Three-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead has been capable of do what no different Mr. Olympia has performed since seven-time Mr. O Arnold Schwarzenegger: break into the mainstream. As far as social media attain and recognition, Bumstead— or C-bum, as he’s affectionally recognized all through the bodybuilding business—and his 10.4 million followers on Instagram alone is extra in style than the final three Mr. Olympias mixed. The 27-year-old Canadian is 6’1” and suggestions the scales wherever between 215 and 225 kilos. Though Bumstead has previously credited Tom Platz—aka the king of quads—as an affect, the aesthetics and symmetry C-Bum shows onstage is usually in comparison with legends like three-time Mr. O Frank Zane (1977-1979).
We spoke with C-bum amid his prep for his fourth consecutive Olympia Classic Physique title.
You are the preferred bodybuilder on the planet by each measurable metric. What’s driving this reputation?
[laughs] I get requested that query throughout each interview I do. But it’s an excellent one, as a result of I don’t actually know. Ask my mother and also you’ll in all probability get a solution.
What do you assume?
I believe it’s as a result of I’ve been genuine my complete profession. My dad and mom raised me that approach. I’ve by no means tried to be somebody I’m not. I’ve by no means tried to be the massive, robust, intense, offended, bodybuilder that nobody can relate…I’ve all the time been real and trustworthy after I’m anxious, nervous, excited, and I share a variety of that via my prep on my YouTube and social media channels.
On high of that, [when I started competing] social media was beginning to grow to be the norm, and a variety of bodybuilders had been very anti social media. Then there have been the true rivals. The actual rivals didn’t YouTube, or vlog, or take selfies. There was a stigma that bodybuilders—actual bodybuilders—had been too robust for that. And I wasn’t about that. What if I might bridge these two worlds collectively by getting into a prep for the Olympia and recording each single exercise, every thing I eat, after I’m having good days, after I’m having unhealthy days? What if I might simply share the entire course of. Maybe individuals would relate to that.
So why basic and never open?
I began within the open as a result of there was no basic. I turned professional [in 2016] as an open bodybuilder. That yr, basic got here out. So I believed, this was nice, I didn’t should placed on 40 kilos of muscle and construct this physique that I don’t even know if I actually need.
Do up to date Mr. Olympia physiques enchantment to you?
I needed to appear like Lee Labrada—however taller—Lee Haney a bit bit, Berry de Mey was positively considered one of my favourite physiques for some time. Those had been the physiques I needed to emulate quite than Phil Heath.
You’re the preferred bodybuilder, but you don’t get the identical cash because the Mr. Olympia winner. Are you OK with that?
I’d be mendacity if I stated I didn’t want the prize cash was extra. I believe a few of my fellow rivals might need a qualm, however I actually don’t care. Honestly, I’ve by no means competed for the cash. At the top of the day, would I wish to take dwelling an even bigger examine? Of course, however is that going to alter how onerous I attempt to win? No.
Let’s put it one other approach: If you’re extra in style than Big Ramy and draw extra individuals to the game, shouldn’t you be extra necessary than he?
I assume it is dependent upon the way you outline “important.” [Many people] would inform you Big Ramy is extra necessary as a result of he will get an even bigger examine on the finish of the yr. So it is dependent upon the way you worth significance. Right now, I’m pleased with the place I’m at. I believe I’ve earned a variety of respect from individuals within the business and on this planet and I believe basic physique is a really younger division. I imagine this yr the prize cash goes up an excellent quantity—less than open, but—however we’ve been round for only some years. I believe the recognition and the group it’s drawn speaks for itself. As does the quantity of affection, not solely from me, but in addition the love my fellow rivals have for the division.
Is it additionally drawing the subsequent technology of rivals?
Younger rivals everywhere in the US and in Canada are selecting basic over the open. It’s exploding. I believe over time the prize cash will proceed to rise and possibly will match the open sooner or later. When it occurs it occurs, I’ve no management over that. What is in my management is how a lot cash I could make exterior competing and I work my ass off for that, however I can’t go run and whine to whomever controls that and say I would like extra money.
How onerous is the work exterior of competing?
It’s a variety of effort, however on the finish of the day, it’s not a very onerous job. Maybe that’s simply me being grateful for what I get to do, as a result of I actually do love what I do day-after-day. How can you are feeling such as you’re working very onerous while you’re having fun with it on a regular basis? I’ve constructed a tremendous workforce round me that helps me with my model. I’ve a videographer, a photographer, and a pal who’s additionally my enterprise associate who helps me with my coaching app and our merch that we promote. We attempt to keep lively in the neighborhood. It’s a variety of work, nevertheless it’s completely price it. I a lot quite be doing this than sitting behind a desk, so I’d by no means complain.
What can be the primary sign that will make you assume it’s time to rethink competing?
That’s an excellent query. The very first thing can be my well being. Because as a lot as I like bodybuilding and I get a lot pleasure and achievement out of it, my well being is my primary precedence. If I retire with out that, then what was the purpose? After that, it’s maintaining the identical fireplace lit. If I begin to lose that fireside and I’m not even blissful doping this, and I’m simply type of forcing
myself into this for simply my ego’s sake to win one other one, or a fifth one, or a sixth one, then that’s not one thing I’m making an attempt to reside like.
Where would you draw the road healthwise?
I observe my blood work and urinalysis carefully with docs, particularly specialty docs. I simply moved to the US, so I’m getting a brand new nephrologist ( a health care provider who focuses on circumstances that have an effect on the kidneys), and I’ve a specialty physician that displays my stuff and I’ve a file of it for the final 4 years and nothing has actually declined a lot. I had one well being problem: I’ve an autoimmune illness [not bodybuilding-related] that may have an effect on my kidneys at random. I’ve been managing that fairly nicely. So, if I can see a comparability to years prior that it’s declining at a fee that I’m not pleased with—that my docs aren’t pleased with (they’re conscious of bodybuilding and all that’s concerned)—then it might simply be a comparability of the change over time and if it’s declining at a fee I’m not pleased with then I’ll pull out.
In 2021, 31 female and male rivals cross away throughout the globe. Is that one thing that weighs on you?
I believe you’re a idiot on this sport in the event you assume you’re all set and don’t have anything to fret about. It’s one thing I hope each single considered one of us worries about and will get the best checks and balances—ensure you’re seeing the best specialists and docs who know you’re as wholesome as you could be doing what you’re doing. There might have been a variety of elements concerned in all these deaths, particularly contemplating the yr it was—I’m not going to get into that—however, in fact it’s on my thoughts. I hope it’s on everybody else’s too.
Point clean: Is this your final Olympia?
People all the time ask me what number of extra Olympias do I’ve in me, and I reply, “One more.” And then I pause and say, “and maybe one more after that.” I actually don’t know. That’s the trustworthy fact.
How positive are you that you just’ll win the 2022 Classic O once more?
Pretty rattling positive