The Legend of Zyzz: How One Man Changed Fitness Culture Forever

Few figures in the world of bodybuilding have left as lasting an impact as Zyzz. His real name was Aziz Shavershian, but to millions of people around the world, he became known simply as Zyzz—a symbol of fitness transformation, aesthetics, and a hedonistic, carefree lifestyle that inspired an entire generation of young lifters.

In this deep dive into the legend of Zyzz, we’ll explore his beginnings, his rise to internet fame, his untimely death, and the legacy he left behind. By the end of this post, you’ll understand why Zyzz became such an important figure in bodybuilding culture, and we’ll also introduce how the Forge app will feature a workout plan inspired by Zyzz’s philosophy on fitness.

The Early Life of Zyzz: From Skinny Kid to Fitness Icon

Aziz Shavershian was born on March 24, 1989, in Moscow, Russia, to a Kurdish-Armenian family. When he was still a young boy, his family immigrated to Australia, where Zyzz spent most of his childhood. Growing up, Aziz was a skinny, self-proclaimed “nerd,” with little interest in fitness or sports. Like many teens, he struggled with self-confidence and had a typical ectomorph frame—tall and lean, with little muscle mass.

It wasn’t until his older brother, Said Shavershian (better known as Chestbrah), introduced him to bodybuilding that everything changed. Inspired by the physiques of fitness models, movie stars, and bodybuilders, Aziz decided to transform himself. He started hitting the gym regularly and educating himself on nutrition, training techniques, and supplements.

His progress was slow at first, but after a few years of dedicated training and diet, Aziz’s physique transformed dramatically. Gone was the skinny teenager, replaced by a shredded, aesthetic body that would soon become the envy of millions of young men worldwide.

Zyzz and the Rise of Aesthetics Culture

By the time Aziz was in his early twenties, he had adopted the online persona of Zyzz, a carefree, aesthetic bodybuilder who embodied both the pursuit of the “perfect physique” and an unapologetically hedonistic lifestyle. Zyzz was not just about bodybuilding; he was about having fun, enjoying life, and not taking things too seriously.

Zyzz began documenting his transformation and lifestyle on social media platforms like Facebook, 4chan, and YouTube. His charisma, sense of humor, and unique attitude quickly caught on, and Zyzz’s following grew exponentially. He coined phrases like “We’re all gonna make it, brah,” which became a motivational mantra for his fans.

While traditional bodybuilding focused heavily on size, Zyzz’s focus was different. He emphasized aesthetics—a lean, shredded physique with defined abs, broad shoulders, and a slim waist. His fans, known as “Zyzz brahs,” began chasing this same look, making aesthetics the new fitness goal for a generation of lifters.

Zyzz’s rise to fame marked a shift in fitness culture. He wasn’t a professional bodybuilder, but he didn’t need to be. For the first time, young men saw someone they could relate to—a normal guy who had transformed his body through hard work and dedication. And unlike many serious bodybuilders, Zyzz didn’t preach about sacrifice and discipline. Instead, he embraced life to the fullest, combining his fitness journey with a carefree, party-going lifestyle. This made him a relatable, almost mythical figure in the eyes of his followers.

The Philosophy of Zyzz: Aesthetics and Living Life to the Fullest

At the core of Zyzz’s message was more than just building a physique—it was about confidence, self-improvement, and enjoying the journey. He believed that transforming your body could change your life, not just physically but mentally and socially.

Zyzz’s focus was on achieving an “aesthetic” body, which is different from the mass-monster look popular in traditional bodybuilding. The aesthetic look was all about balance, symmetry, and achieving a lean, muscular physique that looked great in and out of the gym.

He often posted photos of his ripped six-pack, broad chest, and v-taper back, showing how far he had come from his skinny beginnings. But more than that, he promoted the idea that anyone could achieve this with hard work and the right mindset.

His famous line, “We’re all gonna make it, brah,” encapsulated his philosophy—encouraging his followers to believe in themselves and keep pushing forward, no matter where they started. For Zyzz, bodybuilding wasn’t just about muscles; it was a tool for gaining confidence, attracting women, and having fun with life.

Controversies and Criticism

Despite his massive popularity, Zyzz’s rise wasn’t without controversy. His unapologetic partying and lifestyle choices—frequently showing himself partying at clubs and festivals, surrounded by women—raised eyebrows. Some critics argued that Zyzz promoted a reckless lifestyle, including the possible use of steroids and recreational drugs.

In 2011, Zyzz was involved in a controversy when his older brother, Chestbrah, was arrested for possession of anabolic steroids. While Zyzz never openly admitted to using steroids, the incident fueled speculation about his own possible PED (performance-enhancing drug) use.

Regardless, Zyzz continued to inspire millions with his message of self-improvement, focusing on fitness as a means of transforming not just the body but the mind.

The Tragic Death of Zyzz

On August 5, 2011, at just 22 years old, Aziz Shavershian—Zyzz—died of a heart attack while on vacation in Thailand. His death shocked the fitness world. It was later revealed that he had an undiagnosed congenital heart condition, though rumors of steroid use and drug abuse persisted.

Zyzz’s passing marked the end of an era, but his legacy lived on. His message, videos, and quotes are still shared widely today, and he remains a symbol of self-transformation and the power of belief in oneself. His tragic death also sparked debates within the fitness community about the risks associated with drug use, lifestyle choices, and the importance of health alongside aesthetics.

The Legacy of Zyzz: More Than Just a Bodybuilder

Despite his untimely death, Zyzz’s influence on fitness culture endures. For many, he represents the idea that anyone can change their life through hard work and dedication. His message of confidence, aesthetics, and enjoying life resonated with a generation of young people who were tired of traditional bodybuilding dogma.

Today, Zyzz remains a legend in the fitness world. His YouTube videos are still watched by millions, his quotes are shared across social media, and his impact on aesthetics culture can still be felt in gyms around the world.

He transformed not only his own body but also the way people think about fitness, aesthetics, and self-improvement. Zyzz made bodybuilding fun, accessible, and—most importantly—attainable for regular people.

Forge App: Get a Workout Plan Inspired by Zyzz

Zyzz’s workout philosophy was simple: focus on aesthetics, stay shredded, and enjoy the process. With that in mind, we’ve created a workout plan inspired by Zyzz, which will be available in the Forge App.

Our Zyzz-inspired workout plan will help you build the kind of lean, shredded physique he was known for, with a focus on building symmetry, core strength, and muscular definition. Whether you’re new to the gym or a seasoned lifter, the Forge app will guide you through workouts designed to maximize aesthetics while keeping things fun and engaging—just like Zyzz would’ve wanted.

If you’re ready to get shredded, improve your confidence, and take control of your fitness journey, stay tuned for the launch of the Forge app and start your transformation today!