“If Arnold Would Have Had a Beard on Stage…”: Estranged Relationship of Bodybuilders With Beard Was Revealed by Phil Heath in 2017

Seven-time Mr.Olympia Phil Heath is one of the few bodybuilders who equalized his titles with legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Heath tied a string of victories for himself from 2011 to 2017. The bodybuilder maintained a classic clean shave during his participation. However, Heath once imagined himself winning with an on-stage bearded look in 2017.

Phil Heath refrained from participating in Mr.Olympia after 2020. However, he will be appearing as a color commentator in the upcoming competition. Moreover, Heath has yet to announce his retirement. It is difficult to predict that because he still maintains his competitive physique.

Phil Heath once imagined himself with a beard

Most bodybuilders have maintained a clean look while participating in bodybuilding competitions and so has Phil Heath. After winning his seventh Mr.Olympia title in 2017, Heath was asked about being a bearded contestant. At first, Heath justified himself by saying that he does not have enough beard to maintain it. He stated in a Q&A session with the Gifted Channel.

As much as I’d like to sport this beard, I probably won’t. I’m trying to think the last person actually had a beard. See, if Arnold would have had a beard on stage, I would have done it. If Lee Haney would have had a beard on stage, I probably would have done it.

Heath did a hypothetical study on the legendary bodybuilders who could have won in a beard, and following them, he would have carried a beard too. However, he was not fully convinced if the beard looked good on him. Heath further explained:

“So I guess I could be the first, but I don’t know if it looks good. Plus I probably need some haircut, like some just for men because I got a lot of white on this side and little on this side, so can’t be having myself on CBS Sports, man. Looking a little older than what I am. I am only 36”,

To keep the fans guessing, he added at the end:

But like I said, you just never know, right?

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Well, it is tricky to predict Heath’s comeback in Mr.Olympia and winning the beard simultaneously. All we know is that he is not participating in the upcoming competition.

Why did Heath stop competing after 2020?

Phil Heath’s winning streak ended in 2018 when he lost to Shawn Roden. After 2017, he went through a severe hernia surgery. It impacted his performance both in 2018 and 2020.

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In 2021, Heath contracted COVID-19 due to which he lost weight and muscles substantially. Even though his return has not been circulating in the news, fans speculate that he is probably taking more time to build a stronger and competition-worthy physique. What do you think?