This is an oldie, but I've been thinking about this one again. About Zane mostly. Having just returned from this year's Iowa State championships (yes, not much competition up here, but there are a handful of great quality builders...) I've got a whole new perspective on size. Zane is said to have won one Olympia at 177 lbs. and another (1979 I believe) at 198 or so. Now Zane, at his peak, was actually quite ripped- good even by modern standards of conditioning. So, with that in mind I've been comparing that bodyweight to guys with similar condition at the local show I just attended.
There was a great middleweight who weighed 171 and was ripped at roughly the same height as Zane. To me, this would be a little small for an ideal walking around weight. The heavyweights came in somewhere around 215-220 and were each a little taller than Zane- which puts them ar roughly the same size per inch as Zane was at his biggest and best at just a hair under 200 lbs. (think 5-10 lbs per inch) In my eyes This is a perfect weight. Adjusted to my height that would put me at a ripped 225-250 lbs!! Wish I could post pics of these guys to illustrate. But, I'm sure most have a good frame of reference.
The standards for pros has definately changed, with 5'9" Jay at 265 lbs. I respect that, but would love to look like Zane.
Jacob