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June 29, 2023

Jay Cutler Names 8 of His Favorite 2023 Mr. Olympia Contenders

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Cutler shared his thoughts on a stacked group of competitors.

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At the time of this writing, there is still so much to sort out in regard to the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest. Even with just over four months before bodybuilding’s tentpole competition, there is undoubtedly a lot of competitive jostling behind the scenes. For Jay Cutler, four-time Mr. Olympia champion (2006-2007, 2009-2010), the bodybuilding legend likes seeing what some of the fittest people on the planet are brewing.

On June 23, 2023, in one of the latest episodes of his podcast, Cutler broke down where he believes the current Men’s Open division stands before the onset of the 2023 Olympia this early November. To say the least, in a conversation with his manager Matthew M. Daniels, the icon maintained he has his eyes on a few familiar names and didn’t mince words about potential upstarts.

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While Cutler didn’t offer specific thoughts on every prime Mr. Olympia competitor  — Nick Walker was mentioned in passing but not expanded upon — he did mostly touch every corner of the elite bodybuilders of the Men’s Open class. Here are some of Cutler’s thoughts on what’s sure to be a loaded Mr. Olympia stage in Orlando, FL:

Michal “Križo” Križánek

Cutler was impressed by Michal Križánek’s recent progress but still felt he hadn’t closed the gap enough on the other athletes.

“He [Križánek] was looking so paper thin, especially in the upper body,” Cutler said. “The arms are some of the best in the business, and it’s looked like he made improvements, which, I think he did improve from his prior showings. But I don’t know if he came down in size a little bit to gather the condition. I still feel like he’s still going to have trouble pushing the top spots at the [2023] Olympia.”

Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda

To some, after his runner-up Mr. Olympia finish in 2022, Derek Lunsford is the next heir-apparent superstar in bodybuilding. Cutler seems to be one of those people. However, after a recent mutual training session, Cutler ensured he talked up 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) winner Samson Dauda as a possible Olympia champion in his own right.

“We just saw Derek [Lunsford] and Samson [Dauda], too,” Cutler said. “They trained together a couple days ago and Derek looks tremendous, which he always has, and Samson looks tremendous, which he has for the past few years. Obviously, he’s the Arnold [Classic] winner. The question is if Derek would’ve done the Arnold [Classic], and we could keep talking about that.”

Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry

Cutler believes that two established titans, Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry, have somewhat been overlooked in the popular conversation. That might be a mistake for the defending Olympia champion (Choopan) and the 2019 victor (Curry).

“Contention-wise, Hadi’s [Choopan] been kind of shouting out ‘don’t forget about me,’” Cutler explained. “We’re also forgetting Brandon Curry.”

Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay

After falling short of a “three-peat” in his Olympia title defense, there have been rumblings that Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay could take a break from bodybuilding to recharge. The Egyptian dynamo has quelled these conversations, maintaining that he’s training “angry” for Olympia redemption in the fall. Cutler believes this is the right mentality to have because:

  1. Elssbiay doesn’t have time to waste as he nears the age of 40 and
  2. Cutler thinks that Elssbiay, at his best, can still win the Olympia.

“Ramy [Elssbiay] sounds like he’s going to come back and compete, which I’m all for,” Cutler said ” … The point is he [Elssbiay] just needs to regroup and do what he does best and come in the best of his ability. There’s no real timeline on that. He’s 38, he can’t take a few years off. I hear his health is really great. I hear his training is really great. He’s had some atrophy compared to years prior on the arms, triceps, I think he’s admitted to having some downsizing there. But he looked great at the [2023] Arnold [Classic].”

Chinedu Obiekea aka “Andrew Jacked” and Hunter Labrada

Andrew Jacked finished on the podium at the 2023 AC and has already mapped out ambitious summer competitive plans as a way to qualify for the 2023 Olympia. Meanwhile, Hunter Labrada is in hot pursuit of his own Olympia redemption with a streamlined training plan.

Cutler said he liked the duo’s talent but colored his commentary as if he still needed to see more from both athletes.

“I hear great things about Andrew [Jacked], too,” Cutler stated. “The big showdown is going to be Texas [the 2023 Texas Pro]. There’s going to be other guys, too. I know there’s a lot of international shows, but that’s going to be, like, who’s not going to qualify there [in Texas]. Those two guys [Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada] need to be in the [Olympia] lineup because they’re people we’re talking about. The question is, can Andrew come and win the [2023] Olympia and shock the world?”

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More than most years, the 2023 Mr. Olympia is starting to resemble a relentless gauntlet from which only a true champion of champions will come out victorious. If an icon like Cutler professes so, such a competitive reality feels inevitable.

Featured image: @hadi_choopan on Instagram

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May 17, 2023

Andrew Jacked Weighs Over 300 Pounds in Astonishing Offseason Update

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Jacked’s offseason appears to be going quite swimmingly by this latest update.

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After some of the presumed top contenders for the 2023 Mr. Olympia recently showed out while guest posing at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, bodybuilder Chinedu Obiekea aka “Andrew Jacked” might appear to be on the outside looking in. Given the early indications from his offseason, training, and mass-building, the rising star might actually be prepared to shine in early November when he steps on stage at the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL.

On May 15, 2023, Jacked shared a physique update to his Instagram profile that was apparently “10 days” into the Men’s Open competitor’s offseason. According to the caption of his post, Jacked weighs a whopping 136.8 kilograms (301.6 pounds) in the clip where he’s “maintaining his leanness.”

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Jacked’s latest monstrous physique update coming before the onset of the 2023 summer is paired with a recent stellar competitive profile. It might resemble the resume of an up-and-coming bodybuilder ready to climb the Olympia summit and then some as a household fixture.

In 2022 alone, Jacked was a consistent finisher near the top of the podium in almost every International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League competition he participated in. According to his page on NPC News Online, the athlete began his rap sheet by winning the 2022 Arnold Amateur and followed that performance with triumphs in the 2022 Texas Pro and the 2022 Arnold Classic UK (ACUK). Such a sterling start had legends like Ken “Flex” Wheeler asserting Jacked would be a significant factor for the 2022 Olympia title. Jacked would then make his Olympia debut during said edition of the contest, where he finished in eighth place — an impressive showing for a newcomer.

To start the 2023 competitive season, Jacked took home third place at the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC), a result the athlete said he “deserved.” With intentions of building on his recent red-hot momentum, Jacked revealed he would defend his Texas Pro title this coming August in Arlington, TX. After changes to the Olympia qualification system in 2023, Jacked will use the Texas contest as his primary means of qualifying for the 2023 edition of bodybuilding’s flagship competition.

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In a stacked Men’s Open field, it might be difficult for any of the current competitors to find a way to stick out amongst their peers. At his current pace, it doesn’t seem like Jacked is having much difficulty in this regard. If anything, he’s building himself up as a legitimate part of the conversation for the 2023 Olympia title.

Featured image: @andrewjacked on Instagram

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April 5, 2023

Andrew Jacked Announces Intentions to Defend Texas Pro Title, Qualify for 2023 Olympia

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Jacked will take a similar path to Olympia qualification this year.

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On Apr. 3, 2023,  Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, aka “Andrew Jacked,” revealed in an Instagram post that he would compete at this summer’s 2023 Texas Pro. The bodybuilder is the contest’s defending champion in the Men’s Open division. The contest will feature eight separate competitive classes: the Open, 212, Women’s Physique, Figure, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness. It will take place on Aug. 19, 2023, in Arlington, TX.

Jacked used his 2022 victory as a springboard to gain qualification into the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest. That performance was partly why a bodybuilding legend like four-time Arnold Classic (AC) champion Ken “Flex” Wheeler asserted Jacked was the next big thing. It appears Jacked will be using a similar path to live up to the hype in 2023.

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With recent shifts to the 2023 Olympia qualification system — including the nixing of overall points standings from IFBB Pro League contests — anything less than a victory in Texas will force Jacked to find another avenue to qualify for the Olympia, set to take place Nov. 3-5. Not that this was a specific issue for Jacked in 2022, who was also triumphant in the 2022 Arnold Classic UK (ACUK). At the time of this article’s writing, it is unclear if Jacked will also feature in the 2023 edition of the ACUK.

As for Jacked’s recent exploits, he’s been keeping busy on stage.

After his Texas Pro and ACUK victories, Jacked would finish in eighth place at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Such a result is nothing to sneeze at for a competitor in their debut at bodybuilding’s biggest competition. Jacked would follow that performance with a third-place finish at the 2023 AC. Only champion Samson Dauda and 2022 Olympia third-place finisher Nick Walker (AC runner-up) fared better.

In the aftermath of his AC performance, Jacked maintained that he “deserved” his result. He seemed to ultimately channel it as motivation for improved results all around in any contests he appears in during the year 2023. Plus, while a moral victory in the AC isn’t what Jacked was seeking, finishing ahead of other more established Men’s Open stars like two-time Mr. Olympia (2020, 2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay (fourth place) and two-time 212 Olympia champion (2020, 2022) Shaun Clarida (fifth place), and two-time AC winner (2018, 2020) William Bonac (seventh place) is something he can hang his hat on.

In an ideal world for Jacked, such a finish in the standings would be a teaser of the electricity he brings to competitive stages in the coming months.

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There’s still a lot of work to do before Jacked establishes himself as a household name in the bodybuilding sphere. He’s assuredly already got the attention of his talented peers. Winning a major contest like the Olympia could be the next part of his career journey. Successfully defending his Texas Pro title might be the first step.

Featured image: @andrewjacked on Instagram

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February 2, 2023

Andrew Jacked’s Trainer Thinks His “Best” Will Come at 2023 Arnold Classic

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A rising superstar, those close to Jacked think he’s ready to dominate.

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When a constellation of some of bodybuilding’s biggest stars align at the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC), most will understand who to point their “telescope” toward. Some of the usual suspects like 2021 AC winner Nick Walker, former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, and two-time 212 Olympia king (2020, 2022) Shaun Clarida figure to maximize their time in the Columbus, OH, limelight on Mar. 2-5, 2023.

However, some believe reigning 2022 Texas Pro and 2022 Arnold Classic UK champion Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, a.k.a. “Andrew Jacked,” will lay claim to a dominant performance at the 2023 AC. After a recent addition to his training plans by working with Chris “Psycho” Lewis, such an assertion might not be out of the realm of possibility. On Feb. 1, 2023, Jacked’s other primary trainer, Chris Aceto, appeared on a podcast episode with RxMuscle. While updating Jacked’s ongoing work for the 2023 AC, the trainer maintained that the athlete would appear in tip-top form in Central Ohio.

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According to Aceto, Jacked is taking well to a new strength regimen that Lewis is putting him through. Lewis appears to have a mission to break Jacked down before building him back up, but the bodybuilder doesn’t sound fazed by such goals.

” … Andrew [Jacked] is pushing back against Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis,” Aceto explained. “I know Chris. Chris wants to just absolutely crush him and part of it is to see where he’s at mentally. Then, the other part is to see, can he [Jacked] really handle the training Chris wants to put him through? On both of those accounts, I would say Chris would grade him as an ‘A.’ He takes the training and he pushes back. Chris is pushing him as far as Chris thinks he needs to be pushed.”

With the 2023 AC still weeks away, Aceto maintained that Jacked is already in an optimal position to capture his first title at the contest. Though, with so much time left to prepare, the trainer isn’t putting a ceiling on what the bodybuilder could accomplish soon enough.

“I think his [Jacked’s] best is coming up in five weeks [at the 2023 Arnold Classic],” Aceto said. “I think his best look so far was today [the day of the interview]. It is probably the best look. That includes having been on an Olympia stage. I think he’s better now than he was on stage at the Olympia. … If the [2023] Olympia was tomorrow, and he brought this package, I think he’d be a little bit fuller and tighter than he was the day of the show. That’s just everyday training sessions.”

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Time will tell how Jacked fares on the 2023 AC stage. The athlete may have simultaneously enlisted the help of two expert trainers in Aceto and Lewis, knowing there’s quite a gauntlet of experienced competitors to overcome. If these hints of Jacked’s ongoing process are to be interpreted correctly, early March should be quite the showcase.

Featured image: @andrewjacked on Instagram

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January 27, 2023

Andrew Jacked Looks Shredded as He Seeks First Career Arnold Classic Title

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Jacked is ready for his moment in March.

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The first month of 2023 hasn’t even concluded, and Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, a.k.a. “Andrew Jacked,” has already kept his schedule jam-packed. The eighth-place finisher at the 2022 Mr. Olympia has followed that sterling top-10 performance by diving head-first right back into his training and nutritional plans. Part of the former note is connected to Jacked’s recent reveal he would start some work with a new trainer, Chris “Psycho” Lewis. The trainer is perhaps previously best known for his time working with the late 2018 Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden. Judging by a recent update, Lewis possibly seems on track to unlocking Jacked’s full potential.

On Jan. 26, 2023, Jacked posted a photo to his Instagram where he’s flexing his ripped chest and arm muscles. Per a general perusal of Jacked’s feed to this point in 2023, it’s the first relatively comprehensive look the bodybuilder has offered of where his physique stands over the last few weeks.

“When the hoodie comes off … chest and triceps work! … Training seems to be going pretty well.”

With the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) on the horizon in March, it might even be a great sign of Jacked’s prospects at the major contest.

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While there’s a stacked cadre of competitors on tap for the 2023 AC, that doesn’t appear to be an intimidating gauntlet for Jacked.

Sure, a field that, at this time, features two-time AC winner (2018, 2020) William Bonac, two-time Mr. Olympia champion (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, and Nick Walker (another former AC victor from 2021) may appear daunting from an initial glance. However, in this case, if Jacked was going to capture what would arguably be the biggest win of his career in Columbus, OH, on Mar. 2-5, 2023, he was likely to have to topple a set of elite peers anyway. From that perspective, overcoming stars like Bonac, Elssbiay, and Walker might be a great fortune because it would speak to, and validate, Jacked’s meticulous work in his preparation.

The athlete maintained as much during a recent Jan. 25, 2023, interview with Muscular Development while breaking down his feelings about his new training regimen and setup. Jacked also works with Chris Aceto, an experienced bodybuilding coach and consultant with 111 on-stage victories spread across his clients over the years.

“I like working with people that go together,” Jacked explained about what lies ahead in his prep work for the 2023 AC and other contests in the calendar year. “I think things will be very smooth. He [Chris Aceto] said it’s cool, so I’ll walk with him for the Arnold [Classic] … Aceto, ‘the real technician.’ He’s a wonderful guy. Well, both Chris’s. I’m working with Chris [Aceto] and Chris [Lewis]. Both of them are amazing people to start with. Amazing. It’s all business and not brotherly or intimacy or whatever.”

It’s apparent Jacked’s ambitions seem entirely valid based on the focused, hands-on attention and guidance he is now receiving. At the very least, his pair of trainers give him confidence for the journey ahead.

“Even ‘Psycho’ [Lewis], I told him, ‘Bro, I need a drill sergeant, not a brother,’” Jacked noted. “And he’s [Lewis] like, he wanted the same, too. We train and we go. There is no time for chitchat, smiling, whatever. No. We are in this for business and that’s exactly what I want. Aceto is doing his thing, too, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, good, awesome.’”

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A pivotal year in Jacked’s career could await him. He might have put himself on the map with respective wins at the 2022 Texas Pro and 2022 Arnold Classic UK, but it’s readily apparent he’s not satisfied with such an early highlight reel. To work simultaneously with two elite trainers and put one of bodybuilding’s most significant competitions in his crosshairs speaks to the legacy Jacked wants to create. He seems to desire to be special, and such a strong mentality goes a long way in a sport of intense commitment.

Featured image: @andrewjacked on Instagram

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January 9, 2023

Nick Walker Reflects on 2022 Mr. Olympia Performance, Thinks He Could’ve Fared Better

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Walker wasn’t satisfied with his latest Olympia output, and teased a resurgence.

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Nick Walker entered the 2022 Mr. Olympia with legitimate aspirations of capturing bodybuilding’s most illustrious title. A top-five finisher in his debut in 2021, many presumed Walker would improve upon that result and push former two-time reigning champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay for the crown. As it turns out, Elssbiay would fall short of defending his title, but to Hadi Choopan instead. Walker would technically build upon his debut Olympia by finishing in third, but it still wasn’t exactly what he wanted.

On Jan. 1, 2023, Walker appeared in a YouTube podcast episode of The Mutant & The Mouth. The discussion saw him reflect on his 2022 Olympia performance and look ahead to potentially completing his ascent to the top of bodybuilding’s highest peak in 2023. (Note: There is NSFW language in the video.)

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Walker doesn’t mince his words about his performance. In a frank assessment, the athlete admits he was pleased with his third-place result but thinks he probably should’ve and could’ve finished even higher in an ideal set-up. At the same time, he acknowledged that he, Derek Lunsford (second place), and Choopan might be duking it out at the top of the current Olympia pantheon for a little while. That is unless rising stars like Samson Dauda (sixth place) and Andrew Jacked (eighth place) break up the party.

“I’m very happy I took third [place],” Walker explained. “But I think, as an overall package, I think I could have been second. Derek [Lunsford], Hadi [Choopan], and I will probably be battling this out for years unless Samson [Dauda] comes out of the woodwork or if Andrew [Jacked] nails it one time. I do believe us three will be there for quite some time.”

It’s the latter two competitors in Dauda and Jacked that Walker seemed surprised by. The pair made enough of an impression on Walker for him to believe they could make some real noise with the proper refinements over the next approximate year.

“I arguably could have probably had Samson [Dauda] beating Ramy [Elssbiay] to be honest,” Walker said. “Samson’s a freak. I’m definitely excited to see what he can do at the Arnold [the Arnold Classic in March 2023], and what he can do at next year’s Olympia [in November 2023]. My personal opinion of Samson is I think he should sit out the Arnold and focus on making more improvements for the Olympia. He could cause a lot of havoc. His only downfall was he wasn’t conditioned enough. … Andrew [Jacked] made us look like amateurs. When this man was just chilling in his little Speedo, just relaxing, you’re just like, ‘What the [expletive] is that?’ He is one of the nicest guys.”

Walker himself will not be participating in the 2023 Arnold Classic. Much like the year 2022, he will center his efforts on training for the Olympia to optimize his best hopeful possible results.

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Like many of his peers, the year 2023 will be pivotal for Walker. Already a household name in the bodybuilding sphere, all that’s left for him to accomplish is capturing his first career Olympia title. The next edition of the contest will take place sometime in November 2023 in Orlando, FL. Given some of the names he was impressed by, that task likely won’t come easily. As Walker assuredly understands, winning the sport’s most prestigious prize rarely comes without a few challenges.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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December 15, 2022

5 Dark Horses to Watch at the 2022 Mr. Olympia

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The favorites are obvious. The potential underdogs are more understated.

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As the 2022 Mr. Olympia launches this weekend, the general expectation is that two-time defending champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay will take home his third straight title in Las Vegas, NV. In fact, bodybuilding legends with a wealth of knowledge about the sport, like fellow eight-time Mr. Olympia winners Ronnie Coleman (1998-2005) and Lee Haney (1984-1991), believe Elssbiay is a virtual lock.

However, every Olympia can present a surprise, such as a new contender making the most of their first contest berth. Even if they don’t win the whole thing, a result near the top while toppling some usual mainstays still more than qualifies as a sterling performance. Here are five dark horses who might thrive at the 2022 Mr. Olympia and shock the bodybuilding world on Dec. 16-18, 2022.

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This 2022 Olympia dark horse list is not short on diversity, especially in competitive backgrounds. It has a former champion, albeit in a different division. It has respective young, ascending stars looking to make their mark. It even has an athlete who made a late push to qualify but seems more than ready to maximize his golden opportunity. It is in no particular order as a highlight of those potentially overlooked at the contest but who probably shouldn’t be.

Blessing Awodibu

Per NPC News Online, Awodibu is relatively new to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League competitive circuit. In his debut year in 2021, he took home third place at the Indy Pro and finished sixth at the New York Pro. He improved upon those results by winning the 2022 iteration of the Indy Pro outright to qualify for his first-ever Olympia.

Awodibu himself certainly hasn’t shied away from taking cues from those who have been there and done that. The most notable example might be when he trained with seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath (2011-2017), putting his arms through the wringer. Meanwhile, Coleman has cited Awodibu as someone with the necessary aesthetic to shine in a debut performance.

It’ll be a potentially tall order to actually capture the Olympia title, but a stellar top-five placing isn’t out of the question for the Irish athlete.

Michal “Krizo” Križánek

Another newcomer, Krizo made headlines during the 2022 calendar year for his summer transition from the IFBB Elite Pro League to the IFBB Pro League division. He had set his ambitions on a quick turnaround to qualifying for the 2022 Olympia and didn’t fall short. The Slovakian competitor succeeded with his goals when he earned his Pro Card at the 2022 Amateur Olympia Italy and then got a place in the Olympia by winning the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro.

Unlike Awodibu, Coleman previously asserted that Krizo still has a lot of ground to make up with his physique despite some “great arms.” Though, from a glance, his ripped body still resembles someone who could make some noise in a first appearance.

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Samson Dauda

As someone with a little more IFBB Pro League seasoning, Dauda has been knocking on the Olympia doorstep for some time. The 2022 edition of the contest will mark his debut after roughly five years in this competitive bodybuilding circuit. Dauda can boast a recent host of podium finishes like a second-place result in the 2021 Romania Muscle Fest Pro and the 2021 Yamamoto Cup Pro.

Dauda may have really burst onto the scene when he took home fourth place at the 2022 Arnold Classic. Given that established powerhouses like 2019 Olympia champion Brandon Curry and perennial Olympia contender William Bonac were some names who finished above Dauda, the result undoubtedly furled some eyebrows.

The British athlete will look to turn even more heads at the Olympia.

Andrew Jacked

Some view Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, a.k.a. “Andrew Jacked,” as the latest phenom in bodybuilding, and they might not be wrong. The Nigerian athlete exploded onto the scene in 2022, winning both the 2022 Texas Pro and the 2022 Arnold Classic UK. Such performances drew rave reviews from four-time Arnold Classic champion (1993, 1997, 1998, 2000) Ken “Flex” Wheeler, who previously noted that Jacked’s general lack of “mileage” puts him in an advantageous position compared to his peers.

Entering the 2022 Olympia, Jacked will likely be riding a wave of hype. He may even live up to that simmering reputation underneath.

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Derek Lunsford

Amidst all the newcomers and Olympia rookies, Lunsford seems to be sitting pretty as his first-ever Men’s Open appearance unfolds. After gaining more weight and muscle than he expected, the former 212 Olympia champion (2021) formally transitioned to the division in September 2022 and seemingly hasn’t looked back.

Coming from the 212 division, Lunsford will have to contend with a host of competitors who weigh 260 pounds and above. As the Olympia M.C. Bob Chicarello stated at the Dec. 15, 2022, Olympia press conference, Elssbiay will likely weigh 300 pounds on stage. That’s a lot of mass to contend with. However, if anyone has the pedigree and experience to not only get a top-five result but potentially win it all, it’s Lunsford.

The athlete has previously discussed the raw emotions behind competing on stage at the Olympia. Aside from the expected butterflies of any professional athlete, it doesn’t sound like this dynamo will be intimidated by the new obstacle on his plate in the least.

Anything is Possible

While heavy favorites like Elssbiay will likely shine, the 2022 Olympia is bound to surprise with a few up-and-comers. Any number of these dark horses could soon become household names in a stacked field. Fans can keep up with all the action by purchasing a pay-per-view premium package for $69.99 at the Olympia website — www.olympiaproductions.com.

Featured image: @dereklunsford_ on Instagram

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November 30, 2022

Andrew Jacked Trains Back With Advice From Flex Lewis as Olympia Debut Nears

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There are few bodybuilders better to take cues from than Lewis.

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After sterling first-place performances at the 2022 Texas Pro and the 2022 Arnold Classic UK, Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, a.k.a. “Andrew Jacked,” is undoubtedly hoping for a shining debut at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. As the potential bodybuilding phenom of the 2022 calendar year, some established icons already think he’s destined for greatness. In light of that, the athlete seems to understand the value of taking cues from those who have been there and done that.

On Nov. 23, 2022, Jacked posted a video on his YouTube channel where he works through a back workout while guided by seven-time 212 Olympia champion James “Flex” Lewis. The video is appropriately entitled “Paying Attention to Detail,” given that it takes place during the final stages of Jacked’s preparation for the Olympia, being held on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.

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Here’s an overview of the back routine Lewis takes Jacked through as he prepares for the biggest competitive moment of his young career so far.

Pull-Up

As directed by Lewis, Jacked starts his workout by warming up with a few sets of standard bodyweight pull-ups. Jacked uses a “suicide grip” — where one doesn’t wrap their thumb around a bar or barbell — to perform the pull-ups. The purpose of this change-up was to focus more on refining his back rather than strengthening his arms, while also disengaging Jacked’s forearms after he mentioned having a slight muscle strain.

Chest-Supported Low Row

Jacked and Lewis next shift to chest-supported low rows at a high volume. The aim of this specific movement was to build thickness in the back while forcing the athletes to isolate their back muscles. It is here where Lewis stressed an “attention to detail” beyond simply lifting heavy weight.

“To me, right now, it’s all about trying to get these little details out,” Lewis explains. “Because we all know you can train and put [expletive] six plates on the machine but to get a good detail out, that’s why you pose, pose, and pose. There’s no weight involved in posing, right? You’re just holding the pose, and when you’ve done that over weeks, you see all those [details].”

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Chest-Supported Row and Bent-Over Straight Arm Pulldown (Superset)

Lewis wanted to challenge Jacked’s lattisimus dorsi muscles a bit more, in particular, making a superset of chest-supported rows and straight-arm pulldowns with cables a natural step in this workout. Lying face-down on an incline, Jacked’s lower lats were stressed with the rows, while the pulldown variation further worked the muscle without assistance from surrounding body parts. Lewis emphasized using a slow motion for both movements and little rest between sets.

Kneeling Lat Pulldown

Lewis and Jacked elect to do a variation of the traditional lat pulldown by performing it from a kneeling position while using a closer grip. The lats are still engaged and significantly stretched, while the kneeling position and differing grip also allow the core and pectorals muscles to also enjoy a measure of work.

Seated Machine Row

To conclude their workout, Lewis and Jacked throw in one more lat-muscle oriented movement with some seated rows. This closer, in addition to improving back strength and size, may also accentuate better posture for the athlete.

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Knowing what Lewis has accomplished in his career, Jacked sees the icon as having a lot to offer someone still looking to make their mark. While he definitely knows how to take care of his body, Jacked seemed to appreciate Lewis taking the time to walk him through this workout. As the most important performance of Jacked’s career looms on the horizon, learning from the best could be the best way to properly prepare.

“The push [Lewis gave me] was crazy,” Jacked said. “That’s why I need someone that can take over. I just work based on my preference, and that’s why I am still in the maintenance phase. I need someone that can get me past my limits which is what I will definitely work on in my off-season after the 2022 Olympia. Because to be the best, I have to work with the best.”

Featured image: @andrewjacked on Instagram

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