In a whirlwind of accomplishments and challenges, Chris Bumstead, the five-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion, has navigated highs like securing another title and embracing fatherhood, along with lows such as an arduous hair transplant procedure. Now, after a significant hiatus, Bumstead is back to the grind, showcasing a ‘raw’ leg workout in a recent YouTube video.
The Canadian bodybuilding icon, in a candid walkthrough of his leg routine, shared the impact of his extended break, which included a month-long hiatus due to a hair transplant procedure. Despite the challenges and the festive season, Bumstead dove into an intense workout, starting with split squats and hamstring curls, incorporating heavy weights for added intensity.
Acknowledging the strain from his prolonged absence, Bumstead persevered through Nordic curls, emphasizing his focus on strengthening his knees this year. With a forthcoming 12-day vacation for snowboarding in Aspen, he emphasized the need to “bulletproof” his body for the activity.
Throughout the workout, Bumstead observed how his body adapted to the changes, having not worked out regularly during the break. He highlighted the body’s ability to build endurance and strength as the nervous system adjusts to consistent training.
Despite the challenges and soreness, the dedication remained evident, with Bumstead pushing himself to complete exhaustion, concluding the session with crunches on the bar. Since his hair transplant, Bumstead has encountered difficulties in pushing toward his fitness goals, but his persistence prevails, showcasing his commitment to maintaining peak physical condition.
Following his fifth Mr. Olympia win, Bumstead treated himself to the procedure in Turkey. The detailed and painful process involved numbing the head with injections, extracting and reinserting hair, lasting a total of 8 and 1/2 hours. Post-transplant, Bumstead refrained from working out to avoid affecting the healing process. Despite the challenges, he has successfully overcome the post-procedure slump and is now on track to intensify his training regimen.
