The Classic Physique division has emerged as one of the most beloved and exciting categories in the world of bodybuilding.
Debuting at Joe Weider’s Fitness and Performance Weekend in 2016, it offered a return to the aesthetics and proportions of bodybuilding’s golden era.
This division’s inception was a response to growing concerns about the size and aesthetics of competitors in the Men’s Open division, with even legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger calling for a change in judging criteria.
The Classic Physique division focuses on recapturing the golden era aesthetics, emphasizing attributes such as muscle proportion, symmetry, lines, and a small waist.
Jim Manion, the NPC/IFBB Pro League President, defined it as a category for athletes who want to showcase more muscularity and size than in Men’s Physique, without going to the extremes of Bodybuilding.
The Complete List of Classic Physique Olympia Winners
Since its introduction in 2016, the Classic Physique Olympia division has seen three champions.
Let’s look at the athletes who have earned this prestigious title.
- 2016: Danny Hester
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
- Winner: Danny Hester
- Runner-Up: Arash Rahbar
- Third Place: Sadik Hadzovic
The debut of the Classic Physique division in 2016 marked a significant moment in the history of bodybuilding. Competitors displayed balanced physiques, proportions, and symmetry, and posed in black trunks reminiscent of the golden era.
At 47 years old, Danny Hester won the inaugural Classic Physique Olympia, setting a standard for the new division.
Athletes presented varying approaches, focusing on size, symmetry, balance, and conditioning.
Hester’s victory provided clarity about the division’s criteria, showing the importance of aesthetics.
- 2017-2018: Breon Ansley
- 2017 Winner: Breon Ansley
- 2018 Winner: Breon Ansley
- 2017 Runner-Up: Chris Bumstead
- 2018 Runner-Up: Chris Bumstead
- 2017 Third Place: George Peterson
- 2018 Third Place: George Peterson
In 2017, Breon Ansley dethroned Danny Hester, securing his first Classic Physique Olympia victory.
The highly competitive field included the emerging talent of Chris Bumstead and the consistently impressive George Peterson.
Meanwhile, Chris Bumstead quickly made a name for himself, winning the 2017 Pittsburgh Pro and the Toronto Pro Supershow, finishing as a runner-up at his first Olympia.
Breon Ansley continued his success in 2018, retaining the title after another tough battle with Chris Bumstead. George Peterson again finished in third place, maintaining a strong presence in the division.
- 2019-2023: Chris Bumstead
- 2019 Winner: Chris Bumstead
- 2020 Winner: Chris Bumstead
- 2021 Winner: Chris Bumstead
- 2022 Winner: Chris Bumstead
- 2023 Winner: Chris Bumstead
- 2019 Runner-Up: Breon Ansley
- 2020 Runner-Up: Terrence Ruffin
- 2021 Runner-Up: Terrence Ruffin
- 2022 Runner-Up: Ramon Rocha Queiroz
- 2023 Runner-Up: Ramon Rocha Queiroz
- 2019 Third Place: George Peterson
- 2020 Third Place: Breon Ansley
- 2021 Third Place: Breon Ansley
- 2022 Third Place: Urs Kalecinski
- 2023 Third Place: Urs Kalecinski
Chris Bumstead became the face of the Classic Physique division, capturing his first Classic Physique Olympia title in 2019.
Chris Bumstead’s unwavering dedication to his physique and social media presence turned him into one of the most popular bodybuilders of the era.
He secured his fifth Olympia title in 2023, demonstrating remarkable resilience, especially after dealing with a torn lat just 10 weeks before the event.
Over the years, Chris Bumstead has fine-tuned his physique, bringing improvements each time he steps on stage.
His journey is a testament to his commitment and determination, with fans eagerly anticipating what he will bring to the 2024 Olympia.
Classic Physique Division Height and Weight Rules
Unlike the Men’s Open division, which has no height or weight restrictions, the Classic Physique division enforces weight limits based on the athlete’s height.
This unique approach ensures that competitors maintain the aesthetics and proportions reflective of the golden era of bodybuilding.
In addition to weight limits, Classic Physique athletes perform five mandatory poses, compared to the eight compulsory poses in the Men’s Open division. Moreover, the vacuum pose is an essential part of their routine.
Here are the weight classes based on height for the Classic Physique division:
| Up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm) | Up to and including 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Over 5’ 4”, up to and including 5’ 5” (165 cm) | Up to and including 175 lbs (79 kg) |
| Over 5’ 5”, up to and including 5’ 6” (168 cm) | Up to and including 180 lbs (82 kg) |
| Over 5’ 6”, up to and including 5’ 7” (170 cm) | Up to and including 185 lbs (84 kg) |
| Over 5’ 7”, up to and including 5’ 8” (173 cm) | Up to and including 192 lbs (87 kg) |
| Over 5’ 8”, up to and including 5’ 9” (175 cm) | Up to and including 200 lbs (91 kg) |
| Over 5’ 9”, up to and including 5’ 10” (178 cm) | Up to and including 207 lbs (94 kg) |
| Over 5’ 10”, up to and including 5’ 11” (180 cm) | Up to and including 215 lbs (98 kg) |
| Over 5’ 11”, up to and including 6’ 0” (183 cm) | Up to and including 222 lbs (101 kg) |
| Over 6’ 0”, up to and including 6’ 1” (185 cm) | Up to and including 230 lbs (104 kg) |
| Over 6’ 1”, up to and including 6’ 2” (188 cm) | Up to and including 240 lbs (109 kg) |
| Over 6’ 2”, up to and including 6’ 3” (191 cm) | Up to and including 247 lbs (112 kg) |
| Over 6’ 3”, up to and including 6’ 4” (193 cm) | Up to and including 255 lbs (116 kg) |
| Over 6’ 4”, up to and including 6’ 5” (196 cm) | Up to and including 262 lbs (119 kg) |
| Over 6’ 5”, up to and including 6’ 6” (198 cm) | Up to and including 270 lbs (122 kg) |
| Over 6’ 6”, up to and including 6’ 7” (201 cm) | Up to and including 277 lbs (126 kg) |
| Over 6’ 7” (201 cm) | Up to and including 285 lbs (129 kg) |
Conclusion
The Classic Physique division has not only brought back the aesthetics of the golden era but also added a new layer of excitement to the world of bodybuilding.
Through the incredible journey of champions like Danny Hester, Breon Ansley, and Chris Bumstead, the division has evolved, setting new standards for muscle proportion, symmetry, and aesthetics.
With Chris Bumstead’s unprecedented five Olympia titles and the emergence of new talents, the Classic Physique division continues to thrive and captivate fans worldwide.
This unique category promises more thrilling competitions and awe-inspiring physiques in the years to come.