After graduating from Grambling State, Coleman became a Police Officer for the Arlington Police Department. He still works for the Department, but only as a reserve. His career now consists of the ins and outs of being a celebrity. Making money from sponsorship, winning bodybuilding contests, and guest posing. He is also regarded as the icon to the sport of bodybuilding and is an affiliate of Ben and Joe Weider`s IFBB. Coleman also helps support the Inner City Games, which was co-founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1991. Ronnie was also the recipient of the 2001 Admiral in the Texas Navy Certificate Award from Texas Governor Rick Perry for outstanding performances in bodybuilding and in the promotion of physical fitness.
Staying in shape was always a priority for Coleman. From what he learned on the football team to the demands staying in shape is on police officers. Coleman used what he learned to get into the sport of bodybuilding. He was first introduced to bodybuilding by Brian Dobson, the owner of Metro Flex Gym in Arlington. Dobson convinced him to do a show, Coleman agreed, and Ronnie slowly took over the sport.
Ronnie won the heavyweight and overall title at his first bodybuilding contest, the Mr. Texas in April of 1990. Other than Ronnie`s eight Olympia wins, he holds the record for most wins as an IFBB professional with 25. Other notable wins are as follows:
*1991 IFBB World Amateur Championships
*1997 IFBB Grand Prix Russia
*1999 Joe Weider's Pro World
*1999 IFBB Grand Prix England
*2000 IFBB Grand Prix England
*2000 Joe Weider's Pro World
*2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic
*2001 New Zealand Grand Prix
*2002 Grand Prix Holland
*2003 Russian Grand Prix
Ronnie has also been the narrator of different bodybuilding videos that you can buy. "The Unbelievable", which contains his daily activities while preparing for the 2000 Mr. Olympia. "The Cost of Redemption" shows him bench pressing almost 500 pounds, and "On The Road" contains shows 100 minutes of what Coleman`s workouts look like.
Ronnie stands at 5'11" but his weight varies from off-season to competion. During the off-season his weight will get as high as 330 pounds and during his contests it can be as low as 275 pounds. His most notable feature is his legs, which measure 36 inches around. Other notable features are his 24 inch arms and 60 inch chest. Ronnie is truly an icon to the sport of bodybuilding and in my mind, ranks just behind Arnold as the greatest bodybuilder of all time.
