Arnold Schwarzenegger and Phil Heath enjoyed successful reigns atop the Men’s Open ladder, sharing the same number of Mr. Olympia titles at seven. In a recent Prime Time Muscle podcast, Chris Cormier and judge Terrick El Guindy compared the careers of Schwarzenegger and Heath.
During the 1970s and 80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger solidified his career with a trailblazing physique. He tested himself against legends of the sport such as Franco Columbu, Frank Zane, and Sergio Oliva. In addition to conquering the Olympia stage for seven years, he went on to become an international movie star and the governor of California.
Nearly three decades after Schwarzenegger’s last Mr. Olympia, a young and determined Phil Heath came along. Showcasing bubbly three-dimensional muscle volume, Heath became a dominant champion of his era. Given the accolades of both men, Cormier and El Guindy discussed who might have had the better run on top.
Terrick El Guindy, Chris Cormier Debate Who Was The Best Bodybuilder Between Phil Heath and Arnold Schwarzenegger
El Guindy credited Schwarzenegger for putting the sport ‘on the map,’ but mentioned that he began his career when bodybuilding was still relatively young.
“We’re talking about who is better, obviously one of them is the former governor of California, tremendous movie star, he put bodybuilding on the map. Nobody can deny he was dominant during his era. But, it was the beginning of bodybuilding. It was the beginning.”
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According to El Guindy, Schwarzenegger wasn’t tasked with facing the same depth of talent that Heath encountered during his reign.
“So, it’s not like you had thousands and thousands of people trying to turn Pro, hundreds of great Pros, and 20 mega-superstar Olympias going against Phil Heath. Arnold did not have to fight against a larger pool of great talent.”
El Guindy reflected on some of the names Schwarzenegger defeated during his time as a Mr. Olympia.
“He was iconic. He did beat Lou Ferrigno, Serge Nubret, he did beat Frank Zane and a lot of these guys but Phil Heath went against, yeah correct he did beat Sergio Oliva which is probably his greatest victory. He beat Franco Columbu but Phil Heath defeated Jay Cutler, Mr. Olympia, Kai Greene, one of the greatest of all times, Dennis Wolf, Branch Warren, another Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson, another Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden,” shares Terrick El Guindy.
While El Guindy admits 1973 was Schwarzenegger’s best year, he thought his 1980 Mr. Olympia win was controversial.
“In 1973, which was his best year, he beats Franco Columbu and Serge Nubret. In 1974, he beats Lou Ferrigno and Serge Nubret, now in the light class you had Franco Columbu and Frank Zane. In 1975 is his last title on that sequence,” adds El Guindy.
“But 1980, he wins Australia, controversial, he said himself I was in third place after prejudging.”
El Guindy also brought up that Heath was the first Mr. Olympia who had to deal with fans on social media.
“Phil was the first guy that had direct contact with his fans on the daily basis. I think we have not done justice to Phil Heath. I think Phil got a bad rap for responding to the fans. He got a bad rap for expressing himself. I think he got a bad rap because he wanted to revenge people that were attacking him. The reality is Phil Heath is a really nice guy.”
Chris Cormier believes Heath handled himself appropriately with fans of the sport.
“I think he handled it well being the first one that had to actually go through that. I don’t know how I would have did if people were attacking me daily every time I pick up my phone. Everything I did went damn-near viral. Through the things with his ex-wife and everything, the trials and tribulations, that brings into your training,” shares Cormier.
Even though they competed in different eras, that hasn’t stopped Heath and Schwarzenegger from joining hands for a training session. At the 2024 Arnold Classic UK show, they filmed a special workout alongside bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod.
Although they competed several years apart, there’s no denying that Schwarzenegger and Heath brought something unique and special to the stage. Both men continue to lead the charge in making bodybuilding more mainstream.
Watch the full video from the Olympia TV YouTube channel below:
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Gives Advice to Phil Heath About Competing Again
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