By Roger “Rock” Lockridge, Managing Editor
Strength Sports Athletes, Industry Leaders, and Fellow Muscle Insider Supporters:
The month of August has arrived, and the excitement of the 2026 Olympia Weekend has only been intensified. The days and hours are dwindling, and before we know it, the greatest physique athletes in the world will gather in Las Vegas, Nevada to claim their respective pieces of bodybuilding history.
The spotlights that will shine on the competitors will only show the final product, but for every minute they face the judges and fans, they’ve spent hours without cameras on them committing to be a little greater today than yesterday. Every calorie is being counted, every minute of training and cardio is being logged, and every pose has been practiced countless times alone before they are called in front of thousands.
While I don’t come from a bodybuilding background competitively, I have developed my own appreciation for the commitment to greatness these athletes have made. As I write this, I am coming off my own return to competition in powerlifting; specifically at Powerlifting United’s Open day at the 2026 American Pro in Richmond, VA on Aug. 7. The two-day weekend, which also includes an elite invitational meet the following day, is considered one of the most elite stages in that sport. At 45 years old, preparing for a meet of this caliber has not been easy and was marred by a multitude of physical and mental challenges.
Then, there’s the daily commitment that comes from my roles as father, husband, and fitness industry contributor. Yet, I had every intention of stepping onto the platform in front of many in attendance and thousands watching online. My job was to be stronger than the weight on the barbell, and nothing else that happened before that mattered to the referees who judged my lifts. (You can see my Instagram posts @rocklockridge if you’re curious about my performance.)
Even though I have already covered the Olympia and spoken to many of the champions that will compete there, throughout this prep I still found myself growing a new level of appreciation for the process these amazing men and women from all 12 pro divisions, as well as those preparing for the Amateur Olympia have taken on. They are facing similar issues as I have been but will be under much brighter lights with far fewer calories and more at stake. They will grace a world-class stage and showcase their physiques to an audience of people they have never laid eyes on with hopes of earning their respect and admiration as well as high marks from the judges.
As the Olympia approaches, many outlets and platforms will be quick to criticize these athletes; pointing out mistakes, questioning coaching decisions, or stirring up unnecessary drama. While some analysis will be essential for fans to learn and understand what they will be watching (and Muscle Insider will be presenting our own breakdowns in the weeks ahead), I hope that at least for a moment in the buildup to the sport’s world championship event, we can show appreciation for the work these athletes are putting in not only for themselves and the industry but for the fans who will be there to watch, cheer, and be inspired by what they do.
Every competitor has the power to inspire someone to embark on their own fitness journey or step onto a bodybuilding stage for the first time. In every sense, the athletes competing at the 2026 Olympia are the driving force behind the growth of this sport.
So, before the breakdowns, callouts, and analysis starts, let us at Muscle Insider be among the first to tell every Olympia competitor “thank you” for the hours, calories, reps, steps, and poses they have already invested and will commit to over these last several weeks. Stepping on the Olympia stage makes them one of the best in the world at what they do and a source of inspiration for many fans and future athletes.
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