“Massive” Craig Monson, a 1980’s period bodybuilding icon who recurrently turned heads along with his monumental arms and unbelievable power, has handed away on the age of 75.
The information comes as a blow to bodybuilding followers, as Monson was well-known for being an everyday at Muscle Seashore within the ’80s, and for contributing to the favored biography/coaching e-book titled “Craig Monson: OG Bodybuilding Legend.”
“Craig Monson handed away, he was considered one of my finest associates,” wrote Hollywood actor Danny Trejo in a touching Instagram tribute on March 8, 2026. “He was an O.G. of the road, a legend, Mr. World. Going to overlook you Massive Craig Monson.” The reason for loss of life was not instantly launched.
From Arkansas to Muscle Seashore: Monson’s Bodybuilding Journey
James Craig Monson was born on December 6, 1950 in Arkansas, earlier than his household moved to Los Angeles and he turned fascinated with the larger-than-life physiques he examine in bodybuilding magazines. Monson started lifting at 12 years previous utilizing the varsity gymnasium and later establishing a makeshift bench press in his mother’s yard to construct muscle. On the age of 16, he started coaching at Muscle Seashore, however tragedy struck when a struggle with a burglar resulted in Monson being incarcerated for involuntary manslaughter.
After being launched in 1975, Monson turned much more severe about bodybuilding and educated at Invoice Pearl’s Gymnasium earlier than becoming a member of Gold’s Gymnasium on Venice Seashore. He entered the beginner division of the Mr World contest in 1984, the place he got here fifth and was awarded the Individuals’s Selection award in Switzerland. By the mid ’80s, Monson’s biceps have been mentioned to measure 23 inches with an low season weight of 310 kilos, making him one of many largest aggressive bodybuilders of the period.
Overcoming Dependancy and Returning to the Iron Sport
Followers would flock to Muscle Seashore to see Monson’s incredible feats of strength together with 225-pound barbell curls and seemingly bionic bench presses the place his one rep max was considered properly over 600 kilos. Monson visitor posed all around the globe and gained a number of state and nationwide competitions, however with fame got here destructive temptations, together with the abuse of cocaine and a ensuing state of melancholy. Many observers really feel that if habit hadn’t struck, Monson would have grow to be an IFBB Professional and been a severe Mr. Olympia contender. Fortunately, the massive man checked himself into rehab and beat his habit, returning to common coaching within the mid-90s. And, though he went public with the bodily uncomfortable side effects that he attributed to using Human Development Hormone, he kicked that behavior too, specializing in his e-book, and a brief movie titled Black Hercules.
Information of the bodybuilding legend’s loss of life has led to a flood of tributed on social media. “A South-Central legend,” wrote one fan. “Relaxation in Iron,” added one other. From all at Muscle & Health, relaxation in peace “Massive” Craig Monson.
