“Puts a Lot of Strain on Your Heart”: 4-Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler Opened Up on Walking Away From Bodybuilding at 40 in 2013

Bodybuilding is a sport that tests your endurance to its heights. It calls for a lot of work on your body and massive lifestyle changes. Therefore, it isn’t easy to get to your goal without sacrifices. However, in a bodybuilder’s journey, there might come a point where the body reaches its limits. A bodybuilder needs to watch out for that and gracefully retire. This is what 4x Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler once talked about.

Cutler officially retired from bodybuilding in 2013. He was 40 years old and had built up a lot by the time he retired. So it raises the question, should all bodybuilders retire by 40? The icon gave his two cents once.

Jay Cutler reflects on competitive bodybuilding after a certain age

Given that bodybuilding not only includes intensive workouts but also other aspects, it could get hard after a certain age. The sport involves putting on a lot of weight and bulking up, drastic changes in diet before and after competitions, and sometimes extra supplements and enhancers. These factors may not cause immediate harm, but over a period could affect a person’s body. Jay Cutler retired at the age of 40 for similar reasons.

While the sport may seem overwhelming to many, the former Mr. Olympia argues that bodybuilding doesn’t have to be scary. In one of his podcast episodes that aired in 2021, Cutler explains that anything in excess is bound to be bad for the body – whether it’s nutrition or anything else. One can enjoy the process of preparing for bodybuilding while also staying cautious.

Read More: 4X Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler Once Revealed How Bodybuilding Was His Only Escape From Reality

However, it is essential to keep in mind the limits of the human body. The champion notes that bodybuilding involves gaining a lot of weight, such it often categorizes one as ‘obese’. It could attract health issues over time. He explains, “I think our biggest fear now is, when you’re 290, 5-foot-9 or 10, you’re considered obese. So it puts a lot of strain on the heart.”

What were Cutler’s end notes?

It is critical to prepare mindfully. Cutler admitted that while he felt okay at 40, he still knew he wouldn’t be able to maintain that weight for longer. Therefore, he decided to quit. He still stands by his decision, maintaining his stand that one ideally shouldn’t be testing their body’s limits after a certain age.

Be it Jay Cutler or any other legendary bodybuilder who has since retired from the profession, there are always a few takeaways. One should prioritize health over everything and shouldn’t think of testing their limits. Cutler, an expert in the field, is a valuable and credible source for this subject.

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