Who is Francis Benfatto ?

Francis Benfatto is one of the greatest French athletes to have evolved in the world of bodybuilding. He has reached the highest level in the world thanks to his hard work and his very own bodybuilding techniques. Always endowed with a exceptional physique at more than 60 years old, he is a true example for the young generation of bodybuilders.

Francis Benfatto's background

Francis Benfatto was born on June 7, 1958 in Casablanca, Morocco.

He arrived in France with his family during his youth and joined a gym in Toulouse when he was only 14 years old. He met many people who practiced bodybuilding and weightlifting. They quickly instilled in him a taste for effort and for surpassing himself.

Francis Benfatto trains relentlessly until he wins his first major competition in 1982, Mr. France. 3 years later, he participated in his first world championship, in the -80 kg category. He finished at a good 5th place.

In 1986, he finished on the 3rd step of the podium of the European and World Championships. He came 2nd in the following edition, confirming his good progress. Francis Benfatto is rewarded for his investment and becomes a professional IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) that same year.

For his first professional competition, he finished 9th in the night of champions and won several grand prix (6th in the French Grand Prix, 4th in the German Grand Prix, 8th in the Spanish Grand Prix and 7th in the Swedish Grand Prix).

Francis Benfatto has also participated several times in the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition. He is one of the few French athletes to have achieved such performances:

• 12th in 1989
• 6th in 1990
• 7th in 1991
• 15th in 1992

His performance in 1990, his best at the Olympia, allowed him to obtain a sponsorship contract with the mythical Joe Weider.

The Francis Benfatto's prize list is well filled. He has competed with some of the world's greatest bodybuilders. When he finished 15th at Mr. Olympia in 1992, he beat the legendary Ronnie Coleman. The latter will win the competition 8 times in a row between 1998 and 2005, which says a lot about the level of the Frenchman.

Also that year, other great athletes such as the British Dorian Yates, the French Thierry Pastel or the American Lou Ferrigno participated in the event.

Tired of certain judging criteria set up by the judges during the competitions and victim of a serious pectoral injuryFrancis Benfatto is finally retiring.

But he achieves an extraordinary comeback in 2006. At the age of 48, he finished 6th in the Australian Grand Prix, looking even more impressive than in the 1990s.

An exceptional physique

During his career, Francis Benfatto has always distinguished himself thanks to a aesthetic physics and harmonious, in the right line of a Serge Nubret.

While displaying a superb V-shaped silhouetteHe has managed to find the perfect compromise between a developed muscle mass and proportionate curves.

Francis Benfatto's measurements show this subtle balance:

• Size: 170 cm
• Competition weight: between 88 and 93 kg
• Chest size: 129 cm
• Waist size : 74 cm
• Arm circumference : 51 cm
• Thigh size : 68 cm
• Calf size: 46 cm

To achieve this, the French bodybuilder has developed over the years a very specific training technique: the PPM, for Performance Progressive Methodology.

Francis Benfatto's training method for weight training

L'training of Francis Benfatto is based on a method that allows to sustainably promote themuscle hypertrophy. Its objective is that each athlete practicing bodybuilding or bodybuilding can reach his or her full genetic potential, limiting fatigue and injuries to a minimum.

The PPM of Francis Benfatto seeks to maximize the muscular recruitment of each muscle, while saving the athlete's resources to enable him or her to recover better and ensure longevity. To do this, this protocol favors working in isolation of the different muscle groups.

In addition to developing this method, Francis Benfatto is now specialized in sports coachingtive. He also leads numerous seminars dedicated to physical activity and nutrition.

You can follow Francis Benfatto's news on his Instagram account.

Conclusion

With its harmonious physique and elegant, Francis Benfatto is undoubtedly part of the history of French and world bodybuilding. His career is a model of success and longevity, and his comeback in 2006 a true source of inspiration for the younger generations of athletes.