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).
From 2011 to 2017, Phil Heath 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. Times have changed, and according to “The Gift,” today’s physiques are coming up short.
While Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay was competing actively, speculation about his use of SEOs gained traction. This came after fans and bodybuilders took notice of his dented quads onstage, which some thought was apparent when he lost the 2022 Mr. Olympia against Hadi Choopan.
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. The issue has been persistent. Following the 2025 Mr. Olympia, athletes were accused of using SEOs or PMMA, including reigning champs Derek Lunsford and Natalia Coelho.
Phil Heath Believes His Era Had ‘Real Muscle,’ Takes Aim at Site Enhancement Oil Use in Today’s Landscape
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.
“We’re the best 46-year-olds in the world, with that real muscle. None of that oil. Ain’t none of them dents in the physique. You can actually see the striations.”
“Chris [Cormier], you already know, dog, let’s call it what it is. You ain’t 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’s it.”
During the height of his career, Heath added that competitors didn’t use SEOs in their calves or quads.
“None of that oil in the calves, not that oil in the quads, ain’t no dents in the quads, only separation,” explained Phil Heath.
In addition to Heath, Shawn Ray recently called out SEO use in today’s Men’s Open class. He argued that they are ruining striations and threatening the integrity of the sport:
“We have nowhere to go. Either Men’s Bodybuilding is going to strive and survive, or it’s going to go the way of the eight-track, the way of the cassette tape, the way of the pay phone.
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’t ill afford one of our champions to go down for the count.”
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.
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