Morgan Aste flexing his muscles at a competition

Morgan Aste

Bodybuilder, Powerlifter, Strongman

Morgan Aste, also known as ‘The Big Rock’, is an IFBB professional bodybuilder hailing from Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Throughout the duration of his career, he has become renowned for having the ability to switch between strongman and bodybuilding with ease.

Having an excellent physique from an early age, allowed him to gain size rapidly to become one of the biggest bodybuilders in the sport today.


 

Morgan Aste sat on smith machine flexing off his arms

Athlete Statistics

Full Name: Morgan Aste
WeightHeightArmsAge
295 - 310lbs (133.8kg - 140.6kg)6'3" (190.5cm)24.4"40
 
Date of BirthNationalityProfession
August 26, 1983FrenchBodybuilder, Powerlifter, Strongman
 
AliasEra
The Big Rock2000, 2010
Weight295 - 310lbs (133.8kg - 140.6kg)
Height6'3" (190.5cm)
Arms24.4"
Age40
Date of BirthAugust 26, 1983
NationalityFrench
ProfessionBodybuilder, Powerlifter, Strongman
AliasThe Big Rock
Era2000, 2010

 

Morgan Aste pulling a large vehicle at a strongman event

Accomplishments

Competitions

Bodybuilding

  • 2014 IFBB French Championships – 1st place in all categories.
  • 2014 Arnold Amateur Europe – 9th place
  • 2011 IFBB World Championship – 14th place in +100kg category
  • 2010 Slovak Grand Prix -2nd place in +90kg category
  • 2008 IFBB European Championship – 9th place in +100kg category
  • 2006 Championship of the World IFBB – 2nd place in +100kg category
  • 2006 Grand Prix Weider – 5th place in +90kg category
  • 2005 Grand Prix of Slovakia – 4th place in +90kg category
  • 2004 IFBB Junior French Championship 2nd place in +75kg category
  • 2004 Semi Finals France IFBB Junior 1st place in +75kg category

Strongman

  • 2013 Strongman Competition – 1st place finish to become the strongest man in France.
  • 2013 Grand Prix du Forez – 1st place in +105kg category
  • 2013 Grand Prix de Provence – 1st place in +105kg category
  • 2013 Grand Prix des Pyrenees – 1st place in +105kg category
  • 2012 Strongest Man in France – 2nd place
  • 2012 Grand Prix de Provence – 1st place
  • 2012 Grand Prix des Pyrenees – 2nd place
  • 2010 Strongest Man in France – 1st place

 

Morgan Aste in a photo shoot posing in a vest

Biography

Early Life

Morgan Aste was born on the 26th August 1983 to Roberto and Annie Aste in Clermont-Ferrand in central France.

Throughout his childhood years, he spent time living in both Victe-Le-Comte and Lissac and became interested in competitive sport from a young age.

Interest in Bodybuilding

Aste became involved in various sports including football, handball, judo, boxing and Muay Thai as a child.

This allowed him to acquire an excellent physique, causing him to be consistently asked if he lifted weights.

Aste soon realised that his excellent physique could be taken to the next level, so he began weightlifting at the age of 16.

It didn’t take long for him to acquire a considerable amount of size, and by the age of 20 he weighed a hefty 195lbs.


 

Morgan Aste in his earlier days of bodybuilding

Morgan Aste in his earlier days.

Turning to the Professional Stage

Aste took his bodybuilding career the the next level in 2000 having gained some serious size in his early days of weight training.

He began to compete competitively at amateur level, and continued to do so throughout his 20s.

After taking part in several amateur level competitions, Aste made the decision to move into Strongman, emphasizing his immense capability of making the switch to other sports.

By 2010, he had earned himself a first placed finish to become the strongest man in France, and added further to his list of honours in 2013 where he again won the same title.

Present Day

After competing in both Strongman and Bodybuilding events in his career so far, Aste decided in 2014 that it was his wish to make his mark on the American bodybuilding scene.

He had become succesful on home turf as well as in other countries across Europe however now wishes to focus on bodybuilding.

He is currently awaiting his pro card and has made it his ultimate ambition to become succesful on the Mr Olympia stage, eager to follow in the footsteps of his idols.


 

Morgan Aste carrying an atlas stone at a strongman event

Training

When starting out in bodybuilding, Aste began to train with trainer René Même, and continues to do so to this day.

Switching between bodybuilding and strongman, his training differs depending on which sport Aste is competing in.

He follows a training plan set out by his trainer, with two training days followed by a rest day in which two muscle groups are worked.

His training alternates between high intensity and heavy sets for each muscle group which changes weekly.

Strongman Training

When training for a strongman competition, Aste generally follows the routine below:

  • Atlas Stone Carry – 15 carries ad 330 lbs
  • Farmer’s Carry – 20 metres at 793 lbs
  • Tyre Flip – 10 flips at 881 lbs

Bodybuilding Training

Aste is renowned for his huge arms, and generally follows the below routine in order to maintain :

Triceps

  • EZ-bar Cable Pushdown | SETS: 4 | REPS: 12
  • One-arm Reverse-grip Pushdown | SETS: 4 | REPS: 8
  • Smith Machine Close-grip Bench Press | SETS: 5 | REPS: 12, 10, 8, 6, 6*

Biceps

  • Standing Straight-bar Curl | SETS: 4 | REPS: 10, 10, 8, 8*
  • Incline Dumbbell Curl | SETS: 2 | REPS: 12
  • Incline Dumbbell Hammer Curl | SETS: 2 | REPS: 12
  • Alternating Dumbbell Curl | SETS: 2 | REPS: 12
  • Machine Preacher Curl | SETS: 2 | REPS: 8
  • Standing Two-arm Dumbbell Curl | SETS: 3 | REPS: 12

 

Morgan Aste showing off his large arms in the gym

Nutrition

Morgan Aste follows a daily diet which consists of seven meals in total for his off season diet. Which enables him to continually add lean muscle mass.

His meals contain a balance of protein, complex carbs and healthy fats along with a piece of fruit with most of his meals.

The meals which form his daily diet are listed below:

Meal 1: 5 whole eggs, 5 egg whites
2 slices of whole-wheat bread or oatmeal
1 cup of fresh fruit

Meal 2: 200 grams of meat (chicken, steak) or fish
200 grams of carbs (rice or potatoes)
Piece of fruit

Meal 3: 450 grams of meat or fish
300 to 500 grams of carbs
Green salad or mixed vegetables with olive oil
Piece of fruit

Meal 4: Whey protein shake (75 grams)

Meal 5: Applesauce, gingerbread or mashed potatoes
BCAA + ZMA + Protein Shake

Meal 6: 450 grams of meat or fish
500-700 grams of carbs
Vegetables
Fruits

Meal 7: Whey protein shake (60 grams) 300 grams of nonfat cottage cheese


 

Morgan Aste performing tricep pushdowns.

Idols and Influences

Becoming involved in sports from a young age, Aste was able to build a physique that meant bodybuilding would come naturally to him after being asked regularly if he lifts weights.

Upon commencing a career in bodybuilding, Morgan Aste’s ambition was to gain as much size as possible.

Aste mentions bodybuilding legends Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman as his main influences as he looks to take America by storm.

Aste states: “Arnold Schwarzenegger, because he is a legend, and for me, Ronnie Coleman is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time”.


 

Morgan Aste sat by a swimming pool

What we can learn from Morgan Aste

Given his athletic physique, he was able to add serious mass from an early age.

And by taking influence from some of the bodybuilding greats, Aste has come a long way since entering the sport.

Throughout his career he has made known his ability to switch between sports and prove that bodybuilders are capable of lifting extremely heavy weights.

He now looks to prove himself on the bodybuilding stage in America, aiming to reach his ultimate goal of competing in Mr Olympia.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


God bless Morgan. He will be the best of the best as he has the determination and drive to achieve his goals. His parents can be proud of the son they raised. My hats off also to one heck of a great coach.

What an awesome totally natural physique. For those who say you can’t get this big without using illegal, organ -destroying steroids, …….you’re totally right!!

T…you do know John Jones (the comment before yours was jerking our chain…) ?? P.S. I’ve read a few articles, to add my 2¢, that stated there is no way to big (hugh) naturally. Not even taking a ton of shit & eating like a horse are you going to get IFFB big. Heard tell that the IFBB’s “natural” division was crap as those guys were on their way up to getting hugh vs not using roids @ all. Not sure if any of this is true, false or somewhere in between.

I love Morgan Aste. My favorite bodybuilder in the entire world. I’m gonna have a body like him one day, without steroids. The Lord works miracles. Jesus said, “ask anything in my name, and I will give it to you, that my Father in Heaven may be glorified”. Amen

The guy is monstrous but we all know that this type of size is not achievable without pharmaceuticals. Very good ones and lots of them. If we are naive enough to believe that any top sportsman is “natural” we are sadly mistaken. Admittedly many guys are taking steroids but do not achieve this level

Morgan sir you have ronnie and Arnold sir as an inspiration and mine is you my God I would pray to you every day

I like the fact he shifts between strongman and b-bing, I believe that gives his body the chance to break plateaus and keep test high test levels.

You might like...

Nick Jonas Physique and Workout

267 Views

See Profile

Kevin Heart Physique

1295 Views

See Profile

Joe Manganiello Physique: Achieving an Enviable A-List Fitness Level

1681 Views

See Profile

Tom Hardy Physique

5858 Views

See Profile
0

10 Meal Planning Mistakes to Avoid: Get Shredded the Right Way

Preparing food in advance is a tool used by pro athletes and bodybuilders to stay lean, strong and aesthetic all year round. Avoid these meal planning mistakes and sail to single-digit body fat in no time at all. 

Read article

Vin Diesel’s Physique

2758 Views

See Profile

KSI Physique: How Did KSI Get In Shape?

3180 Views

See Profile

Jake Gyllenhaal Physique

3333 Views

See Profile

Gerard Butler Physique

4191 Views

See Profile
0

10 Protein-Rich Foods for Vegetarians

If you're a vegetarian who's serious about strength training, you need to know how to optimize your diet to get the best results. Check out our guide to protein-rich foods to help you on your way - a completely new fitness level is just around the corner.

Read article

Henry Cavill Physique

10099 Views

See Profile

Alex Eubank Physique

6817 Views

See Profile

Will Tennyson Physique

6311 Views

See Profile

Cristiano Ronaldo Physique

13356 Views

See Profile
42

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator, John Matrix, Mr. Freeze, The Governator, and to many of his fans just Arnie. Not only is he known as one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician.

Read article

Jason Mamoa Physique

4491 Views

See Profile

Ryan Gosling Physique: Ryan Gosling’s Ken Transformation

10195 Views

See Profile

Stephen Amell Physique

6125 Views

See Profile

Chris Pratt Transformation and Physique

3057 Views

See Profile
0

90 day Muscle Building Workout Plan

You just can’t beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one you’ve worked hard for. Noticing the appreciative stares from envious strangers, and knowing that every time you hit the gym, you’re pushing the boundaries of what you once thought was impossible - makes it all worthwhile.

Read article