Craig was a member of a gang called The Avenue in the 1960s and one of the early members of the well-known street gang The Crips. A Few Facts About Craig Monson that made him make a huge name in the golden era of bodybuilding. He was crazy strong. He used to shock everyone with his massive physique at golds and venice beach and rub shoulders with the famous bodybuilders of the time like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He would draw large crowds to the beach whenever he lifted there due to the crazy amount of weights he could lift. Some examples of this would be doing 500 pounds for 10 reps for bench press and 585 pounds for 5 reps. He would lift 225 pounds behind the neck tricep extensions. He was the biggest bodybuilder of the 70s and the 80s. In his offseason, he would weigh around 310 pounds and on stage the highest he had been was 274 pounds. That crazy amount of mass was not even something one would imagine getting on stage those days. He had 23 and 1/4 inch arms 🔥
First is First. His brother teddy started me out with 100 push ups daily then i eventually worked up to 500 pushups under his supervision. Start with that first. @@maurice2014
how you never heard of him? every story on TH-cam is recycled year after year NOTHING on TH-cam is new news they just play the same clips over & over how can you never hear of him when everyone of these clips in this video is already on TH-cam where the hell do you think he got the clips from? lmao
Amazing how I have followed the sport for over 40 years & never heard of this Brutha. Ain’t nobody ever give him the props he deserved! Shame on the sport!!! Thank you sooo much 4 sharing!
This is what I can't believe too. This guy is more impressive than Lee Haney. And if he had been given the opportunity. He could have given him a run for his money on the Olympia stage. It just goes to show. Some really great ones slip through the cracks in life. Probably his gang background went against him. That has to be it. But this guy is a mass monster before anyone termed the phrase. Sergio was a mass monster in his time aswell.
I remember CT memtioning Craig, some decade ago in a video -The strongest guy you never heard of CT Fletcher. And back then there were only 2 pics on the internet of Craig. Glad many videos are up now, and his story can be heard.
Both Craig Monson and C.T. Fletcher were at Venice Beach when The GAP Band filmed their video for "The Party Train", back in June of 1983. I was also there, as one of the many breakdancers for this video (I was 17 years old then, and I am now 58.). They were filming from 11AM until about 5PM. Fun times....
cool story- born 65? i was dreamin becomin a great BBer - was nat. jun. champ 86 and visitin muscle beach and golds in 87! greets peace- love th-cam.com/video/bACKLW19XdE/w-d-xo.html
Yeah look at these old pictures and videos that brings me back I didn't know that was from 1983 though. I feel more comfortable just looking at the older pictures and videos
Mr. Monson is an inspiration. 4:58 he is doing biceps hammer curls with 100 pound dumbels standing Godd4mn! Respect! Thank you Nico for making a video about Craig a truth Legend in Bodybuilding
This dude is a TITAN among mortal men!!!!!!!!!!!…….if some people only realized what it takes to look like this and to have non human strength on that level is simply mind blowing!!!!!!….if anyone has not watched the interview with CT interviewing this legend I would highly recommend watching it!!!!!!!!…..its just unbelievable and jaw dropping and much much respect to this man!!! ….
I’ve literally never heard of this guy. I wonder why 🤔. Bigger than Arnold, Lou, and anyone in that era. It’s a shame that he’s not more celebrated in the sport. Thank you for giving him his flowers. Respect
Once upon a time....humanity meets anomalies...who never earn the crown they deserve...due to politics. These anomalies....don't need to be chosen. Because they define the chosen.... The world...knows....that without them......inspiration has no meaning. 👑The real legends👑
Idc what anybody says the golden era of bodybuilding beats the new era of bodybuilding by miles. The golden era is true bodybuilding in my humble opinion.
How am I 42 years old and never heard of this monster.. I'm literally siting here in shock at the size of this man. He dwarfed Schwarzenegger.. even now sitting next to CT fletcher. CT looks like a child next to him. I'm humbled and in awe at the size and lack of fat on this man. This is the most impressive body builder I've EVER SEEN. And that's giving credit to the mighty Ronnie Coleman, flex Wheeler, and all the rest. None of them were built like this. This man looks like a Greek statue... UN FUCKIN REAL..
Met him a few times at my cousins shows, a real genuine dude. He was 2nd to none. He was so big it looked fake compared to everybody. I never expected him being in a gang..Hes to chill.
We were at Venice Beach last August. It was fun doing the gymnastics course. Rings, high bar, p-bars, dips, pullups, kicking the heavy bag. Parkour climbing. The weigh area was not open of course.
I used to watch O.G Muscle when I was 8 in 88. I think I've been seeing him at Muscle Beach since I was 6. I miss Venice in the 80s 🤜 I was trying to find myself in the background
It's crazy to think how it was growing up in L.A. in the 80's, and going to Venice. I too was a little kid in during that time, and remember seeing a lot of these big dudes walking around and working out. My dad worked out at Venice from time to time, he was a good sized dude, but he was nowhere near as big as some of those guys working out on the beach. But thinking back: A lot of those guys we saw back then, were some of the biggest guys in the WORLD. But if you went down there enough, they were just part of the everyday picture down there.
Craig was a member of a gang called The Avenue in the 1960s and one of the early members of the well-known street gang The Crips. A Few Facts About Craig Monson that made him make a huge name in the golden era of bodybuilding. He was crazy strong. He used to shock everyone with his massive physique at golds and venice beach and rub shoulders with the famous bodybuilders of the time like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He would draw large crowds to the beach whenever he lifted there due to the crazy amount of weights he could lift. Some examples of this would be doing 500 pounds for 10 reps for bench press and 585 pounds for 5 reps. He would lift 225 pounds behind the neck tricep extensions. He was the biggest bodybuilder of the 70s and the 80s. In his offseason, he would weigh around 310 pounds and on stage the highest he had been was 274 pounds. That crazy amount of mass was not even something one would imagine getting on stage those days. He had 23 and 1/4 inch arms 🔥
he is still alive, theres some interviews with him from a few years ago on ytube
Crips bro
Of course 'The Cribs' gang is infamous for their beef with 'The Landlords', everyone knows this.
Im surprised his training plan was so simple , like arms for a week and chest for the next week that makes it cool or maybe i didnt understand sumn
Killing it with this video.....Awesome thankyou! This guy was the King of the beach in reality and they all knew it....including Arnold.
His brother Teddy helped me understand muscle growth back in 2020. Very good family.
What did you learn?? How often or how hard should you train according to him? Share some game haha 😅
@@maurice2014 what state and city are you in?
I’m in San Francisco, California. I’m genuinely trying to learn more about building muscle
@@jawsfederationcould us a simple gem of advice ? Please
First is First. His brother teddy started me out with 100 push ups daily then i eventually worked up to 500 pushups under his supervision. Start with that first. @@maurice2014
Never heard of this guy.... Appreciate for showing up such a legend
Fax
AGREED. Never heard of him either,but,Arnold saying no posing made me laugh so-HARD !! LOL.
in the 80s i would hang out at Venice and seen dude. you couldnt imagine how big he was
how you never heard of him? every story on TH-cam is recycled year after year NOTHING on TH-cam is new news they just play the same clips over & over how can you never hear of him when everyone of these clips in this video is already on TH-cam where the hell do you think he got the clips from? lmao
This guy was doing chest week, arm week.. I’m over here dying after chest DAY.. the golden era were a different breed!
Only Nicandro Vision could make legendary vids like this about underrated bodybuilders, always one step ahead. Best unique vids in the game 🔥🔥
Never heard of this man, he looks insane
Craig Monson is the true OG of hardcore lifting with heavy ass weights. What a time it must’ve been back then
Amazing how I have followed the sport for over 40 years & never heard of this Brutha. Ain’t nobody ever give him the props he deserved! Shame on the sport!!! Thank you sooo much 4 sharing!
Same here. I started seriously in 83 and today I heard about him for the first time 😮
This is what I can't believe too. This guy is more impressive than Lee Haney. And if he had been given the opportunity. He could have given him a run for his money on the Olympia stage. It just goes to show. Some really great ones slip through the cracks in life. Probably his gang background went against him. That has to be it. But this guy is a mass monster before anyone termed the phrase. Sergio was a mass monster in his time aswell.
I remember CT memtioning Craig, some decade ago in a video -The strongest guy you never heard of CT Fletcher.
And back then there were only 2 pics on the internet of Craig. Glad many videos are up now, and his story can be heard.
I’m happy Mr. Monson is alive to receive his flowers. Truly a legend.
Seriously!! That’s so awesome.
Both Craig Monson and C.T. Fletcher were at Venice Beach when The GAP Band filmed their video for "The Party Train", back in June of 1983. I was also there, as one of the many breakdancers for this video (I was 17 years old then, and I am now 58.). They were filming from 11AM until about 5PM. Fun times....
cool story- born 65? i was dreamin becomin a great BBer - was nat. jun. champ 86 and visitin muscle beach and golds in 87! greets peace- love th-cam.com/video/bACKLW19XdE/w-d-xo.html
Yeah look at these old pictures and videos that brings me back I didn't know that was from 1983 though. I feel more comfortable just looking at the older pictures and videos
How cool!
Love that tune and video; cool story Pal.
Mr. Monson is an inspiration. 4:58 he is doing biceps hammer curls with 100 pound dumbels standing Godd4mn!
Respect! Thank you Nico for making a video about Craig a truth Legend in Bodybuilding
He is a very humbled guy. I had a chance to facetime him on Facebook and he sent me some autographed books. Hope to meet him in person one day!!
Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t want to do a double bicep pose with Craig Monson. He knew he would’ve got blown out the water Craig was the truth.
So true. LOL. Had to laugh,Arnold din't want that-SMOKE !!! LOL.
@@kerry-j4m not at all
*Esau (Edom) is afraid of Jacob (Yisrael)*
@@hebrewyisraeliteyahawadahite what's the relevance of that, mate?
@@charlieross4674 *Obviously it's infinitely beyond your understanding Esau Edom.*
that were the golden age of body building.😍👍🌍💪🏻💪🏿🏅.
There's a video of him doing skull crushers with 3 plates each side. My jaw dropped when i saw that.
This OG was a Beast!
This dude is a TITAN among mortal men!!!!!!!!!!!…….if some people only realized what it takes to look like this and to have non human strength on that level is simply mind blowing!!!!!!….if anyone has not watched the interview with CT interviewing this legend I would highly recommend watching it!!!!!!!!…..its just unbelievable and jaw dropping and much much respect to this man!!! ….
Yeah. It’s called steroids.
LOL 😂
@@kb8329 also hard work steroids don’t just make you look like that overnight lol
I must have been living under a rock I've never heard of this fellow.
No you’re probably just a you g kid under 18 lol
this guy was a BEAST
Three 45s for skull crushers! Good Lord man! Crazy strength.
Stupid strength lol
This caliber of dedication is crazy
A True legend
Another 70s-80s video! Great stuff bro. Amazing work. Keep it up. Always down for 70s-90s motivational videos
The WIDE grip on his bench press makes it even more hard and impressive to witness ! Another true legend skipped over my MSM, we all know why...
Seems like it was common place back then, don't see that grip used ever!
Wow what a great physique, no bubble-gut in sight.
The guy Arnold Schwarzenegger hid from while cameras were around.
exactly
His wide grip bench of 4+ plays is insane
awesome much due respect to witness a giant
I’ve literally never heard of this guy. I wonder why 🤔. Bigger than Arnold, Lou, and anyone in that era. It’s a shame that he’s not more celebrated in the sport. Thank you for giving him his flowers. Respect
Been watching this every morning since you released it....gets me going!
Hard work, all out and good results. Non of those geeky overanalyzing "lifting science " stuff of today 😂
Yea this lifting science these days pisses me off.... it's like nothing i do is right...
Wide grip bench press with 495lbs dude was BEAST
This guy was MASSSIVE!!! Bigger than Arnold.....way bigger. Aweseome....a legend.
5:05 I came back just for this 😂🤣😂🤣
This guy should have been in the movies. He was an incredibly handsome fella. He could have made good money in Hollywood.
He is a legend
.ppl sud b educated bout this man
The OG’s stayed in the gym. Before everybody started packing heat, they came from the shoulders 💪🏾
" only a few chosen ones can do it " he was one of them fews.
استغفر الله العظيم واتوب اليه عدد خلقه ورضا نفسه وزنة عرشه ومداد كلماته
الحمد لله رب العالمين
I saw some big dudes, but nothing compares to Craig, especially his arms and back almost unbelievable. Respect OG
Body builders from long ago were real men, real hardcore strong mf's.
Body builders of today are trying figure out if they are boy or girl.
💥
hurts my heart that these guys cant do this anymore 🙏🏾💪🏾
NICANDRO IS THE REAL GANGSTER 👑👑👑🔫🔥💥🔫💪
Your video's are helping me in training man. Great track selection and editing. Big Bad mofo's shouting shit. What more do we want.
💯✊ Good to hear they help, more coming
I was gone rest today until this popped up 💪🏿💪🏿 on my way to the weights I go .
😂😂😂 Hes a Beast!!!! Did you see that T -Rex head roll he did at 7:14-7:17 of the Video. His confidence was thru the roof🔥🔥🔥🔥
This joint was more inspiring than all the Rockys... good job
Great video my friend! 💯👏
The Respect to a Legend!!!
Dude was on tons of gear
Once upon a time....humanity meets anomalies...who never earn the crown they deserve...due to politics.
These anomalies....don't need to be chosen.
Because they define the chosen....
The world...knows....that without them......inspiration has no meaning.
👑The real legends👑
You’re going to see one of the most incredible specimens you have ever seen… this is so motivating.
overtraining doesnt exist when u have supplemental recovery
Craig Monster Monson!
I'm glad that as a kid that this was MY ERA!!! An era of Monsters!!
Triple og Craig monson
A BEAST 💪🏽
Idc what anybody says the golden era of bodybuilding beats the new era of bodybuilding by miles. The golden era is true bodybuilding in my humble opinion.
Fantastic thank you. First time I’ve heard of him.
Man, I’m embarrassed that I’ve never heard of Craig🤨
Lastly…. this could have been Ferrigno w the right intensity and mindset
WOW!!!!!
Black Hulk!!💪🏾💯💪🏾
*The Black Adam*
How am I 42 years old and never heard of this monster.. I'm literally siting here in shock at the size of this man. He dwarfed Schwarzenegger.. even now sitting next to CT fletcher. CT looks like a child next to him. I'm humbled and in awe at the size and lack of fat on this man. This is the most impressive body builder I've EVER SEEN. And that's giving credit to the mighty Ronnie Coleman, flex Wheeler, and all the rest. None of them were built like this. This man looks like a Greek statue... UN FUCKIN REAL..
This one is crazy 🔥
Craig Munson's seated tricep extensions with an Olympic bar and six wheels (315 lbs.) impressed Sunday spectators.
Old is pure gold🌹
I HAVENT TRAINED SINCE THE END OF NOVEMBER 2023. NEEDED THE BREAK. THIS BODYBUILDING VIDEO BUG JUST BIT ME!!
THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forgotten monster ❤❤❤❤❤
That was dope! 💪🏼🔥
👊
Every time… straight 🔥!
Would have loved to have seen him next to Tookie .. the king of the crips
respect OG from morocco africa one love
morroco is white is not africa lfmao
AIN’t NOTHIN BUT A G THANG, I LOVE IT ! THIS IS MY LIFE HE SAYS
Спасибо за ваш труд ,смотрю с удовольствием👍
Met him a few times at my cousins shows, a real genuine dude. He was 2nd to none. He was so big it looked fake compared to everybody. I never expected him being in a gang..Hes to chill.
Everyone in Cali has roots in neighborhood gang.
he was a champion OG strong 🏋️
7:16 dude in the blue was thinking "holy shxt" lmao.
I already know those two are the goats 🐐
Respect
Why did this monster never won the Olympia beats me.
Yeah unfortunately he never competwd in the Mr. O, would have been amazing to see him up on stage with everyone
When dedication meets natural power
No steroids? Really 🤔
Stay focused and accomplish..
The First Pumping Iron right here !!!!
Insane genetics also
😂man y’all boys be having me killing myself over here! 😂……
We were at Venice Beach last August. It was fun doing the gymnastics course. Rings, high bar, p-bars, dips, pullups, kicking the heavy bag. Parkour climbing. The weigh area was not open of course.
Needed this motivation , im going off in the gym today !!
Got damn Hes BIG right now, huge
Mann he’s a beast fr!!🦍 this definitely gonna push me to go to tha gym now!!😎💪🏼💯
Idk why these guys say theres no such thing as overtraining when they were slugging dbol and primo 😂
lol
Doesn’t matter it’s a mindset thing
STAN TOOKIE WILLIAMS NEEDS A MENTION,
His book redemption is absolutely great aswell
Love this one, I am saving it 💯
On CRIIIP!!! "C-Mac voice"!
I used to watch O.G Muscle when I was 8 in 88. I think I've been seeing him at Muscle Beach since I was 6. I miss Venice in the 80s 🤜 I was trying to find myself in the background
It's crazy to think how it was growing up in L.A. in the 80's, and going to Venice. I too was a little kid in during that time, and remember seeing a lot of these big dudes walking around and working out. My dad worked out at Venice from time to time, he was a good sized dude, but he was nowhere near as big as some of those guys working out on the beach.
But thinking back: A lot of those guys we saw back then, were some of the biggest guys in the WORLD. But if you went down there enough, they were just part of the everyday picture down there.
This video is GOLD!!! 🔥🔥🤩🙌🏼
Mad fucking RESPECT STRAIGHT G
What a beast, how of these men fall by the wayside of history?
SHOUT OUT TO THE REAL TERMINATOR CRAIG MONSON 🫡
Mr CT is the best guy to interview Mr Craig..........
All chemicals especially D ball
RESPECT FROM TURKEY🇹🇷
This is insane… bigger than oliva? How have I never heard of this guy. Mad respect