Ben Pakulski
Ben Pakluski is an IFBB professional bodybuilder and champion from Toronto, Canada. He's known as the most successful bodybuilder to ever come out of Canada. Growing up, Ben was very passionate about playing sports and being generally active. At 15 years old he started lifting weights and eventually became a gym rat - finding a professional trainer with the help of his father.
After starting a degree in Kinesiology, Ben embarked on a bodybuilding career which would see him rapidly enter the professional ranks. He appeared at the Mr Olympia and won a number of IFBB competitions.
After training for two years, Ben was ready to allow his dad to come to the gym and watch him squat. He squatted particularly well that day with his dad in attendance, lifting 405lbs for 3 sets of 8. His dad was so impressed with his effort and dedication to the sport, that he surprised him by taking him to sign up with Scott Abel - a leading bodybuilding trainer in Toronto. This was a life-changing event for Ben, as he now could learn from the best. Ben trained for month after month with Scott and gradually became confident in his abilities in the sport. He prepared his nutrition and training in detail and got himself ready for the 2008 Canadian Championships. After a difficult cutting period, Ben posed in the super-heavyweight category against some of Canada's best bodybuilders. He ended up winning the entire show - taking the 1st place trophy and making his name known to the world. This also crucially meant that he had gained his pro card - becoming a professional bodybuilder who could pose with the best.
Ben decided to move to California - the home of international bodybuilding and a place where he knew he would be respected. In 2009, Ben managed to win his first US competition. After settling down in Venice, California, he found a gym and began to train hard for the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa. He managed to take a 3rd place at this competition, which was an excellent achievement in his first pro show. Through this event, he also qualified for an invitation to the 2009 Mr Olympia. In the 2010's, Ben really made a mark in the bodybuilding world, coming in the top ten 11 times. He attended the Mr Olympia in 2012 and came in 11th, but took a 2nd at the 2012 Flex Pro, another 2nd at the 2013 Arnold Classic and a 1st at the 2016 Vancouver Pro Show.
After starting a degree in Kinesiology, Ben embarked on a bodybuilding career which would see him rapidly enter the professional ranks. He appeared at the Mr Olympia and won a number of IFBB competitions.
After training for two years, Ben was ready to allow his dad to come to the gym and watch him squat. He squatted particularly well that day with his dad in attendance, lifting 405lbs for 3 sets of 8. His dad was so impressed with his effort and dedication to the sport, that he surprised him by taking him to sign up with Scott Abel - a leading bodybuilding trainer in Toronto. This was a life-changing event for Ben, as he now could learn from the best. Ben trained for month after month with Scott and gradually became confident in his abilities in the sport. He prepared his nutrition and training in detail and got himself ready for the 2008 Canadian Championships. After a difficult cutting period, Ben posed in the super-heavyweight category against some of Canada's best bodybuilders. He ended up winning the entire show - taking the 1st place trophy and making his name known to the world. This also crucially meant that he had gained his pro card - becoming a professional bodybuilder who could pose with the best.
Ben decided to move to California - the home of international bodybuilding and a place where he knew he would be respected. In 2009, Ben managed to win his first US competition. After settling down in Venice, California, he found a gym and began to train hard for the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa. He managed to take a 3rd place at this competition, which was an excellent achievement in his first pro show. Through this event, he also qualified for an invitation to the 2009 Mr Olympia. In the 2010's, Ben really made a mark in the bodybuilding world, coming in the top ten 11 times. He attended the Mr Olympia in 2012 and came in 11th, but took a 2nd at the 2012 Flex Pro, another 2nd at the 2013 Arnold Classic and a 1st at the 2016 Vancouver Pro Show.