Bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler still keeps tabs on the Men\u2019s Open division in retirement. On Feb. 3, 2026, he revealed his top three favorite Open physiques today. Additionally, he warned that steroids, insulin, diuretics, and PMMA (synthetic permanent filler) have gotten out of control.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a foregone conclusion that Flex Wheeler<\/a> would eventually capture the Mr. Olympia<\/a> title. However, right on the cusp of securing gold, he had to face off against a surging Ronnie Coleman<\/a>. The years passed, and Wheeler was unable to stop \u201cThe King\u2019s\u201d wrath onstage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Though he never won the Sandow trophy, Wheeler claimed victory at the Arnold Classic<\/a> four times. He\u2019s been honest about the risks of steroids, fillers, and performance-enhancers, leading him to discuss the controversy at length.\u00a0<\/p>\n Get Fitter, Faster<\/p>\n Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n Flex Wheeler Says Steroids, PMMA Are Out of Control<\/p>\n In the Ron Harris Muscle YouTube video, Wheeler discussed using synthol in his arms. Nowadays, he\u2019s noticed competitors using it on their back, lats, and chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI used synthol in my arms once just to see what it felt like. The pump was ridiculous. My skin was tearing. I got really scared because I got such a crazy pump.<\/p>\n That was it. Okay, I don\u2019t need that, it was just so dominant back then. It was something that I tried. I actually regret it now because when I talk about it, people take it out of context like I used it everywhere,\u201d he said<\/a>. I hear of guys using a lot in their back and lats and their chest, and stuff like that. I was shredded in all those areas so how could that be?<\/p>\n According to Wheeler, steroids, PMMA, insulin, and diuretics have gotten out of control:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI do think, like everything, I think everything is out of control. I think the use of sports technology drugs, steroids is out of control. I think insulin is out of control. I think diuretics is out of control. I think everything is out of control.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Wheeler\u2019s Top 3 Favorite Physiques of the Modern Era\u00a0<\/p>\n At their best, Wheeler suggested that it would come down to a close battle between Jacked and Samson Dauda.\u00a0<\/p>\n Get Fitter, Faster<\/p>\n Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n \u201cSamson is also amazing. If it was a fair stage and everyone was at their best, it would be between Samson and Andrew Jacked simply because of their aesthetics, height, muscularity, and their ability to get in condition.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Wheeler admits that using synthol in his arms was the single biggest regret of his career<\/a>. He\u2019s not the only bodybuilder to say as much. Bodybuilding great Milos Sarcev also confessed to using synthol<\/a>, and emphasized that it was a mistake.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wheeler is adamant that the sport could be headed in the wrong direction. In time, he hopes to see competitors abide by an even playing field.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t use Legos to build a bodybuilder. That\u2019s just not fair anymore. At what point is it bodybuilding instead of the best plastic surgeon?\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n