When an NFL or NBA great retires, you probably won’t see them strap on the pads or enter a dunk contest again. But bodybuilders are different — even after calling it quits, many of them can still be seen in their favorite gyms day in and day out in a never-ending quest to maintain their world-class physiques.
While plenty of bodybuilders look stage-worthy years (or even decades) after stepping away from the sport, these 11 competitors stand out from the pack.
Robby Robinson
Robby Robinson won his fair share of bodybuilding titles in the 1970s, including the trifecta of Mr. World, Mr. Universe, and Mr. America. And he still looks like he could take the stage at a moment’s notice.
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Robinson occasionally takes to social media to show off his ripped physique — and while he’s not as big as he was when he won the first Masters Olympia in 1994, he’s certainly a sight to behold well into his 70s.
Phil Heath
Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath is known as “The Gift” for his incredible size and symmetry, which garnered him the most coveted title in bodybuilding from 2011-17. He remains a beacon of jacked-ness even after his retirement from the competitive stage in 2020.
Heath’s massive arms, delts, and quality back double-biceps pose are a pinnacle representation of the sport to this day, so much so that the now Olympia commentator routinely teases a comeback. Though the International Sports Hall of Fame member has confirmed that the Masters Olympia is not in his future, Heath is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats, regardless of whether he returns to the stage or not.
[Related: 10 Athletes With the Best Chests in Men’s Bodybuilding]
Jay Cutler
Four-time Mr. Olympia and three-time Arnold Classic champion Jay Cutler isn’t just one of the most successful bodybuilders of the 21st century — he’s also a great ambassador for the sport as a whole.
Cutler’s final competition was the 2013 Olympia, where he placed sixth. Since then, he has slimmed down while maintaining a chiseled look. He regularly trains in his home city of Las Vegas, using routines similar to those he relied upon in his competitive years. Best of all, he shares his training habits on YouTube for fans to follow.
Lee Labrada
Most younger bodybuilding fans likely know Lee Labrada as the father of current Olympia competitor Hunter Labrada. But Lee was a superstar in his heyday, winning the Mr. Universe competition in 1985 and placing in the top four at the Mr. Olympia seven years in a row from 1987 to 1993.
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Labrada was also known for top-notch posing and definition, which he occasionally displays on Instagram. One example seen above was from December 2024, when he showed that he still has a pair of arms that could wow the judges. The shape and definition speak for themselves.
Jose Raymond
“The Boston Mass” was a dominant force in the 212 division throughout the 2010s, highlighted by victories at the New York Pro in 2013 and Arnold Classic in 2015. He also placed well at various Olympias, including a second-place finish in 2015.
Raymond hung it up in 2018 after placing fifth at the 212 Olympia, which was won by Flex Lewis. There were rumors of a comeback in 2021, but they never materialized. He still works out at gyms in the Boston area and looks nearly as beefy as ever.
Rich Gaspari
After placing second at the Mr. Olympia to Lee Haney from 1986 to 1988, Rich Gaspari finally broke through by winning the first Arnold Classic in 1989 in Columbus, Ohio. The contest aired on NBC with Schwarzenegger himself on commentary, providing Gaspari an even larger platform to show off his talents.
[Related: Phil Heath Vs. Kai Greene and 9 Other Fiery Bodybuilding Rivalries That Shaped the Sport]
Gaspari retired from competition in 1996 and launched his supplement company, Gaspari Nutrition, shortly after. He hasn’t eased up much in the gym, though, and even in his 60s, he’s relentless about his fitness. Just look at him rip through a set of lateral raises in the video above.
Dexter Jackson
Bodybuilder Dexter Jackson turned pro in 1998 and racked up an astonishing 29 wins before calling it a career in 2020. That’s the most victories for any male competitor ever, with the highlight coming in 2008 when he took the Mr. Olympia crown from Jay Cutler.
[Related: The Untold History of the First Mr. Olympia Contest]
Jackson is in his 50s now and occasionally shares physique updates on social media. A recent training clip verified that he still has the quality muscle that helped him secure his record-setting five Arnold Classic wins.
Kai Greene
No, Kai Greene hasn’t officially ended his onstage career as of this article’s publication — but he hasn’t competed since 2016, so he earned a spot here for now. And even in his late 40s, every muscular physique update Greene posts generates more speculation about whether he has one more run left in him.
While we wait for a definitive answer to those comeback rumblings, Greene has been busy using his unique look and charisma to land acting parts in series like Stranger Things. Even if he never appears on stage again, Greene certainly isn’t slowing down.
Branch Warren
Unlike Greene, 2009 Mr. Olympia runner-up Branch Warren officially announced his retirement years ago. But much like Greene, he still trains as if he’s six weeks out from a show. The physique he has right now is absolutely incredible, with size that’s comparable to his prime. Check it out below:
That grainy and dense muscle won’t go away anytime soon if he keeps pushing himself in the gym.
Johnnie Jackson
Bodybuilder Johnnie Jackson’s powerful upper body propelled him to wins at the Arnold Classic South Africa and Toronto Pro in 2017 while he was in his mid-40s. Even now that he’s in his 50s, he still touts some massive delts and a wide back that could score high marks from judges.
Jackson is known to train with Warren, so the retired duo likely pushes each other to stay on top of their game. He may not be on stage nowadays, but Jackson isn’t letting his size go to waste.
Iris Kyle
It isn’t just the men who stay jacked after competing. Ten-time Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle won her final title before retiring in 2014. And since then, she’s stayed involved in the fitness world as a gym owner and trainer.
[Related: Why Iris Kyle Is Undoubtedly in the Bodybuilding G.O.A.T Conversation]
Kyle intended to return to Ms. Olympia in 2020, but a sudden illness forced her to withdraw. She had left the door open to come back in the future, but she hasn’t returned yet, despite still looking primed for the stage.
Featured Image: @philheath / Instagram
