If you read any of the major bodybuilding magazines from the 90s and beyond you’ve seen the work of Lyman Dally. His illustrations brought humor, personality, and imagination to an industry that at times could be lacking in those qualities. His talent was obvious and well received by the readers and showcased a growing sport in a way that made it seem important and acceptable. He inspired and entertained with his art as he turned his passion for fitness into a profession. He even created one of the most recognized images in the bodybuilding industry, the logo for the National Physique Committee (NPC), as well as the legendary futuristic bodybuilder Max Rep!
But Lyman doesn’t just draw great physiques. He’s been a hardcore fitness devotee for decades. In his younger days, he built an amazing physique that still represents the classic ideal, and today in his mid-60s he’s showing what the fruits of dedication look like as he sets a high bar for others to follow. He also has a very insightful viewpoint on the current state of fitness and the direction it’s taken. It is with extreme pleasure that we introduce you to the incredible Lyman Dally!
(Click on images to enlarge. All images used with permission, ©Lyman Dally, all rights reserved)
Name: Lyman M. Dally (“Lyman” is Olde’ English for “Man of the Valley”)
Occupation: Artist/Illustrator When the general public sees the word “artist” they automatically think of a guy in a smock and a French beret. I can assure you that’s not me. I do all kinds of art.
Bodysport: Where are you from and where do you live now?
Lyman: I grew up in Parsippany NJ, a tough little middle-class town with, really, no real town. I lived in Ft. Lauderdale/Boca Raton Florida during my late college years where I first entered bodybuilding competitions. Later I lived in New York City during the “Roaring ’90’s” and that was an amazing time in my life. Right now I’m settled back in northern NJ where I’m very happy.
Bodysport: When and how did you first become interested in and/or discovered you had talent in the art field?
Lyman: I discovered art when I was around 5 years old when I could amaze my classmates with my drawings. That was a good way to get babes in Kindergarten.
Bodysport: How did you become interested in health and fitness?
Lyman: I was a very sickly child. I didn’t like to eat or shit, so that didn’t make me a robust child. When I was 13 some classmates were lifting weights, and I asked my parents for a weight set. As soon as I started doing reverse curls and overhead presses (the only two exercises I knew), the constipation was gone and I felt stronger and better! Just like that! Since then I’ve never had a problem in that regard. If I were a personal trainer and someone came to me who complained about constipation, I would have them do standing overhead barbell presses!
Bodysport: When did you come to start working in the fitness media industry and how did that come about?
Lyman: Two things inspired me to take up bodybuilding: 60’s era Superman comics and a Weider ad featuring Dave Draper. Those two directions also fused my interest in doing “ muscle art”. The muscle magazines seemed like a perfect target for an illustrator/cartoonist like me. Unfortunately very few of the muscle magazine editors saw things my way until Denie Walters of Muscle Training Illustrated gave me a break in 1982, of which I am eternally grateful.
Bodysport: What are some of the publications you’ve contributed to?
Lyman: In order: Muscle Training Illustrated, FLEX, Muscular Development Magazine (my bigger client!), and MuscleMag International for the muscle pubs. MAXIM (the original 1997-2005 version) for the “mainstream” magazines.
Bodysport: You created the now very well-known, NPC logo, that’s amazing! Can you please tell us more about that?
Lyman: I had been doing art for Denie at MTI for half a year or so when he recommended me to Jim Manion who was headed up to run the NPC for the Weiders. The Weiders wanted to get bodybuilding into the Olympics, so they created the NPC to be their “amateur” division of Weider Enterprises, whereas their professional bodybuilders wouldn’t be allowed to compete. Denie had this concept of a flaming torch with two muscular arms flexing out from it. Simple enough concept, but it was up to me to make it real. Later down the line, the torch was dropped but the arms were kept. On some of the remaining designs, you can still find my name under the triceps.
Bodysport: You’ve had a very unique view of the fitness and bodybuilding industry over the years. What impressions are you left with as you’ve seen the evolution of the industry, physiques, competition, print media, social media, etc?
Lyman: Kevin, I wish I could be more positive. Maybe I’ve gotten old but I think the sport has dumbed itself down to a point where it’s become impractical for any sane person to participate in. And it’s not just bodybuilding: at least a third of our country has willingly followed this intellectual race-to-the-bottom. Yeah, I’m old, but the roided-out over-injected bodies I’ve seen in many of the contest shots scream artificial overreach, not bodybuilding. I prefer the physiques of the 1960s, to be honest: they’re “ achievable”. I can’t relate to the blown-out physiques of today. However…artistically, they’re quite fascinating. I’m not sure what DaVinci or Michelangelo would think of today’s competitors, but they wouldn’t be bored with what they saw.
You did mention print media. I wish it could’ve stuck around a bit longer and evolved in parallel with the internet. Magazines ran on advertising dollars, and the rug got pulled out of that when everyone fell in love with the internet. I think a lot visually and entertainment-wise was lost. I do wish print could come back in some meaningful way.
And, briefly, one last observation, the popularity of cross-fit over the years has a lot to thank bodybuilding for. But it ends there because of the stuff I mentioned before.
Bodysport: What inspires you to keep training and how do you stay fit now? I know you mentioned that you have some injuries that you are dealing with?
Lyman: My injuries are minimal compared to a lot of “old weightlifters” I’ve encountered in the gym and online. One reason might be because I have mediocre genetics and never could work out with very heavy weights, so there was less damage to my joints and back. I’ve been exercising with weights for 53 years, so what inspires me to keep at it is I still want to take my shirt off at the beach and not be embarrassed!
Bodysport: You’ve been involved in fitness both personally and professionally. What advice if any would you give the average person about health and fitness and its value?
Lyman: If you’re even thinking about doing steroids, put six-to-eight straight consistent solid years of eating well and working out in before you even try them. I don’t advocate steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs but they’re out there and people will try them. Diet-wise, I like “Paleo” (hi-protein, moderate fat, low carbs in the form of raw vegetables) for looking/feeling/performing the best. I do think 1/2gram of protein per pound of bodyweight is fine for building/maintaining muscle. The 1-2 grams per lb theory is excessive and forces you to overeat (and over-spend!) Stick to good natural foods, not protein powders and supplements. Waste of money. The best rep range for both safety, efficiency, and results is between 8-12, going to momentary muscular failure at the end of the last set. I also like “ rest-pause” type training as you can thoroughly work a muscle in a short time. And lastly, and sadly, your genetics will ultimately rule over how big, strong, and muscular you’re going to get. Isn’t Arnold quoted as saying “Choose the right parents”?
Bodysport: What would you like to see happen in the fitness industry going forward, what changes if any would you make, either to the competition industry or mainstream fitness in general?
Lyman: That’s a tough one, Kevin, because except for my personal fitness I’m not part of the industry anymore. I think I’d like to know there is still a comradery amongst people who train with weights and less of the “angry bro’” egotists I also see online.
Bodysport: What are you working on now and what are you trying to accomplish over the next 5-10 years.
Lyman: I’ve been hired to do these muscle-women comics put out by a small publisher near Chicago. They are definitely meant to appeal to the “Schmoe set” (guys who like being dominated by muscular women) but are incredibly fun to do. I get to experiment with the art in photoshop and get paid for it too. Ultimately I’d like to retire within 5 years and just paint for the fun of it…then I can be like that artist in the smock and the beret!
Bodysport: Is there anyone you would like to thank who has been helpful or supportive of you in your life/career?
Lyman: Yes in order of their appearance: Denie Walters, Jerry Kindella, Ruth Silverman, Steve Blechman and especially Marc Passarelli (Marc was the art director at Muscular Development magazine who hired me to do over 5000 illustrations!. That was a life-changing gig $$$$$). And personally, my wife Brenda who has stuck with me during the good years and the bad ones: FYI I met her in the gym when I was a fitness trainer, so lifting weights paid off!
Bodysport: Where can people find you to learn more about you and experience more of your work?
Lyman: My professional website: http://www.lymandally.com/ and my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lymandally/
Bodysport: Thank you Lyman!
Lyman: Thank you too, Kevin, for your interest in me!
Was in high school with Lyman. Loved his artwork. In particular remember the “foot’s eye view” he would draw. He always had something new to show every week.
That’s awesome Tom! I saw his work for years in all the major magazines and when I got the opportunity to reach out to him I had to act. He’s been very gracious to do this and I’m very pleased to be able to share his talents and dedication with our readers!