Bodybuilder Nick Walker’s sights are set on a second Arnold Classic title. In a recent video (October 19, 2026), he showcased his latest machine-dominant leg workout 19 weeks from stepping onstage.
Walker repositioned himself as a Mr. Olympia title contender after dropping to sixth in 2025. He picked up momentum at the 2026 Arnold Classic against Andrew Jacked. Although Walker took second and missed out on the $750,000 cash prize, he didn’t let the outcome affect his headspace.
He teamed up with a new coach before the 2026 Tampa Pro and dominated the event. With a test run under their belt, Walker gained valuable data heading into the Mr. Olympia. Against the odds, “The Mutant” beat Samson Dauda and Derek Lunsford to become the 20th man to touch the Sandow. Having won the Arnold back in 2021, Walker is confident he has the tools to do it again, especially riding high as the number one bodybuilder in the world.
Nick Walker’s Current Leg Day Routine Ahead of the 2027 Arnold Classic
Find the exercises from his video below:
- Single-Leg Lying Leg Curls – 2 sets (rest-pause reps)
- Leg Press Machine – 2 sets (rest-pause reps)
- Hack Squat Machine – 2 sets (rest-pause reps)
- Smith Romanian Deadlifts – 2 sets (1 set using rest-pause reps)
- Bodyweight Lunges – 1 all-out set (15 steps back and forth)
- Leg Adduction Machine – 2 sets
- Leg Abduction Machine – 2 sets
- Standing Rear Delt Fly Machine – 2 sets
Single-Leg Lying Leg Curls
Walker focused on single-leg work to correct any lower body imbalances that he might have:
“I did single-leg, mainly. I haven’t done single-leg in a while, but I wanted to start to focus on more single-leg stuff just in case if I have any imbalances I can even them out a little bit.”
Leg Press Machine
He was able to add five plates to the leg press machine, a first since his Olympia victory.
“Now, we move on to the leg press, which is obviously my bread and butter,” he said. “We’ll do this and for the first time since the show, we’ll do five plates on this, and I’d like to hit 10-12 reps for two sets.”
Hack Squat Machine
During hack squats, Walker explained why he prefers machines, especially when training chest.
“No, I’m not touching a dumbbell, brother. I’m on machines. What’s crazy, dumbbells don’t do nothing for me. I barely feel them in my chest. So I don’t find the point for me,” he said. “I’d rather use what hits all the time.”
Smith Romanian Deadlifts
Walker moved over to Smith Romanian deadlifts with three plates attached to each side.
Bodyweight Lunges
After an all-out set of bodyweight lunges, he felt fatigued before switching exercises.
“That’s like a good pump and cardio.”
Leg Adduction Machine + Leg Abduction Machine
He rounded out his leg pump with adduction and abduction work.
Standing Rear Delt Fly Machine
Walker explained that he didn’t do rear delts the day before, so he tacked them on the leg workout as a finisher:
“That’s all she wrote,” said Walker. “You notice how I didn’t use any weight [on lunges]? I could have, for sure, but what I just did with the leg press and hack squat, I didn’t feel like I needed to. I really just wanted to make sure I was really getting that slow negative, feeling the quad, coming up, and squeezing the glute hard.”
Since his Las Vegas triumph, Walker has been crystal clear about his future goals. He wants to win as many Arnold Classics and Mr. Olympias as he can before retiring. He also said he aims to surpass Jay Cutler’s Olympia record, and stressed that a loss in Ohio wouldn’t hurt his chances at future shows.
Walker isn’t lacking training intensity and wants to bring improvements to the Arnold stage. The event is scheduled for March 4-7 in Columbus, Ohio.
