Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman and seven-time winner Phil Heath teamed up for an epic collaboration. The bodybuilders, with 15 Mr. Olympia titles between them, had an epic workout session and a thought-provoking conversation on bodybuilding. During their discussion, Phil Heath offered his unique perspective on how not just ster**ds, but social media might be harming bodybuilders.

The Gift asked 59-year-old Coleman about two different eras. Heath asked if Coleman prefers how bodybuilders have to maintain a social media presence or the era of bodybuilding magazines. When Coleman answered he liked the era of magazines, Heath built on The King’s response, providing a solution to help today’s competitors.

Phil Heath says no to social media

When the seven-time Mr. Olympia asked Coleman, the former champion explained why he liked the era before smartphones took over. “Less distraction,” said the first man to win the Olympia and the Arnold Classic in the same season. Phil Heath also agreed. The retired bodybuilder who maintains a stellar physique said bodybuilders had a “real offseason” before the social media era.

However, today’s competitive bodybuilders have to worry about looking “perfect” all year round. Since they constantly engage with fans on social media, it becomes difficult to focus. “I’m like… Man! If they took away social media for a year… I think you would see some better physiques,” said The Gift. However, Phil Heath hinted that the problem runs deeper.

Besides distracting the pros who constantly have to post on social media platforms, Heath also said social media encourages drama. The 43-year-old explained that some people say things to ruffle some feathers just for social media popularity. However, Phil Heath and Ronnie Coleman aren’t the only ones who think this way.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger has a similar viewpoint

The original record-setter, the first man to win seven Sandow trophies has a similar opinion on social media and smartphones. Besides not using a smartphone, Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote about how the devices we can’t live without affect our lives. The 76-year-old fitness icon wrote in his newsletter that incessant smartphone use is the “biggest challenge” toward completing goals.

As Phil Heath pointed out, Arnie also said how people in the gym often browse social media or take pictures to post on social media. Instead of focusing on their workout, many people often get distracted, extending the rest periods between sets.

Smartphones might help us connect with people at a moment’s notice. However, champions like Phil Heath, Ronnie Coleman, and Arnoldn Schwarzenegger think they enable social media addiction and are even affecting elite bodybuilders.

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