Kai Greene discusses his top favorite gyms, if there is a future for him and Phil Heath, and what he really needs to return to competing
In the latest episode of The Kai Greene Effect podcast, legendary bodybuilder Kai Greene answers a simple but layered question: “What’s your favorite gym of all time?” For someone like Kai—an athlete who’s spent decades pushing his limits across the globe—this question isn’t just about equipment or location. It’s about mindset, discipline, timing, and evolution.
Here’s a detailed recap of the episode, breaking down Kai’s top gym picks, his philosophies on training environments, and an engaging fan Q&A lightning round that dives into everything from dance to a potential return to the stage.
Topics discussed:
- Kai Greene’s top 3 favorite gyms of all time.
- Kai reflects on duo posing routine with Dana Linn Bailey.
- Where did Kai learn to dance?
- What would it take for Kai to return to the stage for real?
- Kai answers: Did you need to be a Weider athlete to win the Mr. Olympia?
What Makes a Gym Great?
Kai Greene kicks things off by acknowledging that the “best gym” can’t be pinned to one universal standard. What makes a gym meaningful depends on where you are in life and what you need from it. For Kai, it’s less about luxury or hype, and more about whether the gym allows you to focus—truly focus—on the work.
“At different times in your life, you need different things. But what’s always been important is having a space where I can zone in. No distractions. No social media antics. No one interrupting your process.”
This no-nonsense approach cuts to the core of what many lifters feel today—gyms have become performative. With phones out, ring lights up, and clout-chasing rampant, Kai emphasizes that a true gym should be a sanctuary, not a stage.
Kai Greene’s Top 3 Favorite Gyms of All Time
So where does someone like Kai Greene—who’s trained in hundreds of gyms worldwide—actually call home? While his answer leans into his current daily grind, he pays tribute to the iconic and the foundational.
1. Wolf’s Gym – Boca Raton, Florida
Kai’s current favorite. He trains here daily, and while he admits there could be some recency bias, it’s where he feels aligned with his purpose right now.
“Right now, I’m in Wolf’s Gym every day. I feel good there. The vibe is right for what I need at this moment.”
It’s not just about the weights or the machines—it’s about routine, energy, and emotional clarity. For Kai, Wolf’s Gym gives him space to breathe, think, and train hard without distraction.
2. Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym – Long Island, New York
Also known as the East Coast Mecca, this is a historic gym in the world of hardcore bodybuilding. Kai doesn’t just respect this place—he honors it. Literally.
“I gave one of my Arnold Classic trophies to Bev’s Gym to put on display. It’s there to inspire the next generation.”
The gym has been a launchpad for champions and a gathering place for serious lifters. It’s earned its status as iconic, and Kai’s connection to it is emotional and symbolic.
3. 5th Avenue Gym – New York City
A nod to Kai’s earlier training days, 5th Ave Gym rounds out his top three. It represents grit and the kind of old-school hustle that shaped his early mindset. These were the days when he was building not just his physique, but his identity as an athlete and performer.
Your Gym Should Grow With You
One of the most insightful takeaways from the episode is how fluid Kai Greene’s relationship with gyms has been. He points out that your gym “home base” will shift with your career, your location, and your mindset.
“Where you are in life—physically, emotionally, and professionally—will determine what kind of gym you need. It’s not static.”
This perspective speaks directly to lifters who find themselves in new cities, new seasons of life, or shifting priorities. The ideal gym isn’t necessarily the flashiest—it’s the one that meets you where you are and helps you level up.
Fan Q&A Lightning Round
The episode closes with a rapid-fire round of fan questions that reveal even more layers to Kai Greene’s personality, journey, and values.
Q1: The Dana Linn Bailey Posing Routine—How Did It Happen?
Kai Greene recalls this moment as totally spontaneous. He and Dana Linn Bailey were overseas—possibly New Zealand—and while they had no formal plan to do a joint posing routine, the stars aligned.
“Rob [Bailey] had just started performing his music, and he ended up getting asked to perform live at the event… That sparked the idea for Dana and I to guest pose together to his set.”
Kai came prepared with costume ideas and a rough plan, but the magic came from the improvised moment. It wasn’t orchestrated—it was authentic. That spontaneity made it memorable.
Q2: Where Did Kai Learn to Dance?
Despite the precision and fluidity he shows in his posing, Kai Greene never took dance classes. Growing up in the foster care system, he didn’t have access to structured training. And more than that, he didn’t feel safe expressing that part of himself.
“When you’re a young boy in that environment, dance—or anything expressive like that—wasn’t seen as ‘manly.’ It wasn’t safe to be that.”
But dance movies and pop culture planted the seed. Later, when he felt safe and free, Kai let himself move. Dance became both a form of release and artistic expression, and naturally made its way into his posing routines.
RELATED: Full Posing Routine Of Kai Greene In New York Subway
Q3: Would Kai Return to the Stage—And What Would It Take?
Fans are always speculating about a Kai Greene comeback. And Kai’s latest announcement of launching his own supplement company, Pro Am, alongside Rico and Eduardo – also included mention of a “new era” with potential to return to competing.
Kai notes that the time, the effort, the financial cost is a lot. You don’t just show up. It’s six months to a year of commitment. So yes, Kai agrees compensation matters. But he also made sure to point out that it’s about more than that.
When he was younger, he did it all for passion. Competing for free, grinding just to earn recognition. Now, as someone with influence and legacy, he’s earned the right to weigh the costs. Still, he doesn’t say no outright. That door is cracked—if not wide open.
Kai Greene Alludes To Phil Heath Being “Protected” During His Olympia Reign
Of course, while discussion the notion of making a bodybuilding comeback and what it would require – the topic of Phil Heath came up. Would Phil Heath’s presence in a competition be a requirement for Kai Greene? Would he be willing to do a one vs one competition just to prove he can, once and for all, defeat Phil?
Kai not only believes that a one vs one competition special showdown could be interesting – he welcomes it. He claims that he has unfinished business with Phil Health. Specifically alluding to some sort of foul play happening behind the scenes during their prime years of competing against each other.
“I do want to stand there and go toe to toe with this guy [Phil Heath] again. I don’t like the fact that he reflects on times when he was protected. I don’t appreciate hearing him say that publicly.
In fact, there’s a right thinking responsibility, many would say to the athlete, that there are some things you’re not supposed to say publicly about what goes on behind the scenes. But I know that he knows. And if it were possible that what we both know left the question in his mind that he still felt like he wanted to settle – I’ll see him.”
The Controversy: Do You Have to Be a Weider Athlete to Win Mr. Olympia?
Kai Greene responds to a comment Victor Martinez made on the Generation Iron Podcast last week, where Victor claimed that only Weider-sponsored athletes were allowed to win Mr. Olympia. That sparked backlash, but Kai offers a nuanced take.
“I never heard it stated that way, but I’ve lived it. And I respect Victor—he wouldn’t say that without reason.”
Kai acknowledges that fans see the sport from the outside, while athletes like Victor have seen the politics behind the curtain. There are conversations and decisions made in closed rooms that don’t reach the public. While he doesn’t confirm the theory outright, he doesn’t dismiss it either.
Wrap Up
This episode of The Kai Greene Effect shows just how multi-dimensional Kai is. He’s not just a champion bodybuilder—he’s a thinker, a performer, and a reflective human being. Whether he’s talking about gym culture, dance, or competitive politics, his insight is grounded in experience and authenticity.
And if there’s one recurring theme throughout the episode, it’s this: the gym is more than a place—it’s a reflection of where you are and what you need to become.
You can watch the full episode at the top of this article. And be sure to check back every other week for new episodes on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded!
