Bodybuilders Martin Fitzwater and Brett Wilkin have kept training intensity high leading into the Mr. Olympia. On August 12, 2025, they destroyed a lat-focused back day workout ahead of the Mr. Olympia contest this October.
Fitzwater enjoyed a breakout season in the sport last year. In his debut on the Mr. Olympia stage, Fitzwater nailed his peak, securing fourth place against top talent. Weeks later, he battled Chris Bumstead in the Men’s Open division at the EVLS Prague Pro. Ultimately, the size of Fitzwater helped him edge past “C-Bum” on the scorecards.
Wilkin qualified for the Mr. Olympia, scoring a big win at the Legion Sports Fest Pro. As teammates, both athletes are looking to turn in statement performances when they head back to the sport’s biggest showcase.
Martin Fitzwater and Brett Wilkin Smash Lat-Focused Back Workout in Prep for 2025 Mr. Olympia
Find the exercise selections from their YouTube video below:
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- Single Arm Cable Pull Down
- Bilateral Lat Pull Down
- Mega Mass Row
- Prime Neutral Grip Row
- Flex Fitness Vertical Row
- Machine Reverse Fly
- Cable Pullover
Single Arm Cable Pull Down
Sharing wrist wraps, Fitzwater and Wilkin fired up their lat fibers with single-arm cable pulldowns.
“This one feels so good when it’s heavy in the hole. The stretch on it,” said Fitzwater.
“Yeah, the stretch feels awesome,” adds Wilkin. “He’s got one and I got one, until we have to do something two-handed, then we’re screwed.”
Bilateral Lat Pull Down
For their mid and upper back development, they moved to the bilateral lat pulldown machine.
“That’s what these first workouts are, initiating a back workout, getting blood into the lats, preparing us for more work, especially with the middle back now, coming up with rows, things like that. Now, we’re moving on to a bilateral,” he said.
Mega Mass Row
Wilkin and Fitzwater prioritized three-second holds during the workout as an intensifier.
“Loading the lats and then hold, a one-two-three, and back up. Let’s do as many three-count holds as we possibly can until you can’t hold anymore, then you’ll be done.”
Prime Neutral Grip Row
To maximize back thickness, they moved to the neutral grip row, focusing on controlled repetitions.
“My lats are fucking ripping right now,” said Fitzwater. “We moved into a more mid-back thickness row Prime, with a neutral handle.”
Flex Fitness Vertical Row
Wilkin explained the unique vertical row setup, revealing that it feels almost like you’re falling over while using the equipment.
“It’s almost like you’re falling over it and you’re rowing high. See how high the placement is here on his hands, elbows, and shoulders? Everything is finishing high. What we’re doing is working those upper traps, mid traps, low traps area. A little bit of rear delts and traveling to the rhomboids a bit too.”
Machine Reverse Fly
To tax their rear delts, Fitzwater and Wilkin included reps on the machine reverse fly.
“We like to hit our rear delts on back day. So, since we’re hitting the entire back, low back, mid back, upper back, lats, technically your rear delts are part of the back, it’s on the backside. We like to isolate them on our back day.”
Cable Pullover
Wilkin explained that he prefers to start or finish his workouts with pullovers.
“Now, a nice little pullover, it’s a little bit more lat-focused of course, but it stresses the entire body, something that’s really lengthening us out to finish off a really good workout. We got a lot of blood in the back right now. Squeeze down, lift the chest through the lats. This is a great finisher.”
Fitzwater and Wilkin will face a who’s who of bodybuilding talent at the Mr. Olympia. Reigning champion Samson Dauda has no plans of laying down his crown. Other notable threats like Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Nick Walker are also scheduled to compete, making this one of the most talent-deep contests the sport has ever seen.
Forging stronger, more complete backs, Fitzwater and Wilkin aim to push into the first callout. The 2025 Mr. Olympia is set for October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
RELATED: Martin Fitzwater Shares Full Day of Eating to Stay Huge for the 2025 Mr. Olympia
Watch the full video from the Brett “The Butcher” Wilkin YouTube channel below:
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