Five days separate Derek Lunsford from attempting to win back his title. On October 6, he ignored his prep exhaustion and smashed an intense leg workout before heading to the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
Lunsford has the chance to make history. The sport will always remember his name thanks to becoming a two-division Mr. Olympia champion back in 2023. But his focus is on the future now, and Lunsford hopes to become the first bodybuilder since Jay Cutler to regain the Sandow trophy.
Guided by coach Chris Aceto, Lunsford’s already enjoyed a massive season. He beat Samson Dauda at the Arnold Classic, then defeated Nick Walker at the Pittsburgh Pro — proof that when pressure is at its highest, Lunsford thrives. His rivalry with Walker has only heated since their run-in, but Lunsford’s primary concern is securing Olympia gold once again.
Derek Lunsford’s Final Leg Day Session Days from 2025 Mr. Olympia
Find his exercise selections from the video below:
- Lying Leg Curl
- Belt Squat
- Leg Press Machine
- Leg Adduction Machine
In between sets of belt squats, Lunsford discussed the motivation fueling him to bring his best physique of all time.
“I want it more than anything. I want it bad. You’re not just fighting for yourself; you’re fighting for your family. You’re fighting for all the people that love you and support you and want to see you win.
You’re not fighting against the hate, the ones that want to see you lose, you’re fighting for the people that love you. I got to be hungrier than everybody, every single day,” said Lunsford.
Lunsford’s leg development was an area of concern for him throughout the year. Many believe a lack of quad and hamstring depth held him back on the Olympia stage in 2024, which led to him placing third. However, judging by his latest workout, leg thickness won’t be a problem for the former two-division champ.
Dauda and Walker are just two of the bigger names set to collide with Lunsford. The event is one of the most stacked in decades, with Choopan seeking another title, along with former champion Brandon Curry. Beyond those threats, contenders like Martin Fitzwater, Andrew Jacked, and Behrooz Tabani could easily shake up the competition.
Olympia President Dan Solomon has confirmed that the 2025 Mr. Olympia will award more prize money than ever before. The 2025 Mr. Olympia takes place October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fitness Volt will have live coverage of the event.
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Watch the full video from the Derek Lunsford YouTube channel below:
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