Bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler still keeps tabs on the Men’s Open division in retirement. On Feb. 3, 2026, he revealed his top three favorite Open physiques today. Additionally, he warned that steroids, insulin, diuretics, and PMMA (synthetic permanent filler) have gotten out of control.
It was a foregone conclusion that Flex Wheeler would eventually capture the Mr. Olympia title. However, right on the cusp of securing gold, he had to face off against a surging Ronnie Coleman. The years passed, and Wheeler was unable to stop “The King’s” wrath onstage.
Though he never won the Sandow trophy, Wheeler claimed victory at the Arnold Classic four times. He’s been honest about the risks of steroids, fillers, and performance-enhancers, leading him to discuss the controversy at length.
Flex Wheeler Says Steroids, PMMA Are Out of Control
In the Ron Harris Muscle YouTube video, Wheeler discussed using synthol in his arms. Nowadays, he’s noticed competitors using it on their back, lats, and chest.
“I used synthol in my arms once just to see what it felt like. The pump was ridiculous. My skin was tearing. I got really scared because I got such a crazy pump.
That was it. Okay, I don’t need that, it was just so dominant back then. It was something that I tried. I actually regret it now because when I talk about it, people take it out of context like I used it everywhere,” he said. I hear of guys using a lot in their back and lats and their chest, and stuff like that. I was shredded in all those areas so how could that be?
According to Wheeler, steroids, PMMA, insulin, and diuretics have gotten out of control:
“I do think, like everything, I think everything is out of control. I think the use of sports technology drugs, steroids is out of control. I think insulin is out of control. I think diuretics is out of control. I think everything is out of control.”
Wheeler’s Top 3 Favorite Physiques of the Modern Era
At their best, Wheeler suggested that it would come down to a close battle between Jacked and Samson Dauda.
“Samson is also amazing. If it was a fair stage and everyone was at their best, it would be between Samson and Andrew Jacked simply because of their aesthetics, height, muscularity, and their ability to get in condition.”
Wheeler admits that using synthol in his arms was the single biggest regret of his career. He’s not the only bodybuilder to say as much. Bodybuilding great Milos Sarcev also confessed to using synthol, and emphasized that it was a mistake.
Wheeler is adamant that the sport could be headed in the wrong direction. In time, he hopes to see competitors abide by an even playing field.
“You can’t use Legos to build a bodybuilder. That’s just not fair anymore. At what point is it bodybuilding instead of the best plastic surgeon?”
RELATED: Lee Priest Addresses PMMA and Synthol Controversy, Comments on Derek Lunsford Rumors
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