With bodybuilding’s biggest event of the year approaching in less than six months, veterans of the sport like Jay Cutler are sizing up the Men’s Open landscape. In a recent Cutler Cast, Cutler discussed training with Derek Lunsford, the 2025 Arnold Classic, and Nick Walker’s posing strengths.
The 2024 Mr. Olympia contest will return to Las Vegas, Nevada for its 60th anniversary from October 10-13. In 2023, Derek Lunsford made history as the sport’s first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia champion, defeating his teammate Hadi Choopan. Meanwhile, Nick Walker watched from the sidelines after suffering a devastating calf and hamstring tear days before competing on stage.
Those hoping to see Nick Walker perform won’t have to wait much longer. He intends to win the 2024 New York Pro on May 18 to secure his Olympia qualification. A week before that event, he will guest pose alongside Lunsford and a crop of Open stars at the annual Pittsburgh Pro.
Jay Cutler Talks ‘Different’ Nick Walker and If Derek Lunsford Should Compete at 2025 Arnold Classic
Having gotten the chance to train with Lunsford, Cutler was impressed by his commitment to dieting and training.
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“Derek was next to me, he was right there and obviously, he did a great job. He was there, he was present. He did take a break to get his food in and he trained every day he spent time at New Tech.
One thing that was cool I thought is Derek would even on not probably the amount of food that he necessarily needs, he went and trained every single day. He didn’t miss. Off the plane, we went and trained Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night, ” shares Jay Cutler.
Cutler asked Lunsford about competing at the 2025 Arnold Classic, but the two-division champion expressed interest in only the Mr. Olympia, which he deemed ‘a smart choice.’
“You know what’s funny, I did ask him [if he wants to do the 2025 Arnold Classic] and he’s just like ‘I got the Olympia. I got to go to the Olympia.’ He’s only thinking about the Olympia which is a smart choice. Just because the money is there, like you talk about, who cares about the money when you’re in it like that.”
“If he’s going to win 400 at the Olympia and he’s got that name of Mr. Olympia in order to carry his guest appearances.”
As for Nick Walker, Cutler credited the mass monster for his strong poses and transitions on stage.
“I’m putting Nick Walker at a different level than a lot of guys right now. I think I’ll be right come May 18 because Nick… he’s just different man. He’s got a package, his structure has been criticized so much but his poses are just so strong.”
“I believe he doesn’t lose himself in the transitions either because that’s obviously the biggest feat, especially with a guy, they talk about his midsection but I think he’s been working on even presentation in that sense. I feel like it’s hard to pick him apart in poses.”
Although Cutler admits Walker faces genetic disadvantages as an Open competitor, he refuses to count him out months from the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
“He’s got that Nasser syndrome right? He’s got the longer torso with the shorter legs,” adds Cutler. “Nick has realized it. And we’ll see what improvements he makes.”
This wasn’t the first time Jay Cutler brought up Derek Lunsford and Nick Walker in the same breath. He recently discussed Lunsford’s commitment to training and why he believes ‘The Mutant’ could ‘possibly’ win the upcoming 2024 Mr. Olympia.
Fans will have the luxury of witnessing these two mix it up on stage in Pittsburgh as guest posers. Cutler looks forward to seeing Walker attempt to win the sport’s greatest honor but acknowledges that he has work to do at the New York Pro first.
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Watch the full video from the JayCutlerTV YouTube channel below:
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