Understand the most prestigious division in bodybuilding — the true “Mr. Olympia” main event
When most people say “Mr. Olympia”… they’re usually talking about Open Bodybuilding.
This is the division that represents bodybuilding at its absolute peak:
maximum mass, maximum conditioning, and zero weight limits.
If you’ve ever watched the Olympia stage and thought, “How do humans even look like that?” — you were watching Open.
In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn:
- what Open Bodybuilding really is
- the basic rules and how judging works
- the mandatory poses
- how often it happens
- a quick history overview
- the biggest champions of all time
(We’ll keep it general here — deeper posts are coming.)
What Is Open Bodybuilding?
Open Bodybuilding is the most iconic and traditional division in the sport. Unlike other categories (like 212 or Classic Physique), Open has no weight cap.
That means athletes can push muscle size to the limit — as long as they still deliver:
- conditioning (low body fat + sharp definition)
- symmetry (balance from head to toe)
- proportion (nothing looks “missing”)
- muscle density and maturity (hard, thick, stage-ready muscle)
In one sentence:
Open Bodybuilding is where athletes chase the most complete physique possible — big, shredded, and balanced.
Why Open Is the Most Prestigious Division
Open is considered the main event because it’s where the sport’s biggest legends have been made — and where the standard keeps getting higher every year.
It also tends to offer the largest prize money in bodybuilding.
In 2025, Derek Lunsford won the Open title at Mr. Olympia and took home $600,000 in prize money.
(For comparison: the Arnold Classic winner prize is famously $500,000 — and Lunsford also won that, making 2025 a massive year for him.)
Open Bodybuilding Has No Weight Limit (That’s the Point)
In divisions like 212, competitors must weigh under 212 lbs (96.2 kg).
In Open?
There’s no cap.
That’s why Open athletes tend to be:
- extremely muscular and dense
- complete from head to toe (especially legs + back thickness)
- dramatic in stage presence
But here’s what beginners miss:
✅ Open isn’t just “who’s the biggest.”
The winner is the athlete who brings the best combination of mass + conditioning + balance + presence.
How Open Competitions Work (Prejudging vs Finals)
Most major bodybuilding events are split into two key phases:
1) Prejudging
This is where the real comparisons happen.
Athletes are brought out in groups, and judges evaluate the physiques side-by-side through mandatory poses. This is often where:
- strengths become obvious
- weaknesses get exposed
- the likely winner starts separating from the pack
2) Finals
Finals usually include:
- more comparisons
- individual routines (posing to music)
- and sometimes a posedown
Prejudging sets the tone. Finals confirm it.
Mandatory Poses in Open Bodybuilding
Open Bodybuilding uses classic mandatory poses that force athletes to show everything: size, symmetry, conditioning, and stage control.
While exact rules can vary slightly across organizations, the classic bodybuilding mandatory poses include:
- Front Double Biceps
- Front Lat Spread
- Side Chest
- Back Double Biceps
- Back Lat Spread
- Side Triceps
- Abdominals & Thighs
- Most Muscular (often a signature Open moment)
These poses exist for one reason:
They reveal the truth.
You can’t hide weak legs, a soft back, or poor conditioning when you’re forced into these angles.
How Open Bodybuilding Is Judged (Simple Version)
Judges don’t give separate scores like “arms = 9/10” or “chest = 7/10.”
Instead, Open is judged by the complete package:
- Muscularity: size, density, development
- Conditioning: leanness, separation, dryness
- Symmetry: left vs right, top vs bottom
- Proportion: how everything flows together
- Presentation: posing, confidence, stage presence
At the top level, the difference between 1st and 2nd can be microscopic — a sharper waist, fuller legs, or a cleaner back can change everything.
How Often Does Mr. Olympia Open Happen?
Mr. Olympia happens once per year, and it’s the biggest title in bodybuilding.
A lot of pro shows exist throughout the year — but Olympia is the crown.
Winning Open Olympia means one thing:
You were the best bodybuilder on Earth that year.
A Brief History of Open Bodybuilding (Fast + Beginner-Friendly)
Open bodybuilding traces back to the origins of physique competition and the early days of what became “modern bodybuilding.”
One historical figure often credited as a pioneer is Eugen Sandow, a foundational name in physique culture and the inspiration behind the Olympia trophy.
Over decades, the sport evolved into what we see today:
- bigger athletes
- sharper conditioning
- higher judging standards
- more advanced posing and presentation
Open became the division where bodybuilding reaches its absolute extreme.
The Greatest Open Champions of All Time
If you’re new to Open bodybuilding, these are the names you’ll hear constantly — because they defined entire eras.
Most Mr. Olympia Open titles (Men’s Open)
Some of the biggest champions include:
- Ronnie Coleman — 8 titles
- Lee Haney — 8 titles
- Arnold Schwarzenegger — 7 titles
- Phil Heath — 7 titles
- Dorian Yates — 6 titles
- Jay Cutler — 4 titles
Each one represents a different “ideal look”:
- shape + charisma (Arnold)
- grainy density (Dorian)
- freak mass + power (Ronnie)
- 3D roundness (Phil Heath)
Who Are the Current Open Stars?
Modern Open is arguably more competitive than ever.
In 2025, Derek Lunsford reclaimed the Open Olympia title, confirming himself as one of the most complete bodybuilders of the modern era.
Other recent top contenders include:
- Hadi Choopan
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
What Makes Someone “Open-Level” (Real Talk)
Not every great lifter is built for Open.
Open-level athletes usually have:
- big frames and wide clavicles
- elite ability to gain and hold muscle
- complete legs and back genetics
- the ability to stay full while getting shredded
- years of muscle maturity
That’s why the division stays so respected:
it’s not just hard — it’s rare.
Final Thoughts: Why Open Still Runs Bodybuilding
Even with other divisions growing in popularity, Open remains the ultimate category because it represents bodybuilding at full intensity:
Size. Conditioning. Symmetry. Presence. No weight limit. No shortcuts.
If Classic is the “art,” and Men’s Physique is the “aesthetic,” then Open is the final boss.
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