A gym I used to workout at many years ago owned by Metrx was a popular place for photo work of many of the top BB`s. I have seen Lou Ferrigno, Sonbaty, Dorian, Lee Labrada, Priest, Shawn Ray, Boyer Coe, Milos Sarcev to name a few and lemme tell you, standing 10 feet away from these guys in person, I would say with all honesty, they looked VERY fucking solid and dense to to me. The puffy look could also be the effect photos in mags have on appearance and perception.
There is a huge difference seeing someone in a magazine and seeing them in person. Seeing a pro a few feet away wearing just their gym shorts, I was, (as most of the other gym members) in AWE of their size. Watching Sonbaty, who is as big as a freaking house, banging out reps with 315 on behind the neck presses...... or doing altenate dumbell curls with 105 lb dumbells.......your jaw just hangs open and you are speechless.