A few years ago, you couldn’t browse the internet and read up on bodybuilding-related content without coming across the name ‘Rich Piana’. Rich’s name was everywhere, and he was creating quite the buzz within the bodybuilding community. People either loved him, or hated him. Those that did dislike him, obviously judged him purely on his appearance, as, on the outside, he did look intimidating as he was tattooed and absolutely enormous. Those that knew Rich, though, knew that looks could be deceiving, as he was considered one of the nicest men in the business. Sadly, back in 2017, he passed away, aged just 46. Here is a look at the legacy he created and left behind.
Who was Rich Piana?
Rich Piana was a businessman and pro bodybuilder who was renowned for being one of the biggest bodybuilders in the industry. Rich won numerous titles over his illustrious career, including IFBB Teen Mr California title, way back in 1989. As well as competing as a bodybuilder however, he was also a businessman and entrepreneur, as he created his own supplement and nutritional line known as Rich Piana: 5% Nutrition. Rich openly discussed the use of anabolic steroids and growth hormones, and he openly stated that one of his primary goals was to get as big and jacked as he could possibly be. At his biggest, Rich bulked up to a massive 315 pounds, at just 6-feet in height. People would often comment on how dangerous this was, but Rich stated that he knew and accepted the risks.
Early life
Born in Glendale, California, back in 1970 on the 26th of September, Rich had Armenian and Italian blood flowing through his veins. His mother was a bodybuilder, and Rich often have to go to the gym with her to watch her train for her contests. He remembered being excited about bodybuilding at just six years of age. He read the fitness magazines, and, aged 11, he started to lift weights a little more seriously. At 15 he entered his first contest. By 18 he’s won several smaller bodybuilding contests, but his first big win came in 1989, when he won the Teen Mr California title.
Training
After winning the Teen Mr California title, Rich would continue to compete on and off for the next two and a half decades. He won various NPC contests all over the country. Because of his impressive physique, he appeared on multiple magazine covers, but how did he build his physique? Well, he didn’t do anything fancy. He followed a 5-day split, typical of a lot of bodybuilders. He often changed up the exercises he was doing to keep things fresh, and he would train as heavy as he could manage, with a lot of heavy compounds.
Death
Sadly, on August 1st, 2017, whilst getting a haircut at home from his wife, Piana collapsed and hit his head as he fell. He was placed in a medically induced coma but died two weeks later on the 25th of August 2017. The official cause of death is unknown, but he was suffering from significant heart disease.
