About Frank

Born: June 28, 1942
Birthplace: Kingston, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence: San Diego, California, USA
Nickname: The Chemist
Height: 5′ 9″ (175 cm)
Competition Weight: 200 lbs (90 kg)
Off Season Weight: 220 lbs (99 kg)
Arms: 18″ (46 cm)
Waist: 29″ (74 cm)
Chest: 52″ (130 cm)
Thighs: 26″ (66 cm)
Calves: 16,5″ (42 cm)

Frank Zane (born June 28, 1942, in Kingston, Pennsylvania) is an American former professional bodybuilder and teacher.

Zane received a B.Sc (Bachelor of Science degree) in Education from Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in 1964. For 13 years, he taught mathematics and chemistry while living in Florida and California. He also taught mathematics at Watchung Hills Regional High School, NJ, circa 1967 for two years. He also later he earned a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts degree) in psychology from Cal State LA in 1977. Finally, he was awarded a Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology from Cal State SB, California in 1990.



Zane is a three-time Mr. Olympia (1977 to 1979). His reign represented a shift of emphasis from mass to aesthetics. Zane’s proportionate physique featured the second thinnest waistline of all the Mr. Olympias (after Sergio Oliva), with his wide shoulders making for a distinctive V-taper. He stood at 5’9″ and had a competition weight of 187-195 pounds when he won Mr. Olympia (He weighed over 200 lbs when he competed in the 1960s). Zane is one of only three people who has beaten Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bodybuilding contest (1968 Mr. Universe in Miami, FL) and one of the very few Mr. Olympia winners under 200 pounds. Overall, he competed for over 20 years (retiring after the 1983 Mr. Olympia contest) and won Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Mr. World and Mr. Olympia throughout his illustrious career.

He has written many courses and books about bodybuilding. In 1994, Zane was inducted into the 1st annual Joe Weider Hall of Fame. He received the Arnold Schwarzenegger lifetime achievement award at the 2003 Arnold Classic for his dedication and long-time support of the sport. He was given the nickname “The Chemist” due to his Bachelor of Science degree and, as he puts it: “Back in the day I took a lot of supplements and tons of amino acids. Still, do. But back then it was pretty unusual. That’s how I got the nickname The Chemist”. There was also a perception that his nickname was given because he was very scientific in reaching his peak on the exact day of competition, year after year.



In 1985, Frank and his wife Christine owned and operated Zane Haven in Palm Springs, CA where they conducted one-on-one sessions with clients who wished to possess a symmetrical physique. Today, the Zanes live in San Diego, CA and his learning center is now called Zane Experience.

In 2005, Frank Zane played the IFBB Announcer and worked as the consulting producer in the movie “See Arnold Run.” As of 2006, Zane currently runs his own website, appears at seminars and book signings. He still trains with weights at age 70.



In 2011 Frank Zane appeared in the documentary Challenging Impossibility (film) describing the weightlifting odyssey of spiritual teacher and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy. The film was an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. Frank was in attendance.
Mr. & Masters Olympia Results

1972 – Olympia: 4th
1974 – Olympia: 2nd (LightWeight)
1975 – Olympia: 4th (LightWeight)
1976 – Olympia: 2nd (LightWeight)
1977 – Olympia: 1st
1978 – Olympia: 1st
1979 – Olympia: 1st
1980 – Olympia: 3rd
1982 – Olympia: 2nd
1983 – Olympia: 4th

Titles Won

1962 – Mr. Keystone
1965 – IFBB Junior Mr. America (Medium)
1965 – IFBB Universe (Medium)
1966 – IFBB Mr. America (Medium)
1966 – IFBB Mr. East Coast
1966 – IFBB North American Championships
1967 – IFBB Mr. America (Medium)
1968 – IFBB Mr. America
1968 – IFBB Mr. International
1968 – IFBB Mr. Universe
1969 – IFBB Mr. World
1970 – NABBA Mr. Universe
1971 – NABBA Mr. Universe Pro (Short)
1972 – NABBA Mr. Universe Pro