Bodybuilding and fitness icon Doug Brignole passes away.
The bodybuilding world mourns the death of bodybuilding and fitness icon, Doug Brignole.
Doug passed away on last Thursday, 13 October 2022, at the age of 62. The cause of death has not been revealed at the time of publishing this article.
According to reports, it seems Doug’s passing was unexpected as he was prepping to guest pose at the AAU Mr. Universe contest on 22 October, 2022.
Doug was an accomplished bodybuilder, trainer and author during throughout his life.
After retiring from competitive bodybuilding, Doug Brignole primarily worked as an author, fitness expert, and public speaker.
Doug conducting seminars throughout the country, he also addressed audiences in Japan, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, and Norway. He was the founder of the website dougbrignole.com which promoted the ‘3-Way Split’ training routine that focuses on training the 22 major muscles in the body in three separate workouts with BRIG-20 (Brignole’s 20 most preferred) exercises.
Bodybuilding Career
Doug was a very successful bodybuilder, placing in the the top five regularly during his long career.
Competing in various federations, Doug was most successful with the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) winning various prestigious titles.
In 1979, Doug started to cement his name as a great bodybuilder after winning the AAU Mr. California and the NBA Natural Mr. America. At the Teen AAU Mr. America, Doug would have to settle for third.
Continuing to compete for regularly, Doug would have more success in 1983 after he won the overall title at the AAU Mr. California.
In 1986, Doug would win the Medium-Tall division at the AAU Mr. America and the Light-Heavyweight AAU Mr. Universe.
In 2000, Doug would try his luck in the NPC, and was very successful. Doug would place first at the LNPC os Angeles Championships Light-Heavyweight division.
At his final competition in 2019, Doug would end his competitive bodybuilding career by winning the Overall title at the AAU MR. Universe. He would win the Grand Masters Division (50 – 59 year old mens), and also 1st place in the Open Division (men of all ages, including men in their 20s and 30s).
Doug was know for having a physique very similar to the great Frank Zane.
Doug Brignole the Author and Trainer
During his career, Doug gained vast knowledge about health and fitness, contributing to the biggest magazines in the industry.
Doug’s articles would reach athletes all over the world, promoting his knowledge about diets and training methods.
Doug co-authored a university sociology book ‘Million Dollar Muscle’. He also developed his own unique training ideas over the years. To the vast audiences, Doug Brignole was best known as the author of the book ‘The Physics of Resistance Exercise’ which is one of his greatest contributions to the bodybuilding and fitness industry.
We at Evolutionofbodybuilding.net would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Doug Brignole during this difficult time.
Bodybuilding Competition History
1976
AAU Teenage Mr. Compton, 2nd
1979
Mr California – AAU, Teen Tall, 1st
Natural Mr America – NBA, Teen, 1st
Teen Mr America – AAU, Medium, 3rd
1982
Mr California – AAU, Overall Winner
Mr California – AAU, MiddleWeight, 1st
1983
Mr America – AAU, Medium-Tall, 5th
1986
Mr America – AAU, Medium-Tall, 1st
Universe – AAU, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
1991
Mr America – AAU, Medium-Tall, 5th
Mr Universe – NABBA, Medium-Tall, Did not place
2000
Los Angeles Championships – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
2010
West Coast Classic – NPC, Masters 50+, 2nd
2011
Masters Nationals – NPC, Masters 50+ Light-HeavyWeight, 9th
West Coast Classic – NPC, Masters 50+, 2nd
2012
World Championships – NABBA, Masters 50+, 7th
2014
Muscle Beach International, 1st
World Championships – NABBA, Masters, 7th
2019
AAU Mr. Universe Over title
Grand Masters Division (50 – 59 year old mens), 1st
Open Division (men of all ages, including men in their 20s and 30s), 1st
Doug Brignole Interview with Dave Palumbo – October 2020
