STRENGTH SENSEI BOOKSHELF
Steve Reeves: Legends Never Die
A controversial look at the final years of a bodybuilding icon
The title of this book is Steve Reeves: Legends Never Die, and in the case of this man, it’s true. Before there was Ronnie Coleman and Arnold, there was Steve Reeves. His good looks and classic physique made him a natural for the big screen, and his Hercules movies inspired countless young men to begin pumping iron.
Let’s start by saving you some time. If you’re a bodybuilder and are looking for some valuable insights on how to build a physique like Steve Reeves, this book is not for you. If you’re a fan of Reeves and are looking for an uplifting story about his life and accomplishments, this book is not for you. But, if you need to know everything there is to know about this legend and understand that this book was written after Reeves died and contains many derogatory comments about this man…well, it’s your money!
For those new to the Iron Game, Stephen Lester “Steve” Reeves was born on January 21, 1926. He served in the Army during World War II and became Mr. America in 1947 and Mr. Universe in 1950. The Mr. Olympia was not created until 1965, so these were the most prestigious bodybuilding titles at the time.
Reeves was known for his symmetry. At 6’1” and 215 pounds, he possessed a 54-inch chest that tapered to a 30-inch waist. His thighs measured 27 inches, and his arms, calves, and neck all stretched the tape at exactly 18.5 inches. What also set him apart from his competitors was his movie-star looks that no doubt helped him enjoy a successful acting career.
Reeves is best remembered by the bodybuilding community for his two Hercules movies (Hercules in 1958 and Hercules Unchained in 1960). Reeves was paid $10,000 for the first film, which eventually grossed $5 million at the box office. He starred in 17 other movies, made several appearances on television, and appeared on two Broadway shows. At the peak of his career, Reeves was reportedly the highest-paid actor in Europe.
How did Reeves build his Hercules physique? Here’s a bit of what we know. First, Reeves only trained three times per week, allowing at least 48 hours of rest between workouts. He would train his entire body each workout, often performed supersets, and did about 8-12 reps per set and 40 total sets per workout. He primarily used free weights and bodyweight exercises, and because he wanted to enhance his V-taper, he would avoid working his obliques and traps. There are several books available about how Reeves trained, including specific workouts, along with his ideas on nutrition. Search for him on Amazon and check them out.
As for Steve Reeves: Legends Never Die, this biography focuses on the last seven years of Reeves’s life – he died at age 74 – when he was focused on his horse ranch. It was written by Deborah Reeves Stewart, his companion at the time, as they were never legally married.
Much of the content in the book is unflattering, discussing his mood swings and his poor treatment of the author. It seems odd Stewart felt it was necessary to share these comments about the man she says she loved and admired. But in all fairness, the book was written after Reeves died, so it’s not possible to verify the controversial sections in the book and obviously, Reeves could not defend himself. Also, the author discusses, in disturbing detail, Reeves’s battle with lymphoma, the memorial service, and the distribution of Reeve’s estate – details that Reeves might not have wanted to be discussed in a book about his life.
The only authorized biography of Reeves is Steve Reeves – One of a Kind, which was published in 1983 and written by Milton T. Moore. Chris LeClaire was working on a biography on Reeves called Steve Reeves: Worlds To Conquer. It’s promoted as an authorized biography, but Stewart says Reeves never approved a final version and it is full of inaccuracies.
If you must know everything there is to know about Steve Reeves, Steve Reeves: Legends Never Die might be a book you will find interesting. If you’re more interested in Reeves’s training and legendary accomplishments as an athlete and actor, look elsewhere. (TSS)
[You can purchase Steve Reeves: Legends Never Die by Deborah Reeves Stewart in paperback and Kindle formats through Amazon.com.]
