4x Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead has taken the Olympia stage by storm in the last few years, lifting the title consecutively from 2019 to 2022. The Classic Physique division harks back to the golden era of bodybuilding, made famous by legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Moreover, The Austrian Oak promotes this new division, created in 2016, and is an inspiration for bodybuilders competing in this genre. However, in a recent interview, Chris Bumstead, the Classic Division champion, made a shocking revelation. Bumstead admitted he hasn’t seen the Arnold Schwarzenegger documentary, surprising many fans.
Chris Bumstead and Arnold Schwarzenegger are similar in constitution
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Podcaster Chris Williamson posed some interesting questions in the YouTube episode “Chris Bumstead – The Mindset & Motivation Secrets Of 4X Mr. Olympia (4K) | Modern Wisdom 652.” The host asks the Canadian bodybuilder,”…. Did you watch the new Arnold documentary?” Four-time Mr. Olympia champion replied, “No, haven’t seen it yet…” The three-part documentary, called ‘Arnold’, has garnered attention and fanfare. The Netflix documentary deeply explores and celebrates the Governator’s life.
Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced the world to a new notion of chiseled beauty. He was the god of flow, poise, and symmetry, unlike the mass monster era of today. The newly formed Classic Division pays homage to the aesthetics of the golden era. Maybe it is for this reason that people often compare the Canadian bodybuilder to The Austrian Oak.
Both are also in similar weight ranges. Bumstead in the video, mentioned, “I think Arnold was 240 on stage approximately and my weight cap is 240. I’m about 239 when I weigh in so we’re about the same weight, just like now it’s required to be a lot less body fat.” Although the new division takes its inspiration from the 1970s, it is different now due to the progress made in bodybuilding.
Bumstead states the difference between Olympia Classic Physique and the Arnold era
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Comparing the Classic Physique Championship to the golden era, Bumstead states,”….it was more about being full and round and just like aesthetic, and which is what classic physique was brought in for but even still, the contrast classic physique versus like the Arnold era, it’s way cleaner now, it’s still it’s getting to just as lean as the open bodybuilders, it’s like shredded glutes, you know you’re a** is just striated at the end of the day, feathered quads just looks like you have no body fat on you.”
Bodybuilding as a sport has progressed a lot. As Bumstead himself acknowledges, “…..nutrition with dieting with Peds with rest with recovery…” has become more efficient. Open bodybuilding competitions feature bulky competitors, while classic championships celebrate men with low body fat. The aesthetics and symmetry of the older generation are no longer evident. Bodybuilding fans keep yearning for the good old days. Do you miss the golden era? And have you seen Arnold’s documentary? Let us know in the comments.
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