Men’s Open bodybuilder Nick Walker is keeping his training routine fresh months before his Olympia return. In a recent YouTube video, shared on July 14, 2025, he powered through a tough leg workout and discussed different rep ranges and intensifiers for maximum muscle growth.
Despite having yet to win the Mr. Olympia title, Walker is arguably the most popular bodybuilder in the Men’s Open. However, there has been doubt among fans about his potential after pulling out of the last two Mr. Olympia contests in 2023 and 2024.
This year, Walker bounced back with a major triumph at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro. Although he didn’t get past Derek Lunsford, fans and even some legendary bodybuilders thought that “The Mutant” was the rightful winner. Despite the setback, Walker pushed all-in at the New York Pro and won it for a third time dominantly. Now, attention is turning to how he’ll perform in Las Vegas this October.
Nick Walker’s Leg Day Routine 13 Weeks Before 2025 Mr. Olympia
Find his exact workout below, featured in his recent YouTube video:
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- Leg Curl Machine
- Leg Extension Machine
- Hack Squat
- Hip Abduction/Adduction Machine
- Standing Calf Raise Machine
Leg Curl Machine
He noted that he’s sticking with straight sets only during this session and always starts with a hamstring movement to warm up his knees.
“10 to 15 reps, everything is straight sets. Then, we’ll go on to the leg extensions,” he shared. “You don’t need to do as much sets as you think you do training this way.”
“Just from the inflammation [from too much volume], but sometimes you gotta do it. I couldn’t let him outwork me.”
Leg Extension Machine
During sets of leg extensions, Walker laid out when it’s appropriate to use intensifiers:
“Intensifiers, well, I just posted that video about it that we did. I love intensifiers. There’s a time and a place. I truly think intensifiers can be utilized very well in a prep setting, it’s when you’re taking volume down.
Instead of doing like three or four sets where that can be very simulating, let’s just say you do one set, then you do a rest-pause, that’s enough.”
Hack Squat
He moved to the hack squat machine, where he pushed through 15-20 reps.
“I’m going to see if I can get 15 to 20 reps,” he shared. “I do train legs more in the higher rep range for the most part. It depends on the machine. I get on some machines where I can go heavier, 8 to 10, and it feels wonderful, and then there’s some machines I’ll try to do that and it doesn’t feel [good].”
Hip Abduction/Adduction Machine
At this stage of prep, Walker is enjoying 3,900 calories daily and said he’s prioritizing carbs over fats.
“I’m a little under 4K, 3,900 [calories per day]. Let’s just put it in that perspective, if I were to follow that diet and do the all day, that’s a 1,000-calorie cut.
I’m big as fuck. But that’s the thing, when you train this way, training frequency and don’t overdo it, you’re just going to burn. This is why I think someone like me now I need more carbs than fat.”
Standing Calf Raise Machine
Walker finished with focused calf work before calling it a day.
“That’s it for Friday’s more quad-dominant day. We always start legs no matter what with a hamstring. It just fires up the hamstrings and keeps the knees nice and loose.”
While Rich Gaspari believes Walker could carve out a top-five spot on the Mr. Olympia stage, others in the bodybuilding community aren’t sold on that. According to Bob Cicherillo, he argues Walker’s physique will only place him as high as seventh when he makes his way back onstage.
Walker is leveraging any weapon, including intensifiers, to find success in his next outing. The 2025 Mr. Olympia is set for October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Watch the full video from the Nick Walker YouTube channel below:
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