"In the era of Coleman and Cutler, Derek wouldn't even be in the top 5!" Says Flex Wheeler about Lunsford

According to bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler, Derek Lunsford, one of the greatest talents of our time, would have had a very hard time breaking into the top five at Mr. Olympia if he had competed in the era twenty-four years ago. Flex pointed out that back then, huge bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler dominated the scene, who were not only massive but also had perfect proportions.

"It would have been very difficult for him to even break into the top five,"

Flex said in the context of the competition at the time. Flex pointed out that bodybuilders from this era were not only big, but also well symmetrically balanced, which made the difference.

"Today, the physical standards are different,"

Wheeler noted, leading to the question of how Derek would have dealt with the giants of the time. According to Flex, it would be a tough challenge for Lunsford, especially given his relatively smaller build, despite being the current champion.

Wheeler, however, recognized that Lunsford is extremely talented and has excellent symmetry and muscle definition, which has propelled him to the top of contemporary bodybuilding. However, the era in which he competes has different parameters than the era of Ronnie Coleman or Jay Cutler, where not only weight but also absolute muscle dominance was the dominant factor. Flex also stated:

"When you have a bigger guy with better proportions, it's tough."

Lunsford's chances against icons like Coleman, Cutler or Flex Wheeler himself remain speculative, but his success in the current scene is undeniable. Flex Wheeler wasn't disparaging Lunsford's abilities with this comment, but rather highlighting how much the standards and aesthetics of bodybuilding have changed.