It's always fun to discover interesting facts about one of the greatest rivalries in bodybuilding history. And Jay Cutler recently shared an interesting one about Ronnie Coleman's physique.

On April 8, Cutler appeared on Bradley Martyn's Raw Talk podcast and offered a candid insight into what it took to defeat Ronnie Coleman. Cutler spent four years as runner-up to Coleman at the Mr. Olympia, so he understood that competing against the legendary champion meant waiting for small openings whenever they appeared.

Cutler said that since Coleman was unbeatable due to his unparalleled size, he spent years analyzing every possible edge that could help him beat the King. "Ronnie was so big, but you know, he had a little bit of a stomach at the time. So I'm like, well, my midsection's as wide as my waist was, I had a really good flat midsection."

Instead of counting it as a flaw, Cutler used it as an advantage. He noted that his own mid-section was flatter, so he capitalized it during specific poses, especially the quarter turns, where the waist control becomes more noticeable.

According to Cutler, bodybuilding competitions are all about highlighting your strengths and minimizing weaknesses. In his case, that meant enhancing his structure, i.e., wide shoulders, strong quads, and a tight waist. This helped him create a more balanced look compared to Coleman’s monstrous physique.

But Ronnie Coleman wasn't the only bodybuilder with the bubble gut. Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath and Kai Greene were also seen flaunting a bloated mid-section on stage. But on the contrary, it wasn't something common among bodybuilders from the golden era.

What Causes the Bubble Gut Among Bodybuilders?

According to Dr. Thomas O'Connor, bubble gut is the result of a combination of a high-calorie, high-carb diet and d**** like insulin and HGH. These substances are taken to bulk up, but also cause bloating.

He said, “It’s not steroids. Steroids have been used back in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, and you didn’t see the bubble guts. So, what happened? The bar rose.”

These substances grow gut tissue itself and the muscles in the abdomen. So how do we prevent it? Dr. Connor offers a solution, and it is moderation. Giving the example of Classic physique athletes, Connor says the reason they don't get a bubble gut is that their HGH intake is much less.

So, after learning this, are you thinking of implementing the technique on yourself?

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Souvik Roy