Chris Bumstead Says He’d Compete In Open at Arnold Classic If They Made Show 2-3 Weeks After Olympia

Chris Bumstead is still mulling over a switch to the Men’s Open division. In a recent The Truth podcast with Hany Rambod, Bumstead talked about his new coach, his retirement plans and ambitions to one day compete in the Open class. 
Over the last few years, Bumstead has asserted his name at the top of the IFBB Pro League Classic Physique division. He won his first Olympia title in 2019 and has defended it successfully every year since. In preparation for last year’s Olympia competition (2022), ‘C-Bum’ took an eclectic approach, utilizing bulking diets, stem cell treatments, and intense training.

En route to his fourth title, Bumstead faced a few setbacks. In the past, Iain Valliere helped him out during preps. However, approximately 12 weeks before last year’s Olympia, they separated, so Valliere could focus on his career instead. As a result, Bumstead teamed up with bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod.

Bumstead secured his fourth title convincingly at the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest. Defying the odds, he managed to claim the victory with a torn bicep. After making it clear he wouldn’t compete at the Arnold Classic, Bumstead joined his coach to tackle a number of subjects like his eventual retirement and the 2023 off-season. 

Chris Bumstead Speaks on Decision to Join Hany Rambod, Pushes Retirement Off Another Year

Before talking about the Men’s Open division, Bumstead explained the process of teaming up with Hany Rambod. 

“I was so torn on who it was going to be. First of all, it came to a point where I was pulling away from Iain’s ability to be a good bodybuilder. He was competing at the Olympia and he’d be competing Friday night getting back at 11. I’d be like, ‘okay,’ then he’d have to tell me what to eat. Then, I’d have to be up at 5 A.M.” 
 
“I think it was at the Arnold I guess where me and Hany did a seminar together. We went back and talked. Obviously, knowing his amazing stature – a lot of credibility behind him. We got to talking. Just the way he was talking about more mindset than bodybuilding stuff. And that’s what I’m biggest on. People know me, I care more about my mind.” 

Instead of racking up several more Olympia titles, he shared that his primary motivation is to retire on top. 

“I know I have at least one more in me. After this year, same thing. If I’m like, ‘fu** I’m done,’ and I’m getting out of here, then I’m done. I hope I trust myself enough to know that it’s time to check out because my one goal I have with retirement is retiring on top. That’s really all I care about. I don’t really care about how many I get.” 

Bumstead Teases Open Show in 2024, Rambod Plans to Make ‘C-Bum’s’ Back ‘More Three-Dimensional’ in Off-Season

Rambod explained that Chris’ main focus right now is healing his torn bicep but said they plan to make improvements to his back during the off-season. 

“What I would really like to do, make sure, number one, get his arm back to 100% as quickly as possible,” Rambod said. “For this year, is trying to get his back more three-dimensional. I feel like he has so much real estate because he’s 6″1′, explained Rambod. 

While Bumstead admits his focus is on Classic Physique, he refused to dismiss a possible Men’s Open competition next year. 

“Imagine that, pulling out of the Classic Physique and going to the Open,” laughed Bumstead. “So, as I always say, I would never push myself on certain things, and train at a certain level, and do anything throughout a year or two years’ time to be in the Open, like I don’t want to push for a year to be in the Open, but I would love to peak for an Open show. 
 
Maybe one year, if time allows it, my health allows it, maybe if I’m in shape post-Olympia or something. Even last year – and I was thinking this when we were talking about peak week, we were still so conservative. I had no sodium. A tiny little bit, barely,” said Bumstead. 

Given that Bumstead must adhere to weight/height restrictions for Classic Physique, he would like to see how his body responds while preparing for an Open class show. 
 

“I’m curious what would happen if we fed me into a show and really blew up – I would lose some minds. And it wouldn’t look good for Classic. I’d have to come in really lean and everyone is lean and I have a weight cap. But to really see what my physique would look like, for two weeks, we just fed me up, pushed the limits, carbed me up really heavy, I’d step on stage at 248 maybe. Just for fun.” 

Bumstead mentioned again that he’d compete at the Arnold Classic if it took place two or three weeks after Olympia. 

“Maybe yeah. Who knows. Or this year, you know, whatever happens at Olympia happens and next year, I’ll do the Open and I’ll ask for a special invite,” laughed Bumstead. “I have said that if the Arnold moved to three, two weeks post-Olympia, I’d do the Open at the Arnold.” 

The last time Bumstead discussed his career goals, he shared that his focus was solely on acquiring Mr. Olympia titles. Moreover, he said having the extra time and not competing at the upcoming Arnold Classic will give him a huge advantage when it’s time to step on the Mr. Olympia stage this November. 
 
RELATED: Chris Bumstead Crushes Off-Season Arms Workout, Flaunts Fully Healed Bicep
 
Fans would love to see Chris Bumstead shock the world with a Men’s Open debut. As for Hany Rambod, it appears his focus is on guiding Bumstead to a fifth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title later this year. 

Watch the full video below: 

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