When an NFL or NBA nice retires, you in all probability received’t see them strap on the pads or enter a dunk contest once more. However bodybuilders are totally different — even after calling it quits, lots of them can nonetheless be seen of their favourite gyms day in and day trip in a unending quest to take care of their world-class physiques.
Whereas loads of bodybuilders look stage-worthy years (and even a long time) after stepping away from the game, these 11 rivals stand out from the pack.
Robby Robinson
Robby Robinson received his fair proportion of bodybuilding titles within the Nineteen Seventies, together with the trifecta of Mr. World, Mr. Universe, and Mr. America. And he nonetheless seems to be like he may take the stage at a second’s discover.
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Robinson often takes to social media to indicate off his ripped physique — and whereas he’s not as massive as he was when he received the primary Masters Olympia in 1994, he’s definitely a sight to behold effectively into his 70s.
Phil Heath
Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath is named “The Present” for his unbelievable measurement and symmetry, which garnered him essentially the most coveted title in bodybuilding from 2011-17. He stays a beacon of jacked-ness even after his retirement from the aggressive stage in 2020.
Heath’s huge arms, delts, and high quality again double-biceps pose are a pinnacle illustration of the game to this present day, a lot in order that the now Olympia commentator routinely teases a comeback. Although the International Sports Hall of Fame member has confirmed that the Masters Olympia shouldn’t be in his future, Heath is undoubtedly one of many all-time greats, no matter whether or not he returns to the stage or not.
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Jay Cutler
4-time Mr. Olympia and three-time Arnold Classic champion Jay Cutler isn’t simply one of the crucial profitable bodybuilders of the twenty first century — he’s additionally a fantastic ambassador for the game as an entire.
Cutler’s closing competitors was the 2013 Olympia, the place he positioned sixth. Since then, he has slimmed down whereas sustaining a chiseled look. He commonly trains in his residence metropolis of Las Vegas, utilizing routines much like these he relied upon in his aggressive years. Better of all, he shares his coaching habits on YouTube for followers to observe.
Lee Labrada
Most youthful bodybuilding followers possible know Lee Labrada as the daddy of present Olympia competitor Hunter Labrada. However Lee was a famous person in his heyday, profitable the Mr. Universe competitors in 1985 and putting within the prime 4 on the Mr. Olympia seven years in a row from 1987 to 1993.
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Labrada was additionally recognized for top-notch posing and definition, which he often shows on Instagram. One instance seen above was from December 2024, when he confirmed that he nonetheless has a pair of arms that would wow the judges. The form and definition communicate for themselves.
Jose Raymond
“The Boston Mass” was a dominant drive within the 212 division all through the 2010s, highlighted by victories on the New York Pro in 2013 and Arnold Traditional in 2015. He additionally positioned effectively at numerous Olympias, together with a second-place end in 2015.
Raymond hung it up in 2018 after putting fifth on the 212 Olympia, which was received by Flex Lewis. There have been rumors of a comeback in 2021, however they by no means materialized. He nonetheless works out at gyms within the Boston space and appears practically as beefy as ever.
Wealthy Gaspari
After putting second on the Mr. Olympia to Lee Haney from 1986 to 1988, Rich Gaspari lastly broke by way of by profitable the primary Arnold Traditional in 1989 in Columbus, Ohio. The competition aired on NBC with Schwarzenegger himself on commentary, offering Gaspari a fair bigger platform to indicate off his abilities.
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Gaspari retired from competitors in 1996 and launched his complement firm, Gaspari Diet, shortly after. He hasn’t eased up a lot within the fitness center, although, and even in his 60s, he’s relentless about his health. Simply take a look at him rip by way of a set of lateral raises within the video above.
Dexter Jackson
Bodybuilder Dexter Jackson turned professional in 1998 and racked up an astonishing 29 wins earlier than calling it a profession in 2020. That’s essentially the most victories for any male competitor ever, with the spotlight coming in 2008 when he took the Mr. Olympia crown from Jay Cutler.
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Jackson is in his 50s now and infrequently shares physique updates on social media. A latest coaching clip verified that he nonetheless has the standard muscle that helped him safe his record-setting 5 Arnold Traditional wins.
Kai Greene
No, Kai Greene hasn’t formally ended his onstage profession as of this text’s publication — however he hasn’t competed since 2016, so he earned a spot right here for now. And even in his late 40s, each muscular physique replace Greene posts generates extra hypothesis about whether or not he has another run left in him.
Whereas we await a definitive reply to these comeback rumblings, Greene has been busy utilizing his distinctive look and charisma to land appearing components in sequence like Stranger Issues. Even when he by no means seems on stage once more, Greene definitely isn’t slowing down.
Department Warren
In contrast to Greene, 2009 Mr. Olympia runner-up Branch Warren formally introduced his retirement years in the past. However very like Greene, he nonetheless trains as if he’s six weeks out from a present. The physique he has proper now could be completely unbelievable, with measurement that’s akin to his prime. Test it out beneath:
That grainy and dense muscle received’t go away anytime quickly if he retains pushing himself within the fitness center.
Johnnie Jackson
Bodybuilder Johnnie Jackson’s highly effective higher physique propelled him to wins on the Arnold Traditional South Africa and Toronto Professional in 2017 whereas he was in his mid-40s. Even now that he’s in his 50s, he nonetheless touts some huge delts and a large back that would rating excessive marks from judges.
Jackson is understood to coach with Warren, so the retired duo possible pushes one another to remain on prime of their recreation. He might not be on stage these days, however Jackson isn’t letting his measurement go to waste.
Iris Kyle
It isn’t simply the boys who keep jacked after competing. Ten-time Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle received her closing title earlier than retiring in 2014. And since then, she’s stayed concerned within the health world as a fitness center proprietor and coach.
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Kyle supposed to return to Ms. Olympia in 2020, however a sudden sickness pressured her to withdraw. She had left the door open to come back again sooner or later, however she hasn’t returned but, regardless of nonetheless trying primed for the stage.
Featured Photos: @theofficiallouferrigno and @mrolympia08 on Instagram