{"id":20004,"date":"2026-05-13T00:57:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T00:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=20004"},"modified":"2026-05-13T00:57:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T00:57:05","slug":"phil-heath-says-his-era-had-real-muscle-calls-out-site-enhancement-oil-use-in-bodybuilding-today-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=20004","title":{"rendered":"Phil Heath Says His Era Had ‘Real Muscle,’ Calls Out Site Enhancement Oil Use in Bodybuilding Today \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Phil Heath is questioning the quality of physiques in modern bodybuilding. In an Instagram post from May 12, 2026, he shared that his era boasted real muscle, whereas today, he argued competitors have turned to site enhancement oils (SEOs).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

From 2011 to 2017, Phil Heath<\/a> dominated the sport with 3D muscle volume and conditioning. Before stepping away from the stage, he amassed seven Mr. Olympia titles, tied with bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a>. Times have changed, and according to \u201cThe Gift,\u201d today\u2019s physiques are coming up short.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Mamdouh \u201cBig Ramy\u201d Elssbiay<\/a> was competing actively, speculation about his use of SEOs gained traction. This came after fans and bodybuilders took notice of his dented quads<\/a> onstage, which some thought was apparent when he lost the 2022 Mr. Olympia against Hadi Choopan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Heath is not the first to tackle this controversy. Suspected oil use has long affected the sport, with some, like Flex Wheeler, calling it the single-biggest mistake of his career<\/a>. The issue has been persistent. Following the 2025 Mr. Olympia, athletes were accused of using SEOs or PMMA, including reigning champs Derek Lunsford<\/a> and Natalia Coelho.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Phil Heath Believes His Era Had \u2018Real Muscle,\u2019 Takes Aim at Site Enhancement Oil Use in Today\u2019s Landscape\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the Instagram post, Heath emphasized that his era showcased real muscle. He pointed out that striations were more visible when he competed, and said some competitors today appear to have dents in their muscle tissue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re the best 46-year-olds in the world, with that real muscle. None of that oil. Ain\u2019t none of them dents in the physique. You can actually see the striations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cChris [Cormier], you already know, dog, let\u2019s call it what it is. You ain\u2019t ever going to see two 46-year-olds look like this with the real muscle, not the real oil. Only oil we got is from the man above. We had that blessing oil, that\u2019s it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

During the height of his career, Heath added that competitors didn\u2019t use SEOs in their calves or quads.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cNone of that oil in the calves, not that oil in the quads, ain\u2019t no dents in the quads, only separation,\u201d explained<\/a> Phil Heath.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In addition to Heath, Shawn Ray recently called out SEO use in today\u2019s Men\u2019s Open class. He argued that they are ruining striations<\/a> and threatening the integrity of the sport:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe have nowhere to go. Either Men\u2019s Bodybuilding is going to strive and survive, or it\u2019s going to go the way of the eight-track, the way of the cassette tape, the way of the pay phone.<\/p>\n

There are not going to be a lot of people left. If you leave the bodybuilders to their own devices to cannibalize the sport, we can\u2019t ill afford one of our champions to go down for the count.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bodybuilding will continue to adapt and evolve as the years go by. Above all else, Heath wants to see legitimate muscle and quality physiques dominate the stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0\u2018Brazilian Popeye\u2019 Arlindo de Souza, Known for Synthol Use in Biceps, Passes Away at 51<\/a><\/p>\n\n