Chris Bumstead: A Force in the IFBB Pro League’s Classic Physique Division
Chris Bumstead, a bodybuilder from Canada, has proven himself to be a dominant force in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League’s Classic Physique division. With four consecutive Classic Physique Olympia titles to his name (2019-2022), he has firmly established himself as one of the most popular bodybuilders of all time.
Bumstead’s Mindset and Struggle with Autoimmune Disease
In a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast, Bumstead spoke about the mindset he adopted to become a champion and the challenges he has faced, including an autoimmune disease. Despite the obstacles, Bumstead has managed to maintain his impressive physique and continue his winning streak.
Hypothetical Match-up Against Arnold Schwarzenegger
During the podcast, Bumstead also entertained a hypothetical question about a potential match-up against bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. While he acknowledged Schwarzenegger’s impact on the sport and the respect he has for him, Bumstead expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in such a contest.
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At the most recent Olympia competition, Chris Bumstead delivered a phenomenal performance that showcased his impressive conditioning, stage presence, and signature muscle hardness. Despite strong competition from Urs Kalecinski and Ramon Queiroz, Bumstead emerged victorious with what many consider to be his best package to date. What’s more, he did so while nursing a torn bicep, which he only revealed to fans weeks after his win.
Bumstead has often been compared to legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger for his physique and classic features. Schwarzenegger himself has openly expressed his belief that the Classic Physique Olympia should hold more weight than the Open winner. During a conversation with Bradley Martyn and others, Bumstead discussed the possibility of facing off against a prime Schwarzenegger, stating confidently that he believes he could beat him because the former Mr. Olympia wasn’t “in shape enough.”
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Chris Bumstead, the reigning four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion, has opened up about his thoughts on the potential outcome of a hypothetical contest against the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger. While he called Schwarzenegger the “GOAT,” Bumstead believes he could have defeated him with better conditioning, stating that he would be “the leanest person they’d ever seen,” and that Schwarzenegger “wasn’t in shape enough” to beat him. Bumstead also refused to complain about Classic Physique’s prize money, stating that he wants the division to grow and result in better incentives. He cited Schwarzenegger as an example of someone who never complained about inadequate prize money but made bodybuilding mainstream by adding to his bottom line through Hollywood and other ventures.
In addition to discussing his thoughts on a hypothetical match-up against Schwarzenegger, Bumstead reflected on his 2019 Classic Physique Olympia victory and the autoimmune disease he suffers from called IgA Nephropathy. He had to re-program his mind to stop worrying about factors outside of his control and relinquish fear and constant worrying. Bumstead also discussed his struggle with flare-ups from the autoimmune disease, stating that it was challenging to prepare for an Olympia competition while trying to keep his stress levels down.
Bumstead remains optimistic about the future of Classic Physique and its potential to one day eclipse Open Bodybuilding in terms of prize money and popularity. However, he acknowledges that it’s difficult to predict whether that will happen.
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Chris Bumstead, a four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion, recently spoke with fitness influencer Bradley Martyn about his journey in the sport of bodybuilding. Bumstead expressed confidence in his abilities but also acknowledged the impact of conditioning on his potential victories, saying that he could have defeated bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger if he had been in better shape. He also discussed the Classic Physique division’s prize money and expressed a desire for its growth to result in better incentives, while crediting Schwarzenegger for mainstreaming the sport in the 90s.
Reflecting on his 2019 Classic Physique Olympia victory, Bumstead shared that he had to re-program his mind to stop worrying about factors outside of his control. He discussed how living with the autoimmune disease IgA Nephropathy had caused flare-ups, which added to his stress levels during prepping for competitions. Bumstead emphasized the importance of relinquishing fear and not letting worry consume him.
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In a recent interview with Muscular Development, 1990s bodybuilding standout Kevin Levrone suggested that Bumstead’s physique was influencing other competitors and judges to favor shapelier packages. Levrone argued for an aesthetic comeback in the sport, saying that “bodybuilding is supposed to be something beautiful.” Bumstead plans to continue cementing his legacy in the sport and hopes to trailblaze like Schwarzenegger by pushing the popularity of the Classic Physique division to the next level.
Featured Image @Cbum @schwarzenegger (Instagram)
Featured Streaming @FullSendPodcast (Youtube)
