Despite Warning Bodybuilders Against Tattoos, Chris Bumstead Embraces ‘Worst Year’ of His Life in a Unique Way

Tattoos are not very common in the sport of bodybuilding. And the biggest reason for their unpopularity is that it hinders the visibility of muscle definition. No bodybuilder would not want to flaunt what they have worked for several years, especially on stage. However, there are certain body parts where tattoos won’t be a big problem. And the bodybuilding star Chris Bumstead has chosen the spot wisely. 

Although last year, Bumstead advised against full body tattoos for bodybuilders when a fan asked him. CBum recently got his second tattoo as he updated his fans through an Instagram post. Moreover, he also opened up about the significance of getting that tattoo.

Chris Bumstead locked the most challenging year on his body

Chris Bumstead has reached unreal popularity in his bodybuilding career. From dropping out of his college to winning four consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, Bumstead has seen extremes in his life. However, as he matured, he embraced those tough scenarios that made him strong enough to deal with everything that didn’t go his way. In the reminiscence of the most challenging year of his life, Bumstead got a tattoo on his left leg.

While sharing the pictures with his fans, CBum introduced his new tattoos to them. Bumstead got two new tattoos inked on his legs. One on the left leg just below the knee says 2018 (The toughest year for Bumstead). Whereas he got another tattoo on his right leg, a little above the feet, which remains unclear in the picture. Moreover, he wrote about his feelings in the caption as well. Bumstead showed his gratitude as he wrote, “From what I thought was the worst year of my life to tattooing it on my leg because I am so grateful for going through it.” 

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Bumstead stood as runner-up in his first Mr. Olympia appearance. However, as it looked like he might clinch the title next year, his medical conditions a few weeks before the contest ruined his physique at the last moment, hence another year without the title. While remembering the hard times in 2018, Bumstead wrote, “The challenges I faced with my health in 2018 were what drove me to start focusing inward on my mentality and building a mindset that has allowed me to enjoy the endless pursuit of becoming my best self. The past might not be able to change, but your perception on it and what you CHOOSE to learn from it is up to you.”

If Bumstead continues to have tattoos, then why did he speak against it when a fan questioned it? Here’s why.

Why did Chris Bumstead speak against tattoos?

Before getting these two recent tattoos, Bumstead had a big tattoo on his forearm till now. Although tattoos aren’t popular among bodybuilders, Bumstead’s tattoo must have built curiosity among bodybuilding fans. One of the fans asked him if tattoos impacted his bodybuilding career. Bumstead gave a simple answer to the fan and denied the idea of it. 

As Bumstead answered the question, he explained everything in detail. Why his tattoo is not an issue, and how can a full-body tattoo make life harder for a bodybuilder? “Personally no, because I strategically only put it on my forearm,” Bumstead said. He continued, “But if you get tattoos covering your whole upper arm, your whole chest, your stomach, your back, legs, main body part. It’s going to take away from seeing the definition on your body then absolutely they can definitely detriment your bodybuilding career.” 

All in all, tattoos do affect bodybuilders if it hinders the visibility of their muscle conditioning. However, if they place their tattoos wisely like Chris Bumstead, well, the results could be different.

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