The upper body demonstration of strength, performed during a chest/shoulders/triceps workout, is part of the superstar bodybuilder’s ongoing preparation for the 2023 Mr. Olympia. That contest will take place on November 2-5, 2023, in Orlando, FL.

“Nice push day today!”

Walker finished in third place to Hadi Choopan (defending champion) and Derek Lunsford (runner-up) during the 2022 Olympia.

This is not the first instance where Walker has used a pair of dumbbells to showcase his unique power as one of the best active bodybuilders on the planet. If anything, this set was just another example of what Walker is capable of once he gets a pair of weighted “hammers” in his hands and an incline bench to work on. Other specific examples include Walker pressing 83.9-kilogram (185-pound) dumbbells for 10 reps in late April 2022 and the athlete pushing up 90.7-kilogram (200-pound) dumbbells for 10 reps in mid-August 2022.

Walker usually makes it a point to share training updates on his media platforms, and this incline dumbbell press set works is aligned with that precedent.

From a competitive perspective, it’s been a tough year for Walker. After building upon a top-five finish at the 2021 Olympia but failing to secure the title during the 2022 iteration, Walker took home runner-up in his return to the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC). Given that the 2021 AC was originally how Walker burst onto the professional scene, the latter result could’ve been jarring for an athlete of his caliber.

Nonetheless, Walker continues to push forward. He vowed to return stronger after his runner-up result at the 2023 AC and has said he thinks he left something on the table during the 2022 Olympia. If that is the case, Walker might be more of a man on a mission than the rest of the Men’s Open field is prepared for.

Walker faces a tall order to finally break through with an Olympia title later this fall. Beyond Choopan and Lunsford, the Men’s Open class seems more stacked than ever and looks like a greater on-stage challenge than in the past. Walker, like his peers, certainly understands this reality. Nothing ever said climbing bodybuilding’s highest mountain would be easy.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post Nick Walker Crushes Incline Dumbbell Presses with 68 Kilograms (150 Pounds) for 8 Reps with Slow Negatives appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Dec. 3, 2022, Smith Jr. shared a clip where he worked through a 10-rep set of incline presses with 120-pound dumbbells in each hand. The rapper-turned-strength enthusiast wore elbow sleeves and wrist wraps to help him through the chest-focused set. His elbows reached a shoulder-joint friendly 90-degree depth on each repetition.

Smith Jr. hasn’t shared his long-term upper-body training goals, if he has any. Based on part of his recent precedent, it could be fair to assume he’s working out with a bigger picture in mind.

For example, in early November 2022, Smith Jr. successfully locked out a 227.3-kilogram (500-pound) deadlift personal record (PR) from a conventional stance while wearing a lifting belt and utilizing lifting straps. That pulling session was likely connected to previous progressive training feats like a 224.5-kilogram (495-pound) deadlift from mid-October 2022.

Meanwhile, in August 2022, Smith Jr. shared an update on his bench press progress when he worked through a 142.8-kilogram (315-pound) press for five reps with wrist and elbow wraps. Another clip from early November 2022 showcases Smith Jr. polishing up his back muscles with some lat pulldowns at an undisclosed weight. All this paints the potential picture of Smith Jr.’s latest incline dumbbell presses being part of his trying to incrementally improve upon his bench press with auxiliary exercises.

As far as Smith Jr.’s recent musical exploits, he is featured on Vinnie Paz’s latest solo album entitled “Tortured in the Name of God’s Unconditional Love.” The compilation was released on Nov. 18, 2022, and has the 51-year-old Smith Jr. dropping a cameo verse in the solo track “Invisible Ether” discussing the current state of the music industry.

Regardless of his precise training aim, it’s evident that Smith Jr. places a premium on maintaining his fitness in the gym while simultaneously keeping his music pursuits busy. His Instagram, for one, is littered with occasional clips of his moments from working out when it’s not disclosing a promotional item for his recording career.

It seems if Wu-Tang is for the children, then well-maintained weights, assumed quality nutrition, and heavy lifting is for one of the group’s founders.

Featured image: @methodmanofficial on Instagram

The post Check Out Rapper Method Man Cruising Through 120-Pound Incline Dumbbell Presses for 10 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Nick “the Mutant” Walker (@nick_walker39)

[Related: How to Do the Incline Bench Press for Upper-Body Size and Strength]

Walker does need some assistance from his coach, Dominick Mutascio, on his last two reps. Nonetheless, the bodybuilder showed off excellent overall control of the weight, making the large dumbbells appear to weigh a third of what they actually do. The comment section of Walker’s post featured a legend and some peers complimenting the athlete for the set with a round of praise. 

Retired four-time Mr. Olympia (2006-2007, 2009-2010), Jay Cutler replied, “That was easy.” An active 212 competitor, Nathan Epler, noted that Walker’s set was “crazy as [expletive].” Finally, a member of the Classic Physique division, Urs Kalecinski, replied simply with a “mind-blown” emoji. 

Walker sharing a clip of himself crushing this incline dumbbell bench press comes as a part of his new YouTube series — the “Olympia Prep Series”, wherein he showcases different high-level strength workouts en route to December’s hallowed competition. At the time of this writing, the first couple of episodes feature Walker first putting his chest through the wringer, followed by a focus on a few incline press movements.

This theme stays in line for Walker, who successfully incline-pressed 185-pound dumbbells for 10 reps in late April 2022. 

[Related: How to Do the Chin-up for Bigger Arms and a Stronger Back]

In his most recent physique update on Instagram, Walker said he weighed an astonishing 295 pounds in early June 2022. At the time of this article’s publication, the 2021 New York Pro and Arnold Classic Champion’s precise weight is unclear. 

Blazing a Path

At only 28 years old, Walker is already one of bodybuilding’s more prominent young stars. A fifth-place Mr. Olympia debut after his respective major competition wins in 2021 gave the sport a glimpse of what the talented Walker is capable of. 

To take home his first Olympia title, Walker will have to overcome a loaded field on paper. From two-time defending champion (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay and former winner Brandon Curry (2019) to fellow riser Hunter Labrada, the Las Vegas stage should be brimming with star power galore. It’ll be a tall order for Walker to supplant his well-rounded competitors, but he seems to understand the lofty mission ahead. 

The 2022 Mr. Olympia will take place on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post Watch Nick Walker Absolutely Handle 200 Pound Dumbbells for a Set of 10 on the Incline Press appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Check out the set below, via Walker’s Instagram profile:

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Nick “the Mutant” Walker (@nick_walker39)

[Related: Bodybuilder Shaun Clarida Breaks Down An Intense Arms Workout]

Walker doesn’t take notable pauses on the lift until the last couple of reps, when his spotter supports his elbows to help finish the set. Walker completed the incline dumbbell presses seated on a weight bench while wearing wrist straps and a lifting belt. 

Walking the Walk

Walker boasts an extended, impressive resume of accomplishments in an almost decade-long career. To date, his most significant achievement might be a first-place finish at the 2021 Arnold Classic in the Open division. Notably, he’s only been an IFBB pro since the 2020 North American Championships, where he earned his Pro card with a first-place mark in the Super Heavyweight division.

That apparent late-earned distinction hasn’t stopped the 27-year-old Walker from making noise in the bodybuilding sphere all around. Here are some of the more notable results of his career thus far:

Nick Walker | Notable Career Results 

• 2014 National Physique Committee (NPC) Junior Nationals (Middleweight) — 2nd place
• 2015 NPC Northeast Summer Classic (Middleweight) — 1st place
• 2016 NPC USA Championships (Welterweight) — 2nd place
• 2016 NPC South Jersey Championships (Heavyweight) — 1st place
• 2017 NPC National Championships (Heavyweight) — 6th place
• 2017 IFBB North American Championships (Heavyweight) — 6th place
• 2018 NPC USA Championships (Middleweight) — 3rd place 
• 2018 NPC National Championships (Middleweight) — 6th place
• 2018 Caribbean Grand Prix Pro Qualifier (Light Heavyweight) — 3rd place
• 2019 NPC South Jersey Championships (Heavyweight) — 1st place
• 2019 NPC USA Championships (Heavyweight) — 2nd place
• 2020 North American Championships (Super Heavyweight) — 1st place | Earned Pro Card
• 2020 Chicago Pro (Open) — 4th place
• 2021 New York Pro (Open) — 1st place 
• 2021 Arnold Classic (Open) — 1st place
• 2021 Mr. Olympia (Open) — 5th place

A Singular Focus

Including these dumbbell presses, Walker’s recent training is related to his focus on the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Walker has previously stated he will not feature in any other upcoming competitions this year save for that meet. His focused competitive thought process is connected to a desire to improve upon a fifth-place finish at the 2021 Mr. Olympia. 

While it doesn’t appear to be a significant obstacle to his goals, Walker recently changed coaches. Up until early November 2021, Matt Jansen was Walker’s coach through most of his bodybuilding career. Jansen undoubtedly played a significant role in Walker’s recent first-place, Open division triumphs at both the 2021 New York Pro and 2021 Arnold Classic. The two men did part ways amicably, per a post on Jansen’s Instagram profile. 

Walker’s new coach, Dominick Mutascio, now has the task of helping the bodybuilder achieve an improved result during his second-ever Mr. Olympia this coming December. Walker will have to overcome many big names when it comes time to step onto that stage, including reigning Open division champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, Brandon Curry, Hadi Choopan Hunter Labrada, and perhaps even Shaun Clarida. 

What the near future holds in store will likely be related to Walker’s continued progress with his new coach. The 2022 Mr. Olympia will take place on December 15-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. 

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Nick Walker Incline Presses 185-Pound Dumbbells for 10 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.