In bodybuilding, conditioning defines how ripped, shredded and lean a competitor is, and it also highlights how low a bodybuilder's body fat percentage is, how sharp the muscle striations are, and how minimal water retention is.

Although all bodybuilders work on their conditioning, according to the YouTube channel Marx Max Muscle, some bodybuilders have below-average conditioning.

So, the list will feature 5 such bodybuilders, and all the names have been taken from the reference of the above-mentioned YouTube channel.

Jay Cutler

One of the names on the list is Jay Cutler, the 4-time Mr. Olympia. According to YouTube channel Marx Max Muscle, at the 2007 Mr. Olympia, Cutler showed his worst conditioning compared to other years, specifically lacking striated glutes.

While Cutler defended his title in 2007, many believe his conditioning was not as razor-sharp as the level Cutler showed in 2006 or during his 2009 comeback.

Even on the February 23, 2023, episode of Cutler Cast, Milos Sarce told Cutler, “In 2007, everyone expected you to win, and you were not really in perfect shape. So you could slip by one space, maybe, but they didn’t even allow that to happen. If I were the judge… That was a gift. But in 2007, if I was a judge, you’d be fourth.”

Lou Ferrigno

Next on the list was Lou Ferrigno. According to the reviewer, during his 1993 appearance, Ferrigno looked soggy and had a chubby belly.

Basically, Ferrigno's conditioning at that Mr. Olympia was below average, considering he was in his 40s and competing in a completely new era of bodybuilding, especially when it was compared to his peeled, grainy, and extreme conditioning at the 1974 and 1975 Mr. Olympia appearances.

Despite that, in 1993, he was ranked 10th.

Nasser El Sonbaty

Mark Max Muscle said that Nasser had quite poor conditioning in the early 2000s. After showing his power in the 1990s as a legendary bodybuilder, his conditioning started to decline in the 2000s.

In the 1990s, he was known as an imposing mass monster, standing at 290 lbs on stage. At that time, he was renowned for his muscle mass and deep back development. When he first debuted at Mr. Olympia in 1994, he earned 7th place, and in 1995 and 1996, Nasser earned 3rd place. However, in 2001, he was placed 9th.

Lionel Beyeke

Beyeke is another name on the list. According to the reviewer, he is the winner of the worst conditioning in any recent competition. His appearance at the Mr. Big Evolution pro in 2023 in Portugal felt short because of poor conditioning.

For many critics, Lionel, known as the genetic marvel, struggled in the event and failed to show the razor-sharp physique needed to win a competition.

On July 10, 2023, the YouTube channel named Nick’s Strength and Power commented about Beyeke's physique.

“His conditioning was completely off…. he's probably looking at last place here, and at this point I don't really know what's going on with Lionel, what the reason is for this. I mean, even when he was more competitive, he always kind of struggled with conditioning.”

Lee Priest

Although Priest was a top competitor, his appearance at the 2003 Mr. Olympia did not go as planned, and he finished in 15th place.

According to the reviewer, Priest’s conditioning in 2003 was a sharp contrast to his 2002 appearance at the Mr. Olympia, where he placed 6th.

What are your thoughts on this?

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi