His first award in a lifetime of honours, and he probably received more awards in later years, than during his whole active bodybuilding career, was 'The Healthiest Baby in Valley County Montana'. Even with today's vast choice of physiques, Steve Reeves, because of a combination of facial as well as physical beauty and symmetry, had, the most universally envied development in modern tines. Steve was a very unusual bodybuilder. He had the overall beauty that no other bodybuilder has ever been able to achieve. In spite of the passage of time - now some 50 years since he recorded his Mr America victory and despite all the changes that have taken place in Bodybuilding's 'fashions', Reeves has remained the pinnacle of perfection to millions of fans, with an aesthetic physique many still attempt to emulate.
Real beauty is as has been said timeless as is good taste.
Steve commenced bodybuilding when about 15 years of age, being the first to admit he had a good foundation and was an 'easy gainer', and after a year or so, soon had a potentially powerful physique. His handsome features, healthy flop of hair and general overall vitality were all enormous assets for any muscle star and future film idol. With a balanced and harmonious development always his aim. Steve all the time managed to obtain some training, albeit often with Tarzan like rope climbing, general free exercises, such as push-ups or dips, and tension exercises. Later he designed his own weights and basic pulley apparatus.