The 2024 Mr. Olympia is almost here, prompting Jay Cutler to give his opinion on the lineup and how to approach peak week. In a recent YouTube video shared on October 8, 2024, Cutler discussed Nick Walker bowing out of the 2024 Mr. Olympia, drying out for contests, and why vacuums don’t belong in Men’s Open Bodybuilding.
During his heyday, Jay Cutler put together one of the most complete physiques the sport has seen. The judges took notice of his abilities, having laid claim to four Mr. Olympia titles. His legacy is celebrated a decade after his retirement as Cutler remains the only Open competitor in bodybuilding history to win back a Mr. Olympia title that he lost.
The anticipation surrounding the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest continues to build with mere days until competitors meet in Sin City. While Nick Walker opted to pull out of the event because his body wasn’t responding, Cutler still broke down what he expects from the competition’s 60th anniversary, which is set to take over Las Vegas, Nevada from October 11-12.
Jay Cutler Talks 2024 Mr. Olympia Lineup Changes, Shares Opinion on Vacuums, and How He Approached Drying Out for Shows
Cutler still believes the Mr. Olympia has a ‘crazy stacked lineup’ despite Nick Walker’s sudden withdrawal from the event.
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“We have a crazy stacked lineup. The top six, no one really is making predictions and obviously that changed this week because one of our top guys, our projected guys has pulled out. You have been talking about Nick Walker all year,” said Cutler. “How do we feel about that decision?”
Cutler was confused by the ‘The Mutant’s’ decision while industry expert Chris Cormier shared his disappointment.
“Disappointed,” said Chris Cormier.
“A little confusing right?” shares Cutler. “You were a hype man for him.”
“I’m sure a lot of fans wanted to see this, especially from last year how that went off,” adds Cormier.
“He could have had a window last year,” says Cutler.
The reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford prefers to not crunch his abs when hitting the abs and thigh pose. However, Cutler suggests competitors ‘dance around’ the pose by hitting it from the side or using vacuums.
“We talk about that being the center of the body. If you’re on a stage at this level and you don’t have a midsection that is top competitor quality it’s hard to sit here and say he can be Mr. Olympia but you question this with Derek. Derek doesn’t –I mean it’s hard to imagine a Mr. Olympia that can’t sit on the abs and it’s just okay, that guy has a great ab pose.
Dude, there’s vacuum or the side stuff, they dance around it a lot,” said Cutler. “I’m not a judge. Okay? I’m not qualified to be a judge but I’m going to sit on my podcast and I’m going to say absolutely you need to be able to hit and abs and thigh. I don’t agree the vacuum counts. Why are we changing history of a pose?”
Cutler believes that Classic Physique has influenced Open competitors, which is why vacuums have become prominent.
“See Classic has warped perception I believe in going into the Open category,” he adds.
When it comes to peaking for a bodybuilding show, Cutler mentioned that oatmeal was one of his go-to foods for the carb-up process. He also stated that drying out and water manipulation were the most difficult.
“Oatmeal I used as a carb-up which that can be like cement sometimes without a lot of fluid. But, the manipulation was the hardest thing for me because when you’re dehydrated like that, it alters your mind a lot and it makes you kind of loopy. But that would have to be, I was a two gallon plus drinker a day of water so I would have to really cut down.”
As natural diuretics, Cutler utilized black coffee and asparagus to bring out the details of his physique.
“Black coffee, I would have black coffee because it worked as a natural diuretic. I would eat asparagus, that’s a great natural diuretic. Of course, I took diuretics too but I think you have to find – I mean some shows I didn’t have to cut as much water but you remember, the water depletion was pretty heavy. That makes it the hardest.”
“With this show, Hadi and Derek have a better advantage to peak, Martin Fitzwater too. I’ve seen what he looks like, he looks incredible. He’s going to shock the world for this. I think he’s going to upset a lot of people.”
Cutler has been open about who he believes has the potential to fight for the Open Bodybuilding title at the 2024 Mr. Olympia. He named his ‘three kings’ of the Open class, labeling Samson Dauda, Hadi Choopan, and Derek Lunsford as the division’s ultimate threats.
Having reached the top of the sport four separate times, Cutler understands the sacrifices necessary to earn the Sandow trophy, making his insights invaluable. Don’t miss the return of the 2024 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 11-12.
Watch the full videos from the JayCutlerTV and Cutler Cast YouTube channels below:
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