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Chris Bumstead has established himself as the king of the Classic Physique division. The Canadian has been ruling the Mr. Olympia Classic Physique stage for the last few years. In 2021, Bumstead pulled off a three-peat. Now, Chris is aiming to get his hands on a fourth consecutive title this year.

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While Chris strains hard in the gym, a strict diet is also necessary to maintain his Olympia-worthy physique. Most athletes bulk during the offseason, and Bumstead is no different. However, Bumstead’s calorie intake during the offseason is insane. The champion bodybuilder once revealed how he manages his crazy bulking diet.

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Chris Bumstead tries to eat as many clean calories as possible

In an interview with Fitness Reaper, Chris Bumstead revealed he managed to eat around 6,5000 calories a day during the offseason. Bumstead ate around six to seven meals to reach his calorie goals. However, Chris didn’t dirty bulk. “5,000 of these calories I try to make sure, come from ‘clean’ calories such as rice, chicken, potato, flank steak, etc,” said the three-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champ.

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However, the Canadian said it’s a pain to get all his calories from clean food. Most clean foods are not as calorie dense as junk food or fast food. Hence, to help reach his daily goal, Chris has to do some tweaking. “Sometimes I’ll add something like Ezekiel bread with almond butter to my chicken and rice meal,” Chris told the interviewer.

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Chris revealed that tweaking his diet after crossing the 5000-calorie mark makes it smoother. By adding some calorie-dense foods, Chris can reduce the quantity of food while getting 1500 calories more. “I will throw in some extra carbs pre-workout such as muffins, or even Timbits,” said Chris. Timbits are bite-sized morsels of Tim Horton donuts.

READ MORE: Bodybuilding Icon Chris Bumstead Shared a Profound Message for Doubters Ahead of 2022 Mr. Olympia: “For All of Those Who Said NO”

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The 2022 offseason is over, and now Chris Bumstead is on a cut. While Chris is shedding body fat and weight, the 3-time champ revealed this year, he aims to be in the best shape of his life.

The current champion is working with a new prep coach

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Chris Bumstead recently parted ways with his long-time prep coach and brother-in-law, Iain Valliere. However, the split was amicable. Chris recently announced he’s training under veteran men’s open bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod.

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While Rambod has never worked with a Classic Physique athlete, the pair are confident they can work together and retain the title.

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Watch this story – From Ronnie Coleman to Arnold Schwarzenegger – Here Are Some the Famous Protein Shake Recipes

Bumstead’s bulking diet is insane, but the champion has managed to maintain it. Do you think Chris will retain the Classic Physique crown this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Sagnik Bagchi

3,368 Articles

Sagnik Bagchi is a Senior Writer at EssentiallySports, covering collegiate and Olympic sports through opinion‑driven storytelling. His volleyball reporting often spotlights program shifts and leadership changes, including Harper Murray’s evolving role and John Cook’s candid retirement reflections at Nebraska. With nearly four years in sports media, Sagnik has contributed across key beats, from the Paris 2024 Newsbreak team to behind‑the‑scenes coverage of the NHL Playoffs. An English Literature postgraduate, Sagnik’s versatility spans bodybuilding, US sports, and Olympic disciplines. As a former Senior Bodybuilding Writer, his work earned recognition from IFBB Pro Greg Doucette. His adaptability and consistency have resulted in a place in EssentiallySports’ Journalistic Excellence Program, where selected writers work with industry mentors to refine their reporting and analytical skills.

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Abhishek Kumar

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