. I was told I could not compete. The reason given for not allowing me to compete was that I was accused of doing a so-called porn film and therefore did not represent bodybuilding in a respectable manner. I have done 25 films in my acting career–none of which are porn films. I was so disappointed, I stopped training and eating for 12 days and lost 12 pounds. When my drop in weight and spirit was noticeable to everyone, I was allowed in the last minute to compete on the day of the contest. That’s why I was not in my best condition the day of the contest.

I have heard that you aren’t really friends with Arnold these days.  Can you elaborate on that?

Serge Nubret:  I have known Arnold personally and professionally for many years. We have always been on friendly terms. We competed, socialized and guest posed together many times years ago, but our paths have not crossed recently as he is busy in America and I live in France. I see his life perhaps differently than many people today see him because I knew him before he experienced the degree of fame and celebrity he has and now experiences. I understand how he operates and he understands me. Would we work together on anything in bodybuilding again in the future? I don’t know… we’ll see.

What are your feeling about Lou Ferrigno?

Serge Nubret:  Lou is a very nice guy. We were together nearly 2 weeks in Paris prior to leaving for the 1975 Mr. Olympia in South Africa. He wanted me to train him for the next Mr. Olympia, but unfortunately that did not happened because he started the Incredible Hulk television show. He has everything to be the best bodybuilder ever. I would have enjoyed working with him.

You were in the movie Pumping Iron, did you enjoy being part of the movie or do you look back and wish you wouldn’t have been part of it?

Serge Nubret:  In Pumping Iron at the Mr. Olympia when they announced “The last minute contestant Serge Nubret,” everybody knew for a very long time before that day that I was going to South Africa to compete and what happened when I got there. The camera crew came to Paris to film me 4 weeks before and offered me $200 to be in the movie. I did not agree to be filmed for $200; it is why I am not in the movie that much; only in the competition part.

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Are there any bodybuilders that you still keep in touch with?

Serge Nubret:  I talk to my good friend, former Mr. Universe John Brown often on the phone and he comes to visit me here in France with his family. I receive emails and talk on the phone to Joe Meeko, Pete Grymkowski, Shawn Ray… sometimes guys read me on the forum and send me pms and emails. The internet makes it easier to stay in touch and reconnect with people.

Obviously the whole steroid issue is surrounding the sport of bodybuilding.  What is your take on steroids and do you think they are helping or hurting the sport?

Serge Nubret:  Yes, steroids are hurting the sport and bringing bodybuilding further away from what it should be–an art–not just only looking for more and more mass. I am sure most people can see and understand what I am saying about this. I started to train in Feb. 1958. Back then we did not hear about steroids in Guadeloupe. In fact, I didn’t even have magazines to look at for training advice or know about protein powders. I just ate Caribbean food. I had my first international contest in Montreal, Canada. In September of 1960, 2 1/2 years after I won my first international contest, there was an IFBB contest. I competed with a 20-inch arm without any supplements. So from that I know that it is possible to have a fantastic physique naturally.

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