The 2025 Pittsburgh Pro: Nick Walker’s Path to Mr. Olympia
Men’s Open bodybuilder Nick Walker is working diligently with his new coach, Kyle Wilkes, and trainer, Jared Feather, to improve upon his 2022 third-place Mr. Olympia finish. He needs to enter and win a pro-show during the 2025 IFBB season to get there. His target is winning the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro in early May and skipping the 2025 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH, in March — a show he won in 2021.
"We won’t do the [Arnold Classic] because it wouldn’t be the package I want to present. I don’t think it would be who Nick Walker really is," Walker expressed.
Nick Walker’s Updated Leg Day
Walker’s leg routine was adjusted to the following new order:
- No Shoes, Myo Rep Squats
- Smith Machine Squats
- Calf Raise Machine
Here are a few standout moments from the leg session.
No Shoes, Myo Rep Squats
Walker removed his shoes for hack squats, a strategy some bodybuilders believe enhances form and muscle activation. Dropping his glutes below his knees, Walker demonstrated "ass-to-grass" squats. Squatting as low as you can maximizes tension in the stretched position to maximize hypertrophy.
Smith Machine Squats
On the Smith machine, Walker mimicked traditional squats locked with just 140 pounds to fundamental depth. "Show y’all how to f-ing squat out here," he quipped. While some would say Smith machine squats don’t count, they offer better stability and similar biomechanics to free-weight squats.
Calf Raise Machine
The most recent exercise was a calf raise machine where Walker pressed his toes against swiveling foot pedals. Seated calf raises are believed to bias the soleus, the long flat muscle under the bulkier gastrocnemius, though they work both heads similarly.
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Reference
- Prestes, J., A Tibana, R., de Araujo Sousa, E., da Cunha Nascimento, D., de Oliveira Rocha, P., F Camarço, N., Frade de Sousa, NM, & Willardson, JM (2019). Strength and Muscular Adaptations After 6 Weeks of Rest-Pause vs. Traditional Multiple-Sets Resistance Training in Trained Subjects, 113–121. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001923
Conclusion
Walker’s dedication to his craft is evident in his rigorous training regimen. With his sights set on the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, he is willing to push his limits to achieve his goal of securing a 2025 Mr. Olympia spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Nick Walker’s goal for the 2025 season?
Answer: Walker aims to win the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro and skip the 2025 Arnold Classic to present himself in the best possible light. - How is Walker’s training regimen different from his previous years?
Answer: Walker has adjusted his leg day to include myo reps, pausing briefly between sets to prolong the stimulus, and has incorporated the Smith machine and calf raise machine into his routine.
