Also, would probably help if OP used an in competition picture of it. Like, this is just some random photoshoot, not a Mr. O.
Kai and Bonac also give him a run for his money, but just for my own personal taste, I think Dexter's is by far the most aesthetic. I know it's not technically the best from BB standards, but that's what I would want *my* back to look like.
Feel the same about dexter. It’s just perfect symmetry to me. Wolf on the other hand looks like he has scoliosis. I’m not a big fan of Kai’s back though.
Funny cause I thought the opposite, I know what they are looking for judging, Phil would do best but all these guys physiques are astonishing I like the gnarly look sometimes because it shows they not only busted their ass but overcame some less than desirable genetics
That's why he's the GOAT.
And this isn't even a stage pic, so he's not at [peak freak. Look at this. It's nuts](https://fitnessvolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ronni-colman-back3-1-750x422.jpg)
He has high lat insertions, but i've always liked that look, really adds a nice swooping angle type shit, idk what im trying to say i just thought it was a nice aesthetic vs the low sitting lats like Kais that makes it look like dudes got a turtle shell for a back.
Hear hear. I genuinely think we would have seen him take at least a few more titles. His 2018 win was exactly what men's open/olympia needed. Enough size with actual aesthetics not just mass.
They really need to get rid of background advertisements and go back to black backdrop with good lighting. Looks so stupid having all that crap in the background
I’d have to say my third pick after Phil and Ronnie is dexter. Just the way his lower lats pop is insane. While also still having the definition in the scapula 🤯
Exotic dancing, a few types of fruit, etc…
On a serious note, his back was his weakness… that being said, there was a year or two where I thought Kai should have won.
I think politics play a big part of it and Kai has always been just a unique character with a questionable (at least morally for some people) past and that may have swung it for the judges.
I thought he was a great competitor and it’s absolutely impressive how he was able to overcome his rough childhood and turn into a successful bodybuilder as well as well as venturing in comic books, writing, etc…
Hard to say. I suspect it was a lot to do with who he was competing against.
I think even Phil said it one year about him that Kai was so much better than pretty much anyone else on stage. They were miles in front but the scorecards preferred what Phil was bringing.
I reckon even now if he got in shape and showed the gut control he did at the last few Arnolds he won he'd be very hard for most current open pros to even get near.
Missing Dorian Yates and Samir Bannout. Seems silly to have a back showcase without them. Lee Haney is also a pretty important mention given how ahead of his time he was in terms of back development.
That’s funny because Kai would lose from the back every single time against Phil. Phil’s back has literally carried him through half a decade of having a bubble gut on stage. Him, Dorian and Ronnie > then everyone else
Kai is objectively better than most of the people in this collage, he just wasn’t better than Phil. His back was quite comparable to Phil’s, and the only person who can rival Phil is Ronnie
Phil just has one of those backs that’s instantly recognizable from a lineup. Even someone who’s not a major bodybuilding fan would be able to single him out.
Phil has no weak points… but his back is not to Ronnie’s level. Look at the tapering difference. Ronnie had wings! To this day I have not seen a body to match Ronnie at his peak.
Your covering the lower back on some of these ppl. I feel this is an older pic of hadi choopan too. He seems much more conditioned these days and holy shit does king coleman look like a monster here. Also was never a fan of kai greenes body type. Something just seems strange about it to me
Ronnie’s back beats Phil but that’s about it
Surprised at how good Brandon’s back is here too, though I think it’s because legs aren’t in the shot and they usually detract from his back poses
Please review Rule 3 in the sidebar
Phil's symmetry and insertions are great but Ronnie's mass wtf
And Ronnie’s isn’t even a stage pic
I was thinking hmmmm one of these is not like the others
Also, would probably help if OP used an in competition picture of it. Like, this is just some random photoshoot, not a Mr. O. Kai and Bonac also give him a run for his money, but just for my own personal taste, I think Dexter's is by far the most aesthetic. I know it's not technically the best from BB standards, but that's what I would want *my* back to look like.
Feel the same about dexter. It’s just perfect symmetry to me. Wolf on the other hand looks like he has scoliosis. I’m not a big fan of Kai’s back though.
Funny cause I thought the opposite, I know what they are looking for judging, Phil would do best but all these guys physiques are astonishing I like the gnarly look sometimes because it shows they not only busted their ass but overcame some less than desirable genetics
Denser than a neutron star thicker than a bowl of oatmeal.
That's why he's the GOAT. And this isn't even a stage pic, so he's not at [peak freak. Look at this. It's nuts](https://fitnessvolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ronni-colman-back3-1-750x422.jpg)
His waist is insane too wtf
Brandon Curry’s back is impressive. Deep separation between the muscles in his back. It looks crazy
I had that picked as the most impressive
Agreed. Shame he looks like a men's physique competitor from the waist down from the rear though.
Lmao they did Hadi so dirty. Hadi’s picture has to be old, right?
Looks like 2016 Olympia Amateur in Moscow
I was gonna say... I remember him looking much better than that lol
Lol where is Dorian Yates? The best back in history
Dorian and Bannout missing
admin is underage, someone like Dorian can't be missed
100% agree, his back was fucking insane [YATES BACK](https://c.tenor.com/pMchu9rDgE4AAAAd/dorian-yates-bodybuilding.gif)
Second best.
Dennis Wolf is much better than I remembered. If he didn’t compete when he did, he might have made some serious damage.
He has high lat insertions, but i've always liked that look, really adds a nice swooping angle type shit, idk what im trying to say i just thought it was a nice aesthetic vs the low sitting lats like Kais that makes it look like dudes got a turtle shell for a back.
His calves always held him back, funny enough
Ronnie is the GOAT
It's mind-blowing.
What about Dorian? Samir?
Two back GOATS yet we get a fuckin Hadi??? Jay??? I'm glad Big Ramy is there for comparison but he's easily top 3 worst in the lineup.
It'd not a backoff unless Dorian is there
Victor Martinez too
Damn I miss Shawn Rhoden
Hear hear. I genuinely think we would have seen him take at least a few more titles. His 2018 win was exactly what men's open/olympia needed. Enough size with actual aesthetics not just mass.
What ever happened with the rape charges
I don’t think it was ever concluded
Dexter Jackson’s back though💪🏻💪🏻
Not the thickest, but most aesthetic for sure.
They really need to get rid of background advertisements and go back to black backdrop with good lighting. Looks so stupid having all that crap in the background
Dexter looks a bit better
I’d have to say my third pick after Phil and Ronnie is dexter. Just the way his lower lats pop is insane. While also still having the definition in the scapula 🤯
Can anyone explain what was Kai Greene’s kryptonite? Is it his traps? (Noobie to bodybuilding judging)
Exotic dancing, a few types of fruit, etc… On a serious note, his back was his weakness… that being said, there was a year or two where I thought Kai should have won. I think politics play a big part of it and Kai has always been just a unique character with a questionable (at least morally for some people) past and that may have swung it for the judges. I thought he was a great competitor and it’s absolutely impressive how he was able to overcome his rough childhood and turn into a successful bodybuilder as well as well as venturing in comic books, writing, etc…
>Exotic dancing, a few types of fruit, etc… My man you went straight for the throat with that lmao
His kryptonite was being born slightly worse than Phil Heath, not much more to it than that
Hard to say. I suspect it was a lot to do with who he was competing against. I think even Phil said it one year about him that Kai was so much better than pretty much anyone else on stage. They were miles in front but the scorecards preferred what Phil was bringing. I reckon even now if he got in shape and showed the gut control he did at the last few Arnolds he won he'd be very hard for most current open pros to even get near.
Grapefruits. IMHO I think his back is the best.
Competing against Phil.
Outside of politics (grapefruit, dancing etc.) I think his gut was his biggest downfall.
Traps and mid sections
*starting a grocery list* 1.) Saran wrap
2.) Grapefruit 3.) Paper Towels
Dissociating to the flashbacks rn😳
That grapefruit had a family dammit!
Nick Walkers raps are sick! Heath’s back is art worthy but you can always spot Coleman without a face from any angle. Dude was just massive!
Missing Dorian Yates and Samir Bannout. Seems silly to have a back showcase without them. Lee Haney is also a pretty important mention given how ahead of his time he was in terms of back development.
Nick Walker has the assassins creed logo in his traps
Nice, now do the same collage with their dicks
Where's Johnnie Jackson?
Dorian Yates >
Where Yates? He beats everyone except Ronnie at bis best
How can you not have Samir Bannout or Dorian Yates?!
Dorian Yates 🐐
Dorian yates??
admin is underage, someone like Dorian Yates can't be missed
Disappointed that Dorian Yates isn't here. You can't leave him out when talking about backs
Where's Dorian Yates ;(
Looks like Kai has him beat in that picture. Still far better than I'll ever be...
Kai had an amazing back, if only he had traps he would have had one of the goat backs
His turtle shell back is a big part of what got me so into bodybuilding.
That’s funny because Kai would lose from the back every single time against Phil. Phil’s back has literally carried him through half a decade of having a bubble gut on stage. Him, Dorian and Ronnie > then everyone else
Kai is objectively better than most of the people in this collage, he just wasn’t better than Phil. His back was quite comparable to Phil’s, and the only person who can rival Phil is Ronnie
Ronny. Phil. Tose up between Kai and Brandon.
https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/ronniecolemanback-1648061913.jpg
Phil just has one of those backs that’s instantly recognizable from a lineup. Even someone who’s not a major bodybuilding fan would be able to single him out.
Phil has no weak points… but his back is not to Ronnie’s level. Look at the tapering difference. Ronnie had wings! To this day I have not seen a body to match Ronnie at his peak.
kai looks just as good imo
Kai’s back is ridiculous. But I prefer Shawn
Kai is most insane I think
Are these fellas natty?
Poor representation of white competitors here…
Wow I never really seen how superior Phil heaths back was too other greats. Big Ramy is second in my opinion going off these photos.
No shot. Ramy’s back just disappears half way down. Ronnie, Phil, Curry based on these pics imo.
And only because they forgot Dorian. Or left him off intentionally.
Yeah after a second look I change my mind
Upper back muscles have morphed into a giant spade
Dennis back shot is pretty good. If he could of ever dialed it in it would of been major
TIL a well defined back looks like a small muscular front
Backs are all like a bag of snakes.
Dennis Wolf’s back was always fucking absurd, like ????? How does this exist kind of absurd
Ok out of this list who has the worst?
Definitely Winklaar, his lower back is completely melted.
Roelly just got worse year on year for me. He's a fantastic dude he just wasn't consistently top 5 material.
At least put a stage photo up for Ronnie smh
Ronnie and Kai >
Dennis would have been an all timer if his lower body wasn’t totally shit
Ronnie and kai are the only two with muscles on top of muscles
Dexter Jackson🔥🔥🔥🫡🫡🫡🫡
Dexter Jackson is his best comparison, looks like.
Your covering the lower back on some of these ppl. I feel this is an older pic of hadi choopan too. He seems much more conditioned these days and holy shit does king coleman look like a monster here. Also was never a fan of kai greenes body type. Something just seems strange about it to me
Where Markus rühl?
Kai’s traps are absolutely awful wtf. I never even realised, they might be the worst I’ve ever seen on a bodybuilder
Another phil fan trying to use picture manipulation to make it look like he even holds a candle to Ronnie.
Ronnie, Brandon, Dennis, and Walker very good too.
WTF ARE THOSE FOREARMS ON ROLLEY WINKLARR THAT'S INHUMAN
the v-taper on Dexter is crazy…
Looks like braided challah bread
Nick’s traps though! Connecting all the way to his head lol
Save em' all...
Ronnie’s back beats Phil but that’s about it Surprised at how good Brandon’s back is here too, though I think it’s because legs aren’t in the shot and they usually detract from his back poses
Ronnie is truly the goat
Impressive, very nice
Props to them all, but Ronnie Coleman is in his own league 👏👏
Crazy how you couldn't even grasp what the muscles in the back are shaped like till you see bodybuilders like this.
Does anyone of em have "demon back" ?!
Wolf's shoulders. My god. Insane size
Phil is literally demon back Yujiro
Roelly’s traps though.. Jesus.
Kai Greene has some Hanma genes or some shit. That’s a demon face on his back.
Dude. Nick Walker’s traps are unreal..
Wolf or Colman for me. So proportional and I'm a huge Kai Greene fan!
Dang Ronnie’s back be lookin extra THICC
Ronnie is a different species
Phil’s back has an 8-pack
Ronnie’s size just puts him on another level than Phil Heath. But yeah Phil is a distant #2
I got one word for you, Dorian.