Markus Rühl – “The German Beast” and his bodybuilding career – urskalecinski.com

Markus Rühl is a legend in bodybuilding and is considered one of the most famous German bodybuilders of all time. Not because of his competitive successes, but because of his character and his uniqueness.

From Mechanic to Bodybuilding Star

The open bodybuilder was born in 1972. Before Rühl followed in the footsteps of bodybuilding, he completed an apprenticeship as a car mechanic and office clerk.

In 1991, after a knee injury, Rühl began regular strength training in the gym and quickly developed a passion for strength training. Three years later, he started his first competition preparation for the Newcomer Championship in Hesse. However, due to an injury, he had to try again a year later.

In 1995, Rühl took part in the “Bachgau Cup” in Babenhausen and secured victory in the heavyweight class as well as the overall victory with an impressive 110 kg. This triumph validated his adherence to a strict bodybuilder fitness plan and a well-structured program bodybuilding strategy.

The Path to the IFBB Pro-Card

Only one week after his first major success, Rühl achieved second place at the “Grand Prix of Hesse”.

In 1997, he won both the Hessian State Championship and the German Championship – and thus secured his IFBB Pro Card. From that moment on, he made bodybuilding his profession.

His career as a professional bodybuilder spanned 13 years (1997-2010). During his offseason he weighed 150 kg, while he competed at around 125 kg.

Markus Rühl and The Mr. Olympia

Markus Rühl took part in the Mr. Olympia eight times. Although he never won the title, he is a legend of the sport.

2007: Announcement of his resignation
2008: First comeback rumors
2009: Participation in the New York Pro (3rd place) and Mr. Olympia (15th place)
2010: Last competition in Dallas – a 7th place prevented Olympic qualification

This ended his career as a competitive athlete, but his influence on the sport remains felt to this day.

Markus Rühl – Entrepreneur and Mentor

Simone Rühl, now Markus' ex-wife, supported the professional athlete from the beginning. The two were married for a long time and lived and loved the sport. Simone also became a cult figure and the training videos of the two of them just harmonize when you watch them.

After the separation, Markus and Simone are still very good friends. He still calls her his best friend. She still works in his supplement company "Rühl's Bestes GmbH", which he founded in 2006 with his business partner Timo Sorger.

Markus is now not only the managing director of his own supplement company, but is also happily married again. In 2017, he married his Alicija, formerly Krafczyk, now Rühl.

In 2016, the couple became parents of their healthy daughter Lucy Rühl.

Markus Rühl and Urs Kalecinski

Urs Kalecinski sees Markus as more than just a former professional bodybuilder. For him, he is a kind of mentor in the sport. The two have already completed one or two training sessions together and had a lot of fun.

Markus is a legend, also for Urs. Even though he was never able to bring the Olympic title to Germany, his character and humorous nature brought him the success he has today. 