5-Times Bodybuilders Had A Bubble Gut on Stage

In the sport of bodybuilding, one thing is a significant flaw to any incredible physique.

The major drawback is a distended stomach.

Over the years, we’ve seen elite bodybuilders in big competitions such as Mr. Olympia show up with a bubble gut on stage.

For the past years, this has been a considerable debate; Arnold has spoken openly about the subject and believes it can ruin the sport.

Why do bodybuilders get a bubble gut?

It happens because the obliques muscles get thicker in the abs, making it harder for some guys to control their stomachs.

Keep in mind that most bodybuilders can hold their stomachs under control most of the time.

When they have been posing for a few minutes, there come moments when they lose control.

Of course, if a bodybuilding competition is filmed, it will be seen on camera.

In this post, we’re going over the five times a bodybuilder showed up with a bubble gut on stage.

Phil Heath 2018 Mr. Olympia

Phil Heath dominated Mr. Olympia for seven consecutive years from 2011-2017.

Phil had been criticized in the past for not being able to hold in his stomach.

In 2018 it became apparent how bad the situation was.

In Phil’s defense, he had some injury in his abdomen; he said that his incisions tore, making it harder for him to hold his stomach under control.

He underwent surgery, and in 2020 Mr. Olympia didn’t have as big of a bubble gut as he had in 2018.

Roelly Winklaar Arnold Classic 2013 and 2015

Roelly Winklaar had trouble in the 2015 Arnold Classic because he couldn’t control his gut.

This was noticed by bodybuilding viewers and criticized by king Arnold Schwarzenegger.

However, Roelly managed to fix his bubble gut, and he won the Arnold Classic in 2018.

Arnold handed him the award and complimented him on his physique; Arnold also said his bubble gut was gone.

So even though some guys may have a bubble gut, Roelly Winklaar proves that it can be reversed.

Kai Greene (guest posing) Arnold Classic 2015

Kai Greene was a guest posing at the Arnold Classic 2015 in Madrid 6 days after the Olympia.

As we know, Kai wasn’t allowed to compete at the 2015 Mr. Olympia due to some contract issues.

However, he prepared for the competition and was pretty close to stage-ready.

The Arnold Classic was just six days after the Olympia and Kai did a guest posing routine,

Kai was not competing, so we could cut him some slack, but he still showed up with a big bubble gut on stage.

Shawn Rhoden Mr. Olympia 2015

In 2015 Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden, known for his aesthetically pleasing physique, showed up with a small bubble gut.

This was by no means a big bubble gut, but it ruined his physique quite a bit.

However, Shawn Rhoden managed to win Mr. Olympia in 2018 and reverse his bubble gut.

Now he is banned from competing in the Olympia ever again after being accused of sexual assault.

We haven’t seen him on stage since the 2018 Mr. Olympia.

Dave Palumbo

In his younger years, Dave was a great bodybuilder.

However, in his career, he never managed to go pro despite trying many times.

Now he runs the RxMuscle Youtube channel where he talks about bodybuilding and interviews bodybuilding legends.

He is the father of the bubble gut, he had an extreme case of bubble gut, and it got named after him.

“Palumboism” is the condition when the bubble gut gets more prominent and the arms and legs shrink.

That is the most extreme case of the bubble gut and probably not reversible.