Men’s Open bodybuilder Derek Lunsford is leaving nothing in the tank ahead of his next contest. On April 7, 2025, he showed off his strength with a brutal chest workout six weeks from battling for gold at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro.
Derek Lunsford reached the pinnacle of his career in 2023, cementing himself as the IFBB’s first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia champion. He focused solely on defending the title in 2024, but missed his peak, displaying downsized legs. While he dropped to third place, his rival, Samson Dauda went on to become the newly crowned Mr. Olympia.
In a show of revenge, Lunsford brought up his lower body and outpointed Dauda at the recent 2025 Arnold Classic. He could’ve sat back and enjoyed a long off-season, but Lunsford had other plans. He announced a surprise entry into the Pittsburgh Pro, where he’ll face off with top-tier threats like Nick Walker, Martin Fitzwater, Michal Krizo, and Arnold Classic South America winner Ugolnikov ‘Goodvito’ Vitalii.
Derek Lunsford Ramps Up Intensity for Pittsburgh With Chest-Burning Workout: ‘Strength Is Through the Roof’
Find his exercise selections below, courtesy of his recent YouTube video:
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
- Incline Cable Chest Fly
- Incline Chest Press Machine
- Decline Chest Press Machine
- Seated Chest Press Machine
- Cable Lateral Raise
According to Lunsford, he’s the strongest he’s ever been and reflected on hitting a few PRs during his unrecorded leg day workout.
“Feeling very, very strong, the strongest I’ve ever been in all my lifts,” he shared. “I thought last week’s training was crazy because I hit PRs on two or three of my exercises. Today, I went for even more reps, not so much more weight but more reps. My strength is through the roof right now.”
He’s been surprised by how efficiently his body responded to a rebound period after the Arnold Classic.
“My training has been unreal. I’m literally the strongest I’ve ever been, ever, right now, which is surprising. I didn’t think coming off the Arnold, I would bounce back that fast in terms of filling out and adding muscle tissue and getting stronger within like three or four weeks.”
After a phone call with his coach Chris Aceto, Lunsford revealed that his weight and conditioning are looking better six weeks out from Pittsburgh compared to six weeks before the Arnold.
“Where my weight is, my conditioning, everything is much better than it was six weeks out from the Arnold,” adds Lunsford. “If all goes well we’ll get the triple crown.”
Bodybuilding veterans Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev believe Lunsford is taking a huge risk competing in Pittsburgh. They argued Martin Fitzwater, who is fresh off beating Chris Bumstead in Prague and taking fourth at the last Olympia could be one of his toughest tests.
Lunsford’s confidence is palpable, and if he does emerge victorious in Pittsburgh, he’ll be in a prime position to challenge Dauda for Olympia gold on the horizon. The 2025 Pittsburgh Pro is coming up soon, set for May 10-11.
Watch the full video from the Derek Lunsford YouTube channel below:
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
