“Chill the f**k out and be better”: Chris Bumstead shares essential tips for aspiring bodybuilders
Bodybuilding icon Chris Bumstead, who has already etched his name in the history books, recently gave his two cents on what he believes every young bodybuilder should do. Since the introduction of the Classic Physique division in 2016, Bumstead has secured five out of seven Mr. Olympia titles, proving his mettle. The Canadian also has his own supplement line as well as gyms at this point.
To succeed in a sport like bodybuilding which doesn't pay that well and requires a lot of sacrifice, Bumstead believes the athletes should keep their calm and stay relaxed. After all, rarely any bodybuilder has performed exceptionally well in their first contest.
Competitive bodybuilding requires a strong will and resilience. Unnecessary stress during the prep can easily ruin weeks of hard work for an athlete. Talking along the same lines, Chris Bumstead said in a recent Instagram video:
"I mean I would just tell young bodybuilders just to chill the f*ck out and then to be better than you were your first prep or the prep before. Bodybuilding is such a nuanced game of like perfecting as many little things as possible to add up into a big thing."
"We all know how to train and how to eat, and every other tiny little thing in between kind of makes you above and beyond the rest. So if you cheated on your diet twice last prep, cheat on it once this time, you know save some room for improvement and it's zero time next time," he added.
Chris Bumstead encourages to learn from mistakes
Currently aiming for his sixth Mr. Olympia title, Chris Bumstead often opens up about his experiences and journey during his prep. Learning from his mistakes, he makes sure to not repeat them.
There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to bodybuilding. Basic concepts like carb loading, depleting water, applying tan, etc. can vary from one individual to another. Advising aspiring bodybuilders to experiment and learn about their bodies, Chris Bumstead further said in the video:
"But never expect perfection. If your first prep is your worst prep, then you're off to a great start, you know, so just accept them as they come and try not to overthink it. Because there's always another show... just learn from your mistakes and get better every single year."
What are your views on Chris Bumstead's advice to young lifters? Let us know in the comments.