6x Classic Physique Olympia Champion Chris Bumstead wanted to focus on other priorities in retirement and that includes his health.
There are many reasons why a bodybuilder decides that it is the right time to call it a career. For bodybuilding great Chris Bumstead, that was the case as he wanted to focus on other priorities moving forward. At the top of the list was his family and of course, his health.
During a recent conversation with Chris Williamson, Bumstead admitted that bodybuilding was not great for his health and this contributed to retiring early.
“I was very conscious of bodybuilding is not good for your health. And I don’t want to continue to do this to me with a family.”
After winning his sixth Classic Physique Olympia title in October 2024, Bumstead announced that he would be retiring. He took the stage one final time during the EVLS Prague Pro in Men’s Open and finished as the runner-up. Bumstead has not competed since. He has spoken about his new regime in retirement and that includes remaining in great shape.
| Full Name: Chris Bumstead (Classic Physique Bodybuilder) | ||
| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 215-220 lbs | 6’1″ | 2/2/1995 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Classic Physique | 2010s, 2020s | Canadian |
Chris Bumstead Talks Health in Retirement
Bumstead became known as the greatest Classic Physique competitor over the last six years. Last year, he decided to hang it up and retire from competitive bodybuilding.
“There’s definitely is some damage that happened to my health and was another huge reason why it was easy for me to retire because I wasn’t willing to make that sacrifice anymore.”
Chris Bumstead might be retired but he continues to train at a high level. After winning his sixth Classic Physique Olympia title in October 2024, Bumstead announced that he would be retiring. He took the stage one final time during the EVLS Prague Pro in Men’s Open and finished as the runner-up. Bumstead has not competed since.
Who is Chris Bumstead?
In 2016, Chris Bumstead earned his IFBB pro card after winning the IFBB North American Bodybuilding Championship trophy at only 21 years old. Ever since then, he has continued to be a force in the Classic Physique division. As time went on, Chris saw himself walking the Olympia stage amongst the best competitors in the world. After a runner-up finish in 2017 and 2018, Bumstead was determined to take home the top prize.
And so, he did. Bumstead is now a six-time Olympia winner, having taken home the title in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. As the defending champion, it was always his title to lose, but he did not let that happen, beating out awesome competitors like Ramon Dino and now the Arnold Classic Champ who beat Ramon, Wesley Vissers. By developing a serious training routine, effective nutrition plan, and efficient supplementation for contest prep, Bumstead was able to remain at the top of Classic Physique during his career.
A lot of Chris Bumstead’s inspiration comes from golden age bodybuilders. He made sure to keep his waist and core tight with lean muscle mass. He hopes to replicate their legacy one day and the path he is was on certainly lends credence to his hopes.
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