Is there a sweet spot for bodybuilders to hit their prime nowadays?
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler has kept his physique in elite shape in retirement while also keeping up with the current happenings in the fitness world. He has shared different tips of the trade via social media, including a success YouTube page. During a recent episode of Jaywalking, Cutler discussed the upcoming Arnold Classic while also hitting on the prime years for a bodybuilder.
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Cutler was a bodybuilding icon as a 4x Mr. Olympia spanning from 2006-2010 and a 6x runner-up. At 5’9” tall, he’s still considered one of the best bodybuilders and managed an epic rivalry with 8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman. Still, he’s managed to stay in fantastic shape well after retirement.
“I won at 33, Ronnie won at 34. Derek won pretty young. I don’t know Hadi’s age. Big Ramy won in his 30s. Brandon Curry, I mean Shawn Rhoden won in his 40s. So, what does that tell you? Samson’s 39 I think.”
Cutler touched on the differences between eras in bodybuilding. Back during his time, competitors would peak later but he feels like many are hitting their stride in their 30s now. That could also be due to the use of social media.
“I feel like it’s a little different now because you have to have a cross between social media in bodybuilding, in a sense. Unless you just put in countless hours.”
Jay Cutler Picks Out Primetime To Hit Peak
Jay Cutler recalls the time he was coming up through the ranks. Despite winning his first Olympia at 33, many competitors would peak early and retire young.
“You look at the guys now and they get better in their 30s than in their 20s. When we were coming up, everyone seemed super young. Gaspari, Shawn Ray, Eddie Robinson, even Haney. He was 22 when he won the first one and retired at 31.”
Cutler highlighted Derek Lunsford as one of the young stars of bodybuilding heading into the Arnold Classic.
“It’s kind of like the youth vs. the elder. I retired at 40. No insult to anyone because 40 is still super young. Derek is kind of the young gun heading into the Arnold.”
The Arnold Classic in March will feature some of the biggest names in bodybuilding. Reigning Olympia champion Samson Dauda will battle former champion Lunsford and this is expected to be the highlight of the show. It is a loaded lineup across the board and Cutler touched on others, such as Akim Williams.
“I feel like there’s some really good talent in there. There’s a lot of good guys in that show. Akim’s in there, who did well at the end of the season.
Have you seen Carlos Thomas Jr. lately? He looks really good. He might still need a little time.”
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