Bodybuilding is a sport where even the basic upkeep can cost more per year than a luxury car. But here’s the twist, while bodybuilding demands heavy investments, it also rewards its athletes with equally heavy paychecks. The prize pools at events like the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia have grown into six-figures.

In this list, we’re counting down the 20 wealthiest bodybuilders in the world in 2025, the athletes who turned their iron obsession into global empires. 

1. Phil Heath – $5.2M (USA)

Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath’s net worth comes from far more than stage wins. A large chunk comes from prize money, long-term sponsorships with major supplement and apparel brands, international guest-posing fees, and his premium online coaching programs. His brief appearance in pro wrestling and fitness documentaries also adds to his earnings. Heath’s physique made him iconic, but his wealth is primarily from diversified fitness ventures built on his Olympia legacy.

2. Mike Chang – $2.3M (USA)

Mike Chang made most of his fortune during the early YouTube boom, when SixPackShortcuts became one of the biggest fitness channels on the platform. His income stream includes ad revenue, high-ticket workout programs, digital fitness courses, merchandise, and brand partnerships. Chang’s business model—low-equipment, beginner-friendly training—scaled globally, making online fitness his main wealth driver rather than competitions.

3. Calum Von Moger – $2.5M (Australia)

Calum Von Moger’s wealth comes from a mix of bodybuilding wins, acting (including playing young Arnold Schwarzenegger in Bigger), YouTube revenue, sponsorships, and fitness apparel ventures. Even with setbacks like injuries and legal troubles, he remains commercially valuable. His old-school aesthetic keeps bringing in brand deals, appearances, and online program sales.

4. Lee Haney – $5.5M (USA)

Eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney built long-term wealth through competition winnings, public service roles, fitness ministry programs, TV appearances, and his personal training businesses. His philanthropic fitness camps and brand collaborations continue to generate income. Haney’s balanced approach to training helped him extend his influence into mainstream wellness media.

5. Jeff Seid – $1.8M (USA)

Jeff Seid’s earnings stem from YouTube, Instagram sponsorships, modeling contracts, a supplement line, clothing brand revenue, and consistent digital program sales. As one of the earliest “aesthetic era” influencers, his massive online reach drives most of his net worth. His youth allowed him to build a long-running fitness empire powered by social media monetization.

6. Ronnie Coleman – $11M (USA)

Ronnie Coleman’s fortune comes from competition earnings, his long service as a police officer, global tours, documentaries, and especially his hugely successful supplement brand, Ronnie Coleman Signature Series. Even after multiple surgeries, his content, merchandise, and business partnerships remain major sources of income.

7. Hodge Twins – $4.5M (USA)

The Hodge Twins grew their wealth primarily through YouTube monetization, comedy tours, merchandise, and fitness sponsorships. Though not competitive bodybuilders, their online persona gave them high-earning opportunities in entertainment, podcasting, political commentary, and brand collaborations. Fitness was the launchpad; digital media became the real revenue engine.

8. Dexter Jackson – $8M (USA)

Dexter Jackson's wealth comes from decades of consistent competition earnings, sponsorship deals, guest appearances, endorsements, and his coaching businesses. His historic number of titles—including Mr. Olympia and multiple Arnold Classic wins—kept him commercially relevant for years, attracting premium sponsorships from supplement companies.

9. Mike O’Hearn – $3.8M (USA)

Mike O’Hearn built his net worth mainly through modeling, acting, fitness covers, online coaching, and his “Power Bodybuilding” programs. With 400+ magazine covers, paid appearances, fitness courses, and long-term brand deals, he monetized his image rather than competition titles. Acting roles also contribute significantly to his earnings.

10. Christian Guzman – $3M (USA)

Christian Guzman’s wealth comes from YouTube, his apparel brand Alphalete, the Alphaland gym complex, energy drink ventures, and digital fitness programs. His entrepreneurial reinvestment strategy keeps expanding his revenue streams, turning him from influencer to full-scale business owner. Merchandising and real-estate-linked fitness projects are his biggest earners.

11. Steve Cook – $1.6M (USA)

Steve Cook’s income grew through competition earnings, YouTube, Gymshark ambassador deals, owning a gym, and TV appearances like The Biggest Loser. His online programs and global sponsorships contribute heavily to his net worth. Cook transitioned from athlete to media personality and business owner, increasing his financial stability.

12. Rich Gaspari – $100M (USA)

Rich Gaspari’s massive net worth is primarily from his supplement empire, Gaspari Nutrition, founded in 1997. Though he earned prize money as a top bodybuilder, his business ventures—supplements, fitness equipment, global distribution partnerships, and licensing—built the bulk of his wealth. He is one of the richest fitness entrepreneurs in history.

13. Gary Strydom – $7.5M (South Africa/USA)

Gary Strydom earned wealth through bodybuilding competitions, clothing brand Crazee Wear, sponsored appearances, and fitness businesses. His association with the short-lived WBF brought major payouts, and his apparel line became a long-term income source. His wealth is a mix of competition-era earnings and smart entrepreneurial moves.

14. Mike Rashid – $3.5M (USA)

Mike Rashid’s net worth comes from multiple streams: YouTube, his training programs, apparel, Alpha Shred, boxing involvement, and supplement ventures like Ambrosia Collective. His ability to merge fitness with mindset and combat sports broadened his audience, making business and online content his biggest money-makers.

15. Kali Muscle – $5M (USA)

Kali Muscle’s wealth is built on YouTube monetization, acting roles, sponsorships, merchandise, and paid brand collaborations. His prison-style workouts and skits drive millions of views. After his health scare, he pivoted to wellness content—but the real financial backbone remains his digital audience and entertainment career.

16. Lazar Angelov – $2M (Bulgaria)

Lazar Angelov’s earnings come from fitness modeling, online coaching, global training programs, brand deals, and social media monetization. His shredded midsection helped him become one of the world’s most recognized fitness models, leading to international appearances and consistent sales from his online training platforms.

17. Arnold Schwarzenegger – $400M (Austria/USA)

Arnold’s wealth stems from bodybuilding titles, blockbuster acting roles, real estate investments, book sales, bodybuilding expos, political career income, and equity in fitness ventures. Films like Terminator and Predator earned him massive paychecks, but his real-estate portfolio and decades of endorsements cemented his $400M fortune.

18. Dorian Yates – $4.2M (England)

Dorian Yates accumulated wealth through Olympia prize money, global seminars, gym franchises, his DY Nutrition supplement line, and high-value training programs. His influence on HIT training keeps his brand in demand. Post-retirement, business ventures—particularly supplements—play the biggest role in his net worth.

19. Lou Ferrigno – $6M (USA)

Lou Ferrigno earned wealth through bodybuilding titles and especially through acting, with The Incredible Hulk becoming his career-defining role. He later earned income from fitness training, conventions, personal security roles, and brand appearances. Hollywood and media appearances make up the largest share of his fortune.

20. Jay Cutler – $33M (USA)

Jay Cutler’s wealth comes from Olympia winnings, a massive supplement company (Cutler Nutrition), real-estate investments, merchandise, YouTube, and global appearances. As one of bodybuilding’s most marketable champions, he turned his post-retirement years into a business empire. Supplements and media content form the core of his multimillion-dollar net worth.

Who is your favorite bodybuilder from the list? Comment Below in the comment section.

Written by

Amanjeet Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu