Markus Rühl is a retired IFBB professional bodybuilder. Rühl began training at the age of 18 following a doctor's recommendation after sustaining a knee injury while playing football. At 120 pounds (54 kg), Rühl began training hard six days a week until deciding to compete on a professional level five years later. During this period he worked as a used-car salesman. Rühl signed a sponsorship deal with Ultimate Nutrition in late 2008. In 2018 he started his own supplement company, Rühl's Bestes.