Six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates is raising concerns about one of the sport’s most controversial topics. Yates warns site enhancement oils like Synthol are hurting bodybuilding and believes substances such as Synthol and PMMA are changing the look of competitors in ways that undermine the sport’s credibility. He says the issue should be addressed before it becomes too widespread to contain.
Speaking in a recent YouTube interview with Thomas DeLauer, Yates argued that bodybuilding should continue to reward muscle built through years of training, nutrition, and discipline, not cosmetic enhancements that alter a physique’s shape.
Yates Says Artificial Fullness is Replacing Muscle Quality
Yates built his legendary reputation during the 1990s with an unmatched combination of density, conditioning, and grainy muscle detail. During his six consecutive Mr. Olympia victories from 1992-1997, he defeated elite competitors such as Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, and Nasser El Sonbaty while helping redefine the standard for mass and conditioning.
Looking at today’s physiques, however, Yates believes some athletes are sacrificing muscle quality for artificial fullness.
“There was a rule in the IFBB that you can’t have implants. Makes sense, otherwise we’d turn it into a cosmetic contest if that was the case,” Yates explained.
While noting he had not personally verified whether the rule still exists, he said he has been told it is no longer included in the rulebook.
He pointed to physiques that appear unusually full but lack the separation and detail that once defined championship bodybuilding.
“Apparently now, people are using oil, like site injection, Synthol, right? But apparently, now, there’s another substance that’s permanent… That explains a lot.”
According to Yates, the result is muscles that appear swollen rather than naturally developed.
“You got guys with lumps and bumps all over them. I’m not going to name names, but one guy got golf balls here, golf balls there… the muscles are very full but there’s no detail in there.”
The Generation Iron podcast discussed the growing use of artificial muscle in bodybuilding, which you can check out here:
‘This Needs to Stop Right Now’
Yates didn’t hide his feelings on the subject, arguing that permanent fillers represent a line the sport should not cross.
“This is another level. In my opinion, this needs to stop right now.”
He also questioned the unknown long-term health effects associated with injecting permanent materials into muscle tissue.
“So if people are going to start basically, it’s an injectable implant, it’s a permanent thing, and who knows the long-term implications of this.”
Yates believes bodybuilding already faces criticism from outsiders who argue that performance-enhancing drugs diminish the sport. Allowing cosmetic injections to reshape muscles, he says, only fuels those arguments.
“Bodybuilding gets enough criticism anyway, that it’s not really a sport… But if it’s going to become where you can enhance your muscles with oil or something more permanent, then yeah… it’s becoming not a sport.”
What Is PMMA?
One of the substances Yates specifically mentioned was PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), a permanent injectable filler that has been used in cosmetic procedures in some parts of the world. Unlike traditional site enhancement oils such as Synthol, PMMA is intended to create long-lasting volume rather than temporary swelling.
Yates said the growing discussion surrounding PMMA raises questions about where bodybuilding should draw the line between physique enhancement and cosmetic modification.
“PMMA is what it’s called now… Is it a sport now, or are we allowed to put substances in there to change the shape and everything? I think this needs to be addressed in the sport before it gets out of hand.”
Phil Heath Has Raised Similar Concerns
Yates is not the only former Mr. Olympia to speak out about declining muscle quality in modern bodybuilding.
Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath recently argued that competitors from his era displayed more authentic muscle maturity and conditioning, suggesting that excessive site enhancement use has become more noticeable in today’s Men’s Open division.
The discussion has sparked renewed debate among fans over whether judging standards should place greater emphasis on natural muscle shape, symmetry, and separation while penalizing physiques that show obvious signs of artificial enhancement.
Synthol: A Debate That Isn’t Going Away
The use of site enhancement oils has been a controversial subject in bodybuilding for decades, but Yates believes permanent fillers have elevated the conversation to a different level. While subtle use can be difficult to detect, he argues that obvious cosmetic alterations risk damaging both the image and competitive integrity of bodybuilding.
Whether the IFBB Pro League eventually addresses the issue through judging standards or updated rules remains to be seen. For now, Yates is making it clear where he stands: bodybuilding should continue rewarding physiques built through training and hard work rather than cosmetic injections.
Image embed via YouTube @thomasdelauerofficial
