Nick Walker is on track to compete on the Mr. Olympia stage in 2024, and he’s been on his way there with great momentum since “The Mutant” won his second New York pro title back in May. Luckily for us, the accomplished bodybuilder loves to impart some hard-earned wisdom, and in a recent Instagram post, Walker explained what’s been key to his recent success.
In the video, Walker is seen talking to an unknown individual, who explains that while he used to just throw weights around during workouts, “The Mutant” has changed his mentality in recent years and made progress. Walker feels that his previous aggressive approach to weightlifting built him a “decent physique,” but later realized it wasn’t good for him. Now, he says, “form is key: slow negative reps, slight pause to stretch, explosive rise, light squeeze, and repeat.”
Nick Walker says focusing on form has helped him eliminate joint pain
But Walker understands that becoming a more technical lifter can take a toll on his ego. “Yes, my ego is hurt because I can’t lift as heavy if I’m doing it this way. I think, ‘Oh, damn,’ but then I put things in perspective and take a step back, and I think, ‘My back hurts, so…'” Walker went on to explain that since he started focusing on technique, he no longer experiences any joint pain. “And yes, my strength is really starting to improve, but I’m not getting any joint pain. It’s all happening in the muscles.” Of course, there are ways to focus on the details and still chase the numbers, says the Mr. Olympia candidate. “…For that matter, to think about it, I was going to lift any weight, but to do it with controlled form, it’s really amazing.”
The bodybuilding community was quick to debate Walker’s beliefs, with Instagram user @troy_mustachio asking the question: “That explains the difference between bodybuilding and weightlifting nicely. When did the real change happen and did you realize the mind-muscle connection right away or did it take time?” Walker answered naturally: “I think about three years ago. I learned quickly. When you slow down your movements, in my opinion, you naturally feel tension.” Interestingly, it was about three years ago that Walker won the 2021 Arnold Classic. His Olympia records have improved in recent years. In 2021, “The Mutant” placed fifth and in 2022 third. Despite missing out on the 2023 competition, the big man is hoping to make 2024 his best year yet.
