In early May 2025, retired pro bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod analyzed the physique of 2021 Arnold Classic champion Nick Walker‘s physique from the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest, which earned a bronze medal.
Walker, who won the 2024 New York Pro, missed the 2023 and 2024 Olympia contests. The former was due to a hamstring injury, and the latter was because he felt his physique was unprepared to contend for the Sandow trophy.
Walker’s next pro show is the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro on May 10, 2025. If he wins, he will qualify for the 2025 Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 9-12.
Rambod advised a Pittsburgh Pro-winning game plan for Walker, who will battle reigning Arnold Classic champion and two-time Olympia winner Derek Lunsford, Martin Fitzwater, Michal Križánek, and other top talent.
Arms Like Mountains
“[Walker’s] arms are about the size of his head,” Rambod exclaimed, marveling at “The Mutant’s” biceps peaks and triceps arch in a front double biceps pose. Walker’s chest density and shoulder width are accolade-worthy, which Rambod attributed to excellent mind-muscle connection. (1)
It’s not about how much you bench but the mind-muscle connection for that 3-D look.
—Hany Rambod
Core and Conditioning
Although Walker’s wider waist isn’t a genetic strength, a commonality he shares with four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, Rambod praised Walker’s waist control, likely due to cardio fitness and vacuum training.
Walker’s holding his midsection really well.
—Hany Rambod
Legs & Symmetry: The Cutler Effect
Walker’s outer quad sweep, built from heavy squats and leg presses, enhances the illusion of a smaller waist. Using a closer stance when training the aforementioned exercises may bias the sweep better when done with intensity and progressive overload.
Varicose Veins & the Crucial X-Frame
“It’s an eyesore,” Rambod expressed of Walker’s enlarged varicose veins in his lower legs. Though cosmetic, Rambod believes it detracts from Walker’s overall look.
Rambod cautioned that if Walker doesn’t maintain fullness, particularly his right outer quad sweep, it’ll negatively impact his X-Frame‘s symmetry on stage.
Posterior and Most Muscular
The need for better overall conditioning became apparent in the side chest pose. Moreover, Walker’s upper back was slightly overshadowed by his dominant arms and rear delts in the back double biceps shot. Rambod prescribed bent-over rows to fill in the mid-upper back.
Hamstrings and glutes, while good, could be tighter. Rambod wants more “graininess” and striations. As a mass monster, Walker’s delts could be bigger to match his arms better.
Walker’s got something to prove.
—Hany Rambod
8.9 Rating and Something to Prove
Rambod rated the 2022 Olympia Nick Walker 8.9/10 Sandows. Though he’s already top-tier, better conditioning and symmetry would raise Walker’s score, and possibly his 2025 Olympia ranking. But first, he’ll need to beat the stacked Pittsburgh Pro lineup, including Lunsford, who beat Walker by one rank at the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
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References
- Schoenfeld BJ, Vigotsky A, Contreras B, Golden S, Alto A, Larson R, Winkelman N, Paoli A. Differential effects of attentional focus strategies during long-term resistance training. Eur J Sport Sci. 2018 Jun;18(5):705-712. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1447020. Epub 2018 Mar 13. PMID: 29533715.
Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram
