The debate over bodybuilding's GOAT often circles back to one name: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Now, four-time Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead has weighed in. His verdict on surpassing the Austrian Oak might surprise you.

The Canadian bodybuilder weighs around 240 lbs and stands about 6’1” when he performs on stage. Surprisingly, the Austrian Oak's competition weight was approximately 235 lbs, and his height was 6’2”. That number also sparked many debates among fans about who would win if they competed against each other.

On March 31, 2023, the Full Send podcast posted a clip on its YouTube channel where Bumstead discussed Schwarzenegger and whether anyone, including himself, could challenge the GOAT of bodybuilding.

The retired bodybuilder said, “I don’t think I would ever replace him as the GOAT in bodybuilding.”

Later, revealing the reason, Bumstead said, “Because some people have talked about that, because I don’t think you can compare the impact he’s had on the sport.

He went out to Hollywood and made bodybuilding mainstream for a while, purely because of who he was. That’s greatness”.

And no one can deny that. By winning his first major competition, Junior Mr. Europe at the age of 18 in 1965, the Austrian bodybuilder established a new era. Later, when he was only 20, Schwarzenegger made history by winning the amateur Mr. Universe.

Then he came to the USA and proved to everyone that with dedication and hard work, anyone can achieve anything. When he started his Hollywood journey, Schwarzenegger faced some criticism, with people trying to demotivate him by saying that his bodybuilding physique was not suitable for movies.

However, Schwarzenegger proved everyone wrong and left another legacy in the movie industry.

His power was not only limited to bodybuilding and movies, but he also entered politics and became the governor of California.

While some fans think Bumstead could give Schwarzenegger tough competition, another bodybuilding legend thinks otherwise.

Ronnie Coleman on Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chris Bumstead comparison

During his appearance on The Good, The Bad and The Beast podcast on November 18, 2025, the 8-time Mr. Olympia praised Bumstead but admitted that Schwarzenegger would have smoked him easily.

Coleman said, “He’s (Chris Bumstead) a pretty good bodybuilder, pretty good”.

But when Eddie Hall asked if Bumstead would have beaten Schwarzenegger, Coleman said:

“Not a snowball’s chance. No, no. Arnold is on a totally different level than him. If Arnold had what he had… You know, he would have smoked him easily”.

According to Coleman, competitors today are not as driven, and after Phil Heath, no bodybuilder has shown that much power before on the Mr. Olympia stage.

So, what do you think, would Bumstead have beaten Schwarzenegger?

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil