Classic Physique is a new category that’s been around since 2016 and is quickly getting steam in the mainstream popularity. Searching for an official explanation as to what is considered a “classic physique”, the almighty google gave me the following answer;
“..Manion, Tyler Manion, and Tony Blinn, the aptly named Classic Physique is the middle ground between bodybuilding and men’s physique. “Classic Physique is for guys who want to take their muscularity and size beyond the limits of Men’s Physique, but not quite to the extremes of Bodybuilding,” Jim Manion said”
This is all just fancy talk for “we want guys with the 70’s Arnold look“. Before we get the ball rolling with the predictions, here’s 7x times Mr. Olympia-Phil Heath talking about the classic physique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi8jhvkqyps
His first thoughts are very blunt as he says that it’s for “weekend warriors” aka guys who either can’t or won’t do the hard work to the to the big stage and compete with da phreakz. He then switches gears and says it’s a cool idea and he thinks it will eventually start pulling guys from other sports to bodybuilding.
Sooo…cool beans? I must admit it’s an interesting prediction, that former athletes with great physiques would consider transferring to bodybuilding. With all of this said and done, let’s get down to the predictions.
1. Breon Ansley
I’m gonna go with the defending champ on this one. I think his physique is good enough and better enough from the rest of the competition to give him another run as the champ.
… But if you have any doubts just look at on his current conditioning still 4 weeks out from Olympia:
2. Chris Bumstead
Chris has a big chance of dethroning the current champ, the aforementioned, Breon Ansley. He’s taller than Ansley thusly having a larger frame to fill with muscle. Buuut being taller than the rest of the competitors doesn’t automatically make you a champion.
3. Arash Rahbar
Former Men’s physique competitor, now a classic physique competitor. Arash is one of the many guys shifting from their initial division to classic physique division. He’s got a pretty good, full look but he’s not anywhere near the top two guys. However, he is good enough to rank in the top 3.
4. Steve Laureus
Steve’s another one of those dudes that’s good at everything but not top 2 great. He’s got a very good looking symmetrical physique but other guys are just more symmetrical looking. He’s also got some massive quads that may or may not have an effect on the judging, depending on what the judges want.
Btw, Steve doing Olympia this year or not is still a mystery!!!
5. George Peterson
Nicknamed ‘Da Bull’ George Peterson is one of the biggest classic competitors, he is a pro bodybuilder who has experienced both divisions and has some interesting insight on the matter. He was paced 3rd at 2017 Mr. Olympia.
6. David Hoffmann
Hoffman is a bodybuilding veteran and a former open weight competitor. He has a very good vacuum pose and a good physique to get him a crack at the top 5. He and Laureus are basically interchangeable. They each have their own weaknesses and advantages so it will come down to, again, what the judges want.
7. Regan Grimes
Regan Grimes is the latest addition to the exciting Classic Physique lineup. Grimes switch from Open Weight to Classic at the 2018 New York Pro and secure a big win. While many doubted his ability to make the switch from Open to Classic successfully, Regan proved everyone wrong and punched his ticket to the 2018 Olympia.
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Chris Bum will win the Classic Physique