Ronnie Coleman's Bodybuilding Tips -- Blacker Is Better

When it comes to bodybuilding competitions, if you wanna win ... DARKEN THAT SKIN -- even if you're already a dark-skinned black dude ... so says a guy who would know, Ronnie Coleman.

The former 8-time Mr. Olympia -- widely considered the greatest bodybuilder EVER -- was at LAX with fellow muscle head Chris Miller when we asked about the obsession with tanning in the sport.

Coleman, who if you hadn't noticed is black, says the fake tan is an ABSOLUTE MUST ... "even for me!"

Our guy asked the follow up, "How dark are you trying to get?"

Coleman's response: "As dark as possible. The darker the better ... you can never be too dark."