Phil Heath questions reasons to return to bodybuilding, discusses the state of Men’s Open.
Phil Heath is one of the all-time great bodybuilders. His overall knowledge of fitness tactics allowed him build a physique that won many championships on stage. In retirement, he has kept up with the happenings in bodybuilding and recently discussed the Men’s Open division.
Heath totaled seven Olympia titles over the course of his career. Just like Ronnie and Jay, Phil Heath had an intense rivalry with Kai Greene. In 2020, he stepped on stage for the what seems to be the final time, but has been active in the gym ever since. During the 2020 show, Heath finished third and fans have been waiting for his return ever since. As of now, Heath is tied with Schwarzenegger with seven Olympia victories.
Many have waited for Heath to return in search of that eighth title that will tie him with Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney for the most all-time. There is no plan as of now for Heath to return and he might not at all.
“Recovery is just, you know, it was painful for me. I could still come back now. Yeah I could but, it’s just what f*cking for? Some things you just have to let go.”
Heath was able to maintain his elite physique due to a workout and diet plan that he knew would work for his body.
“If you lived in this body, you would be like ‘yeah because of the fact that I know what modalities work.’ I know what medications work as well. I have the data to prove what works.
You got to have an end at some point. You have got to say goodbye and that’s where I feel like a lot of athletes, especially in bodybuilding, they don’t know when.”
Phil Heath Discusses Men’s Open Division
There has been many opinions thrown around since Arnold Schwarzenegger shared that he would increase his prize money to $500,000 at his event. The Men’s Open division remains the money maker in bodybuilding and prizes reflect it.
“Arnold put up $200,000 extra for Open so it ain’t dying. Open is still the king. It will be. Case and point, if you took CBum out of it, would you still have the excitement?”
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Heath commented on Hadi Choopan’s physique over the last month and believes that the rematch with Derek Lunsford will be one to watch.
“Hadi Choopan looked sick. I think him and Derek are going to. I’m very excited for the 60th let’s put it that way.”
Finally, bodybuilding has come into the new age where cameras catch competitors in many ways. This allows them to make incredible improvements by seeing their physiques in many ways.
“It makes the competitors better. Who knows if it makes them more depressed or not or more narcissistic, you know, because you got to be a little bit crazy to just accept that reality of people always freeze framing your sh*t.”
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