When Ronnie Coleman talks about anything related to fitness or physique, the bodybuilding world listens closely. Now, the eight-time Mr. Olympia once again revealed his top 5 biggest backs in bodybuilding history.

On February 27, 2026, the bodybuilding legend posted a short video on his Instagram, featuring 5 biggest names in the bodybuilding world with the caption:

“What do you all think?! Do you agree with this top 5 list? Comment below your top 5 of all time… Yeah Buddy!!”.

His top 5 names are:

#5. Nick Walker

Nick Walker, who is now preparing for the 2026 Arnold Classic, has always been in the spotlight for his massive physique, conditioning, and back muscles.

Walker, who weighs between 270 and 295 lbs, constantly shares his workout videos on Instagram, and among all of that, his back workouts are most popular. Even in 2025, bodybuilding legend Samir Bannout praised Walker for his back double biceps.

Bannout said, “Very impressive. Who can match that double biceps Front n Back !!? Lots of quality beef ✅💪🏽”.

Now, Coleman’s praise of Walker’s back will definitely increase his confidence ahead of the Arnold Classic.

#4. Jay Cutler

The next name in Roonie Coleman's list is the 4-time Mr. Olympia winner, Jay Cutler.

He dethroned the massive Coleman after his 8-year domination, and this could not have been possible without his massive back and legs. These are considered Cutler’s biggest assets. Even Cutler himself knows that.

In 2023, he posted a throwback image of his back on his Instagram with the caption, "Before Photoshop” era. That image highlighted his back in all its monstrous glory. His muscles rippled across his frame, a symphony of power.

#3. Phil Heath

Phil Heath still gets compliments for his back muscles. Recently, a similar instance was seen when, in the Muscle & Fitness podcast, Milos Sarcevic compared 2025 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford’s back and biceps to those of bodybuilding veterans, including Phil Heath.

In the podcast, Dennis James said, “For me, in that picture, Phil has the most crisp, detailed back double biceps, where everything is symmetrical on both sides. Yeah, that's just my opinion. Sometimes we forget how great Phil really was. He didn't win seven—he didn't win seven Olympias because he got lucky”.

#2. Dorian Yates

Ronnie Coleman's 2nd pick was Dorian Yates. The 6-time Mr. Olympia winner dominated the 90s bodybuilding with his lats. The Shadow won millions of fans' hearts with his immaculate back that stretched wide and hung low like a Christmas tree.

#1. Ronnie Coleman

Finally, Ronnie placed himself at No. 1, and no one can deny it. When the 8-time Mr. Olympia hit his rear lat spread, his back revealed deep ridged knots, crevices, and stripes, and it looked like a spectacular landscape.

On Mar. 27, 2023, he posted a video to his YouTube channel and said, “I pretty much won the competition [1998 Mr. Olympia] from the back”.

He added, “I’ll never forget a judge approaching me after the show and claiming my back was so wide it reminded him of a cobra head. It stuck with me throughout my career. One of my most extraordinary poses was as deadly to my competitors as a cobra”.

Who has the best back? The answer may be debatable. But one thing is certain: all the 5 names picked by Ronnie Coleman, including himself, have proved themselves over the years.

So, who do you think has the best back? Tell us in the comments and follow Bodybuilding Bros for all things fitness!

Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu