Forget about the constant Mr. Olympia rumors each year – is Kai Greene open to competing at the Arnold Classic?
In a recent episode of the Kai Greene Effect, Kai Greene covered several major topics including the upcoming debut of the Enhanced Games in 2026, Hafthor Bjornsson’s planned world record deadlift attempt, reflections on Kai Greene’s last bodybuilding competitions in 2016, and whether a return to the stage is still possible.
Here’s a quick overview of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
- Kai Greene reacts to the addition of Hafthor Bjornsson and his world record deadlift attempt at the Enhanced Games
- It’s been 10 years since Kai Greene last competed – how does it feel?
- Forget about Olympia rumors. Would Kai ever compete in the Arnold Classic again?
- How long would it take Kai to get back into contest shape in 2026?
- Kai’s ultimate guide to building massive biceps and triceps
- Kai answers: what is the most weight he has ever curled?
You can watch the full episode of the Kai Greene Effect above. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of the episode discussion. Let’s get to it!
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Enhanced Games Set to Debut in May 2026: Hafthor Bjornsson to Attempt World Record Deadlift
One of the most talked-about segments of the episode centered on the Enhanced Games, a new competition format scheduled to debut in May of 2026. The Enhanced Games have already sparked debate across strength sports, particularly because of their open stance toward performance enhancement and their focus on pushing the absolute limits of human performance.
Kai Greene made it clear that he views the inclusion of Hafthor Bjornsson to the Enhanced Games as a major milestone for the event.
“It’s a privilege to the Enhanced Games to have Hafthor a part of the proceedings,” Kai said, emphasizing Bjornsson’s status as one of the strongest human beings to ever walk the planet.
Hafthor Bjornsson, best known to mainstream audiences for his role as The Mountain in Game of Thrones, is far more than a celebrity strongman. He won the 2018 World’s Strongest Man competition and has repeatedly redefined what is possible in maximal strength. In July, Bjornsson reset his own deadlift world record by successfully lifting 505 kilograms, or 1,113.3 pounds.
According to Kai, anything Hafthor is willing to do in front of a camera is must-see viewing.
“Anything Hafthor is willing to do in front of the camera is a sight to behold,” Kai said, adding that he would happily pay to watch Bjornsson attempt another record-breaking pull.
The sentiment reflects a broader truth about modern strength sports. Fans are drawn not just to numbers on a barbell, but to the spectacle of witnessing the outer edge of human capability. Hafthor’s presence at the Enhanced Games instantly adds legitimacy, curiosity, and global attention.
Kai Greene’s Last Competition: Reflecting on 2016 and the Arnold Classic Run
The conversation then shifted to a more personal topic: Kai Greene’s last time competing on a bodybuilding stage.
Kai’s final competition appearance came in 2016 at the Arnold Classic Brazil. That year, he also competed at the Arnold Classic in the United States and Australia, effectively running three major shows back to back. Now, nearly ten years later, Vlad asked how it feels to look back on that period.
Kai reflected on how quickly time seems to pass as we get older.
“The days and weeks and years go by so fast,” he said, contrasting adulthood with childhood, when even a single week of school could feel endless.
Looking back on 2016, Kai highlighted how different that competitive strategy was compared to earlier in his career. For many years, like most top-tier Mr. Olympia contenders, Kai focused almost exclusively on one show per year. That approach allowed maximum time for refinement, recovery, and adjustment.
In 2016, however, Kai recognized a rare opportunity. Competing in the Arnold Classic U.S., Australia, and Brazil in quick succession presented a completely different challenge.
There was no long offseason to retool after a loss. No extended window to adjust conditioning, size, or presentation.
“You’re only as good as your last show,” Kai explained.
If that run of competitions ended poorly, it would not be remembered as an ambitious experiment. It would be remembered as a failure. Adding to the pressure was the fact that the lineups were stacked with elite competitors who posed very real threats at each stop.
Despite the risks, Kai embraced the challenge, viewing it as a test of consistency, discipline, and mental resilience.
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Has the Arnold Classic Reached Out to Kai Greene?
Vlad followed up by asking whether the Arnold Classic organization had reached out to Kai in the past decade to invite him back. The Arnold Classic is an invite-only event, meaning athletes do not qualify through points or placements.
Kai answered plainly: they have not reached out.
That led to the natural next question. If the Arnold Classic did extend an invitation, would Kai consider competing again?
Kai stopped short of giving a definitive yes or no. He reminded listeners that he never officially announced his retirement from bodybuilding.
Because of that, he said, the idea of competing again is always a possibility.
If Kai Greene Competed Again, How Long Would Prep Take?
Another key topic was preparation. If Kai Greene were to return to the stage, how long would it realistically take to be stage ready?
Kai said he believes he could reach stage condition relatively quickly. However, being stage ready and being competitive at the highest level are two very different things.
If he had to estimate, Kai said it would likely take eight to ten months of focused preparation to feel confident standing next to today’s elite.
When asked whether he would feel confident locking in a victory at the Mr. Olympia or Arnold Classic, Kai was humble and direct. He said he would never assume a major title was guaranteed, especially given the current generation of champions.
He acknowledged the immense talent of younger competitors and said it would be foolish to assume he could easily surpass them.
Lightning Round: Training, Film, and Legendary Gym Feats
Bigger Arms: Training Frequency and Exercises
When asked about building bigger arms, Kai Greene emphasized intensity over rigid formulas. There are many ways to train arms, he said, but the key is to truly push them to their limits.
“Beat them the hell up,” Kai said, explaining that deep soreness helps athletes learn how to feel the muscle and develop a stronger mind-muscle connection.
For biceps, Kai highlighted three staple exercises:
- Preacher curls
- Hammer curls
- Straight bar curls
For triceps, his go-to movements included:
- Overhead triceps extensions
- Nose breakers
The Movie College Debts
Kai Greene was also asked about the film College Debts, which featured him alongside Toney Freeman.
Kai recalled auditioning for the project under a different name and being surprised when it was eventually released as College Debts. After filming, the movie sat in post-production for an extended period before finally being released.
In the film, Kai played a bouncer and dancer.
The Heaviest Curl of Kai Greene’s Career
Finally, Kai Greene addressed one of bodybuilding’s most enduring questions: the heaviest weight he has ever curled.
As a young lifter, Kai remembered being amazed by men in his gym curling 315 pounds. That image stayed with him and fueled a long-standing goal.
While he ultimately does not believe he ever successfully curled 315 pounds, Kai said he did curl up to 225 pounds. He admitted that he may have attempted a 315-pound curl at some point, but looking back, he called it a foolish move that could have easily resulted in serious injury.
Wrap Up
This episode of the Kai Greene Effect offered a wide-ranging look at strength sports past, present, and future. From Hafthor Bjornsson’s historic deadlift ambitions at the Enhanced Games to Kai Greene’s reflections on time, competition, and personal standards, the conversation felt grounded and honest.
Rather than chasing hype, Kai approached every topic with perspective earned through decades at the highest level. For fans of bodybuilding, strongman, and strength culture as a whole, the episode served as both a history lesson and a reminder that true greatness is built on discipline, humility, and a willingness to embrace challenge.
