Bumstead has his sights set on bodybuilding’s biggest prize.
After winning his fourth Classic Physique Olympia title in December 2022, members of the bodybuilding world have been speculating about Chris Bumstead’s future. The bodybuilder has previously mentioned plans to continue his Olympia dynasty – after he recovers from a right biceps strain – with legends like 1983 Mr Olympia Samir Banout pushing Bumstead to try his hand at the men’s open division at the 2023 Arnold Classic. (AC) This March. As rumors swirl about what’s next for the 27-year-old superstar, Bumstead recently got a little more candid about his career goals.
On January 27, 2023, Bumstead posted a video to his YouTube channel where he attempted to explain his current competitive mindset. In this process, before he considers a change of division or appears in competitions, the athlete defends his mission for the foreseeable future. Added more Olympia titles to his trophy case.
Despite his dominance in the classical physics category, Bumstead does not feel that he is a class above his peers. According to the athlete, his current schedule allows him to go full throttle for recovery and post-Olympia training. That, in turn, gives him the advantage he feels to get Olympia wins.
But he noted that if Bumstead exposed himself to competition like AC, it would disrupt the successful rhythm he had established.
“… because I won the Olympia, I qualified [to compete in the Olympia contest] for life,” Bumstead explained. “I think it gives me a big advantage because I can take three months off. [post-Olympia] To really let my body rest, recover, and rest, and then I can go into my off-season, slowly ease into it and make the changes and growth that I need, and After I can start preparing. Then, I don’t have to worry about other programs in between.
If Bumstead ever works up a solid performance at AC, it will shorten his recovery time and potentially hinder his Olympia chances. An athlete will have approximately one month of rest after AC before returning to Olympia-focused training and nutrition plans.
Until further notice, that doesn’t appear to be a sacrifice Bumstead is willing to make. He has been involved in his bodybuilding efforts to create only Olympia legacy.
“[Doing the AC] I have a month to recover, a month off-season, and then I go into three months of prep [for the Olympia]. I stay in that cycle very quickly with no downtime and I want my body to stay young, rested and youthful,” Bumstead explained. “I don’t want to appear old, tired, battered and injured on stage. I just want Olympias to win. That’s the legacy I’m trying to build right now. Arnold [Classic] Not my priority.”
For the first time in what could be 2023, Bumstead has made his upcoming journey crystal clear. He wants to extend his reign at the top of the classic physique division, with no non-Olympia ambitions unimportant. For Bumstead, it seems he wants to continue refining and polishing precisely the competitive scheme that has been shown to work.
Featured Image: @cbum on Instagram
