There are few names more synonymous with modern-day bodybuilding than Chris Bumstead. Now, nearly two years after he announced his retirement, the six-time Mr Olympia has teamed up with Gymshark on a new collection centred around the theme of the endless pursuit of progress and always chasing more, entitled Unfinished.
Bumstead has been a Gymshark advocate for some time. He named the 7" Sport Shorts when we asked him to list six items he can’t live without. ‘I wear this pair of shorts every single day because they fit perfectly and feel super light,' he told Men’s Health US. 'The zippered pockets keep my valuables safe when I'm travelling or on my bike.'
The new collection, his first with Gymshark, feels like a natural step in Bumstead’s post-competition era, not least because it brings together two of the biggest names in lifting.
The theme hinges on finding satisfaction in the process and the work it takes to get somewhere, rather than the end result. This ‘unfinished’ mentality is what the duo have chosen to act as the foundation for each item in the collection.
In a YouTube video where he talks through the range, Bumstead says he was given full creative license over the silhouettes, colourways and overall design. 'The whole theme is about tying in authentic streetwear with original bodybuilding and Gymshark,' he says. 'It's my style to a tee.'
The collection is the culmination of 'an entire year of work', says Bumstead. Now it's finished, his favourite piece is the Straight Leg Joggers. 'The material is so soft and they feel so good to wear. They feel slick – not like a sweatpant – they're a little more tightly wound, not too tight at the bottom. If you have big legs, they have lots of room.'
He also reveals details behind the T-Shirt. 'I didn't want it to be cropped cropped,' he says. 'But I also didn't want a long T-shirt, especially as a bodybuilder. If you wear big pants and a long T-shirt, it makes your legs look really short and you look wide and stocky. But if your T-shirt is a little shorter with bigger pants it makes the outfit look better.'
The understated colour palette also ties into the theme of progress that runs throughout the collection. 'There are no super harsh colours, apart from on the fitted tee,' says Bumstead. 'If you look closely, everything is faded and worn and washed, and the stitch lines are imperfect. It's supposed to look unfinished and authentic and worn in.'
Shop the Collection
Gymshark x CBUM T-Shirt
Gymshark x CBUM Straight Leg Joggers
Gymshark x CBUM Shorts
Gymshark x CBUM Washed Hoodie
Gymshark x CBUM Washed Sleeveless T-Shirt
Gymshark x CBUM Lightweight Joggers
Luke Chamberlain is the ecommerce editor for Men’s Health UK where he compiles expert-led buying guides and in-depth product reviews across gym wear, fitness tech, supplements, and grooming. Responsible for testing everything from the latest gym headphones to the best beard trimmers, Luke also enlists the help of leading health and wellness experts to help readers make informed choices when shopping online. He also covers major sales events for Men’s Health, including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, scouting and verifying hundreds of discounts in order to recommend only the most genuine deals on offer. A magazine journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield in 2018, Luke has also worked as assistant editor for Outdoor Swimmer magazine and as an ecommerce writer for The Recommended. When he’s not testing the latest health and fitness products, he’s busy plotting routes for his next trail run or gravel ride out of London. Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukeochamb
