Ronnie Dean Coleman (born May 13, 1964) is a retired American professional bodybuilder. The winner of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding title for eight years in a row, he has been called one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.^[3][4][5] Alongside his eight Mr. Olympia wins as a professional bodybuilder, he held the record for most wins as an IFBB professional with 26 (since broken by Dexter Jackson).

Coleman graduated cum laude from Grambling State University (GSU) in 1984 with a BSc in accounting.^[6] While at the university, he played American football as a middle linebacker with the GSU Tigers under coach Eddie Robinson. After graduation, he became a police officer in Arlington, Texas, where he served as an officer from 1989 to 2000 and a reserve officer until 2003.^[7]

Coleman's fellow officer Gustavo Arlotta suggested he attend the Metroflex gym, owned by amateur bodybuilder Brian Dobson. Dobson offered Coleman a free lifetime membership if he allowed Dobson to train him for the upcoming Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition that year.^[8] After training for Mr. Texas, Coleman won first place in both the heavyweight and overall categories. He also defeated Dobson himself. Coleman won his first competition as a professional, the Canada Pro Cup, in 1995. The following year, he won the contest again, followed by a first place win in the 1997 Russian Grand Prix.

Coleman's success as a professional bodybuilder has led to many product endorsements and other opportunities in his career. He has visited places such as Brazil, Austria, China, and Australia.^[9] He also makes many guest appearances at gym openings all around the U.S. He has made three training videos: The Unbelievable,^[10] The Cost of Redemption,^[11] and On the Road.^[12] In these videos, he gives tips for more experienced weightlifters, while warning against overexertion and improper form.

When training, Coleman prefers to use free weights rather than machines in order to maximize his flexibility and range of motion. He lifts weights four days per week, having cut down due to touring and competing at fewer events. He supports the Inner City Games, an organization co-founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1991. He was the recipient of the 2001 Admiral in the Texas Navy Certificate Award from Texas Governor Rick Perryfor outstanding achievements in bodybuilding and for the promotion of physical fitness.^[13]

In 2011, he launched Ronnie Coleman Signature Series, a company that provides sports nutrition and wellness products for bodybuilders and other athletes.^[14]

After several surgeries, among them replacement of both hips,^[15] Coleman revealed that he has only been able to train to prevent atrophy.^[16]