Nick Walker Showed Off a Brutal Leg Workout! The Reigning Mr. Olympia Is Preparing for the 2027 Arnold Classic

Not long ago, he was competing for the most prestigious title in professional bodybuilding. Today, he’s already thinking about how to take his physique to the next level. Nick Walker certainly isn’t resting on his laurels after his triumph at Mr. Olympia 2026. The American bodybuilder, nicknamed “The Mutant” by his fans, has already begun preparing for the 2027 Arnold Classic.

And judging by his latest workout video, it’s clear he has no intention of easing up on the intensity. In the video posted on October 19, he showcased a grueling leg workout that combined heavy working sets, machines, and special intensity-boosting techniques.

After his victory at the Olympia, another big goal lies ahead

Walker’s season this year has been extraordinary. After placing sixth at Mr. Olympia 2025, he managed to return to the absolute world elite. At the 2026 Arnold Classic, he took second place behind Andrew Jacked. He then won the Tampa Pro and managed to significantly improve his form even further.

The highlight came at the October 2026 Mr. Olympia, where he defeated both Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda and won the prestigious Sandow Trophy for the first time in his career. Walker thus became the 20th Mr. Olympia champion in history. But his ambitions certainly don’t end there.

He has stated in the past that he wants to win as many Olympia and Arnold Classic titles as possible during his career. He has already won the latter competition once, in 2021.

Now he wants to add another victory.

No compromises! Walker is banking on intensity and the rest-pause method

In a new training video, Walker showed that his preparation remains extremely demanding. Of particular interest is his use of the rest-pause method. This involves the athlete performing a working set, taking a very short break, and then continuing with additional repetitions.

The goal is to extend the duration of hard work with the chosen load. Walker used this method, for example, during leg curls, leg presses, and hack squats. However, this doesn’t mean that rest-pause is automatically more effective than classic sets. It is simply one option for structuring a challenging strength training session. With appropriately set volume and intensity, traditional training methods can also yield excellent results. Walker, however, uses such techniques based on his many years of experience and personal preferences.

What does his current leg workout look like?

He began his workout with single-leg leg curls while lying down. Walker explained that he wants to incorporate exercises performed with each leg separately more often so he can better address any muscle imbalances. He then moved on to the leg press, which has long been one of his favorite exercises.

Here, he focused on challenging sets and high muscle tension. He continued with hack squats and Romanian deadlifts on the multipress. Bodyweight lunges were also an interesting part of the workout. Although he could have used additional weight after the previous exercises, he decided to focus primarily on controlled movement.

He emphasized a slow eccentric phase, feeling the quadriceps, and actively engaging the glutes. He finished the workout with exercises for the adductors and abductors.

Since he hadn’t worked his rear delts the previous day, he added a machine fly at the very end.

Overview of exercises from Walker’s workout:

Note: The rear deltoid fly wasn’t part of the leg workout in the strict sense. Walker added it as a supplement to the previous workout.

Why does he prefer machines over free weights?

Another interesting aspect of Walker’s approach is his preference for weight machines. Throughout the video, he explained that when training certain muscle groups, machines allow him to feel the workout more intensely. In this context, he mentioned chest training, for example, where he currently does not consider dumbbells to be the ideal choice for his individual needs.

A similar philosophy is reflected in his leg training as well. The leg press and hack squats are an important part of his routine. However, this does not mean that machines are generally better than free weights. Both options can effectively stimulate muscle growth, and the choice between them should be based on the training goal, technical capabilities, and preferences of the individual athlete.

Walker primarily chooses exercises that allow him to train intensely and with control.

Intense training also requires proper nutrition

Intense sets, heavy weights, and methods like rest-pause can be physically very demanding. If you’re doing longer strength training sessions, it’s therefore important to consider not only the intensity itself but also sufficient energy intake, hydration, and a high-quality diet throughout the day.

For truly long or high-volume workouts, GymSupps Super Intra can be a practical option. It contains carbohydrates in the form of Cluster Dextrin®, essential amino acids, and other ingredients designed for use during physical activity. This drink thus offers a way to consume additional energy and nutrients during your workout.

For a typical, shorter gym session, however, such a supplement isn’t necessary. If you have sufficient energy intake, a high-quality diet, and appropriately scheduled training sessions, you likely won’t need any special intra-workout supplement. Supplementation makes sense when it addresses a specific need.

Can Nick Walker add a second Arnold Classic title?

The 2027 Arnold Classic will take place in early March in Columbus, Ohio. Walker wants to return to the competition in even better shape than when he won this year’s Olympia. Although he’s already among the absolute best bodybuilders in the world, he’s still looking for areas where he can refine his physique. And his latest leg workout shows that he certainly doesn’t underestimate the importance of preparation.

However, another victory won’t be determined solely by the number of sets completed or the weight lifted. What will be decisive is his overall competition readiness, muscle proportions, symmetry, and the ability to showcase his physique on stage.

One thing is certain, though.

Nick Walker certainly hasn’t lost his motivation after winning Mr. Olympia 2026. At the 2027 Arnold Classic, he wants to showcase an even better version of his physique.