Flex Lewis Fires Back at 212 Bodybuilding Critics: <\/strong>Seven-time Champion Says Disrespect Toward Division Ignores Its Depth<\/strong><\/h2>\nFlex Lewis<\/strong><\/a> has heard enough of the disrespect aimed at the Men\u2019s 212 division. The seven-time <\/strong>212 Olympia<\/strong><\/a> champion fired back at critics who have labeled the division a \u201chandicapped\u201d version of Men\u2019s Open bodybuilding<\/strong>. Lewis defended the class that helped make him one of the sport\u2019s biggest stars and argued that its importance extends far beyond his own legacy.<\/p>\n\u201cThere\u2019s a different kind of anger when you disrespect a division I damn near died to win and defend,\u201d Lewis wrote in an August 8 Instagram post. \u201cDisrespect the 212 and I\u2019m going to speak on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flex Lewis Takes Aim at \u201cHandicapped\u201d 212 Claim<\/strong><\/h2>\nLewis addressed the criticism during a lengthy video response. He immediately took issue with describing 212 bodybuilding as a lesser or restricted version of the Open.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s been brought to my attention that a bunch of sausages in their mom\u2019s basement, shooting a podcast, want to talk shit about the 212 class, calling it a handicapped class.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
For Lewis, the terminology itself crossed a line.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to revisit the handicapped [statement], such a disrespectful comment,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n
Few people are more qualified to defend the division.<\/p>\n
Lewis won seven consecutive 212 Olympia championships from 2012 through 2018. His run established him as arguably the greatest competitor in the division\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Along the way, Lewis defeated some of the best 212 bodybuilders ever, including Jose Raymond<\/a>, Shaun Clarida<\/a> and a young Derek Lunsford<\/a>.<\/p>\nLewis Pushes Back on 212 Olympia Prize Money Argument<\/strong><\/h2>\nLewis also disputed the suggestion that the Olympia<\/a> has reduced its investment in the division by cutting its championship prize money.<\/p>\nAccording to Lewis, the winner\u2019s payout simply hasn\u2019t grown.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou said the Olympia reduced the 212 prize money; no, it hasn\u2019t. It hasn\u2019t increased and it hasn\u2019t decreased. It\u2019s been $50,000 since 2023 to 2025. Frozen isn\u2019t reduced. Words matter when you\u2019re pretending to use facts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean Lewis is satisfied with the current purse.<\/p>\n
He believes the 212 Olympia champion should earn more. Lewis pointed to the widening gap between the division and Men\u2019s Open bodybuilding as evidence that 212 competitors deserve a bigger payday.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould it increase? Absolutely,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cI am one who advocated for that, and in my era, it increased.\u201d<\/p>\n
His larger point was simple: prize money and competitive value are not the same thing.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDon\u2019t confuse less money invested with less value produced.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Flex Lewis Points to Derek Lunsford as Proof the 212 Works<\/strong><\/h2>\nPerhaps Lewis\u2019 strongest argument centered around Derek Lunsford.<\/p>\n
Lunsford won the 2021 212 Olympia<\/a> before eventually moving into the Men\u2019s Open division. Two years later, he captured the 2023 Mr. Olympia<\/a> title and became the first athlete to win Olympia championships in two different bodybuilding divisions.<\/p>\nTo Lewis, Lunsford\u2019s journey is proof that the 212 can serve as an elite competitive destination while also developing athletes capable of succeeding at the highest level of the Open.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDerek didn\u2019t bypass the 212, he was built by it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lewis continued:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDerek Lunsford, 212 Mr. Olympia in 2021. Mr. Olympia in 2023, first athlete to win two weight divisions. Doesn\u2019t that go to show how unnecessary or necessary in my world it is? It just produces Mr. Olympia champions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lunsford isn\u2019t the only example of the division\u2019s elite talent.<\/p>\n
Shaun Clarida has won multiple 212 Olympia titles while also successfully competing against much larger bodybuilders in the Open. Lewis argued that this crossover ability doesn\u2019t make the 212 unnecessary. If anything, it demonstrates just how talented its top competitors are.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can win an Open show and still get beaten in the 212 this year by Keone,\u201d Lewis said, referring to reigning 212 Olympia champion Keone Pearson. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t weaken the argument. It just proves how deep and competitive this class really is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a Class for Everyone\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe existence of weight classes is hardly unique to bodybuilding.<\/p>\n
Lewis compared the 212 to lighter weight divisions in other sports. A champion competing at 135 pounds in boxing or MMA isn\u2019t viewed as a lesser athlete simply because heavier divisions exist.<\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t see why bodybuilding should be any different.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where your whole handicapped argument falls apart,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cA 135 champion [in other sports] isn\u2019t looked at as handicapped. Only in bodybuilding do you look down to a person with height and weight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a class for everyone; that\u2019s why these divisions were created.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not everyone agrees.<\/p>\n
Bodybuilding legend Lee Priest<\/a> has previously questioned whether the 212 division is necessary. Priest competed successfully against much larger bodybuilders during an era when shorter athletes had fewer options at the professional level.<\/p>\nLewis clearly sees things differently.<\/p>\n
For him, 212 bodybuilding isn\u2019t a consolation prize for athletes who can\u2019t hang with the Open. It is its own elite division, one that helped create his legacy and provided a path for athletes such as Lunsford, Clarida and Pearson<\/a> to become major stars.<\/p>\nImage embed via Instagram<\/em> @flex_lewis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a different kind of anger when you disrespect a division I damn near died to win and defend,\u201d Lewis wrote in an August 8 Instagram post. \u201cDisrespect the 212 and I\u2019m going to speak on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flex Lewis Takes Aim at \u201cHandicapped\u201d 212 Claim<\/strong><\/h2>\nLewis addressed the criticism during a lengthy video response. He immediately took issue with describing 212 bodybuilding as a lesser or restricted version of the Open.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s been brought to my attention that a bunch of sausages in their mom\u2019s basement, shooting a podcast, want to talk shit about the 212 class, calling it a handicapped class.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
For Lewis, the terminology itself crossed a line.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to revisit the handicapped [statement], such a disrespectful comment,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n
Few people are more qualified to defend the division.<\/p>\n
Lewis won seven consecutive 212 Olympia championships from 2012 through 2018. His run established him as arguably the greatest competitor in the division\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Along the way, Lewis defeated some of the best 212 bodybuilders ever, including Jose Raymond<\/a>, Shaun Clarida<\/a> and a young Derek Lunsford<\/a>.<\/p>\nLewis Pushes Back on 212 Olympia Prize Money Argument<\/strong><\/h2>\nLewis also disputed the suggestion that the Olympia<\/a> has reduced its investment in the division by cutting its championship prize money.<\/p>\nAccording to Lewis, the winner\u2019s payout simply hasn\u2019t grown.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou said the Olympia reduced the 212 prize money; no, it hasn\u2019t. It hasn\u2019t increased and it hasn\u2019t decreased. It\u2019s been $50,000 since 2023 to 2025. Frozen isn\u2019t reduced. Words matter when you\u2019re pretending to use facts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean Lewis is satisfied with the current purse.<\/p>\n
He believes the 212 Olympia champion should earn more. Lewis pointed to the widening gap between the division and Men\u2019s Open bodybuilding as evidence that 212 competitors deserve a bigger payday.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould it increase? Absolutely,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cI am one who advocated for that, and in my era, it increased.\u201d<\/p>\n
His larger point was simple: prize money and competitive value are not the same thing.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDon\u2019t confuse less money invested with less value produced.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Flex Lewis Points to Derek Lunsford as Proof the 212 Works<\/strong><\/h2>\nPerhaps Lewis\u2019 strongest argument centered around Derek Lunsford.<\/p>\n
Lunsford won the 2021 212 Olympia<\/a> before eventually moving into the Men\u2019s Open division. Two years later, he captured the 2023 Mr. Olympia<\/a> title and became the first athlete to win Olympia championships in two different bodybuilding divisions.<\/p>\nTo Lewis, Lunsford\u2019s journey is proof that the 212 can serve as an elite competitive destination while also developing athletes capable of succeeding at the highest level of the Open.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDerek didn\u2019t bypass the 212, he was built by it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lewis continued:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDerek Lunsford, 212 Mr. Olympia in 2021. Mr. Olympia in 2023, first athlete to win two weight divisions. Doesn\u2019t that go to show how unnecessary or necessary in my world it is? It just produces Mr. Olympia champions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lunsford isn\u2019t the only example of the division\u2019s elite talent.<\/p>\n
Shaun Clarida has won multiple 212 Olympia titles while also successfully competing against much larger bodybuilders in the Open. Lewis argued that this crossover ability doesn\u2019t make the 212 unnecessary. If anything, it demonstrates just how talented its top competitors are.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can win an Open show and still get beaten in the 212 this year by Keone,\u201d Lewis said, referring to reigning 212 Olympia champion Keone Pearson. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t weaken the argument. It just proves how deep and competitive this class really is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a Class for Everyone\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe existence of weight classes is hardly unique to bodybuilding.<\/p>\n
Lewis compared the 212 to lighter weight divisions in other sports. A champion competing at 135 pounds in boxing or MMA isn\u2019t viewed as a lesser athlete simply because heavier divisions exist.<\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t see why bodybuilding should be any different.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where your whole handicapped argument falls apart,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cA 135 champion [in other sports] isn\u2019t looked at as handicapped. Only in bodybuilding do you look down to a person with height and weight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a class for everyone; that\u2019s why these divisions were created.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not everyone agrees.<\/p>\n
Bodybuilding legend Lee Priest<\/a> has previously questioned whether the 212 division is necessary. Priest competed successfully against much larger bodybuilders during an era when shorter athletes had fewer options at the professional level.<\/p>\nLewis clearly sees things differently.<\/p>\n
For him, 212 bodybuilding isn\u2019t a consolation prize for athletes who can\u2019t hang with the Open. It is its own elite division, one that helped create his legacy and provided a path for athletes such as Lunsford, Clarida and Pearson<\/a> to become major stars.<\/p>\nImage embed via Instagram<\/em> @flex_lewis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s been brought to my attention that a bunch of sausages in their mom\u2019s basement, shooting a podcast, want to talk shit about the 212 class, calling it a handicapped class.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
For Lewis, the terminology itself crossed a line.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to revisit the handicapped [statement], such a disrespectful comment,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n
Few people are more qualified to defend the division.<\/p>\n
Lewis won seven consecutive 212 Olympia championships from 2012 through 2018. His run established him as arguably the greatest competitor in the division\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Along the way, Lewis defeated some of the best 212 bodybuilders ever, including Jose Raymond<\/a>, Shaun Clarida<\/a> and a young Derek Lunsford<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Lewis Pushes Back on 212 Olympia Prize Money Argument<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Lewis also disputed the suggestion that the Olympia<\/a> has reduced its investment in the division by cutting its championship prize money.<\/p>\n
According to Lewis, the winner\u2019s payout simply hasn\u2019t grown.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou said the Olympia reduced the 212 prize money; no, it hasn\u2019t. It hasn\u2019t increased and it hasn\u2019t decreased. It\u2019s been $50,000 since 2023 to 2025. Frozen isn\u2019t reduced. Words matter when you\u2019re pretending to use facts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean Lewis is satisfied with the current purse.<\/p>\n
He believes the 212 Olympia champion should earn more. Lewis pointed to the widening gap between the division and Men\u2019s Open bodybuilding as evidence that 212 competitors deserve a bigger payday.<\/p>\n
\n \u201cShould it increase? Absolutely,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cI am one who advocated for that, and in my era, it increased.\u201d<\/p>\n
His larger point was simple: prize money and competitive value are not the same thing.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDon\u2019t confuse less money invested with less value produced.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Flex Lewis Points to Derek Lunsford as Proof the 212 Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Perhaps Lewis\u2019 strongest argument centered around Derek Lunsford.<\/p>\n
Lunsford won the 2021 212 Olympia<\/a> before eventually moving into the Men\u2019s Open division. Two years later, he captured the 2023 Mr. Olympia<\/a> title and became the first athlete to win Olympia championships in two different bodybuilding divisions.<\/p>\n
To Lewis, Lunsford\u2019s journey is proof that the 212 can serve as an elite competitive destination while also developing athletes capable of succeeding at the highest level of the Open.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDerek didn\u2019t bypass the 212, he was built by it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lewis continued:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDerek Lunsford, 212 Mr. Olympia in 2021. Mr. Olympia in 2023, first athlete to win two weight divisions. Doesn\u2019t that go to show how unnecessary or necessary in my world it is? It just produces Mr. Olympia champions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lunsford isn\u2019t the only example of the division\u2019s elite talent.<\/p>\n
Shaun Clarida has won multiple 212 Olympia titles while also successfully competing against much larger bodybuilders in the Open. Lewis argued that this crossover ability doesn\u2019t make the 212 unnecessary. If anything, it demonstrates just how talented its top competitors are.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can win an Open show and still get beaten in the 212 this year by Keone,\u201d Lewis said, referring to reigning 212 Olympia champion Keone Pearson. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t weaken the argument. It just proves how deep and competitive this class really is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a Class for Everyone\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The existence of weight classes is hardly unique to bodybuilding.<\/p>\n
Lewis compared the 212 to lighter weight divisions in other sports. A champion competing at 135 pounds in boxing or MMA isn\u2019t viewed as a lesser athlete simply because heavier divisions exist.<\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t see why bodybuilding should be any different.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where your whole handicapped argument falls apart,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cA 135 champion [in other sports] isn\u2019t looked at as handicapped. Only in bodybuilding do you look down to a person with height and weight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a class for everyone; that\u2019s why these divisions were created.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not everyone agrees.<\/p>\n
\n Bodybuilding legend Lee Priest<\/a> has previously questioned whether the 212 division is necessary. Priest competed successfully against much larger bodybuilders during an era when shorter athletes had fewer options at the professional level.<\/p>\n
Lewis clearly sees things differently.<\/p>\n
For him, 212 bodybuilding isn\u2019t a consolation prize for athletes who can\u2019t hang with the Open. It is its own elite division, one that helped create his legacy and provided a path for athletes such as Lunsford, Clarida and Pearson<\/a> to become major stars.<\/p>\n
Image embed via Instagram<\/em> @flex_lewis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n