Chad Johnson might look slim, but don’t let that fool you. He’s a gym freak who lifts like an NFL lineman. His impressive strength and dedication to training trace back to none other than 7-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath. Their friendship sparked intense workout sessions.
Now, Chad Johnson proudly credits those moments as the reason for shaping his fitness mindset. Behind the scenes, those sessions involved real weight, serious form debates, and lessons he still follows today.
Ochocinco’s Friendship with Phil Heath
Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s bond with bodybuilding icon Phil Heath goes beyond admiration. It’s built in the gym. “Me and Phil used to train together. How do you think he won a few of them Olympias?” Johnson said on Nightcap, half-joking, half-boasting. And it’s not just talk.
Phil Heath isn’t your average gym buddy. From 2011 to 2017, Heath dominated the Mr. Olympia stage with seven consecutive wins, tying with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the second most titles in history. His 2017 victory cemented his legacy, placing him among bodybuilding’s elite.
For Ochocinco, training with a legend wasn’t just a photo-op; it was part of his routine. Their Instagram moments show a genuine friendship forged through shared discipline. But it also comes with plenty of playful banter.
Always one for showmanship, Johnson once joked in an Instagram caption, targeting Heath: “I’ll see you on stage in September, there will be a new Mr. Olympia 2018.”
While he was clearly teasing, it highlighted how comfortable and competitive their relationship was. These are two elite athletes pushing each other in different sports but bonded by the same mindset of always working hard to win.
Heath Defends Ocho’s Form
In a recent video that went viral on X, Chad Johnson was seen crushing 120-pound dumbbells on the bench press. But instead of praise, fans flooded the comments questioning his form and even the authenticity of the weights.
Some critics insisted the dumbbells were fake, while others were confident he was cutting his range of motion short.
Chad, however, had a direct line to someone who knows better, Phil Heath. He said he reached out to the seven-time Mr. Olympia champion for clarity, and Heath stood by him.
“Listen, coming down 90(degrees), that’s enough,” Chad Johsnon recalled what Heath told him. “Now, anything below that, you know, it’s causing strain on the shoulder.”
Heath’s advice aligned with what many pro lifters already practice. Going deeper than 90 degrees under extreme weight invites unnecessary risk. Chad agreed, stating he’d continue following Heath’s guidance regardless of what online critics say.
For Johnson, the lesson is simple: when you train with a champion, you don’t need validation from the comments section. What matters more is learning from those with proven results and protecting your longevity in the gym.
In a world quick to criticize, Chad’s focus on proper technique, injury prevention, and advice from a seven-time Olympia winner shows that real strength lies in discipline, not noise from the sidelines.
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