Chasing History, Phil Heath Wins the 2016 Mr. Olympia
PHIL HEATH’S REIGN ATOP THE BODYBUILDING WORLD WAS NEVER IN DANGER.
Not this time, not after he locked in his rear double biceps. And yet this Mr. Olympia was, from top to near the bottom, one of the strongest of all time. Numerous competitors were at their peak, leading to a furious free-for-all for the remaining top-10 slots. It was Ultimate Nutrition presents Joe Weider’s 2016 Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend brought to you by Amazon Sports Nutrition, and, from the emergence of new contenders to The Rock’s exciting announcement about next year’s contest to the Gift climbing ever closer to the ultimate record, the future of bodybuilding is looking as bright as the Las Vegas Strip.
YOU MAD, BRO?
Let’s talk about boredom. Let’s talk about the who-gives-a-crap malaise that can cloud a long reign of domination—Lee Haney pummeling another middleweight during his eight years on top, Sergio Oliva (in ’68) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (in ’71) living so large no one else even dared to show up, Ronnie Coleman at three bills, too much to touch. And now we have Phil Heath, and legions of bodybuilding fans are yawning. They weren’t when it was Heath versus Jay Cutler or Kai Greene versus Heath, but now that the Gift’s not dueling with his mentor or his fierce and oh-so-bitter rival, who’s going to make this interesting?
This story is from the December 2016 edition of Flex.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2016 edition of Flex.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
authoritative arnold
the no-fuss guide to some of the oak’s best sandow-winning methodologies, all in one convenient place
protein prescription
six factors that affect your protein requirements
winter mass makeover
in winter mass part 2, we give you a muscle makeover with targeted body-part troubleshooting!
Compounded Interest
The collective power of compound exercises.
After The O
The post-O tour and the champ’s visit down under.
Structure
Family time, Kevin Levrone, and thoughts about the Vegas shooting.
The Great Indoors
HOW DOES THE CHAMP PREFER TO SPEND HIS FREE TIME?
Squat Less?
You Don't Need The So-called King Of Exercises To Build Tree Trunks.
Olympia Win, Take 7
Following a Seventh Mr. Olympia Victory— Tying Him With the “goat,” Arnold Schwarzenegger— Phil Heath Put His Win in Historical Perspective as Only He Can.
Under Pressure
My Reflections on Finishing Seventh at the Mr. Olympia— and What I Will Do to Break Into the Top Five.
