The reigning four-time Classic Physique champ is taking his time getting back into the swing of things.
In some ways, Chris Bumstead is likely to be at a crossroads in his skilled bodybuilding profession. After notching his fourth consecutive Classic Physique title on the 2022 Olympia —giving him more championships than all other victors combined within the history of the division that began in 2016 — Bumstead looked as if it would need to take a breather. In mid-January 2023, the athlete revealed he suffered a right biceps tear three days before the Olympia and that it will take a while to get well properly. Because the superstar looks ahead to the subsequent steps of his athletic journey, he provides a recent update on his current status.
On Jan. 23, 2023, Bumstead posted a video to his YouTube where he grinds through a leg workout: one among his first filmed sessions of the brand new calendar yr. At the identical time, he disclosed what’s happened along with his body and training regimen since tearing a biceps muscle.
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Before diving leg-first into his routine, Bumstead shared how he’s been recuperating within the roughly month since he prolonged his Classic Physique reign and tore his right biceps. The bodybuilder maintained that, except for giving some attention to his legs occasionally, he hasn’t trained repeatedly in roughly five weeks.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia officially set for Nov. 3-5, 2023, in Orlando, FL, Bumstead seemed to be content to take his time and never rush back full throttle.
“I’ve done legs like once a week-ish,” Bumstead noted. “Not working hard. So, I’m letting my body get well at once. However the Olympia is in nine months.”
Along with taking it somewhat easy within the gym in the interim, Bumstead explained he’d gained roughly 12 kilos for the reason that 2022 Olympia. He weighed around 251 kilos when the video was recorded.
With more detail on his health made clear, Bumstead powered through his leg training. (Note: The athlete didn’t disclose specific sets and repetitions for all of the several segments of his workout.)
Leg Extension and Leg Press
To start out his session, Bumstead elected to do a superset of some leg extensions and a leg press. He performed each movements unilaterally and treated them as a warm-up for his muscles before shifting to compound exercises.
Leg Press
Together with his warm-up out of the best way, Bumstead focused on a moderately heavier leg press. The competitor maintained he didn’t need to push it an excessive amount of as he worked his way back into a top quality groove.
“… Because I don’t need to put plates on at once,” Bumstead said. “Partly because my knees just feel unstable at once, and I would like to make certain they’re equally strong.”
Back Squat
Within the “meat and potatoes” portion of his workout, Bumstead implemented some traditional back squats. The athlete appeared to have a single plate on all sides of his barbell for a warm-up before slowly progressing his weight through just a few more sets. As a better, Bumstead looked as if it would have two plates adorned on either side, which equals 225 kilos (assuming Bumstead used a typical 45-pound barbell.)
Walking Dumbbell Lunge
As he began to wind down his leg session, Bumstead kept attacking his lower body with just a few sets of walking dumbbell lunges. The athlete appeared to carry 70-pound dumbbells in each hand for everything of this portion.
Seated Calf Raise
To complete off his workout, Bumstead performed seated calf raises. He looked as if it would have fastened two 45-pound plates to his machine for the respective sets as he put a cap on the general session.
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On the time of this writing, it’s apparent Bumstead will work to realize a fifth straight Classic Physique Olympia title this coming November. While bodybuilding legends like Samir Bannout have suggested the athlete should try his hand at competing within the Men’s Open division — at the same time as early because the 2023 Arnold Classic in March — Bumstead has previously clarified he wouldn’t consider a change until 2024 on the earliest. Not to say that moving up a division would potentially not be smart for somebody still recovering from an upper-body ailment.
Regardless of the near and long-term future holds in store for Bumstead, it’s probable he’ll proceed sharing in-depth looks at what’s next in his bodybuilding pursuits.
Featured image: Chris Bumstead on YouTube