Phil Heath, Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Shaun Clarida, and Terrence Ruffin, apart from being the best at what they do, what do you think these bodybuilders have in common? All of them acknowledge the role of their bodybuilding coaches in their success.
Most people consider bodybuilding a solo sport. However, it is not the case. Almost no bodybuilder has won the coveted Mr. Olympia title without a trainer, dietitian, or someone giving them a “second opinion.”
Prepping for a bodybuilding show can be overwhelming. Athletes have to manage their training, nutrition, and recovery programs while maintaining aesthetics and symmetry.
If this wasn’t enough, bodybuilding is a subjective game, meaning — unlike football or baseball, there are no goals or home runs to determine a winner in bodybuilding.
In the IFBB Pro League, bodybuilders are judged on their conditioning, symmetry, size, and posing routines. However, each judge might score the same bodybuilder differently depending on what appeals to them. A top-level coach can help an athlete improve their physique after taking input from the jury.
Addressing the elephant in the room — Besides balancing the holy trifecta (training, nutrition, and recovery), pro bodybuilding coaches also help their clients with gear. It’s no surprise that trainers are also called chemists in bodybuilding circles.
10 Best Bodybuilding Coaches You Should Know About
Usually, bodybuilding coaches are unsung heroes that work behind the scenes to help get an athlete in the best shape of their lives. However, this trend is changing, and some bodybuilding gurus are gaining celebrity status.
An experienced coach can be a game-changer for an athlete. Through this article, we want to appreciate all the trainers putting in the work without caring for recognition or fame.
Note — We primarily focused on the Men’s divisions for this list.
Abdullah Al Otaibi
Al Otaibi is the king of transformations. He is the coach of the 2019 Mr. Olympia and 2019 and 2022 Arnold Classic USA champ, Brandon Curry. Per Curry, he first met Al Otaibi at the 2016 Olympia Weekend and instantly connected with him.
The 2019 Mr. O champ was so impressed with the Kuwaiti coach that he traveled 11,000 miles on a 15-hour continuous flight from Nashville, Tennessee, to train at the Oxygen Gym in Kuwait.
Curry moved to Kuwait in 2016 and has since been working with Al Otaibi. He won Mr. Olympia (the biggest) and Arnold Classic USA (the second-biggest) titles working with the elite Oxygen gym coach. Notably, Curry’s best finishes at the Olympia and Arnold Classic were eighth and seventh in 2011 and 2012.
Unlike his trainer peers, Otaibi doesn’t shy away from criticizing inconsistent judging practices or taking shots at other competitors in defense of his clients. He didn’t hold back from expressing his displeasure with Curry’s second-place finish behind Big Ramy at the 2021 Olympia.
“I knew he [Curry] had the potential and genetics to be Mr. Olympia one day. That’s what I felt when I saw him, even though at that time he wasn’t anywhere near half his best. I have a good sense of recognizing talents, and I know what I bring to the table to maximize these talents. That’s what made me want to work with him.”
Must Read: Coach Abdullah Alotaibi Slams Olympia Judging After Brandon Curry Second Place
Chad Nicholls
Nicholls is one of the most sought-after coaches. He worked with Ronnie Coleman to help him get his record eight Mr. Olympia title wins. At the time of this article’s publication, he is working with the reigning Mr. Olympia champ, Big Ramy, and 2022 Boston Pro champ, William Bonac.
Bonac’s diced physique at the 2022 Arnold Classic and Boston Pro Show after a humble sixth-place finish at the 2021 Olympia can be credited to Nicholls.
Notably, Nicholls was surrounded by controversy when Shawn Ray blamed him for the deaths of his five clients, including Don Youngblood, Nasser El Sonbaty, and Dallas McCarver. However, Nicholls denies Ray’s claims.
Related: Ronnie Coleman Talks How Chad Nicholls Helped Him Become The King Of Bodybuilding
Matt Jansen
Matt Jansen is the youngest coach on this list. He started gaining traction as a coach when three of his clients Justin Compton, Nathan De Asha, and the late Dallas McCarver, showed major improvements in their physiques and as a result, in their placings in contests. Plus, Jansen was behind Nick Walker’s 2021 New York Pro and Arnold Classic wins.
Jansen’s current clientele includes the former 212 Olympia champ Shaun Clarida, Charles Griffen, and Brett Wilkin. Each of his client’s superb performances in pro shows is proof that Jansen is on his way to becoming one of the best bodybuilding coaches in the game.
Matt Jansen also owns and runs two supplement brands — Raw Nutrition and Revive Supplements — in partnership with the three-time Classic Physique Olympia champ, Chris Bumstead and Dr. Domenic Iacovone.
Rate Card — Jansen runs an online coaching program where he charges $1,360 for three months ($453/month) and $4,350 for 12 months ($363/month). He also offers ad-hoc consultations, which cost you $300/hour.
Related: Matt Jansen Reveals He’s No Longer Working with Nick Walker
Joe Bennett
Popularly known as Hypertrophy Coach, Bennett trains Terrence Ruffin who will be stepping on stage at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, scheduled for Dec 15-18 in Las Vegas, NV., to dethrone Chris Bumstead to win his first Olympia Classic Physique Olympia.
Ruffin is a two-time Arnold Classic Classic Physique champ (2021 and 2022) and has been tailing the three-time Classic Physique champ, Bumstead, for a couple of years.
Joe Bennet worked with former WWE superstar Dave Bautista for his physique transformation for the role of Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
Bennett is a regular on Ruffin’s YouTube channel and can be seen guiding the Classic Physique titan through his workouts using his muscle hypertrophy-inducing training techniques.
Rate Card — Joe Bennett uses an app to guide, track, and educate his online clients. Bennett’s coaching plans include $25/month, $150/year, and $495 for lifetime access.
Related: Bodybuilder Terrence Ruffin Shares Updated Push Day Routine For 2022 Olympia Prep
Hany Rambod
Nicknamed The Pro Creator, Hany Rambod has been crafting championship-winning physiques for over 20 years. Rambod is the Creator of the FST-7 training system and the founder and CEO of Evogen Nutrition. His clients have won a total of 19 Mr. Olympia titles.
His current pro clientele includes Men’s Open competitor Hadi Choopan, 212 Olympia champ Derek Lunsford, Men’s Physique competitor Andrei Deiu, and Wellness pro competitor Dr. Sunny Andrews.
Rambod has previously coached seven-time Mr. Olympia champ Phil Heath, four-time Olympia champ Jay Cutler, four-time Men’s Physique Olympia champ Jeremy Buendia, and four-time Ms. Figure Olympia winner Nicole Wilkins. Plus, Ramdod has worked with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to get him in shape for his movies.
Rate Card — Although Rambod is not taking up one-on-one virtual/online coaching at the time of this article’s publication, he has an app that costs $24.99 monthly or $199.99 yearly, which gives you access to an FST-7 training and diet program. Both plans include a monthly group QnA call with the Pro Creator.
Check Out: Hany Rambod: Hadi Choopan Had ‘Most Complete’ Physique At 2021 Olympia
Charles Glass
Glass is a former Olympian and now spends most of his days in the Mecca of bodybuilding, Gold’s Gym, Venice Beach, coaching bodybuilders. He steps into Gold’s Gym at 4 am every day and is amongst the last to leave.
The Godfather of Bodybuilding is known for his innovative training techniques. Plus, Glass’ Instagram is a goldmine of exercise tips and techniques.
Training with Glass is on most people’s checklists traveling to the Gold’s Gym, Venice Beach. His list of clients includes Flex Wheeler, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Paul Dillett, Gunter Schlierkamp, Chris Cormier, Guy Cisternino, Dennis James, and Steve Cook.
Glass also trained the 2008 Mr. Olympia champ, Dexter Jackson, 2018 Mr. Olympia winner Shawn Rhoden, 2016 Ms. Bikini Olympia Courtney King, and 2017-2018 Ms. Bikini Olympia Angelica Teixeira.
Rate Card — Per NYTimes.com, Charles Glass charges $225 per hour for an in-person training session at mecca Gold’s Gym. Furthmore, he has an online training program that costs his clients $19.47 monthly and $175.23 yearly.
Check Out: Bodybuilding Coach Charles Glass Warns Athletes of Counterfeit PEDs: “There’s More Fake Drugs”
Neil Hill
Neil “Yoda” Hill is one of the most impressive bodybuilding coaches in the pro circuit. His clientele includes seven-time 212 Olympia champ James “Flex” Lewis and three-time Men’s Physique champion Brandon Hendrickson.
Hill was a very successful IFBB Pro Bodybuilder. His journey as a competitive bodybuilder was cut short because of a hereditary knee defect exacerbated by years of swimming at an international level. Over time, the knee issue became so restrictive that Neil decided to step away from his competitive bodybuilding career.
In the past, Hill also trained fitness model Steve Cook, Ryan Terry, Mr. Olympia Big Ramy, William Bonac, Kris Gethin, and WWE star Roman Reigns. Yoda’s Y3T training program has earned a cult following and is considered one of the most intense training regimens you can follow.
Related: Video: Neil Hill Responds To William Bonac: ‘Our Relationship Is Over!’
Milos Sarcev
Sarcev is a former Serbian IFBB professional bodybuilder. His most notable achievement was winning the 1989 Mr. Universe and taking first place twice in the Mr. Yugoslavia contest.
Milos Sarcev is a big proponent of the Hyperemia Advantage System Theory, an idea he claims his own. The theory includes saturating the muscles with predigested anabolic/anti-catabolic nutrients such as amino acids, creatine, glutamine, beta-alanine, citrulline, and more.
The 59 years old former bodybuilder is still in great shape and counts Regan Grimes, Logan Franklin, and Samson Dauda as his clients.
Check out: Milos Sarcev’s Biggest Regret from Bodybuilding Career: “Using The Synthol In My Arms”
Chris Cormier
Chris “The Real Deal” Cormier is an IFBB pro bodybuilder and ranks among the best professional bodybuilders of all time. He competed in 70 pro shows, taking the overall title in eleven and placing in the top five 52 times.
Cormier is currently working with Breon Ansley, who will be competing for the final time in the Classic Physique division at the 2022 Olympia, and Nathan De Asha, who is recovering from a bicep injury.
“From day one, my goal was to build a balanced, proportionate physique,” explains Cormier while talking about working towards his dream physique. “To me, aesthetics — symmetry, detail, and shape are the very definition of bodybuilding.”
Related: Chris Cormier Reveals Which Three Bodybuilders Can Beat Big Ramy At 2021 Mr. Olympia
Chris Aceto
Chris Aceto is one of the most in-demand coaches at the moment. He has coached two former Mr. Olympias — Jay Cutler and Shawn Rhoden. His clientele also includes the likes of the 2022 Arnold Classic South American champ Rafael Brandao, Sergio Oliva Jr., 2007 AC winner Victor Martinez, Peter Molnar, Ramon Rocha Queiroz, Douglas Fruchey, Hasan Mostafa, Jose Raymond, Guy Cisternino, and the late 2017 Arnold Classic champion, Cedric McMillan.
Related: Coach Chris Aceto ‘Not Surprised’ By Shawn Rhoden Death: ‘The Entire Industry Turned Its Back’
FAQs
How much do top IFBB pro bodybuilding coaches charge?
Depending on the bodybuilder and his status, a top IFBB pro coach might charge anywhere between $350 per hour to $4,000-4,500 for six months.
Who are the top coaches in bodybuilding contest prep?
The list above mentions the nine best IFBB pro bodybuilding coaches. However, if you’re starting exercising, you don’t need a top-of-the-line pro coach. You’d be better off finding a local trainer with a proven track record.
Can anyone hire the best IFBB Pro coaches?
While some coaches like Charles Glass might work with you if you book them for a training session, it’s unlikely that someone like Hany Rambod would spare time for a one-on-one training session unless you are an accomplished bodybuilder.
Do bodybuilding coaches teach you about steroid use?
It is no secret that drug use is commonplace in pro bodybuilding organizations. Most pro bodybuilding coaches have their own steroid cycles that they take their clients through.
Wrapping Up
Competitive bodybuilding is hard, and succeeding at it in pro circles is near impossible without a qualified bodybuilding coach. If you’re looking for a bodybuilding guru, you cannot go wrong with any of the trainers mentioned in the article, given they are willing to accept you.
On the other hand, if you are a beginner or an intermediate lifter and have no plans of turning pro, you don’t need the services of an IFBB pro coach. A trainer with a proven track record is all you need to see meaningful progress.
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