The Men’s Open division has never been more unpredictable, especially with Nick Walker aiming to make a huge comeback on the horizon. On January 8, 2025, Walker joined Derek Lunsford and Chris Aceto to discuss their best poses and their all-time heaviest weights. In addition, Aceto gave his thoughts on becoming Lunsford’s new coach.
Nick Walker wasn’t able to make it to the last two Mr. Olympias, once due to injury, and the other because his body wasn’t responding to preparations. Despite those obstacles, he’s back in prep full force, aiming to make a statement during this 2025 bodybuilding season.
Walker has signed up to compete at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro in May, where he’ll rematch Martin Fitzwater in pursuit of his Olympia qualification. Derek Lunsford, meanwhile, won the Olympia in 2023 and therefore enjoys a lifetime invitation to the prestigious event. However, he lost his coach Hany Rambod recently, who announced his sudden retirement.
Shocking fans with a big announcement, Lunsford confirmed he’s now working alongside Chris Aceto to bring his best to the nearing 2025 Arnold Classic. He’ll have a monstrous lineup to deal with which includes the reigning Mr. Olympia winner Samson Dauda. Suffice it to say, this year is looking stacked with bodybuilding action from some of the biggest names in our sport.
Bodybuilders Nick Walker and Derek Lunsford Clash Over Who Has the Best Bodybuilding Poses
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In a recent YouTube video, Derek Lunsford and Nick Walker went back and forth over which poses they believe are best. Chris Aceto also offered insight into his coaching approach.
Chris Aceto outlined how he approaches training athletes, emphasizing that he never puts himself first.
“After the Olympia, when I spoke to him I just–I think the key there is Derek–you know me Guy, I have bodybuilders’ best interests. I don’t put myself first. I told Derek that I don’t put myself first. That’s a full stop period.”
“Outside of my track record, that’s probably why I have the track record that I have but I don’t put myself first, ever. And you know that. For me, helping somebody is also it’s not about winning, it’s about being your absolute best or trying to be your best,” shared Aceto.
Walker and Lunsford, long-time rivals, shared which poses they think are stronger than one another. Walker gave Lunsford the front double biceps, back double biceps, and abs and thigh pose.
“If we’re both 100, like straight up 100 percent, I will always give him front double. I’ll give him the back double and I’ll even give him the ab and thigh,” said Walker.
However, when it comes to side shots, Walker underlined that he has Lunsford comfortably beaten.
“No shit talking, I rock his world with the side shots,” adds Walker. “I rock his world.”
“I love it, bro. I love it. I love it,” laughs Lunsford.
He also believes his most muscular pose overpowers Lunsford’s.
“Most muscular, it’s not even a competition,” said Walker.
“I thought it was generous he gave me those three. I thought Nick was going to be like ‘He doesn’t beat me in any shot,'” replied Lunsford.
Lunsford disagreed with Walker, stating that his side chest and side triceps poses are quite comparable to ‘The Mutant’s.’
“We got the front double, I would agree that I take that one. Actually, now that I’ve made some improvements I think Chris would also agree or maybe disagree, I think he would agree that my front lat spread has improved a lot. So I think I take that one now,” said Lunsford.
“Going to the side, he does have a crazy side chest. However, I think that my balance and the improvements that I’ve made on my chest and the conditioning — I still think that my Mr. Olympia side chest takes it. And I think I mean, you can make that argument, but side triceps, we’ll leave that one as [close].”
Ultimately, Lunsford believes his back double biceps and rear lat spread are his strongest poses.
“Back double and rear lat spread I think are my money shots,” Lunsford states.
As for bodybuilders who boast the most size, Walker was most impressed with Andrew Jacked.
“I always thought that way [that I was the biggest] until you see Andrew Jacked in person,” shares Walker. “He was probably one of the first people I was like damn, that’s a big boy. That looks like an action figure that just doesn’t move.”
Walker also discussed tipping the scale at over 300 pounds, which is close to the maximum weight he’s ever held on to.
“I think 300 would probably be the limit for me. I feel comfortable. Yeah, I don’t feel like shit. I don’t feel sluggish.
I’m still very energized at this weight. No, I’m a lot leaner than when I was last time I got this heavy. Me being 5’7″, me hitting 300, that’s big, right? But my body can handle it, that’s the thing. Certain people can’t handle going that high at my height.”
Lunsford revealed that his highest weight ever recorded was 262 pounds.
“I think my heaviest recorded in the morning was like 262 [pounds] or something. There’s all this chatter the last couple of years about height and weight in bodybuilding and stuff. Oh, Mr. 300 pounds, everybody wants to be Mr. 300 pounds, I want to be Mr. Olympia.”
He believes a ‘complete balanced look’ is more important than sheer size.
“I want to put it all together and bring the best physique to the stage with the crazy illusion, crazy proportions, and the most complete balanced look,” shared Lunsford.
With Derek Lunsford competing in less than two months, questions about his next performance are gaining traction. Currently, the majority of bodybuilding veterans have backed Samson Dauda to win the Arnold, including Samir Bannout, Chris Cormier, Dennis James, Jose Raymond, and Milos Sarcev.
This Arnold Classic contest will be Derek Lunsford’s first, and it’s a debut you won’t want to miss. As for Walker, fans look forward to seeing him bounce back in Pittsburgh, but the road to gold won’t be easy. Keep it locked on Fitness Volt for full coverage of these bodybuilding contests in the months that lie ahead!
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