Who is bodybuilder Tom Platz and what does he look like now?
RETIRED bodybuilder Tom Platz was one of the most influential athletes on the stage and admired for his dedication to the sport.
Known for his giant legs and admiration for squatting, the former Mr. Universe champion has taken himself away from the spotlight since retiring more than 35 years ago.
Who is Tom Platz?
Tom Platz is an American former professional bodybuilder who retired in 1987 and was best known for his leg development.
In his prime, his legs measured over 30 inches and earned him the nicknames The Quadfather and Quadzilla as a result.
Born on June 26, 1955 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Tom decided he would become a professional bodybuilder at the age of 11 after looking at a Mr. Universe - now known as the Universe Championships - magazine.
The 68-year-old competed in 17 competitions throughout his career and made his professional debut at the World Pro Bodybuilding Championships in 1980.
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Tom also co-wrote the Pro Style Bodybuilding book in 1985, before making several film appearances between 1988-1998.
Did Tom Platz win any bodybuilding competitions?
Tom won a number of Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) competitions, beginning with both Mr. Ironman and Mr. Adonis in 1973.
He then won the 220 Class Champ competition at the Junior & Senior State Powerlifting Championships in 1974, before titles at the AAU's Mr. Michigan in 1975 and Mr. Southeastern USA in 1977 followed.
But it was his professional debut in 1980 that sticks out the most, as he won the IFBB'S Mr. Universe at the World Pro Bodybuilding Championships in 1980.
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However, that would prove to be Tom's final career title.
He competed in seven out of eight Mr. Olympia's between 1979-1986, with his best placing coming in 1981 as he finished third.
What was Tom Platz's workout plan?
Tom achieved his ideal body by hitting the gym six days a week and even going through two workout sessions on some days.
Monday and Thursday
Morning
Dumbbell bench press- 10 sets of 5-15 reps
Bench press supersetted with dumbbell flys- 5 sets of 5-10 reps
Barbell upright rows- 6 sets of 8-12 reps
Lateral raises- 6 sets of 15-20 reps
Cable lateral raises- 3 sets of AMRAP
Standing calf raises- 4 sets of 50 reps
Seated calf raises- 3 sets of AMRAP
Evening
Chin-ups- 6 sets of 15-20 reps
Barbell bent-over rows- 6 sets of 12-15 reps
Seated cable rows- 6 sets of 20-25 reps
Behind the neck military press- 5 sets of 8-10 reps
Bent-over dumbbell laterals- 4 sets of 10-12
Tuesday and Friday
Morning
Dumbbell curls- 6 sets of 8-12 reps
Close-grip bench press- 6 sets of 6-10 reps
Barbell curls- 4 sets of 6-10 reps
Cable pushdowns- 4 sets of 12-15 reps
Wrist curls- 4 sets of 15-20 reps
Crunches- 2 sets of 100 reps
Russian twists- 1 set for 10 mins
Roman chair sit-ups- 4 sets of AMRAP
Standing calf raises- 4 sets of 50 reps
Seated calf raises- 3 sets of AMRAP
Wednesday and Saturday
Morning
Squats- 2 sets of 25-50 reps
Hack squats- 4 sets of 15-20 reps
Leg extensions- 4 sets of 15-20 reps
Leg curls- 6 sets of 12-15 reps
Standing calf raises- 4 sets of 50 reps
Seated calf raises- 3 sets of AMRAP
Crunches- 2 sets of 100 reps
Russian twists- 1 set for 10 mins
Roman chair sit-ups- 4 sets of AMRAP
Sunday - Rest/Light Cardio
What was Tom Platz's diet plan?
In order to maintain his superhuman body and get the most out of his training sessions, Tom followed a very nutritious diet plan and would even eat five meals a day during his bulking phase.
Meal 1
3 whole eggs
4 slices of toast
2 cups oatmeal
Protein powder
Meal 2
2 large baked potatoes
12 oz. beef steak
8 oz. fibrous vegetables
Meal 3
1 cup of almonds
Protein powder
1 pint of ice cream
Meal 4
2 large baked potatoes
12 oz. chicken off-the-bone
8 oz. fibrous vegetables
Meal 5
2 servings of fruit
12 oz. turkey off-the-bone
8 oz. fibrous vegetables
1 pint of ice cream
Is Tom Platz married?
Tom has been married to life-coach, manager and retired doctor Cha Dikito-Platz for 23 years after the pair tied the knot in 2000.
However, it happens to be Tom's third marriage, following previous relationship failures with two other women.
Recalling his first marriage, he told AEGFitness: "The blonde beach bunny, I did marry her though. I did marry her but I’m glad I didn’t have kids with her.
"She had the drug-related cocaine issues. It just didn’t work out.”
“The Italian girl from back east who I turned into a Beverly Hills monster," he added on his second wife. "I was into the stuff, stuff is what the answer is. I believed that at that time.”
Did Tom Platz have any children?
Despite having three wives, Tom has never had any children, but has recently admitted his regret at not growing a family.
Speaking to AEGFitness, he said: "So I never had kids. I think about it from time to time now, I do. I go 'I've got to be nice to have kids'.
"I would like to have a child. If my son or daughter wanted to go into bodybuilding, I would probably not be for it.
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"I wasn't ready to have kids and we didn't. It's never the right time. I finally realised it's never the right time. You can't plan that. It's got to happen sort of naturally.
"But those are some of the thoughts I have now."
