Chris Dickerson – Bodybuilder On The Move
By Don Reed
Strength & Health Magazine – March 1969
Chris Dickerson is currently one of the hottest subjects of conversation in the bodybuilding world. From an average bodybuilder with exceptional calves, Chris has blossomed into one of the top physique men in the country. He took third in the 1968 Mr. America Contest against some of the toughest physique competition around. And just a few short weeks later he defeated sensational Boyer Coe for the Mr. USA title. His phenomenal progress appears to have no end in sight, and this year he has a very real shot at the biggest of them all – the Mr. America crown.
But all has not been peaches and zwieback for the rugged New Yorker. His tremendous progress is the direct result of hours, months, and years of hard, patient work.
Born in 1939, Chris was the last delivered of triplets. Although not identical triplets, Chris and his brothers resembled each other to a remarkable extent. The Governor of Alabama, Jim Folsom, came in to see these boys that had been born in his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. One of the triplets, Alfred, was tragically drowned while visiting Alaska in 1960. This was a terrible shock to both Chris and his other brother John, for like most twins or triplets, they had been extremely close.
Athletic and competitive by nature, Chris gravitated almost inevitably into sports. He was a three-letter-man in soccer (which helped him develop his remarkable calves) and also won his block in gymnastics. He also hiked 500 miles in a nine-month period to win a letter. His athletics in this period gave him a sound basis to build on, and developed a liking for physical expressions that has never died down.
Chris completed four years of high school at the Friends’ Boarding School of Barnesville, Ohio. Upon graduating from the Quaker school, he enrolled in the Anchorage College (a branch of the University of Alaska). After one year he transferred to Columbia University where he completed another year of college. He also attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where he studied to be an actor. This paid off as he has done some successful Little Theatre and Summer Stock work.
And on Labor Day, 1963, his bodybuilding career began. Inspired by athletes he had seen in the pages of S&H, he began training at Bill Pearl’s Gym in Los Angeles. Pearl quickly spotted the potential in the athletic youth, and a lasting friendship developed. Bill planned (and still does) Chris’ workouts, and the scientific training, planned diet and determination on Chris’ part teamed up to the beginnings of a sensational physique. Chris gives Bill a great deal of the credit for his bodybuilding success. He also trained under the supervision of Vince Gironda, for three months, and is grateful to Morris Weissbrot for his coaching on the finer points of Olympic weightlifting. Chris had taken this up both as an outlet for his competitive nature, and to add the complete look to his physique.
The combination of correct diet, hard training, Olympic lifting and dedication began to pay off in 1966, when Chris won the “Mr. Novice” title and began a string of victories that shows no sign of stopping. During the two years that have elapsed since he won the novice contest, Chris has carried off 13 first places, and 51 trophies! Some of his more important titles include:
Mr. Senior Metropolitan – 1966
Mr. New York State – 1966
Mr. Atlantic Coast – 1966
Mr. Eastern America – 1966
Mr. Junior USA – 1966
Mr. California – 1967
3rd place in the Mr. America – 1968
Mr. USA – 1968
The New York bodybuilder knows that training alone will not develop a massive physique. He pays close attention to his diet, relying heavily on such foods as meat, fish, cheese, eggs, vegetables, and fresh fruit. He will sometimes have a dish of pudding or Jell-O for dessert, but steers clear of bread, rice, French fries, cakes, pastry and other such “food of little value.” Three weeks before a contest he is extremely careful about his diet, in order to bring out the “edge” to his muscularity and skin tone.
Chris has some sound advice for beginners, “It is OK to have an idol, and to some extent to try and pattern your physique after his, but always keep clearly in your mind the fact that you have only your own physical equipment to work with. Every physique has its own level of optimum development, its own type of beauty. Trying to look like Reeves when you are five feet tall and thick waisted can only lead to frustration. Learn your physique type and adjust your desires accordingly.”
“Preparation for a physique contest should be complete before going there. You should have everything that you will need ready the night before, including your posing routine, verbal presentation if required, and posing attire. Once you are actually at the meet, relax and enjoy yourself. Your physique is either ready or it’s not. Worrying about it will only make your give a poor presentation. After the contest is over, listen carefully to criticism of your physique from sources you can trust. Look at your physique in a mirror, list your weak points objectively, and set your goals for improvement. Make your plans for competition in long-range terms, like six months or a year. After analyzing your weak points, go to work on them. You will improve.”
Chris Dickerson is on the move. His drive and determination have carried him to a select group at the top – the contenders for the Mr. America title. And Chris has all the other attributes of the Mr. America: friendly, personable, he is also intelligent and extremely well spoken. He would be worthy of the crown.
