Martin Fitzwater Discusses Bringing ‘Classic Look’ to Men’s Open, Reflects on Breaking Point During Career

Bodybuilder Martin Fitzwater is heading into the 2025 bodybuilding season with more hype than ever before. On February 6, 2025, he shared a YouTube video discussing his bicep size, newfound success, and his breaking point as a bodybuilder. 

Fitzwater’s bodybuilding career flourished in 2024. He earned his Olympia qualification by winning the Detroit Pro but still wanted to test himself against stiffer competition. He returned to the New York Pro, where he faced Nick Walker in an incredibly close contest. ‘The Martian’ took second place; however, many fans and voices of the sport thought he won.

In his debut performance on the 2024 Mr. Olympia stage, Fitzwater shined. He finished in fourth place right behind former champion Derek Lunsford. Riding high off the momentum, he traveled overseas to the EVLS Prague Pro and battled reigning six-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead. It was a close show but Fitzwater’s density and size earned him the victory as well as another qualification for Olympia in 2025. 

Instead of taking time away from the stage, Fitzwater announced his entry for the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro. Interestingly, Nick Walker also revealed plans to compete at this event, making it one of the most anticipated battles of the season. In between preparations, Fitzwater took to the LA Fit Expo to share some insights into his career. 

Bodybuilder Martin Fitzwater Talks Lowest Point of Career, Explains How He Restored His Confidence

Fitzwater’s biceps measured an impressive 21 and a half inches. 

“We’ll take it [21 and a half inches]. I just need Phil Heath’s which was like 23 inches,” shared Fitzwater. 

To find success in the sport, Fitzwater credited taking time off to focus on improving his mental outlook. 

“I took a year off the year before because I knew I had to make some improvements I really wanted to make, put on the size I really wanted to put on.

Also just tweak some small things that needed to be tweaked, like my mental more than anything. I needed to be ready to battle with those guys, ready to win, and go in there with the confidence enough to take those battles on.” 

Although he doesn’t possess the usual characteristics of a mass monster like Ronnie Coleman, Fitzwater intends to bring a ‘Classic look’ to Open Bodybuilding moving forward. 

“My physique is not a big mass monster. I’m not this big crazy Ronnie Coleman-looking guy. I got a tiny waist and I want to bring a Classic look to Open Bodybuilding.

So it was a really cool opportunity for me to get to stand next to somebody like Chris who has been the king of the Classic division and get to show I still have some Classic lines even though I’m a big boy.” 

After losing to Andrew Jacked at the 2022 Texas Pro and again at the Arnold Classic UK show, Fitzwater was crushed by the setbacks. 

“In 2022, I got second at the Texas Pro. I was absolutely devastated. I had a lot to prove so we went to the Arnold UK. I thought I brought a much better physique. I was in much better conditioning. My placing only went backwards so I ended up in fourth place. It was a big blow on the chin for me.”

This was a breaking point for Fitzwater, who admits he almost quit bodybuilding altogether. 

“I have some text messages to my best friend and training partner Brett Wilkin and I texted him and told him I was about to be done with bodybuilding.

I was pissed off and thought I lost and just didn’t know if I had what it took and my people in my corner told me to pull my bootstraps up, pull my head out of my ass, that I was a good bodybuilder and I just needed to get back to work.” 

“I took a full year off to really focus on that and do the mental aspects.” 

Having found remarkable success in 2024, Fitzwater said the sacrifices have paid off. 

“I get to live my dream every day. This is the coolest thing in the world. Before this, I worked construction 70 hours a week trying to make ends meet to pay for this crazy sport. It totally paid off. It’s the best thing ever,” he shared. “To be Mr. Olympia, that’s the end goal.” 

As one of the most improved athletes of 2024, Martin Fitzwater continues to pursue his dream of one day being crowned Mr. Olympia. Don’t miss his next performance from May 10-11 at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro. 

RELATED: Bodybuilders Martin Fitzwater and Keone Pearson Team Up to Destroy Sam Sulek-Style Leg Workout

Watch the full video from the Martin Fitzwater YouTube channel below: 

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