Bodybuilding has myriad facets to it. There are a lot of rules and criteria that bodybuilders need to maintain to qualify for a competition. To present their physique, every bodybuilder has to consider their weight, height, posing, and even expressions while they are on stage. The aesthetics of a bodybuilder not only depend on their muscles but also on their height. The IFBB has strict standards of height and weight proportions in the Classic Physique, which have stopped restricting short bodybuilders from bulking up recently. But previously the shorter contenders had a disadvantage.

The taller contenders have always had an advantage with bulking up, and one of the tall and flawless pros is Mr. Olympia Chris Bumsted who surpassed most others with his huge 6’1” stature. However, even after being as tall as a titan, it turns out, that even Bumstead had tried to increase his height with this unique machine.

Chris Bumstead once tried a bizarre way of increasing his height

In a podcast with Chris Williamson, CBum revealed his idea of increasing one inch of his height to gain an upper hand against his competitors. Williamson asked the 4-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique winner about that particular story involving an inversion table to make the latter taller in his category.

Bumstead agreed and said, “I tried, yeah, I did. It came with a 100-page pamphlet like 500 instructions to put together and I never put it together.” After the failed attempt, he went to a chiropractor and got some help through a machine that stretches the body to increase some inches. Cbum also admitted that the Classic Physique is a crucial battle to appear taller.

READ MORE: “Don’t Want to Shrink”: Despite Winning 4 Classic Physique Mr. Olympias, Chris Bumstead Bought Equipment to Increase His Height

However, with the changes in the rules of the Classic Physique division, Bumstead might be in a little bit of a setback and need to focus his effects elsewhere.

Bumstead may be affected by the current rules

Bumstead will no longer have the added advantage of height due to the changes in the rules of the Classic Physique division. The shorter contenders can now bulk up given the relaxation in the weight-to-height ratio rules.

Shorter bodybuilders like Urs Kalecinski and Ramon Dino now can gain more muscle mass, according to IFBB pro Greg Doucette. These bodybuilders comprise over 20 lbs of muscle due to the rules, but they can now gain more weight and create a competitive ground in the game.

Maybe Chris Bumstead needs that one extra inch of height now more than ever. Though he towers over everyone else even without it, it might give him a competitive and psychological edge over competitors. What will happen in Mr. Olympia 2023? Will Chris win the title again? Tell us in the comments.

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