Phillip Heath
Encyclopedia
Phillip "Phil" Jerrod Heath (born December 18, 1979 in Seattle, WA) is an American IFBB
professional bodybuilder
and current Mr. Olympia
.
(currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks) was his teammate. Heath then played basketball for the University of Denver
before turning to bodybuilding in 2002. His hard work quickly paid off when he won the overall title at the 2005 NPC (National Physique Committee
) USA Championships and earned the right to compete as an IFBB Pro. "The Gift" immediately made a splash in the IFBB, winning his first two pro events in 2006, which were The Colorado Pro Championships and The New York Pro Championship
.
Phil placed fifth at the 2007 Arnold Classic, although fans and critics had him as high as 3rd place. Nonetheless, it qualified him to compete in the 2007 Mr. Olympia contest. Heath decided not to compete at the contest, stating that he needed more time to improve in order to be competitive.
This proved to be a good move, as he ended up winning the 2008 Iron Man show and placed second to Dexter Jackson
at the 2008 Arnold Classic. Phil finished 3rd in his Mr. Olympia debut in 2008, and became the first rookie to place in the top 3 since Kevin Levrone
in 1992 finishing second and Flex Wheeler
in 1993. He was a heavy favorite for the 2009 Mr. Olympia title but placed 5th. Phil caught a stomach virus 24 hours before the Friday pre-judging and caused him to come in to the Olympia's first day roughly 10 pounds lighter than he had planned. Phil took second place at the 2010 Mr. Olympia contest, placing second to Jay Cutler
. Most recently, Phil won first place at the 2011 Mr. Olympia contest, beating Jay Cutler
.
Heath has been featured in many fitness and magazine articles, including being featured on the cover of FLEX magazine. Heath currently resides in Denver, Colorado
, and trains at Armbrust Pro Gym in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Phil has released three bodybuilding DVDs "The Gift", "The Gift Unwrapped", and "Journey to the Olympia."
International Federation of BodyBuilders
The International Federation of BodyBuilders is a competitive bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider and is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. Currently, the IFBB consists of seven different sub-divisions for different competitors ,...
professional bodybuilder
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
and current Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
.
Biography
He went to Rainier Beach High School and played varsity basketball. Jamal CrawfordJamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford is an American professional basketball player who most recently played with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. He is a 6'5" and 200 lb shooting guard–point guard...
(currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks) was his teammate. Heath then played basketball for the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
before turning to bodybuilding in 2002. His hard work quickly paid off when he won the overall title at the 2005 NPC (National Physique Committee
National Physique Committee
The National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
) USA Championships and earned the right to compete as an IFBB Pro. "The Gift" immediately made a splash in the IFBB, winning his first two pro events in 2006, which were The Colorado Pro Championships and The New York Pro Championship
New York Pro Championship
The New York Pro Championship is a professional bodybuilding contest, as well as separate fitness and figure competitions. Prior to 2005, the bodybuilding contest was known as the Night of Champions. The fitness and figure contests have been held under the New York Pro name since 2002 and 2003,...
.
Phil placed fifth at the 2007 Arnold Classic, although fans and critics had him as high as 3rd place. Nonetheless, it qualified him to compete in the 2007 Mr. Olympia contest. Heath decided not to compete at the contest, stating that he needed more time to improve in order to be competitive.
This proved to be a good move, as he ended up winning the 2008 Iron Man show and placed second to Dexter Jackson
Dexter Jackson (bodybuilder)
Dexter "The Blade" Jackson is an IFBB professional bodybuilder and the 2008 Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champion. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida.-Biography:...
at the 2008 Arnold Classic. Phil finished 3rd in his Mr. Olympia debut in 2008, and became the first rookie to place in the top 3 since Kevin Levrone
Kevin Levrone
Kevin Levrone is a former IFBB professional bodybuilder, blogger, musician, actor and health club owner.-Biography:Levrone was born to an Italian father and an African American mother on July 16, 1965 in Baltimore, Maryland, the youngest of six children...
in 1992 finishing second and Flex Wheeler
Flex Wheeler
Kenneth Wheeler , better known as Flex Wheeler, is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder.-Biography:...
in 1993. He was a heavy favorite for the 2009 Mr. Olympia title but placed 5th. Phil caught a stomach virus 24 hours before the Friday pre-judging and caused him to come in to the Olympia's first day roughly 10 pounds lighter than he had planned. Phil took second place at the 2010 Mr. Olympia contest, placing second to Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler (bodybuilder)
Jay Cutler is an IFBB professional bodybuilder. He has won the title Mr. Olympia four times.-Vital statistics:* Height: 5'9" * Thighs: * Calves: * Arms: * Neck:...
. Most recently, Phil won first place at the 2011 Mr. Olympia contest, beating Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler (bodybuilder)
Jay Cutler is an IFBB professional bodybuilder. He has won the title Mr. Olympia four times.-Vital statistics:* Height: 5'9" * Thighs: * Calves: * Arms: * Neck:...
.
Heath has been featured in many fitness and magazine articles, including being featured on the cover of FLEX magazine. Heath currently resides in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, and trains at Armbrust Pro Gym in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Phil has released three bodybuilding DVDs "The Gift", "The Gift Unwrapped", and "Journey to the Olympia."
Competitive stats
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- Competition weight: 240 pounds (108.9 kg)(Olympia 2011)
- Off-Season weight: 290 pounds (131.5 kg)
- Arms: 22.5 inches (57.2 cm)
- Legs: 30 inches (76.2 cm)
- Calves: 20.4 inches (51.8 cm)
- Neck: 18.5 inches (47 cm)
- Waist: 29 inches (73.7 cm)
- Chest: 54 inches (137.2 cm)
Competitive history
- 2003 Northern Colorado State, Novice, Light-Heavyweight 1st and overall
- 2003 NPCNational Physique CommitteeThe National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
Colorado State, Light-Heavyweight, 1st - 2004 NPC Colorado State, Heavyweight, 1st and Overall
- 2005 NPC Junior Nationals, HeavyWeight, 1st and Overall
- 2005 NPC USA Championships, HeavyWeight, 1st and Overall
- 2006 Colorado Pro Championships, 1st
- 2006 New York Pro ChampionshipNew York Pro ChampionshipThe New York Pro Championship is a professional bodybuilding contest, as well as separate fitness and figure competitions. Prior to 2005, the bodybuilding contest was known as the Night of Champions. The fitness and figure contests have been held under the New York Pro name since 2002 and 2003,...
, 1st - 2007 Arnold Classic, 5th
- 2008 IFBB Iron Man, 1st
- 2008 Arnold Classic, 2nd
- 2008 Mr Olympia, 3rd
- 2009 Mr Olympia, 5th
- 2010 Arnold Classic, 2nd
- 2010 Mr Olympia, 2nd
- 2011 Mr Olympia, 1st
- 2011 Sheru Classic, 1st
See also
- List of male professional bodybuilders
- List of female professional bodybuilders
- Mr. OlympiaMr. OlympiaMr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
- Arnold ClassicArnold ClassicThe Arnold Classic, renamed Arnold Fitness Weekend, is an annual bodybuilding competition, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. It takes place in late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, United States.-History:...
- Ironman Pro InvitationalIronman Pro InvitationalThe Ironman Pro Invitational is a IFBB bodybuilding contest held every year. It began in 1990 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
- Night of ChampionsNight of ChampionsNight of Champions is a bodybuilding contest held every year in New York City, USA. It began in 1978 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....